UPPER TAIERI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 23

UPPER TAIERI.

July 24.— Since the advent of June the weather has been very severe. Heavy snowstorms of the " blizzard" description have swept over the district with terrific fury in rapid succession. The recent one that occurred here lasted for a period of three days, and, I may add, was accompanied by a heavy thunderstorm late on the evening of the second day. The scene as witnessed by many of the residents here will not soon be forgotten, for, to say the least, it was simply 'appalling. A hurricane gale of wind raged at the time, and piled up the drift mountains high in every direction. I am inclined to think that the advent of spring will a tale unfold of loss and disaster to the flocks depasturing in the elevated regions of the district, for the snowstorms that have occurred here during the current winter have been unusually severe. The " track of the storm " has indeed left its mark on the stock visible here with a vengeance. The Rabbits.— Bunnyiaing in the back country was being vigorously prosecuted by several bands of men, and a large area of ground had been finished in reßpect to the laying down of phospororised graiwby the "rank and file "of the bunny army marching in open order, when a severe snowstorm burst over the district and a hasty retreat was made by the several bands to the plains "the Rabbit Act.— Touching the administration of the Rabbit Act, I may note that the Government inspectors have paid several visits here mv own 'observation, I should say that the several inspectors have discharged their duties in a very efficient manner. Two of these inspectors, Messrs Burton and Kerr, narrowly escaped. spending a night recently in the elevated regions of the Lammerlaw. They were travelling on a tour of i£po3oß, and »"« d to find a hut at a late

hour in that locality. They ultimately shaped their course for Newman's, and struck it at a very late hour. Here, it is almost needless to flay, they were hospitably entertained for the night. The inspectors expressed themselves well satisfied with the prompt measures that had been adopted in the back country by the Crown tenants of Linburn, Rocklands, and the Beaumont in their endeavours to mitigate the pest. It is gratifying to note that the inspectors report that the number of rabbits in the back country has been reduced to a minimum through the stringent measures adopted by the flockowners.