LAND AND WATER

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 59

LAND AND WATER

The Hot Lakes Chronicle of the 30th ult. states that a trolling party of four on a launch captured 39 fine trout — chiefly on Hotoiti, — the weight of which turned the scale at 1191b. The party then ceased operations, fearing another four-pounder would rise and prove their fall. On a recent Sunday and Monday 203 trout, aggregating6*Blb, were taken from Lake' Rotorua. Very few large fish were taken, but there seemed to be no -end of medium-sized trout in the lakes. Anglers are inclined to the opinion that the fish have increased so rapidly that food is not so plentiful as in years past, and consequently the fish are not growing so large as formerly. This is borne out by the Maoris at Rotorua, who say there is now great difficulty in obtaining koura ■where previously large quantities could oe secured in a few minutes* Food being •scarce no doubt accounts for the minnow being so readily taken, as in an hour or two the stipulated weight of fish can be obtained. On Friday, 2nd inst., Thomas Milner was fined £3 and £5 7s costs at the Thames Police Court for having wild ducks in his possession. C W. Allen, a well-known English pedestrian has just walked 100 miles in 25 hours. After walking 49i miles in lOhr Srnin he rested for three hours. The following general order has been issued by the "Defence Department:— -"In future, when practice is to fee carried out, officers commanding detachments Royal New Zealand Artillery, officers comsnanding Volunteer Garrison Artillery divimons and officers commanding Volunteer •field batteries, will notifir i^a flfawr «°m-

raandinig district the date of such practice, who will detail a medical officer to attend the practice. Under no circumstances whatever is practice to be. commenced until the medical officer arrives."

Speaking at the Ashburton Mounted Rifles' dinner on Wednesday evening, Captain Studholine said that he had received an unexpected letter from. England a few weeks ago advising him that his mother had donated a sum of £50 for the purpose of offering prizes for competition among rifle corps — the A.M.R. especially, — with a view to encouraging shooting. He- stated that he intended to allocate the money in various ways to directly encourage shooting.

It has been decided to form a contingent of the Wallace Mounted Rifles at Orepuki.

A revolver match was fired at Timaru on Thursday between the officers of the South Canterbury district, 18 competing, the sides being north and south. South won by 147 to 131. The conditions were six shots at 30 yards. A purse has been offered for another wrestling match between Pearce and M. Powley if terms can be arranged. The conditions are that Powley should undertake that Pearce shall not throw him three times during an hour and a-half's wrestling.

Weasels are reported to be numerous in the Oamaru Public Gardens, and chickens in the vicinity are suffering accordingly. The Gazette notifies that the words "An allowance cf Is 6d pe-r diem per man in camp," as in paragraphs 169 and 170, Volunteer Regulations, 1895, have been cancelled, and the words "An allowance of 2s per diem m oamp " substituted in lieu thereof as from 4th November, 1904-.