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Patea Mail, 27 January 1882, Page 3

Mr John Gibson is recovering rapidly from the prostration caused by overstraining in digging. He is attended by Dr Croft. .Nelson held a baby show on New Year’s Day, and 25 proud mothers brought their darlings forward. The prize baby was “ a thing of beauty ” by the name of Johnson, six months old. Nine prizes were awarded, and the remaining 16 exhibits received “honorable mention.” It was wise of the judge to award nine prizes, but the sixteen honorable mentions will account for the report that he has since ordered a wig. A lady named Mary McGuire, Had trouble in lighting the fire ; The wood being green, she used kerosene, And she’s gone where the fuel is drier. On farms, whether large or small, in the valleys or on the hill sides, the keeping of good sheep will almost always prove remunerative. A small flock well kept will be more satisfactory than a large on® neglected. Active preparations are being made to start refrigerating and slaughtering works at Wangaratta, Victoria. Hilltop, in the Sale district, has been recently visited by a green beetle plague, denuding the trees of foliage and eating up all vegetation, Kerang selectors are threatening the Government with legal proceedings on account of the damage done to their crops by the Crown lands rabbits. In the year 1788 there were only 29 sheep in Australia. At the present time there are no fewer than 62,000,000. The ranges in the Maitland district are estimated to contain 100,000 flying foxes, and to save the orchards a wholesale and combined effort is to be made to destroy the winged marsupial pests.