The Daily Telegraph. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1834.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4083, 22 August 1884, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1834.

The following - paper was laid on the table of the House on Tuesday evening:—The rabbit nuisance annual report by the superintending- inspector. The report says the great stumbling block during the past year is, as hitherto, the numerous reserves throughout thG colony in rabbit districts, and it is urged that these should bo let for "■razin"" purposes. At present there arc 350,000 acres in reserves varying in acreage from tea to thousands of acres, the clearing of which devolves on the state. The inspector advocates the letting- of them, and the tenant to keep them clear of rabbits as one of the conditions. Portions of tho South Island, it is his opinion, can only be dealt with effectually by the natural enemy of tho rabbit, and for that purpose the stoat and weazel arc to be introduced. During tho past year 4000 ferrets were turned out by private individuals, of which 3041 were bred and turned out in Ttfarlborough, 800 being turned out on one run alone. At Kaikoura, whore they were first introduced, they have been s'j successful that on one run no rabbitcrs are employed. To make the ferret successful before release, it should be fed on live rabbits. In this case certain loss of tho greater number inevitably occurs. Another error is turning them out in small numbers on ground thickly infested ; in the latter case, tho ordinary means of trapping or dogging is resorted to, and tho ferrets, together with other natural enemies, are destroyed simultaneously with the rabbit. To bo a success, or to give the ferret a fair chanco, tho country on which it is intended to turn them out should first have the rabbits reduced to a minimum ; then the ferret should be released, and in any locality where the pest may again appear a few' from the stock of ferrets on hand could be liberated to meet this increase; in fact, a systematic rn-oceduro is necessary to entail success. The importation of ferrets has been discontinued, and the course of purchasing by Government all bred in the colony at so much per head adopted. The private demand for all procurable ferrets last year has been so great that only two or three lots were purchased by or offered to the department. Over 400 ferrets have been turned out on Government lands during the past twelve months: 354 in Otago, and 3G on tho Napier boundary ; there are still 184 at Government depots, and 112 were disposed of; 50 have been distributed to private individuals for breeding purposes on the usual terms. Phosphorized grain is still the recognized means of really dealing with the uest°and more systematic- methods are each year being , adopted in this direction. The block system attempted last year is this season pretty generally followed,, and with the best results. While disease is very prevalent among the rabbits of Otago, thoir numbers are in no way diminished, but his opinion is that the disease is not contagious. Last year's work is referred to as satisfactory. On twenty-five stations in Cantorbury there are rabbits, on one of which 5000 were destroyed last year. The expenditure for the year had been £3886 5s Gd, extendin"- over 91 tenders. At Clyde the expenditure was £047 0s sd, linercargill, £715, Mastcrtow £209 9s, Nelson £27, Oarnaru £45 Palmcrston, £62 10s, Duucdin £357, Naseby £12, Tuapeka £349 10s, Balclutha £89 Queenstown £464, and Southland £598. [n these districts 48791bs of phosphorous bad been used, of which 9021bs was on Crown lands. The number of skins exported from the colony were close on ten millions, value at a little over £100,000. The estimated area of Crown land to be dealt with this year is 414,55S acres. The following answers to queries are from Babbit Inspector Pasley, Napier:—(l). Hunting with dogs and shooting. (2.) None. (3.) The prosecutions instituted last year had a good effect, and a sharp look-out is kept by owners ; at times no rabbits are seen, and then a few apear. (4.), (5), (0.), (7 ) (8 ) None. (9.) 20Jb. at Waimata. (10), (11.), 02.), (13-), (U.) None. At Waimata Depot on the 31st March there were 150 ferrets. (10.) Thirty-five have been turned out near Waimata,, thirty about thefenco and Akitoo hills near tho boundary, five at the back of Akitco, and two in a small clearing; results good. Ccncral Remarks.—ln August last I was at Waimata, and tho tracks of rabbits were pretty numerous on the sandhills across flic Waimata Creek. Ferrets were turned out there with very good results, all traces disappearing for " some length of time. About a month ago a rabbit was killed against the ■fence, and there are slight, signs again on the sandhills. When at Waimata a fortnight io-o I instructed the agon); to turn out some ferrets on tho sandhills and to lay noisonod grain at the back where he thought suitable. The fence has proved a great Ufc-uard to this district. Tho shecpowners have let a contract for extending it three miles, and have ordered material for eight miles altogether.

Tho expenditure on tho Canterbury College last year was £30,703.

