PROVINCIAL AND COLONIAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1500, 14 August 1880, Page 7

PROVINCIAL AND COLONIAL ITEMS.

At a. meeting of the Auckland Land Board on the s,th, the Crown Lands Kanger reported favourably of the Katikati settlement j but he noticed a considerable failure of grass seed. The seed referred to was chiefly brought from E nglaud . J>y the settlers, This reference to the .Ranger's

report brought up the question of_ surfacesowing. It was held that surface-sowing could not be regarded as "cultivating," which implied that the ground must be turned over by some of the well-known methods — by digging or ploughing. Mr Bowman, nurseryman, Remuera, U n tne Auckland district) had 500 choice trees barked and destroyed in less than a week by two hares. They were watched, and shot. The damage amounts to L6O. Kafoozslum, Mr Donald Matheson's trotting horse, received a compound fracture of the leg, j and was consequently destroyed, yesterday. Although rising 16 years, he ran gamely in the Forbury trots this year, coming in second on two occasions. His sire was the celebrated horse England Still, imported by the late Mr John Jones from England. We understand that the members' tickets for the forthcoming show of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association have been issued to the Committee for, distribution accompanied in each case with a collecting Hat. We trust that at the, next meeting the Committee will be enabled to make a good progress report, more especially as to the special priza list. This list has hitherto appeared in the newspapers only a few days prior to the show. It would be much more satisfactory to intending exhibitors if it could appear in the programme when issued.

We (Southland Times) learn that two settlors who have shipped oats direot by the Jessie Headman have had their account sales, with the result of finding that they get Is 7d and Is 8d per bushel respectively for their grain. In neither case were the samples first-class, but rather what would be described as "fair."

The Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Sooiety have resolved to enforce strictly here after rule No. 3 of the Artioles of Association. This rule provides that members' subscriptions must be paid on or before the Ist October in each year. The rule baa, o£ course, been in existence from the first, but unfortunately it has not been observed, and the oonsequence has been very to the finances of the Sooiety. The Times Btrongly urges the directors to adhere unflinchingly to the position they have taken up.

An interesting case, both to farmers and trustees of Eabbit Boards, was heard last week atEiverton before Mr Wood, EM. The Aparitna Board sued James Hamilton, of Flint's Bush, for interfering with and ordering off two men put on his land, by order of the trustees, to destroy rabbits. Mr Hamilton also sued the trustees for trespass and for £5 for damages done to his fences, &c, by the men. Mr Eussell appeared for the trustees, and Mr Finn for Mr Hamilton. After examination of several witnesses for the first case, and long argument by the learned council, his Worship held that_ it was an arbitrary power for the Board to give their clerk in allowing him to put men on whoBoever's property he liked. He (his Worship) did not infer that Mr Fullarton, the clerkwould use that power wrongfully, but thought that the resolutions passed by the trustees authorising the clerk to put men on people's property was giving too much power to one man. He dismissed the case, and upon the trustees allowing £2 2a for professional f costs, Mr Hamilton withdrew his tease.— Southland Times.

We (Palmerston and Waikouaiti Times) have been informed by Mr John Duncan, of Palmerston, that some time ago he bought 41bs of seed potatoes called the " Superior " aad from whioh he has obtained the enormous yield of two owt.