NEVER OWNED A RABBIT.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4224, 15 July 1882, Page 4

NEVER OWNED A RABBIT.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Master ton, Robert Brown, a demurelooking man, pleaded guilty to a charge of neglecting to kill the vermin on his property at Taratahi. Mr Wardell, E.M.: Have you anything to say for yourself ?—Defendant: I ne'er owned a rabbit in ma life.—(Laughter.)

And who owns them P—Farquhar Grey and ma neebors roond aboot.—(.Renewed laughter.), Are they branded where you know them ?—Ou, aye, some o' them are weel branded. —(Laughter.) But how do you fix the ownership?— I ken them by the looks o' them. Are you living on the land?—' Deed, no ; they stairved me aff it. They ate the grass, my sheep deed, and sac I'm workin' on the roadside.

Can't you get some one to live on it, and kill the rabbits-?— I've tried, but canna; I've offered to lease it, but nae ane will tak' it. (The heavy sigh that followed caused renewed merriment.)

How much have you?—Twa hunner and thirteen acres. Have you tried to clear the rabbits off it? •

Haven't I! I've had men and dugs, and wrocht masel nicht and day, but they only grow the thicker. You have done nothing lately ?—I thocht they had gane o' their ane accord after eatin' me oot. When I last saw it I only saw three. • Then you have grass again ?—Half a fit high, mon. (Laughter.) And why don't you put sheep on it ?— I've nae bawbees to buy them. The case was adjourned for fourteen days, Mr Wardell threatening a heavy penalty if Brown did not fight the rabbits in the meantime. —Wairarapa Star.