There was a blank charge sheet at tho Resident Magistrate's Court to-day.

A society for the prevention of cruelty to animals is to be formed in Wellington.

Our old friend Captain Settcn, of the ship Pleiades, we learn from the Homo News, sailed from Gravesend for Port Chalmers and Napier on June 24.

The last report concerning- H. J. Williams, tho absconding county clerk of Wairoa, is that he left Sydney for New Caledonia, under the name of Dr WiUoughby.

Captain Edwin telegraphs to-day :— Watch barometer. Bad weather approaching between west and south and south-east. Glass rise frost within twelve hours, and weather much colder.

Our old friend "Tommy" Gilpin, is starring it in Sydney with a nigger minstrel troupe, under the name of Gerald Gilpin, " the renowned baritone, who has travelled throughout the colonies and has everywhere met with pronounced and unparalleled success."

It would seem that Bellamy's is likely to be supplied with cheese this session -without cost, as a large number of the dairy factories are sending specimens of their manufacture to bo tested by honorable If the various biscuit factories and breweries would only follow the example there would be free lunches indeed.

The whole of the papers and correspondence relating to confederation and annexation was laid on the table of both Houses on Tuesday, and made a goodly book of twenty-six pages. All that was of interest is already known to those of our readers who have watched the question closely, so that we need not republish any of it.

Sawn totara is likely to be as cheap as any other description of timber. Immense quantities are now stacked at Danevirk waiting for the completion of the railway to be forwarded to town ; and at Makatoku, on tho land recently sold by the Government, two new saw mills are being erected in the centre of a grand forest of totara. Totara is now being offered at the mills for 11s.

From a return presented to Parliament on Tuesday, we learn that the votes recorded for elected members were 42,405, and for defeated candidates 32,204, the total votes polled being 74,072. The number of voters on rolls where there was no contest was 14,474; and in the contested districts 123,202, the total number of electors in the colony being 137,686, while,'in 1881 the estimated population was 482,019.

To the Editor : Sir,—Might I ask you to notify in your paper that as pubiic vaccinator of the Hastings district I vaccinate at my house every Monday between 2 and 3 p. m. As I am vaccinating one or more calves every week I have always on hand a good supply of perfectly reliable calf lymph. I might add that the Government authorise public vaccinators to vaccinate and revaccinate free of charge.—l am, &c, JoSEPn FAtTLKNER.

Mr A. McCartney has purchased from Messrs Common and Shelton, of Gisborne, the well-known thorough-bred horse Piscatorius. This grand entire was landed from the Southern Cross to-day, and will be on view for a short time at MrMonteith's stables. Pisoatorins is by Traducer, out of Fanny Fisher by Fisherman, the only strain of that splendid sire that there is in New Zealand. Not only Mr McCartney, but Hawke's Bay is to be congratulated on securing this horse.

The following are the immigration returns from Ist July, 1883, to 30th June, ISS4. During that period 6267 souls arrived, equal to oio'2 statute adults, distributed thus:— Auckland, 1388 ; Taranaki, 92 ; Hawke's Bay, 337 ; Wellington, 1132 ; Marlborough, 130; Nelson, 98; Westland, 69 ; Canterbury, 1294; Otago, 1727; their nationalities being —English, 2909 souls ; Irish, 1813; Scotch, 1356; French, 21; Germans, 70; Danes, 17; Swedes, 27; Norwegians, il; Italian, 1; others,-> 42. During that period G295 were nominated, and 6267 arrived.

To the Editor : Sir, —Kindly allow me a small space in your valuable journal to remove a wrong impression conveyed by the wording , of the report of last Council meeting. In speaking of the recent obstruction in the water pipes, the report makes it appear that the officials in charge of the water service failed in their attempt to discover the cause of the stoppage. Such, however, is not the case. It was they, and not Mr Lamb, who discovered and removed the obstructions. Mr Lamb certainly did all that he was asked to do, namely, to report on the obstruction.—l am, &c, Palmam QUI MUKUIT FEEAT. .

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, there was a capita! attendance at the " social gathering," held in connection with the Clive Square Mutual Improvement Association last evening . The following gentlemen contributed recitations and readings in capital style : —Messrs J. Hutchins, -J. H. Neal, Fraser, Wilson, Hocquard, Nicholson, 0. H. Laws, T. Laws, Barton, Holmes, Rev. J. J. Lewis. A reading was also given by Mrs Bisson. The vocal and instrumental music formed part of the programme, but in consequence of a piano not being available, owing to the rain, it had to be abandoned. At the next meeting a debate will take place on "Is the Transportation of Criminals by France to the South Sea Islands justifiable ?" when a good attendance is expected.

