The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1879.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 274, 26 September 1879, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1879.

Our contemporary, the Standard, in s>n issue published last week, objected to the introduction to New Zealand of the natural enemies of the rabbit, viz,, ferrets, stoats, weasels, kc, on the ground that these foes "would also attack peultry, pheasants, and native birds, It is pretty evident that the only natural check to the rabbit must be its own natural enemies; and it is equally plain that, admitting that the introduction of them would occasion more or less loss to poultry and to imported and native birds, the damage we are now sustaining annually through rabbits must amount to to or twenty times any possible loss we could sustain through ferrets, stoats, and weasels. Last year the export of wool from the colony suffered to the extent of £300,000 through the rabbit pest. This loss would be' mainly on large runs, the owners of which would possibly suffer per man to the extent of £I,OOO to' £5,000, according to the extent of each property. On such

runs it is evident that the loss of an occasional pullet, tlie death of a solitary pheasant, would be a mere bagatelle compared with the plague which now rages, If ferrets, weasels, and stoats travelled oft' rims on to small farms, they might do mischief in hen houses if the latter were not protected from their approach. It would, however, be neither difficult nor expensive to house poultry safely from such foes, It is a question whether such animals as ferrets will live and thrive, in New Zealand. There are different breeds of them on the Continent, and it is said that in Greece one' species might be procured which would survive the passage to New Zealand and propagate readily in the colony. If so we should like to see an experiment, tried with it. The tendency of introducing ferrets would be to drive the rabbit away from any locality in which they might be placed. A ferret goes where no poison can be laid. The scent of the ferret is poison to the rabbit. One ferret would drive away a thousand rabbits in very quick time. We hope that some of the Trustees recently elected in the Babbit Districts of the Wairarapa will take up the question of introducing into the district the natural enemy of the rabbit. Nor do we believe that the owners of poultry need be afraid of such an importation.

The Masterton Volunteers parade this evening. At ?> o'clock this afternoon cred'tora of Mr J. A. Potherick meet at Mr Skipper's office. Tenders for painting, etc., a cottage in Perry-street, close at 7 o'clock, this evening. Mr Sellar gives notice in another column that dividends are now payable in the estates of I. R. Onkly and J. C. B. Golder. The number of voters who recorded their votes at the late Wairarapa election was 1098. The adjourned meeting for constituting a Farmers' Club at Greytown will be held to-morrow after the horse parade. A case of twins in another column will be read with interest by our lady readers —with dismay by heads of families, The annual meeting of subscribers to the Wairarapa Hospital is convened at the Institute, Greytown, on the 18th of October. The Land Tax will be payable at the Masterton, Carterton, and Greytown Post Offices, on and after the Ist of October next. We remind our readers of the large sale of thoroughbred horses, etc., which takes place after the Horse Parade at,Greytown to-morrow, Mr Turnbull has been appointed architect to the Wellington Education Board, Mr Toxward was proposed by Mrßeetham and seconded by Mr Bunny, but was unsuccessful. At the meeting of the Education Board held on Wednesday last, Dr Newman was declared duly elected for the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Hon. Mr Gisborne.

We congratulate It, Fairbrothev, of the Carterton school, on his success in carryin? off a scholarship, value £3O, at the recent examination held under the auspices of the Education Board, There will be a Committee meeting of the Greytown Horticultural Society tomorrow, at 1 p.m., at the Town Hall, Greytown, to draw up a programme and make arrangements for the Spring Show. A navvy named Donnel has been missing from Woodside, since Sunday last. He is supposed to be in the adjacent bush, hut no traces of him can be found up to last accounts, although large parties are out every day looking fcr him. The annual meeting of members of the Masterton Cricket Club is convened for Tuesday next. We trust cricketers in the Borough will go to work in earnest this year, and not be contented with second place among the district clubs. It will be noticed by an advertisement in another column that Mr John Watt has disposed of his interest in his bookselling and stationery establishment at Masterton, to Mr R H. Chinchen, his late manager. Thanks to the promptitude with which Mr Bunting, the able officer in charge of the Masterton Telegraph Station, supplied us witli copy, we were able to circulate au extra containing the Governor's speech, a few minutes after five yesterday aftev--110011.

Mr Henry Anderson, the editor of -/; he Chronicle, has issued a writ for £2'JOO damages for libel against the Rangit ikei Advocate. Mr Halcombe has also »iven instructions for libel proceedings against the Chronicle, for an article in reference to the Manawatu election on the Ist of August.

We have had the pleasure of hearing; a rehearsal of the entertainment shortly to be given at Greytown, in connection with the Cricket Club in that township., and we have much pleasure in informing our readers of the treat in store for them. The care that is taken in the rehearsal, and the pieces chosen will maVe it, without doubt, superior to anything of the kind hitherto presented to th.o public.

Notice is given in another column that the Trustees of the Wmuioru Rabbit District intend to levy a vate of one-sixth of a penny acre on all landowners within the district. Copies of the landowners list may be inspected at the Road Board Office, Masterton; Post Office, Gladstone; and at the Flat Point Station. The Trustees will sit to hear objections at the County Council Chambers, Masterton, on Saturday, Ist November. The Murtagh-Tait feud is scotched but not killed. Yesterday Mrs Tait was charged before A. W. Renall, Esq., J.P., with abusive language, by Mr Murtagh. The objectionable expression was tiie epithet, 'pickpocket,' applied to complai. nant. The Court considered that the expression was more of a slanderous than of an abusive character, but adjourned the case, in order that the R.M. might express an opinion as to the legal point at issue.

A colored sexton has been arrested in Albany for insisting upon the abatement of a flirtation in church. During the service a young man was observed to be paying marked attention to a young colored woman who sat opposite. The 3exton put a heavy hand on the offender's shoulder. " Boy, am you aware dat dis am de Lord's house?" The offender replied "Dat am de character ob dis house;" and was informed bluntly " dat no such work am allowed here," The young man insisted the lady was an acquaintance of his, but the sexton dragged him out of his seat and out on to the side-walk.

Messrs Bishop and Hawkins have commenced the Police building at Greytown, and are rapidly proceeding with their work.