TAIERI FERRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 11 March 1882, Page 13

TAIERI FERRY.

, , (PROM OUR OWlt doURKaPONDUrP.) ' ' ' >,/',, '< „,< ', ' Henley, March' 6th, , Most of the grain' grown in the'Waihpla 'district Is cut. 'Owing to ttio small-bird 'pest it 'is doubtful if last 'year's average of grain will be .obtained.,^ The crops.ln the Otokia arid Brighton.diatricts are generally .very 4 poor this- year; indeed, about Brighton and Scroga'sHill the birds and rabbits— more . especially the rabbits— have on many'farma'corriplet&y destroyed them. I daii'fc imagine why'tho settlers r in the Otokia riding did not take steps long ago to have the district brought under the Babbit Act.< lam asserting a fact when I state that while riding along a ridge known as M'Coll's, I saw from 1000 to 1600 rabbits. A Mr Hoddinott, who has a farm on the Boat Harbour Road —the next ridge to M'Coll's— told me that from a field' of 60 acres of oats, which ho had cut for green food, the jiva^s return will bd under rather than over five tons. • The same gentleman also informed me that he had killod since the Ist of January, 33oo rabbits, within half a mile of his houso. He leaves off work at 4 p.m. each day and fights the enemy till dark. I havo seen $bo tffects of the rabbit pest in Tasmania ; and the results in many parts of the Otokia riding are fully as disastrous. , < a new coal-mine is being opened out on the western slope of Saddle Hill. A tram will bring the coal to the main road about a quarter of a mile above Mrs Steadman's hotel. , Mr, William Palmer, of Otokia, has purchased a tractio- ' engine and ttnv>sh,ing ' mill, which will be a boon to mahy, as'he 'intends, I believe, to work it in the district. The 'children's playshed and to the teacher's residence at Taieri Perry 'are nearly finished. The Taiori Ferry school re-opens on Monday, the 13th inst

A scivere thunderstorm passed over the district on Saturday last, accompanied by a considerable rainfall.