LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 63

LAND AND WATER.

At an informal meeting of members of Volunteer corps, held at Kaitangata recently, it was resolved (says the Bruce Herald) that an effort be made to form a South Otago Defence Rifle Association, and that Major Stewart be asked to communicate with each of the Volunteer Corps and Defence Rifle Clubs in Bruce, Clutha, and Tuapeka Counties with a view to the establishment of an association. A meeting of d-elegates will bo held at an early date. A rara avis in the shape of a white blackbird is to be seen every day in a garden in Latimer square, Christchurch. The bird is mottled all over with large white spots, and apparently there are more white feathers than black. A well-known Chiistchurch gentleman says he remembers having previously seen only one like it, and that was in the Old Country, where, at a plaoe he visited, he saw a white blackbird and a white woodcock, both stuffecf. Mr F. Moorhouse, of the Tourist Department, who is in charge of some elk moose which are corning to New Zealand by the Ventura, cabled to Sir Joseph Ward from Honolulu stating that three of the moose had died so far, but the rest were in the best possible condition. Grave complaints are being made in the Waikaia district (says the Matura Ensign) that pitiful pot-hunters have already commenced to shoot wild ducks, many of which have barely passed the "flapper"' stage. The Wakatipu Mail states that Messrs (Jrc-o. Reid and H. Birley, who recently left the Head of the Lake via the Greenstone and Martin's Bay track for the purpose of finding a pass between Lake M'Kellar (on the Martin's Bay track) and Glade House (at the head of Lake Te Anau) reported themselves at Te Auati at the beginning cf last week after discovering a good pass. A lady toui'ist, who is evidently doing the country on foot, arrived in Queen«town on Saturday week, after having tramped from the Hermitage, Mount Cook, which place she left on the Thursday previous. The lady pedestrian left for the Head of the Lake on Tuesday morning last, and from the latter plaoe she will probably go to Martin's Bay. During the month of February 2539 trout were taken from the lakes and streams in the Rotorua district. The Christchurch agent of the Tourist Department has received a communication from, two men who are willing to act as guides to deer-stalkers in South Canterbury ' and Otago. HOMING PIGBON CLUB. The Dune-dm Homing Pigeon Olub held its Derby Racs, for birds bred this season, on Saturday last, the course being from St. Andrews .to Dunedin, a distance of 102 miles by air-line. There was no wind, and the weather was in. every way favourable for the race. In addition to the prize given by the club a trophy presented by the president (Mr E. J. Reeves) was competed for. There were 49 competing birds, and the winner was Mr B J Finnegan'o Belle Maritime, Mr A. W. Brown's Liicl boir.<? second, and Mr Fmnegan's Dan Leno third. BILLIARDS. LONDON, March 12. In a billiard match Stevenson conceded 2250 points to Weiss. The game resulted: Steveu- j son 9000, Weiss 7420.