SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 11776, 5 January 1903, Page 3

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. January 5

Complaints having been forwarded from Wellington alleging cruelty on tbe part cf some Nelson shippers of poultry, in not allowing sufficient room in crates in which birds are forwarded, the police in the city across the Strait intend to keep a sharp watch in future, and if there is anything wrong proceedings will be instituted against tbe offenders. It is the intention of master butchers of this city to endeavor to nave certain amendments made next session in the Slaughtering and Inspection Act. They claim that the vendor of an animal which is condemned when slaughtered should bear a proportion of tbe loss, and that the loss should not-, as at present, fall wholly on the butchers, who only receive one-third of its value. The butchers intend to take united action throughout tbe colony to secure an amendment of tbe law in this respect. Viticulturists will bo interested to hear that the cultivation of thc grape vine is making good headway in tho Wairarapa district, and large areas are being prepared for this important industry. A Wellington resident, during a holiday trip up country, noted the curious circumstance of one river in heavy flood, and another only a short distance away almost waterless. This was the case in several instances during the past week. In October last the plain around Masterton and right down to thc East Coast experienced a very severe drought, while north of Masterton—in Mauriceville and Eketahuna Counties, where there is a great deal of hilly country —there was an exceedingly heavy rainfall, the country at times being flooded. 3 The jawbone apparently of an ’extinct reptile has recently been discovered on the banks of tbe Rangitikei River, west of the Rnahinc Range. The specimen, which is of considerable size, has been sent to Christchurch for expert _ classification. Considerable interest is being taken in the matter, as old Maoris in the district have circumstantial stories of an animal called bv them tamwha.