In refciencc to Mr W. Parker's resignation of the office of Returning Officer for the Borough, we may state that he was appointed to that position thirteen months ago. During that period he has conducted four elections, namely, the annual election for three members of the Council, the election of the Major, that of the Borough Auditors, and that of the Licensing Committee. The total cost of these four elections was £17 0s Id, as against £64 6s. for four previous elections similarly conducted. Mr Parker has had no remuneration for the extra work, although ho is liable to fines and penalties under the Act in the event of his making a mistake. Recently the Council voted a bonus of £10 to Mr Parker, which, we understand, lie has refused. There is such a thing as being penny wise and pound foolish, and the Corporation will make the discovery for itself some day.

The Napier Rowing Club held its annual meeting at the Criterion Hotel last nighty In the absence of Mr J. Gilberd, the captain of the club, Mr A. F. Kennedy, deputycapfcaiu, occupied the chair. The report and balance sheet were read and adopted ; tlio latter showed assets £450, with no outstanding liabilities. It was resolved to repeal by-law No. 2 relating to the use of the boats on Sundays. The ballot was taken for sixton new members, who were elected. The committee was authorised to shift and enlarge the shed at the Western Spit, and procure new boats if needed. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing twelvemonths; —President, Mr J. D. Ormond, M.11.R. ; Vice-Presidents, Mr Thomas Tanner and Mr W. U. Burke; Captain, Mr J. G. Gilberd; Deputy Cap r tain, Mr A. F. Kennedy; Secretary, MrH. Tylco; Treasurer, Mr E. Black; Com? mitteo, Messrs J. T. E. Harrap, F. Parker, F. Bee, W. S. Provis, H. Gibbons, F. G. Gilpin, and R. Duncan. Votes of thanks to the retiring officers, to the auditors, and chairman terminated the meeting.

Tuesday's Post says;—" The perfection to which telegraphy has been brought now-a-days is being illustrated v.cry remarkably in our cable messages received via Router's and the Press Association agencies. It M'ilJy be observed that some of the messages pub-' lished to-da}', and received late last night, left London on the same day. General comment lias also been mado upon the fact that the telegram published yesterday, giving the betting in London on the HanlanBeach match, and stating that a gentleman had oil'ered to back Wallace Ross against ]3uauh for £1000, had evidently becu sent aftur the news of the result had been received and discussed in London. But the quickest instance of cabling which we have come across lately was in connection with the message giving the result of the Goodwood Cup. This came through from London to Melbourne (says the Age) in less than two hours. The message was handed in by Router's agent at 3.17 p.m. (London time), and arrived in Melbourne at 2.30 a.m. (Melbourne time), the actual time occupied hi ■ transmission being 1 hour 53----minutes, which includes between twenty nnd thirty repetitions from station tt/ station."

The Post says:—"We notice that the Otago Daily Times makes the strange mistake of stating , that Lieut-Colonel Wellesley, who has succeeded to the Dukedom of Wellington, is the eldest son of the late

Duke. This is the first time we have heard of the lately deceased peer having been blessed with any children. Colonel Wellesley was the cousin of the late Duke and we regret to say that the prestige of the title, -which fell away under the second representative, is not likely to bo revived under tho third. The present duke has been divorced from his wife, and has figured as a co-respondent in another suit tor divorce besides being the hero of not a few society scandals. The most important of these has been his connection with Hate Vau«-han, the well-known actress at the Gaiety Theatre. The public talk about this has lasted now for some years, and it is believed by many that she has been secretly his wife for some time. Truly, with the disgraceful revelations of the Euston and St. C Leonards cases, not to mention many other scarcely less reputable scandals of the aristocracy, the British peerage seems rapidly on its way to the dogs. The proverb, Noblesse oblige, has quite gone out of fashion, and nobility itself is not unlikely to follow it."

Hop Bitter 3 does not exhaust and destroy, but restores, cures, and makes new. Look up.

"Rough on Corns."—Ask for Wells' RoiK-rh on Corns." Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. Folton, Grimwadc & Co., Agents, Wellington. . Every notable event notches itself in the calendar of time. So in the medical world Wolfe's Schnapps signalized an epoch, and and will live as long as humanity is capable of appreciatng its miraculously curative powers. —[Advt.]