Californian Thistles.

Otago Witness, Issue 2668, 3 May 1905, Page 10

Californian Thistles.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — Can any of your readers, or any of the army of idle men called inspectors, inform me why a section of the community is charged with failing to destroy Californian thistles, while there- are hundreds of acres in Ota go and Southland — some not 20 miles from Dunedin— left unmolested? No doubt those so-called inspectors must show something for their salaries; but to think to stop the spread of Californian. thistles _by cutting them half-way down (for it Js impossible to cut them lower in. all cases), shows the wisdom of labour legislation. The department had wisely refrained from prosecuting. Crown tenants, because the expense of cutting the thistles (at union wages, aud only get union work done) would be greater than the rent, and many of the small runs at present occupied! would have to be surrendered. ' *-

Perhaps- Mr Fountain, whom the- Minister described as a level-headed man, can inform us why the Crown tenants of Central Otago are exempted from the act.— l am, etc., Common Sense^

The Tauranga correspondent of the New Zealand 'Herald writes: — "'A peculiar judgment was given at a taua held here lately amongst the Natives. ' One man's wife deserted her husband, and went off with another man. The deserted husband was fined horses, cattle, and some cash for his ' lack of marital authority in not being able to retain his wife !' The -lady was apparently left free to exercise her choice of a husband."