LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16337, 18 September 1916, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

«. SAILORS ON FURLOUGH. Sir,— New Zealanders belonging to H.M.S. Pyramus are to cujoy a wellearned furlough, and are to arrive here at tho end of this month. , It would bo a graceful act on the part of tho authorities to give them some sort of a public reception. These men have been in actual service ever since the war began, and that, too, in the hottest part of tho world. They have lost several companions in engagements with natives undor German rule, and some others through disease owing to climatic conditions. I think most people will agree that they deserve some recognition. Fairness. THE OPOSSUM AS A PEST. Sir,—l would like to say a word of warning in regard to the srey opossum before it is too late. Having lived fur over thirty years in Australia when they were very plentiful, I claim to know as much as most Australians on the subject. The grey opossum is an excellent judge of good flavoured apples, pears, and peaches being his favourites. Wo were so 'troubled by them in our orchard that wo tried tying dogs under the trees that were the opossum's special favourites. On several occasions on going to loose the j docs in the morning I have found opossum I np the trees, having stolen a march on the dogs while they were asleep. Tha falling fruit or smell of opossum awoke the dog, who kept him prisoner until my arrival. _ i The grey opossum is also a great pest on potatoes growing in the field or in the pit; also on ripe wheat. I have seen half a chain wide around the outside of crop not worth reaping when the pest was numerous. I well remomber one moonlight night going around with my father and shooting 25 in about an hour in nearest trees to the wheat crop. j These remarks refer to the grey opossum, as I have never come in contact with | the black ones. P. Mnxrat. i Pukekohe Hill. /