LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2612, 6 April 1904, Page 55

LAND AND WATER.

The deer-stalking season at Late Hawea and in the Morven Hills and Hunter Valley country this year promises to ie a record, as already there must be as many stalkers on the ground as in any previous season, though the shooting cannot commence for some day 3. During last week several large parties arrived at Hawea, including a number of well-known shots, such as Mr Gordon Shaw (West Australia), Mr Clarice (London), Mr Horn (chairman Vincent County Council), and Ma* R. E. Clouston (Lowhurn). Reports from the Dingle and Ahuriri River country state that the stags are numerous end in fine condition, so that some good heads should -be secured. The more we study birds the more they ■eem to baffle our science. Buzzards have -been seen to ascend 100' Oft perpendicularly in a minute -or .so, in a dead calm, without -visible motion of their outstretched wings. A Virginian plover starts oc-e -evening from Labrador and arrives next morning in Brazil, doing the journey on an -empty stomach without- stopping on the way. "Young birds go by themselves thousands of miles on- v journey they have never been before. Turnbull, of Opaki. is mentioned as unlikely to proceed with the Bisley team, in which case M'Xenzie (Oamaru) will be asked to fill the vacancy. Colonel Collins, •who gopa in command, is endeavouring to Induce the- Defence Department to consent to a dozen Fraser rifles being sent Home for the use of the team in their matches. If ne succeeds, the rifles will probably have mew barrels fixed on their arrival in England. Several residents of Martinborough have given in tbedr names to the Tourist Department -offering to act as, guides to deer- . stalfcers y in the Wairarapa -district during the coming- "season. The charges *<re £1 10s, •which- sum includes everything except blankets. r The Christchurch Acclimatisation Society resolved -to recommend the incoming committee to vote 41200 for the importation of feathered .game, this «urn to be in addition to a similar sum voted previously for big game, and not yet subsidised by the Government. "What constitutes amateur status in New Zealand?'' was a question put before the delegates to the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. One member remarked that according to rule 14 of the English ( Association the present champion player -of New .Zealand is not an amateur, and he ■would not be -eligible to represent New Zealand in any - amateur team sent over to Australia. The secretary of the association pointed out that in this connection no rules ■were laid down by the New Zealand governing body, and Mr R. M. Tolhurbt gave notice of motion that the association determine what is amateur status. A monster wild boar was caught on Mount Patriarch, run (Marlborough) last •week. It measured 7ft Sin from he-ad to tail. The following additional regulation under "The Fisheries Conservation Act, 18S4-," and its Amendments is gazetted: — "No person shall cast or throw into any stream in which trout or .salmon exist or have been liberated, or shall allow to flow into, or place near the bank or margin of any such stream, any sawdust or -sawmill refuse, lime, sheep dip, flaxmill refuse, or any other matter or liquid that is noxious, poisonous, or injurious to fish, provided that nothing herein contained shall extend to prohibit the depositing in such stream of debris from any mining claim." The penalty is not less than £2 or more than £50. The second Ark, with which Felix Tanner' (of fasting fame) contemplates sailing round , the world, is ready for launching. It is barrel shaped, and built on much the same lines as the Ark that Tanner started with on ' hi 3 tour from N-ew Plymouth. It is a novel craft, 18ft long, with beam sft 6in. It will \ probably leave Wanganui this week. -|