VERY LATEST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3752, 5 March 1891, Page 3

VERY LATEST.

(By Telegraph). I Per Press Association.] Supreme Court. Wellington, Thursday.. In the Supreme Court E.' T. Parslow, for forgery, was sentenced to three years imprisonment. George fc~- Thomas, for burglary at Palmerston North, pleaded ffuilty, and was sentenced to twelve months.

Serious Explosiony Wellington, Thursday. An explosion occurred this morning at the torpedo depot at Shelly Bay by which three men were severely hurt. They were engaged filling some small shells with gun cotton, when about twelve pounds exploded. Information was at once sent to town, and Dr Cahill weut over in the Ellen Ballance, along with officers from the Defence Department. At first it was reported that the rnen were dead, but although the injuries are serious, they have not, so far as is known, proved fatal. The names of the men unknown, the officials of the depot, in answer to the enquiries, refusing to give them. Ezteasive Fire, Lyttelton, Thursday. At 1 a.m. to-day the Canterbury Grass Cleaning Company's works on Norwich Quay were destroyed by fire. The stores were full, and the nieu working on day and night shifts. It is presumed the fire originated in the engine house, A strong north-west wind was blowing at the time, and sailmaMng shop adjoining ™&fras saved. The firm's carter, who was asleep on the premises, had a narrow escape, being awakened by the crackling of the wood. The stock was .usured for £5750" 1 The RaoTait Plague. The Napier Telegraph, referring to the use of the natural enemy for the destruction of rabbits, says : Sheepfarmers are divided on the question of employing the " natuial enemy" for the abatement of the rabbit plague. It is claimed on behalf of the weasel, ferret, and stoat, that where they have been used they have done their work thoroughly well. It is ssserted that, in South Wairarapa, which district was overrun by rabbits a few j ears ago, the pest has almost disappeared, and this blessing has been brought about solely by the aid of weasel and company. The settlers there, consequently, pin their faith to these vermin, and cannot understand people objecting to their rise. In North Wairarapa, rabbits, we believe, are still pretty numerous ; and this is attributed to the fact that the natural enemy has net been generally employed. On the other hand, on the Marlborough Plains, weasels and stoats have been turned loose to fight the rabbits ; a rabbit preserved meat factory using up hundreds of thousands of the little beasts, lends its aid to their destruction; poison also is laid in tha off-season, and yet the weasels starve and bunny thrives. Weasels have been known to desert the rabbit infested districts, to cross barren ranges and make for the port of Nelson, apparently m the hope of taking passage from the colonies. If s' l thefnatural enemy is so efficacious in ridding the country of rabbits, why is it that, with the exception of South Wairarapa, it has been so eminently unsuccessful ? It is not possible that either causes contributed to diminish the plague in that part of the colony? We shall be glad to be the medium for disseminating information on this question through our correspondence columns. Every~mr one is agreed that the rabbit plague must be suppressed, and what is wanted to be known is the best way to do it.