THE BOT FLY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9669, 6 March 1897, Page 7

THE BOT FLY.

The hot fly is troublesome in the Grey town district. SUIT AGAINST OWNERS. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that shippers of cargo by the Manaia, which was wrecked on the Taranaki coast, are going to bring an action against the owners for the loss of their goods. RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES. By 402 votes to 12 the ratepayers of Palmorston North have deoided to bring into force the Rating on Unimproved Value Act of last session. Thirty-four votes beyond the statutory number were polled. A WEATHERFORECAST. The gale reported at Home was predicted by Mr J. D. Hewitt, of Palmerston North, in a letter to a local paper dated March 3rd. He based his forecast on the appearance of another spot near the centre of the sun. A PLAGUE OF SNAILS. At Masterton the gardens are infested with snails, It has (says the local paper) been found that tho little shellback possesses an oil whioh contains curative properties in cases of rheumatism, and latterly children have boen collecting snails in thousands for the purpose of boiling thorn down. CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA. The programme drawn up by the New Zealand Rowing Association for the Chan> pionship regatta at Picton at Easter ccuasiste of the Fours Championship, Maiden and , Junior Fours, and Ladies' Bracelet. If the funds permit a Junior Double Sculls or Pahwill be added. There will be only one day _ ■■ regatta. The following officials have bees. ] appointed. Umpire, Mr A. G. Johnson; Judges, Messrs H. F. Logan and J. M. Kilgour. a literarTcuriosity. We have received from Mr Henry Frowde, of the Oxford University Press, a copy of the "Thumb" edition of the "Pilgrim's Progress." Although only measuring 2Jin by ljin, and fin thick, it consists of no less than 869 pages, and contains the entire text ot this" famous olassio, together with several illustrations. Yet so beautifully clear is the type that it can be read at armlength. Needless to say it is printed on the wonderful Oxford India paper, whose his* l tory was recently recounted in these | columns. No doubt many colonists will be _ glad to get Bunyan'a immortal work in such : an interesting shape. [ THE TOTARA ESTATE, i TheMorth Otago times states that the Government will not have the opportunity : of taking the Totara estate for settlement, as within the past few weeks about sixteen blocks of land have been sold to the same number of settlers—mostly to those who have been cropping or engaged about the estate, although several persons from the , South have also bought land. The land is . sold on more favourable terms than can bo obtained from the Government, for the obnoxious eternal lease is dispensed with, and the settler can become the purchaser at anytime he ia able to pay. The bulk of the money, if desired, can remain on mortgage at 5 per cent., and there ia no extra charge for reading or inspectorial oversight. The prices seem tp be fair, as is evidenced by the fact that so far none of them are higher than the highest priced of ! the Ardgowan seotions, and it must be remembered that Totara is the finest estate [ in the colony. Tho settlers are men, too, , who have had experience, of the estate and . have made money on it. One pleasant feature is that the Land Company has I given its cropping tenants and those oon- ' nected with the estate the first refusal of sections. ; A FRUITEXHIBIT. At Auokland, telegraphs the Press Association, an exhibit of dried fruits is being • prepared for shipment by Mr W. A. , Burcher, under instructions from the \ Agricultural Department, for the Queens- ' land Exhibition. It consists of about a | score of boxes, comprising various varieties _of apples, peaches, and plums. There are _ five varieties of apples, Mobb's Royal , Keswick, Codlin, Twenty Ounce, Graven- . stein, and Emperor Alexander; of peaches, three varieties, Golden Eagle, Sea Eagle, and | Lady Palmerston ;of j>lums, four varieties, Pound Seedling, doe's Golden Drop, _ Satsuma (Japanese), and Greengage. The , boxes are nine inches by eight inches; parchment is used over them and then a glass , cover. The exhibit is tastefully arranged , and packed so as to make it thoroughly , artistic. All who have seen the exhibit express their surprise and admiration at the \ manner in which it has been got up. ; THE MAORI REPRESENTATIVE. • Referring to the statement that the Hon. > Mr Carroll will probably accompany the ' Premier Home, the Hastings Standard con- ' eiders Mr Carroll is not a representative of the Maori race, and in tesh of blood ia • deficient.. It continues—" Upon all grounds i Mr Carroll would be objectionable. If it is > necessary, and the Home authorities agree I to the proposition of a Maori representative being present at tbe royal festivities, then . let us choose a true and full-blooded Maori. . Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R., would be a more . suitable representative in every way to Mr . Carroll, and if a Maori does go to Loudon j we hope it will be Mr Heke." ! PmLATELIO~ASSOOIATION. , On Monday evening, at Wanganui, Mr A. » L. Parsons, Vice-Pn_sulent of the Wanganu. Philatelic Association (who ia now local '. Manager of the New Zealand lusurance \ Company), was presented with a handsome , silver mounted stick, also a case containing , silver mounted cigar and cigarette holders. . The presentation waa made by Mr Fred. . Wilson (in the absence of the President), I who referred to Mr Parsons as one of the . most valued of the Association's members, and a man of the right stamp, stating i further that although they were sorry to s lose his services, stul they were pleased to . hear of his promotion, and wished hijn - every prosperity. Mr Paraona suitably . responded.