LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 53

LAND AND WATER.

For some time past the minds of sportsmen have been much exercised as to the position of the law with respect to the taking or killing of native game. In the case against Robert Penman, which came before Mr Cruickshank, S.M., at Kaitangata, last January, the information was dismissed on the ground that owing to the jepsal of section 17 of the Animals Protection Act of 1880 by the amending act of 1900 such an offence did not exist in New Zealand law ; but -Mr Justice Williams, in an appeal against this decision, has decided that that view is a wrong one, as the second section of the act of 1900 prohibits at certain times of the year the taking or killing of native game and creates a close season, and that persons offending are liable to a penalty under section 4 of the amending act Of 1881. Messrs E. C. and H. Studholme, of Waimate, returned to Pembroke last week from n most successful deer-stalking expedition in the Hunter Valley, at the head of Hawea Lake, and brought with them the finest lot of heads that have been shot in this locality — viz., one 10, one 11, two 12, one 13, a 14-, and an 18 pointer— in all, seven heads for fivo days' stalking. They all carried splendid large antlers, and would bo hard to beat in any part of the world. The Messrs Studholme report that stags are very numerous in the Hunter Valley, and as this is practically the first season that any stalking has been done there, it should be the favourite hunting ground in the near future. — Cromwell Argus. Deer are becoming numerous at the Makan -a. head of Lake Wanaka. The rifle team to represent New Zealand ?t liisley left by the Paparoa on Thursday, ».ud will arrive in London on the 7th .lune. They will have three weeks' practice before the meeting, which starts on the 9th July, and will last a fortnight. There will be about £15,000 in cash prizes. The Government allowed Colonel Sommervillo £150 for his own expenses, and tho 12 members of the team £125 each. A curious spectacle was observed on Friday in one of the numerous little bays below Seacliff. A species of small fish had evidently arrived in ohoals in the bay, for the water was covered with birds fluttering and diving after their prey. The water covered would not exceed more than a few acres, but the birds seemed to be in millions, and in some places the water could scarcely be seen for their wings. Skating on ice (refrigerated for the pursue) will soon be possible in Melbourne. The rink is to cost £50,000. Within the last few days one firm has bought 2500 sacks of oats in the Clutha district for millers in Dunedin The Leader understands tW 250 cows have been guaranteed for tne proposed creamery at Balolutha. On the last day of the deer stalking reason (says the Nelson Colonist) Mr Charles Haggitt spcured what he claims to be the finest fallow buck shot in this district. The beast was secured in Aniseed Valley, and carried a splendid head, the antlers carrying 14 points, being without break or blemish. On the same day Mr William Pryor shot a fine red deer with a fine pair of 10-point antler-.. A consignment of very fino homing pigeons arrived by the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Tongariro, from London, on Sunday. There are nine birds in all. Four of them came direct from the loft of M. Weilman. a noted long-distance flyer in Belgium, and bred from his best long-distance strain, known as " Le Bon Pale," and four from the royal lofts at Sandringham. The ■ninth was bred by Mr K. H. Crow, of Dews-bury, Yorkshire, from one of his beet birds.