The Plague of Rats.
The plagne of rats m the Nelson province docs not seem to abate, and some queer .stories are told m connection with the rodent*. In the Wnimea district they penetrate to the bedrooms, hide m tea-kettles, get locked m boxes, drown themselves m wells, and allow themselves to be caught by boys, small and largo, cats, dogs, and even swine. They climb trees, and afford amusement to the happy possessors of catapults. One writer says thatit is'qui^e within the mark to affirm thatone-half the num-> ber of wells contain water unfit for drinking purposes, being reitflered offensive, if not positively injurious, by the piesence of theso noxious little creatures. A neighbour, not satisfied with the extraordinary savor or flavour of the well water, on looking m saw the well was teeming with rats — as many as half-a-dozen then m the act of swimming for dear life on (he surface of the water. 'He naturally procured a long stick to expedite their despatch, when some of them, to his immense astonishment, smartly effected their escape by using tho pole as a ladder. Many people allow iheir -swine to .devour Jbhese* vermin, and if (he rat is one of the few refuges of trichinae, then it behoves us to be careful what pork we eat next season.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 138, 21 November 1884, Page 2
Word Count
219The Plague of Rats. Manawatu Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 138, 21 November 1884, Page 2
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