LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 57

LAND AND WATER.

The Taieri Advocate reports that hares are plentiful thi> >ear in th" Suiton district. The Southland Daily Newi wi.te« — A bird that hitherto ha-> been a c-mplete stranger to this part of the world — Lhe redpolc — was brought to this office by Mr Cormack. A flock arrived on Mr Maher'fa property at Kcw the other d:iy, one of which w.is fchot for the purpose tf determining it 5 mii'cics The- little feathered visitors must have migrated from el ewhere, probably Australia It belongs to the goldfinch or linnet tribe, but is smaller and has a red head.

The Waiau correjponcUut of the Southland Times writes: — The opossums which were liberated years ago in the Lonjjwood by the late Captain Uowell, of Ruerton, have multiplied &o much that hever.ii have been caught hereabouts by the rabbitcrs in their traps, while tracei of them arcs to be frequently seen in the burh. They have alt-o found th^ir way to the walnut trees in Mr Tapper's garden. With referent c to the seal.ng enterprise projected by a Port Chalmers syndicate, we learn that the Ta^manian authorities have communicated with the Government of tins colony intimating tli.it any cccupat.on for tealin" purpo«.<u of the Macquaries, without permission, w-Jiild be lCgaidcd as trespass — Southland Np\\« Mr L F. Aytoii, Cliuf lu-prctor of Fisheries, lately visited Invercars;ill on his way to inspect and r> port to tho Government as to the -,\ut.ibiiitv of the Waiau and its sources for ac.chm.itL>ation purposes. Some time ago the local Atciimatigation Association interviewed Sir J. G. Ward in regard to this matter, suggesting that

salmon might, with advantage, be placed in the Waiau, and American whitefisn in thq lakes. Sir Joseph promised to give the recommendation his attention, and Mr Ayson's visit is the direct outcome of tho society's report. Mr Ayson met the members of the council last week for the purpose of obtaining information as to the best probable localities for acclimatisation work, and at the same time advised the society as to several other matters of importance in hand. Before Mr Ayson leaves for thtf north he will probably visit the society* reserves at Benmore, where the construction of ponds is contemplated.

A correspondent writes to a Gisborne. paper concerning the threatened extinction of the tuatara lizard on East Island. The tuatara on the island is, it is said, becoming scarce. The correspondent says : 1 am under the impression that the tuatara is protected by law, but Natives at East Cape carry on with impunity a trade in the sale of the reptiles to Europeans, and many of tho lizards can be found now in several homes on the coast. Europeans encourage the Natives to carry on this unlawful trade, and Europeans themselves have taken, tuataras from the island."

It would seem from a case heard in the Marylebone Pob'ce Court, London, recently, that it may be quite legal to catch salmon and eat them, but not to sell them. Mr Sidney Jones, a private gentleman residing at Hampstcad, was in Scotland in January last, and caught by the line on the river Toy, on a part of the water where he had private fishing, five 'salmon, which he sent to Lcndon for sale. It was not dieputed that it was legal to catch salmon by rod and line at this time, but not with, the net. These were caught with the line. But the ant forbids- the possession of salmon for sale in England between September 3 and February 1. If Mr Sidney Jones had eaten the salmon himself, "or given them away to his friends, nobody could have interfered with him. As it was he has had to pay 20s fine, five guineas costs, and hi 3 salmon were forfeited to the Fishmongers* Company, which would probably have them served up for dinner. This is one of those oasas which give effect to the observation of the immortal Mr Bumble, that "the law is a hass." According to some of the Stunner fishermen, the dredging operations in Lyttelton Harbour are gradually destroying the SumneY fishing, which hitherto has been the livelihood of many men.

The Southland Daily News writes: — A bird that hitherto has been a complete stranger to this part of the world — the redpole — was brought to this office by Mr Cormaek. A flock arrived on Mr Maher's property at Kow the other day. one of whioh was shot for the purpose of dc-trrmining its species. The little feathered \ isitors must have migrated from elsewhere, probably Australia. It belongs to the goldfinch or linnet tribe, but i& smaller and has a red head. Some 10 years ago (says the Paten Press* Mr R. B. Pearce brought out from England oight English partridges and liberated them at Kakaramea. Since then little or nothing ha 9 'been heard of them until a week or two ago. when a brood of young ones were seen at Whenuakuca. Skating was indulged in by f.e\€Tal enthusiasts on the. ieo in the Ashburton Domain ponds on "Saturday.

SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP. LONDON, July 15.

The 500 yds Swimming Championship was held at the Waliill Bath*. B-.llirgton won in Gmui 25 2-ssec— a record CihiH. of Sydney, v.-os second, occupying 3ses longer, and Read, of Sydnc-y, third, taking 6min 35sce

PIGEON SHOOTING

WELLINGTON. Ju'y 17

The champion pigeon match of the New Zealand Gun Club, fired to-day, was won by E. H. Ecclf"? (Marlborough), E. G. Graham 'Gore) 2. and P. Mason (Christchurch) 3. Eccles killed 21 consecutive birds from the 28yds mark.