MAKARAU

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 June 1914, Page 5

MAKARAU

(From Our Own Coi respondent) It has been a well-known fact for some j'ears that hen pheasants are not as well protected as they might be, and consequently they are becoming more scarce every season. A meeting was therefore held in the Hall last week, and a number of those interested in sport in the district attended to discuss the matter. Mr F. J^lvin was voted to Ihe «hair. After a good deal of. discussion an agreement was drawn up and signed by all present, in which they promised to do their best to pieserve and protect all gamo out of season, and especially hen pheasants (both in and out of season). The following gentle-* men were elected as a commitree to carry out the rules of the agreement: Messrs F. Elviu, J. Hooper, F. E. Woodcock, P. Smith, and H Hooper. The movement has been enthusiastically taken up, and the agreement has already been signed by the majority of the settlers. We have been given to understand that the Acclimatization Society will send a few of the large imported birds into the district to improve the breed of pheasants, and it is hoped that in another year or two the birds will be larger and more plentiful than they are at present.

A pleasant little social was held in the Hall on the 3rd iust., the funds to be used in the purchase of blankets and clothing for Mr McKay, whose hjuse was unfortunately destroyed b} T fire during the previous week. Owing to the unsettled state of the weather the gathering was not so

large as it would, otherwise have been, but several who were unable to attend sent 2/6 for tho t cket. A dainty and plentiful supper was kindly nrovided by Mesdames Eivii), G. Smith and E. Smith. Messrs C. and T. Hooper provided the mubic. All was dune free of charge.

Mr McKay was ploughing, and at a considerable distance from his house, when it was destroyed. When he returned to prepare his lunch, he found that his house, with everything it contained, was burned to the ground. Even his gun went with the rest, and he was wearing "his oldest clothes and boots. Much sympathy was felt for him.