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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2076, 10 May 1907, Page 1

“Oil the lace of it there seems to be some mistake,” said an officer of the Agricultural Department the other day, discussing tho cable message relating that a mail in Australia bad contracted anthrax after landing New Zealand bides. “It seems very unlikely that there is any anthrax in New Zealand now. Wo have bad no reports for a long time about any outbreak of anthrax in Taranaki ; it is sonic years since any ease occurred there. At the present time there is no anthrax known in New Zealand, and in view of tho procautions in tho matter of sterilising all animal manures before they come into the country from India and Australia, it is most unlikely that anthrax will appear in the country again.” He. thought that a mistake bad been made in attributing the man’s attack to the handling ot hides from New Plymouth ; lie must have handled something else. It was possible—it could not be denied outright—that the consignment might have been responsible for the trouble, but this was highly improbable. Enquiries into the matter were being made, and the hides would be traced.”

From time to time (says the Southland News) the depredations of weasels in poultry yards are recorded, and of late the animals have been unusually busy in some of .the suburbs. One resident is immune from the attentions of these rodents through the possession of a cat that gives them short shrift. The average pussy makes itself scarce in such circumstances, but the one. referred to is stated to keep watch and enjoy a passage at arms which invariably results in victory for it Some halfdozen weasels that have fallen a prey to the combative instincts of the oat have been carried home by it,; but on more than one occasion the household pot has borne marks that indicated severe struggles. Once it had been attacked from behind, judging from a wound it bore at the back of the neck, hut pussy succeeded in releasing itself and ultimately coming out of the fray triumphant. As before indicated, cal's are not generally known to court the presence of a weasel, and this instance of ono with an opposite tendency, is worth placing on record.

“It is imperative' that the fruit industry of this district should he placed on a profitable basis for next season,” urges the Manawatu Herald (Levin), “and as there would bo advertising expenses to meet in Wellington to enable the public to 'know what was being done at this end, wc would recommend the fruit-growers of the Shannon, Levin, and Otaki districts to form an association with a small annual subscription to defray oxpensos. By establishing agencies in the various centres along this coast as above suggested, and the formation of a fruit-growers’ association for the whole district, we are certain that the fruit industry will not on!}’ be made to pay, but great encouragement would be given for the further and immediate expansion of what, though languishing at present under the baneful influence of the middleman, may he made to contribute largely to the wealth' of our country,”

Some three months ago the farmers at Whangamomona decided to put down a sheep dip. By forming a small association, after subscribing a little over £IOO, a committee was appointed to carry out the work, and after a consultation they decided to put in a walking dip, one of the first to he built ill Taranaki. The dip is six feet long, and being on a principle new to most of the settlers, it had been looked upon with a certain amount of suspicion us to whether sheep would lead in without a very large amount of forcing. At the trial opening about 100 sheep were put through flip, dip in the very short time of about twelve minutes, and so well did the sheep follow on that it. was necessary several times to hold hack those ill the race. Both Mr. Blundell anil Mr. Budge, who were present to inspect on behalf of their Department, were emphatic in their approval of the new venture, and expressed their pleasure in declaring it a perfect success. The sand for the concrete had to lie brought from Plymouth, and thp face fencing and bringing in the water brought the total cost of the venture up to £l6O.

At an impromptu gathering of members of the Royal Besses o’ lb’ Barn Band, hold at the residence of Dr. Stopford, Auckland, on May sth, remarks were made expressing the band’s appreciation of the cordial reception accorded them, throughout their New Zealand tour. The following resolution was heartily carried: “That the heartiest thanks of the hand lie tendered to the inhabitants of Auckland, and through them to the colony of New Zealand, for their goodwill towards, good attendanccsat, and great appreciation of, a winking man’s brass band.” The members of the hand acknowledged (he cordiality extended fq them and (lie enthusiasm which they received at the hands f<> New Zealanders, the appreciation of their musical efforts being unequalled in any other part of the colonies through wlnph they, have yet travelled, . As a band of manual workers, they especially extend their thanks and sympathy to fellow - workers, and to bandsmen of this colony, as well as to the howling clubs of the colony, who threw their greens open to the visitors and arranged matches for their benefit.”

I It is understood that authority will be asked next session for the appointment of at least two aditional Na- ! five Land Court Judges. The Native Minister does not think Parliament ' will object to the .strengthening of the bench, seeing how necessary it is that the titles to Maori lands should be ascertained as speedily as possible. ! The Cheviot correspondent of the Christchurch Press writes that it is not generally known that there are indications of petroleum on the Cheviot Estate. It is stated that an expert will visit the district in a few weeks to investigate. Much of the water obtained from the wells' in the township gives signs of the presence of oil.