Fairburn.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 49, 10 July 1906, Page 3

Fairburn.

(From our Own Correspondent.) The Kev. Mr. Scott preached to a lair congregation on Sunday; there was a good collection. Mr. T. Fisher is reported ill. Colds and coughs arc the rule just now; probably the mild weather is the cause. An old English saying is—" a mild winter makes a fat cemetery ”; and this may be a reminder to those interested, that we have no cemetery at Fairbnrn yet, fat or otherwise. A party of natives from the coast have been encamped at the back of Fairburn during the past week. This is the second lot within a few weeks. Potatoes- being scarce, no pakeha would deny his Maori brother a few pigeons, but this wholesale shooting spells extermination to these harmless birds ; and another objectionable feature is that a number of half-starved dogs are brought along, which more or less disturb the cattle in the bush. With the exception of two sections, the whole of the laud at the hack of Fairburn is in private ownership. Whileou the subject of birds, the settlers here do not share Mr. G. Thomas’ admiration of spaiTOWs; they and the yellow-hammers are increasing to an enormous extent, and it is almost useless to sow small patches or clearings with grass seed as the birds take so heavy a toll. Some time ago the settlers in Victoria Valley poisoned great numbers and checked them somewhat, but in this district they are now very numerous. If the coi respondents in the different dis - tricts would intimate how they stand in this matter, the County Council might be induced to distribute poisoned grain; it is only in winter time that it could be effectively used. Some of us were startled on Saturday by the galloping thiough the settlement of a squadron of horses. Luckily it was not the German invasion, only the Hall Site Committee'going their rounds. The

ir different 'proposed sites were inspected, s and no doubt, this time, business will reo suit. y A new chum cockatoo was observed on 1 the Fairburn road on Thursday last * walking calmly through the mud in front 1 of the home of our County Engineer; ho b had what appeared to be a fine bull calf on a bit of string. t There was a small attendance at the . last practice dance, only four ladies being j present. Unfavourable weather and the j natural reaction after the last big effort , are no doubt the cause. The school is , far too Bmail for dancing. , July 25, 1906. I “ —■■- ■ 1 ZHZZZ