LAND AND WATER

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 53

LAND AND WATER

The Invercargill went on a fishing excursion outside the heads on Saturday. She carried a goodly number of passengers, and as the weather was warm and calm and some good hauls were made, the outing proved very enjoyable.

On Saturday evening a couple of fishermen caught a shark Bft llin in length on the beach near the Royal Mill, Timaru. The monster took four men to haul him in.

The services of the following \oluiiteer corps iiave been accepted by the Government: — Tapanui, Owaka, and Orepuki Rifle Volunteers, and the Kelso Mounted Rifle Volunteers.

A larga number of sportsmen left Invercargill in the small hours of Monday morning (says the News) prepared to commence duck-shooting at break of day. Some fanbags were secured, but not a few retired empty-handed and very tired It is said that in some parts shooting had been going 011 before the Ist April, which accounted for the ducks flying at a safe distance. As usual, Gore shootists bave placed to their credit the killing of many tame ducks (siys the Malaura Ensign), doubtless in mistake for the wild variety. Duckpoiids on

several farms ha.\-e l>eeii the pceno of considerable slaughter, much to the regret of the owners.

Mr John Hagan, of Chippendale, while fishing off the rocks at Watson's Bay (.N y.W.) on the 10th inst , made an extraordinary catch. Ho suddenly felt a haul pull, and, thinking that he had hooked a large fish, hauled up ; but, much to his surprise, found that he = had caught a sea turtle. It was afterwards weighed, and turned the scale at 301b Mr Hagan wao using a fine pilk waterproof line.

The yacht Ariadne, iecently stranded at the mouth of the Waitaki, ha~ won the International Yacht Race at Ccwes and the German ICmperor's Cup.

Mr J. G. Wilson, of the Woodville Rifle Club, who acted as runner up for the third time on Friday at Wanganui for the Champion Belt, is the only surviving member of the Wilson family, who, father and mother, sons and daughters, were ruthlessly murdered by the Maoris in the fearful Poverty Bay massacre. A shooting match took place at Palmerston on Friday between teams from the Palmerston Rifles and the Queen's Rifles (Oamaru), victory resting with the visitors by 50 points, the scores being: — Queen's Rifles, 678 ; Palmerston, 623. There were 10 men aside, and the conditions of the match were seven shots at 200 (kneeling), 300, and 500 yards (two sighters at each).