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Evening Star, Issue 17669, 24 May 1921, Page 10

“Bobby” is the nation's cat. 110 belongs to the Treasury, and be is provided, under the Civil Service Estimates, with an allowance of Id per day for his upkeep. No matter what economies the Treasury may make, Bobby will not bo victimised, for he is a qualified Civil servant, a “ watchdog ” whoso duty it. is to keep rats and mice away from formidable slacks of official documents. There is a movement on foot to increase his allowance from a penny to twopence a day. 110 is answerable for his goqd behaviour to the Treasury ollico keeper, whoso duty it is to see that Bobby is fed. “I am allowed a penny a day to keep Bobby,” tills official told a reporter, “ but owing to tbs .high cost of living it costs mo twopence a day. Cats' meat is now lOd a. lb, and he cals more than a quarter of a pound a week, He has milk almost every hour.”

Tho Waikaremoana Lake case, in which the Natives claim to be entitled to the lake, will come before Uic Native Appellate Court on Juno 8 at Wairoa, sa\s a northern exchange. It is not then intended to go into the various conflicting Native claims to the lake, but to lake is a preliminary contest the question as to whether the 'lake belongs to tho Crown or to the Natives. As this rests wholly upon the legal position, it is understood that it is intended to ask that the Crown’s appeal bo adjourned to ’Wellington for argument there by leading iminsel before a full panel of the Appellate Court, judges. It is considered probable that whatever the decision is, the cine will eventually find its way f» the Privy Council, the omv court 'to which there is an appeal from the Native Appeal Court. The question affects the right- to all the flesh-water lakes of the North Island. Details from Nino Island show that martial law has been proclaimed, and ail the roads leading to A Eli, _lho seat of government and the port of entry, are guarded by sentinels, who challenge all who enter. Anestee Matin, who is described as an agitator, is influencing a fairly largo following. Returned soldiers have* sided with the authorities, and tins is having a good effect.

A larva number of cnij liiube’s are at present being discharged at Welliiiglon ny the liner Sun oy from Home. 'I hey are Die advance consignment of a hit of in w divisional equipment consigned to the N‘ ,v , Zealand Government. The limbers number about ICO, and arc of Ibc 18-pouoder variety.