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Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 662, 24 May 1870, Page 2

The New Zealand Eat. The Evening Herald has been shown by Mr Buller, a specimen of the original New Zealand rat, which, was found on Mr Owen's land on the Wangaehu. About five years ago Mr Buller offered a reward of £5 to any person who could get one, but with no result. The rat in question has for many years past been supposed to be extinct, but was immediately recognised by many natives when shown to them. At one time it was the only animal the natives had for food, and the districts in which they abounded were eagerly sought for by the natives, and the ownership of the land was frequently the source of warfare between different tribes. The disputes as to the ownership of the districts where the rats were most numerous, were so frequent, that at length, after several meetings and koreros between different tribes, boundaries were laid down, certain ranges were chosen to mark the hunt ing grounds of each tribe. These land marks are up to the present day used to mark the boundaries of the; land belonging to different tribes. The rat in appearance is totally different from the rat which, at the present time infests New Zealand. The skin is a beautiful glossy black fur, almost like silk, with small broad pointed ears, and it lived almost entirely on vegetable matter. The Mordaunt case has apparently attracted the attention even of the clergy in Scotland, for on a recent Sunday the minister of one of the most frequented of west-end churches in GHasgow was moved to improve the occasion by praying for her Majesty in her affliction.

' I'm moving in a very high circle,' as the sweep said when he turned himself round in a chimney pot. The California "Moderation Society" pledges its memhers to drink only| wine, beer, and cider, except when, they are discouraged, and then whisky' is allowed.

" I came near selling my boots the other day," said Jones to a friend. " How so ?" " Well, I had them halfsoled."