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Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 282, 7 December 1901, Page 1

In the Rongofcea district strawberries are fetching 14s per gallon. Formerly they were retailed at Is 6d.

The Wellington Acclimatisation Society recently set up a committee to report on the reason of the decrease of game in the districts under its jurisdiction. The committee went very thoroughly into the matter, and procured reports from settlers in all parts of the country. The result was very depressing to sportsmen, showing as it did that close settlement and stoats and weasels and egg-eating imported birds had practically denuded of gamo several districts in which it used to flourish exceedingly. So subdued was the committee by this information that it went the length of suggesting to the Society that only water birds and waders be imported, bred, and liberated in Wellington district in future, but this failed to meet with approval. The feeling of the meeting was expressed in the following resolution :—“ That this meeting believos it would be advisable to take special steps to conserve the land game at present in existence, and from time to time make such importations of land birds already proved to have thrived successfully in New Zealand, and all such water birds as from time to time may bo deemed advisable.”

A party of picnickers at the Orange caves (N.S.W.). one of the favorite pleasure, spots in that district, had a sensational experience the other, day. The company, which comprised young people of both sexes, were accompanied by an amateur photographer, who arranged to take a picture. Accordingly 13 of the party grouped themselves on a log, which crossed a sheet ol water of considerable depth. They had just got in a picturesque position in front of the camera, to the satisfaction of the photographer, when the log gave way, breaking in the centre, and the whole party were precipitated into the water. The screams of the ladies attracted assistance from a neighboring party of picnickers, and as several of the men in the water were good swimmers, all hands were rescued in a short

space of time. There were some narrow escapes, one girl sinking twice. The ladies received a great fright, and if was some time before they recovered from the shock. A start was immediately afterwards made for Cudal, a distanco of several miles, a change of clothes being unobtainable until' home was reached.