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Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 58, 8 March 1913, Page 11

Many residents of rural districts will be pleased to learn that at last an enemy has been found for the wellknown bush shrtrb commonly called "the lawyer." A settler in the Kawhia district -reports ravages .made on it 'by a small moth. Considerable losses of woolly la/mfos and overgrown sheep are placed to the account of the shrub referred to, so that anything to destroy the pest iwill be welcomed. Observation showed long fronds of the plant quite dead, with others in a moribund condition, while the shrubs generally revealed signs of sickness and decay. A specimen of the -moth is to be forwarded, to the Agricultural Department for identification. It will come as a distinct surprise to most people to learn that a sum of £37,000,000, or, to be strictly accurate, £36,881,224, is payable in respect of the policies taken out by. residents within, the Dominion. The figures quoted are taken from the returns submitted by the life insurance companies to Parliament for the year 1911. The increase for 1912 will not be inconsiderable, as 1912 was for some companies a record year. To obtain this future benefit no less a sum than £1,214,679 is paid annually on. 214,943 policies.