Correspondence.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XI, Issue 722, 30 May 1854, Page 4

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Southern C?-oss, Sir, — "When I arrived here nearly three weeks ago, I noticed in your paper an advertisement in which it seems that the Farmer's Club, had appointed Majors Greenwood, Matson, and the Secretary, to receive collections for the purpose of importing Rooks, Sparrows, &c, to eat the moth and caterpillar that destroyed the crops. At first I thought the Majors were taking their fun at the expense of the Club ; but, seeing it still continued, I am afraid it is no fun. I am sure the Farmer's Club need not be told that more destructive things could not be imported, than Rooks and Crows ; if they had my experience of them, they would be thankful that this country has none of them. I know well that such importations would not trouble themselves with caterpillars or grabs for a month after the maize or potatoes were planted. In Canada these crops require to be watched for one month after the plants break through the earth, from day break till about five in the evening. Rooks and Crows rise very early and dont keep Sundays. A sure remedy for the farmer, consists in the raising of Turkeys and Ducks, which I am told is not difficult, one of these will pick off the vermin faster that ten men, and at the same time get fat enough to grace the table

of an Alderman, and will not injure the corn when young or the potatoes, but might injure onions, garlic, and leeks. Another remedy I would propose is Salt, powdered Lime or Ashes, sown carefully with the hand on both sides of each row so as not to touch the plant ; this would prove an effectual remedy if timely applied, and also a good manure. The Rooks would remain near the wood where they breed, and destroy everything for about two miles around them. The Sparrows, poor harmless tilings, would remain about the houses and prove destructive to the grain when nearly ripe. I think it altogether probable that the farmers need give themselves but little trouble about them. Every seventeen yers they visit certain pails of Canada, doing great damage, but then there is no more of them for sixteen or seventeen years again. It is just the same in the United States.' But surely the advertisement is a hoax after all. I am, &c, A Canadian Pakmeb. Auckland, May 26, 1854.

To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir,— l cannot let the report of the meeting of the City Council, of Tuesday, May 9th, (published in your journal of Friday last), pass -without making a few remarks in self-defence, as it is not likely I shall have any other means of doing so than through the medium of a public journal. I have been now for the last three years and upwards, by degrees, and labouring tinder almost innumerable difficulties endeavouring to establish a foundry sufficient to meet the from time to time steadily increasing wants of the province. On such an establishment, I have expended almost every farthing that the works have earned, in improving the same, and broken my means and health, in the expense and anxiety attendant. I now for the first time see that a letter from the Fountain of Friendship Lodge, "complaining of a nuisance adjoining their hall, caused by Mr. Bourne's coke kiln, and requesting that steps may be taken to remove the same," has been presented to the Council. There has been no complaint made before this of any nuisance ; my premises at the time of my commencing were situated almost at the very boundary of the town, as inhabited, and as far certainly from the centre of business, as it would be possible for any person to carry on such a work, with a view to prevent his whole profits being swallowed up in cartage and other enormous expenses With respect to the coke kiln, I burn about once in every five or six weeks, and the meetings at the hall have been held about on an average once a fortnight ; I was located in the premises previously to the Odd Fellows building there ; no person else in the neighbourhood, has made any complaint. But sir, may I look for other and not public reasons for this complaint, and may not private interests be sought to be served under this public request, and at the cost of public benefit. lam sorry to think so, but when this complaint is made but lately, and after one who is both an Odd Fellow and a City Councilman, has piirchased land immediately in the neighbourhood, I am afraid that other reasons than public benefit have predominated. It is impossible for me to dismember my establishment, by performing one part of the work at one place, and the* other at another. The difficulties I have already experienced have been almost enough to deter any man from proceeding, but anticipating an increasing business I have not turned back. And in fairness sir, I therefore hope that such a complaint as thie, will not be allowed to operate detrimentally to an establishment, the utility of which has been acknowledged by the greater part of the mercantile, agricultural, and shipping community. I am, &c, ¥m. Bourne. Auckland, May 25, 1555.