EARTHQUAKES in the MAKURI WILDS and SPORT IN THE PUKETOIS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5113, 26 August 1895, Page 3

EARTHQUAKES in the MAKURI WILDS and SPORT IN THE PUKETOIS.

From Our Oitu Cvrmiioiulcnt. At half-past six on Saturday evening, there was a slight shock of earthquake. Between three and four a.m. on Wednesday, a much heavier one occurred, reminding me of tho one which wrecked so many ohinineys in Masterton in 18S1. Surveyors are busy on the Aohangi track, laying the lines for a dray road, which is sorely needed, but which will be impassable before we have a week or two of dry weather, i We have been informed by a Pongaroa settler, that it is impossible to form any idea of the state of the ' tracks to that township; and that our knee-deep roads and tracks ; around Jlakuri, are nice clean ( pleasant roads in comparison. | A source of amusement to our younger settlers, 1b to see a " town chap" pass through Jlakuri on a ' visit to Pongaroa. He generally appears in rice clean starched shirt, beautiful cuffs, well brushed clothes, ' and "dandy" boots—no leggings | The fun comes in when ho returns, ] after an absence of about twelve | hours, he having accomplished probably two miles of the truck. Before he starts he is warned, but he thinks country folk arc prone to grumbling and have no pluck. When he comes back he wonders why "follows" live in the country.

Another source of amusement is to take city " fellows " with no bush experience—but with an all-absorb-ing hankering after sport—wild cattle hunting. The time and trouble spent on their attire (which is meant to kill); the different appliances employed for carrying the game, etc.; all raise a smile on the bushmairs face at the start, which broadens into a good laugh at the finish. As ut rule the city feljow returns in tatters, quite exhausted by his efforts to keep 'his shooting gear and apparel in order. City fellows are not the only ones to cause amusement at the dangerous pastime of wild cattle limiting. A neighbour was told by a delighted hunter recently " to bring along n bag and get some beef," as lie had—after a most exciting chase-" killed a beast." The settler went, taking a large, bag, he found his own milking cow strung up, ear-mark and brand included! The hunter was most to be pitied, as besides having to pay a good price for the cow, his tale concerning the ferocity of the animal, is treasured up against him for future use. He says he always did have blessed hard luck cattle limiting.