General News.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4567, 24 August 1883, Page 2

General News.

As an illustration of th»- very formidable nature of the work of rabbit extermination in the South Island, it may be mentioned that during the three months April, May, and June, between 80,000 and 90,000 rabbits were kilted on the Shag Valley Station, Otiigo. In one month, in MarlborougL and on one run, more than the nurabei 1 mentioned were killed.

An instance of Maori trustworthiness comes from a southern district:—Seme time ago.Mr Gr- Sole bought a horse out of the pound, and afterwards lost it. On Thursday last he found the horse in the possession of a Maori who was riding through the town to Parihaka. He of course claimed the animal, but the Maori also claimed it; and stated that he Lad lost it tor a long time, and afterwards it came back to his settlement. Mr Sole produced the receipt r for the horse, and that quite satisfied the Maori, who pro-mis-ed to return the animal if Mr Sole would allow him to ride it to Parihaka. This Mr Sole consented to do, and, true to his word, the Maori returned the horse yesterday. The "Melbourne Total Abstinence Society have voted a sum of £500 as a nucleus to the fund for the establishment of a temperance hospital in Melbourne. The number of subscribing members to the Melbourne Cricket Club is to be limited to 2000.

While the Quakers were distributing seed potatoes in Donegal, Ireland, two men were known to hare walked 100 miles to receive them, end carry them home on their backs.

The whole number of Popes, from St. Peter to Leo XIIL, is 258. Of these, 82 are venerated as saiuls, 33 having been martyred; 104 bare been Komans, and 103 Datives of other parts of Italy; 15 Frenchmen ; 9 Greeks ; 7 Germans; ,5 Asiatics; 3 Africans; 3 Spaniards; 5 Dalmatians; Hebrew; 1 Thracian; 1 Dutchman ; 1 Portuguese; 1 Candiot; and 1 Englishman.

A. society for the preTention of cruelty to animals recommends the following rules for the V Treatment of Baulky Horses": —1. Fat the horse upon the neck examine the harness carefully, first on one side and then on the other, speak encouragingly while doing so, then jump into the waggon and give the word " Go!" generally he will obey. 2. A teamster in Maine says he can start the worst baulky horse by taking him out of the shafts and making him go round in a circle. If the first dance of this kind does not cure him the second will be sure to do it. 3. To cure a baulky horse simply place your hand orer the horse's nose and shut off tha wind till he wants to go; then let him go. 4. The brains of horses seem to entertain one idea at a time ; thus continued whipping only confirms stubborn resolve. If you can by any means giro him a new subject to think of, you will hare no trouble in starting him. A simple remedy is to take two turns of stout twine around the fore-leg, just below the knee, and tie in a bow knot. At the first check he will go dancing off, and after going a short distance you can get out and re more the string toprefent injury in your further drire.