Page 3 Advertisements Column 2

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXII, Issue 68, 22 March 1897, Page 3

etc, but on enquiry not one case has been proved. — I am, etc, T. Bitohib. Copy of Memorandum from J. W. Deem, Inspector of Stock, Fairlie, December 28th, 1896. In reply to your memo I examined some of the lambs killed on the 28th October (the date of Mr McGregor's letter), and at once saw they were killed by dogs. Looking at the external appearances they had only a few small marks on them, but on skinning I found them mangled m precisely the same way as a dog would kill a rabbit. I saw Mr McGregor the same evening and told him that it was dogs killing his lambs, and not stoats or ferrets. He laughed at me. However, he promised to keep a good look-out, with the result that two days later I got a letter from saying that he was now convinced it was dogs, and that his son had caught the dogs at work. A few days later I saw Mr McGregor and asked him to write to the Herald and acknowledge his error ; this he did. I enclose a copy. His remark about the leg being honeycombed by some small animal is equally wrong. This was done by the dogs teeth, and there being no wool on the inside of the leg the marks of the teeth were more visible here than on any other part of the body. About 40 lambs were killed on McGregor's and the adjoining properties before I pointed out that it w£s the dogs doing the damage, since then none have been lost. J. W. Deem. [copy.] Stoats and Ferrets v. Lambs. To the Editor of the Timaro Herald. Sir, — The fruits of the importa? tion of these foreign vermin are now being felt. I have had four lambs killed m one night and five more at intervals during the past eight days. At first I thought it was dogs, and watched late and early to no purpose. The lambs were quite warm m the early morning, and one not quite dead. . On a close examination I found one small hole m the back above the lights, where most of the blood had been sucked out. Some had a cut on the head m front of the ear, the ferrrets favorite hold. Another had a small cut or two between the hind legs, with a little flesh cut from under the skin. No beast except a ferret or a stoat could take jlesh. out of such a .small hole. The damage was all done between sunset and sunrise, which shows that a bird of prey could not have done it. The lambs have all been killed on the camp and tackled while they were lying down m the first place. I shifted the sheep to another paddock and still found one or. two killed. I have seen some stoats and ferrets about or near the paddock, but was not then aware of the misohief . My straight tip to all shipowners is to wage war against the vermin, and to show no quarter. Could not the Government be held responsible for the loss ? — I am, etc, J. McGregor. Burkes Pass, 26th October, 1896. Sir, — Since I last wrote I have made a more minute inspection of the lambs that were killed, and although there were only one or two very small marks on the outside, I found, on taking off the skin, that the body was greatly crushed and that nothing but a dog could have done such work. The leg, however, was honeycombed m such a way that some small animal, such as a stoat, must have done the work, probably after the lamb was killed. Stoats and weasels are getting very numerous about here, and 1 have no doubt when their fancy food, the feathered tribe, get scarce, they will try something else. It is a hard matter to see a rabbit about here now. — I am, etc., J. McGregor. Burkes Pass, 9th November, 1896.

(For continuation of reading matter see first and fourth pagss.) HfeW ADVERTISEMENTS, LOST. Tjl IGHT or Nine SHEEP, branded " P." Please return to Mas Fulton, or inform as to whereabouts of same. w.aT.u. TABLEAUX" yiVANTS (LIVING PIOTXJBBS). m ewarFs hall, WEDNESDAY, MAKCH 24, and three following nights. STALLS. BAZAARS. BOOTHS. COMPETITIONS for Cooking, Lolly-making, Table Deooratione, Bridal and Bridesmaids' Bouquets, Ladiea' Sprays, Button-holes, &c, &o. : WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, at 3 p.m. Glass I.— Flobal. Ist and 2nd prizes for Table Decoration?, Ist and 2nd prizes for Bridal Bouquets, Ist and 2nd prizes for Bridesmaids' Bouquets Ist prize for Lady's Spray, Ist prize for Button-hole. Glass ll.— Cookery. Prizes for Cooking and Lolly making; for Seed Cake, Currant Cake, Water-melon Cake, and Soones. Speoial Prizes for Fanoy Cooking, Plate of Mixed Biscuits, Cornuoopiae, Sponge, Ribbon Cake. Class llL— Oonfectionbby. Prizes for Turkish Delight, Almond Toffie, and Plate of Mixed Lollies. Entrance fee, One Shilling for each class of competition. Three entries for eaoh seoticn m the separate claßseß, or no prize awarded. Exhibits will be received at the Hall till noon of Wednesday. His Worship the Mayor will open proceedings en Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m, Admission, inolodikq Aftbbnoon Tea : SIXPENCE. EVENING EXHIBITION: TABLEAUX VIXAN^S. WEDNESDayTmAUCH 24, and three following nights, at 7 p.m. ADMISSION .. .. SIXPENCE Pboof of Dkbt Fobmb, required under the Bankruptcy Act, m stook and for sale at the Expbbbs Office.