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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 214, 31 August 1876, Page 4

The Southland News reports tbat the farms in the western district of the province are suffering to an enormous extent from the ravages of an enemy not less potent than tbe rabbit for mischief. This new foe is the common, rat, who is now making frightful havoc in the stockyards. Of the two, any agriculturist would infinitely prefer to be annoyed by the former, as he could at least have the satisfaction of eating them, and turning tbeir skins to some account, but the rat will give no return whatever for his ravages. The latter too, is worst after tbe farmer fondly hopes his toils are all over for a season when his crops are gathered. To have tbem nibbled ail away, and nothiog left but so much useless straw, is doubly vexatious, if not ruinous. If, therefore legislation be necessary in the one case, it is not less so in the other, and if Parliament will consider how best to deal with the foe of the squatW, it cannot in fairness, tefuse to take some step towards checking this enemy of the farmer. A second telegram to the Post regarding the clerical scandal at Napier says : — "There is great excitement here over the affair. A meeting of the parishioners of St John's Church was held last night. Between 300 and 350 persons were present, the Mayor in the chair. Resolutions were unanimously passed strongly condemnatory of the conduct of the other clergy in persecuting the Rev. Mr Robinson so as to goad him to resign his position as curate. Resolutions were also passed condoling with him. Archdeacon Williams, son of the late Bishop of Waiapu, attempted to defend the action of the clergy, and stem popular opinion, but his efforts were useless, and he was hissed at. Mr Newton, one of the most popular speakers, declared that tha parishioners were determined, now that the clergy had thrown down the gauntlet, to take it up. The incumbent of the parish, the Rev. Mr Townsend, is greatly sympathised witb, as it is believed that he has been made a tool of by other jealous clergymen to decry a young, able, and popular preaoher. — It is rumored this evening that Mr Townsend has resigned, owing io the strong expression of feeling by the parishioners last evening, — The charges made against (be Rev. Mr Robinson nre tbat he is untruthful, does not visit his parishioners, copies bis sermons, and preaches heresy. As each charge was read at tbe meeting, scornful laughter greeted them.— -The R?v. Mr Robinson still desires to leave Napier, bnt every effort is being made to keep him here.