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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XX, Issue 142, 16 June 1886, Page 3

A new vermin plague is threatening devastation of grass and crops in New South Wales. " The Cootamundra Herald " is informed that kangaroo rats are proving a devastating pest on the Berthong run. They dig up the grass by the roots and completely destroy it ; and it is said that hundreds of acres of grass have been thua treated They are also destructive of the wheat, potato, and turnip crops. It is feared that this pest will prove worse than the rabbits, as their natural enemies, the black men and the wild dog, have both become extinct there, and as a consequence, the rat is rapidly increasing. of solicitors, a cheque for £48 enclosed in a letter, which explained that it was the "fiver" returned with interest. This s'ory, adds the Post, ia perfectly true, but we would caution those of our readers who huve odd money outstanding not to flatter themselves that they are likely to be similarly fortunate; nor would we recommend those who are epeculatively inclined to l*nd promiscuous fivers on the strength of the broad thua cast upon the waters returning manifold after many days, One of those startling instances of unexpected reparation of a wrong which are heard of now and again, and help ro redeem the generally bad opinion of human nature which pessimists are wont to enterUin, occurred at Wellington recently. Ib appears (says the Post) that a well known house agent seventeen years ago lent a friend " a fiver." The good natured act ap r arently had the effect which Shakeßpeare says may be expected of lending, namely, causing the loss of both friend and loan. At any rate neither man nor money was seen again. On Friday last, however, Mr was surprised to receive, through a well known firm Among the brilliant circles of New York in which live and move good Americana who hope, when they die, to go to Paris, may have occurred such a little conversation as this The interlocutors are two charming girls, on< of whom saya :— " Oh, my dear, I have sucl good news to give you." "Good news fo: ■whom ?" " Why, for me, of course. Paps has been bitten by a mad dog, and we are al going to Paris,"