SCOTLAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 351, 8 February 1881, Page 2

SCOTLAND.

The “ own correspondent ” to the Otago Daily Times ” sends the following to that paper: — ; PLAGUE CP EATS. Sensational accounts come from Maryhill, a suburb of Glasgow, regarding an invasion of rats under which the former place is suffering. It is stated that they have suddenly swarmed into the town in thousands, filling shops, warehouses, and dwellings alike, and driving the inhabitants well high frantic. A sudden demand for rat poison has enriched the local chemists, but they ar e the only gainers. One tradesman, under the pressure of a loathsome necessity, is reported to have invented a machine for capturing and killing the hated creatures, and by means of it has disposed of 136 in his shop within a fortnight, or at the rate of about 10 each day. It is a pity that no particulars regarding so useful an invention have, been made public. The rats have also been seen swimming down the Kelvin on their way to Glasgow, while many more have travelled by land. It is believed the severe frosts in the early half of November, and the very stormy weather which followed, have caused the rats to swarm in from the country districts- In Edinburgh I hear that rats are becoming so numerous in some quarters as to be not only a source of disquiet, but of no small loss to houserowners, as the fact that rats are in a house causes tenants to leave, and deters others from taking their place. It is evident that rat exterpation presents a promising field to a man of inventive genius. GENERAL NEWS. The personality of the late Mr Thomas Biggart, of Baidlandhill, Ayrshire, has been sworn under £138,296. The total value of this season’s “ catch ” by the Dundee whalers is estimated at £IIO,OOO, which is £20,000 less than last year, the decrease being caused by a fall in the price of bone. . Speaking of whales, one was cast up at Bernera, in the Hebrides, the other day, which was found to measure no' less than 105 feet in length ; 75 feet being counted a large size for a whale to attain in these days. The back of the whale was broken, it is believed by the creature being struck by a steamer. The blubber was two feet thick in some places. ’ An industrial and art exhibition for Kincardiheshire is to be held at Stonehaven next August. The Rev’ Mr Macdonald, Free Church Minister of Urray, celebrated his jubilee on

Kingwall taking part officially in the proceedings. Mr Macdonald was presented with a cheque for £2oo as a mark of the esteem in which he is held.

The teetotallers of Glasgow have subscribed over £7OO for the erection of a memorial of the services of Mr Collins to the cause of temperance during his recent as Lord Provost. It is likely the will take the appropriate form of a drinking fountain.

Mr D. F. Lowe, rector of, Bathgate Academy, has been elected out of 28 candidates to succeed the late Dr Bedford as house-gevernor of Heriot’s Hospital, Edinburgh. Mr Lowe has been for seven years at Bathgate, prior to which he was for five years on the teaching staff -at Heriot’s Hospital.