HOKONUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2199, 23 April 1896, Page 23

HOKONUI.

April 18. — I see the Hokonuis are covered with snow— the first signs of winter. Owing to the continuous windy weather during harvest settlers were forced to cut tbe crops on the green side. This will no doubt account for the threshing not turning out j ti-t quite as satisfactory as one could wish

Stack Firhs. —I have heard much talk of stacks heating and going on fire. Doss this mean that they will actually burst out in flames ? La«t Saturday night four stacks belonging to Mr M'Pheraoß were burned down. There was, .1 believe, no insurance on the stacks, so the loss will beconsidflrable. The origin of the fire would seem to be a mystery.

Thic Wild Piqbon.— For the last two years I have been advocating 'through the columns of the Witness that the Acclimatisation Society' should do something to prevent the poor pigeon being erxterminate'a, and I am pleased to see that' the society is taking steps towards their preservation. I should like to see every third instead of every seventh a closed year. Kakas should also be included. At present unscrupulous person- enter the buib. ostensibly for the purpose of shooting kakas. Kakas in the Hokonui Bush are exceedingly scarce, aad you may travel a whole day Bometimes ) and not get a siDgle shot at one. Notwithstanding thia, however, it is wonderful the number of shots that are heard in the bush at times. Duck Shooting.— This year Messrs M. M'Rae and W. Pateraon have made the best bags.