LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 59

LAND AND WATER.

The returned contingenters of Southland. having been unsuccessful in their effort to form a mounted corps among themselves, have resolved to form one of the troops of the Southland Mounted Rifles, under an officer of their own.

Afe Orepuki on Thursday last Mr John Thompson, whose height is sft 9^in and who ■weighs 12sfc 6lb, for a 'wager of £30 to £13, carried "a bag of oats weighing 1601b from Pallia P.ost Office to the Railway Hotel, Orepuki, without a spell. The distance ;s four and a-half miles" and the time occupied was' lhr 23min. SeveTal residents are subscribing towards a cold medal as a recognition of the plucky performance. W. Newton, of Ruaiine, is now backing hiin6elf to carry a sack of flour (2001b) the same distance.

Miss B. Lewis, holder of the title, beat Miss TMort, formerly of Sydney, in the final of the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club Championship by 3 up and 2 to play.

Tliie owner of the motor 'bus plying between. Cathedral- square, Christchurch, and Ibe railway station is importing two doubledecked motor vehicles for use on other runs in that city.

On Wedn.&3-Jay (says tho Press) a horse, valued at £90 or £100,. escaped from a train travelling at full sp^ed near the Kowai bridge, and goo off without injury. The Makarewa branch of the Southland Farmers' Union has forwarded a remit to the executive suggesting that the Government be asked to legislate to prohibit the use of pea-rifles or long-distance, guns by youths-' under 18 years of age. Several caso* were cited hi which hordes and stock had ■been damaged, and even destroyed, w-.t'i email rifles aimed by wanton youfchs.

Mr J. Sutherland, manager of Benmore Station, informs- the North Otago Times that the American salmon liberated at Lake Ohau three years a^o by the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society have grown wonderfully, and are now .splendid fish. Mr Sutherland mentions that the- fish are fighting among themselves, and several have died, one- which he S2cured weighing 81b. The Dunedin Homing Pigeon Club held a flock iace from Gore on Saturday last. The Miam object of the race was- to decide the winning of a trophy (a, handsome barometer) presented by the club's president (Mr J. C. Short). The weather ivas not altogether suitable for racing, and the velocities v. r er<? a little blower than usual. The winning bird was Mr A. Brown's Thistle, with, a velocity of 937 yds per minute. Mr ID. Patersozi's b^rd J.H.B. came second, with a velocity of 914 yds per minute ; and Mr P. Gibson's Red Roba third, vith a velocity of. 896 yds per minute. Mr Craig's bird' Heather Lass filled third place, but was entered by mistake, and was therefore counted cub.

The Wellington Centre being unable to carry out the New Zealand amateur boxing championship meeting, ib has been decided to hold the meetingf in Cnristchurch on August 19 and 20. The- Australasian championship meeting 1 will be held in Christchurch on September 27 and 23.

A Eonxbay Pettier says that an easy way to prevent onesslf from being los-t in the Imshi is. to cut frcsnds- of feras,, white on the underside, and lay them with tbe underside up- at intervals along the route. The line of" white fern, he says, forms a splendid guide by which to retrace one's steps.

RETURNING A TROPHY.

WASHINGTON, Jttne 13.

The American Rifle Association is returning the Eaima Trophy, in response to a protest that it was impioperly won at Bisley by usin.^ nonservice rifles.