LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2426, 12 September 1900, Page 44

LAND AND WATER.

At the Adelaide butts recently Mr Hippell, captain of the Adelaide Rifle Club, pun up an excellent icore. He fired seven shots at each of the 200 yds, 500 yds, and 600 yds ranges, the highest possible score being 105. Mi? Hippell' s score was 100, consisting of 33 points at the first range, 35 (the possible) afc 500 yds, and 33 at 600 yd?. This establishes a record for South Australia.

Our Alexandra, correspondent states thai) at a meeting held on Monday, 3rd, it was decided to offer the Government 'the service-; of a volunteer corps, to be known as the Alexandra' Rifle Volunteers.

The. boxing mutch beUveen Fitzsimmoiis, of New Zcalaad, ox-champion of the woil'l, and Tom Sharkey, who recently fought Ruhlin for 25,000 dollars, toolc place at Coney Island under the auspices of the Noyv York Athletic^ Club. Fitzsimmons knocked Sharkey out iir the second round.

A frepk of nature in the shape of a white kaka was shot at Stewart Island a few days ago. The bird, which was full-grown, is to be mounted.

Notice was directed nearly a yoav ago (says the Wyndham Farmer) to the fact that Mr W. J. Hamill, of Oteramika Gorge, had secured from a lagoon on his property a sunken branch of a tree on which was laid a quantity of eel spawn. The matter was deemed of considerable moment by students of natural history, as it' had formerly remained a mystery as to how lagoon eels brought forth their young. Mr Hamill is in receipt of a communication from the Otago Acclimatisation Society stating that his observations as to the spawning habitg of the eels in his lagoon have been discussed in scientific circles at Home, and acting on' a suggestion thrown out, the Acclimatisation Society purposes sending a piseicultural expert to Mr Hamill' s farm during the forthcoming spawning season, to carefully note anything that may prove of scientific value. A very exciting encounter took place near Seymour (Victoria) on August 19 between MiHenry Grattan and a kangaroo. When Mr Grattan, accompanied by a lady, was driving ~to Seymour their dog chased an old man. kangaroo, which showed fight on being attacked by the dog, and the latter was very soon disabled by a kick. Mr Grattan then, procured a stout stick- and rushed at the animal. He made a blow, biit his adversary avoided Mr Grattan' s attempt to disable .him by jumping back, and, immediately springing forward again, it caught him around tli» shoulders with tits' forelegs, a,nd made a savago kick with one of 1 its hind legs. Mr Grattan closed with the animal, and got a grip on its tln'oat with one hand, while with the othca" lie' threw his knife to his friend, instructing her to open it and return it. With greatf coolness she carried out her instructions, and Mr Grattan drove the blade into the neck of the kangaroo, which was soon on the ground, and Mr Grattan was released from his fearful position. The kangaroo was killed,and was found to be 9ft from tip to top. Mr Grattan was badly hurt, and his coat was torn to shreds.

A Sydney cablegram states that New South Wales beat Victoria at baseball by an innings and three runs.

A Christchurch telegram states that it is probable four or five of tho best Victorian; tennis players will take part hi the No. 3 Championship tournament, to be held at Christchurch.

The Dunedin Harries were the guests of Mr M. J. S. Mackenzie on Saturday afternoon, and a most successful ran was held from his residence at Grant's Braes. The weather >vad beautifully fine, and all other conditions favourable for the thorough enioymont of a.' paper-chase. The "hares" (Messrs Cannon and Johnson), after travelling for a considerable 'distance toKvards Tomahawk, took 'a' north-easterly direction on the tops of the Peninsula hills. The lower road was taken above the toll-gate, and a brisk run to Waverley House was indulged in. Messrs W. Bennett. Lothian, Snence. and Liggins were welll to the fore. Full justice was done to a moefc refreshing repast, and before leaving, Mr Wit L. Hooper (on behalf of the members) expressed their appreciation of Mr Mackenzie's? hospitality. Mr Mackenzie expressed hig pleasure at seeing the young fellows enjoying; themselves, and he trusted that the Harriers! would pay him another visit next Peasoni Three hearty cheers were given for Mr and 1 Mrs Mackenzie, and as the drag was starting? for town "For he's a jolly good fellow" was struck up as a parting salute. In view of tho club's final handicap a practice run. will hoi tjld.u^xt^Saturda^ai §t.. Statf*,