TE AWAMUTU THEFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1926, Page 11

TE AWAMUTU THEFTS.

I YOUNG MAN CHARGED. (By Telegraph. —Own Correspondent.) TE AWAMUTU, this day. As the result of the burglaries here on Thursday night, the police investigaj tiens led to the arrest of a young man named John Gibb Hastings, at Kihikihi. Hastings appeared before the Court this morning charged with the theft of an overcoat valued at four guineas. On tlie application of the police, a remand 'was granted till Monday. j It is understood that other charges are i pending. Thousands of large dark-brown moths invaded the eastern suburbs of Mel- | bourne one night last week after rain. They entered the houses and swarmed around the street lights. Tbe Government Entomologist (Mr. Charles French) identified the species as the Dark-spol-ted Swift Moth, also known as The Ghost, or Swift Moth. Plagues of the Swift Moths occur in cycles of a few years, the last Mr. French recalled, having occurred three or four years ago. I These invasions rarely last "long, and countless thousands fail a prey to birds. The next morning hosts of starlings, blackbirds and other birds could be seen about East Camberv.ell and Canterbury, carrying off the stranded moths. "The caterpillar of this moth is injurious, and feeds on grass roots and root crops." said Mr. French. These invasions occur after heavy rain, which softens the ground and releases them, particularly after a heavy thunderstorm. The moths began to emerge immediately after the rain, and throughout the night they came up through the ground-in thousands. An area of 37 acres in the Pirongia Survey District is declared by Order-ln-Council to be permanently reserved for scenic purposes, under the Scenery Preservation Act of 1908. Another area of I 652 acres, Parish of Waitakere, is also | reserved, and the control vested in the | Auckland City Council. An area of 290 acres in the Rotorua forest conservation | region near Te Waiti Stream, is declared : to be a provisional State forest, also 625 j acres in the W 7 aioeka Survey District.