LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2736, 22 August 1906, Page 59

LAND AND WATER.

When Mr A. C. Begg, president of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, was in !London last year he made inquiries as to the best kind of owl to import into New Zealand with a view of keeping in check the small bird nuisance. Mr Begg obtained very favourable reports concerning the "little owl" (Athene noctua), to be found mostly in Germany. On return-ing to the colony Mr Begg reported the result of his inquiries to the Acclimatisation Society, and the council recommended that 100 of these birds should be procured and brought out to New Zealand. The High Commissioner very kindly offered to assist in procuring the birds and see them shipped by one of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's steamers coming .to Otago. From letters received by last mail from the High Commissioner it is anticipated that the "little owls" will be shipped from London by the steamer leaving about the end of the present month. In the meantime, we learn from the secretary (Mr D. Russell) that the society is making preparations for the distribution of the owls on their arrival.

It is to be hojsd that when these bi^ds are liberated fanners and others will do everything possible to preserve them, to that the effect of their introduction, may be noted. Ttiey do not multiply rapidly, and unless protected are soon exterminated. Teachers in country districts might assist in this direction by impressing on school Juldren the importance of not molesting the owl.

In the course of a chat with Mr Bullen a member of the Timaru Herald staff raised the question of the date of the close of the great whale fishery in the neighbourhood of New Zealand. 'Mr BuQcn etated that he was himself engaged in whaling off New Zealand as late as 1876, and that in 1875 he saw no less than seven American whalers, in Port William, Stewart

Island, at one. time. The whaling off the south of New Zealand had been continuously carried on up to that time, »nd later. He never came into relation with the shore whaling stations, but had often heard of them — at' Alkaroa. Heads, Timaru, Waikouaiti, Taiaroa Heads, and other points. It was always sperm whales they were after down south. There were black whales up north, but Mr Sullen never had anything to do with them. The whaling business fell off, not because the whales were all killed, but because substitutes

for oil came into- use — for lighting, gas, kerosene, *nd electricity ; and 'for lubricants (sperm oil is a perfect lubricant) other petroleum products. There ought to be plenty of whales about now, as they had not been disturbed for the last twenty or five-and-twenty years.

A case of more than ordinary interest to anglers and others was heard at Milton ; before Mr G. Cruicltshank, S.M., on Friday, when Douglas Harris Hastings, of Dunedin; John M'Gill, of Milton, flourmiiler; Thomas M'Gill, of Makikihi, farmer; and Alexander Campbell were charged on separate informations with having on April 21 drawn in the Tokomairiro River a net other than a landing net, contrary to the regulation* made pursuant to " The Fisheries Conservation Act, 1884." Mr Macasser. instructed by Messrs Kenyon and Hosking, appeared to prosecute on behalf of the AJ*go A.cclimatiiatioja Society; Mr J. Lang

. for Thomas M'Gill and Harris Hasting?; i and Mr Donald Reid (Miltan) for John M'Gill»»nd Alexander Campbell. It was agreed to hear the informations together. In his opening remarks Mr ilacassey stated that the defendants were feeeu by Rangers Deans and Mnening to drag their net several times, and when the net was drawn the officers searched the boat, finding soles, flounders, and yellow-bellies, but no trout. The defendants stated that they would not take trout, as they preferred flat fish. Mr Macassey also mentioned that Mr Hastings, in the course of conversation with the rangers, contended that he had a perfect right to use a net in tidal waters for the purpose of catching indigenous fish. For the defence it was contended that the defendants, having been netting in tidal waters, were engaged in 6oa-fishing as defined by '"The Sea Fisheries Act, 1894," and that this act repealed " The Fisheries Conservation Act, 1884." in so far as it related to eea-fishing, without prejudice to any regulations made thereunder -and still subsisting, so that nothing which the defendants had done in tidal waters could be a breach of " The Fisheries' Con=^rvation Act, 1884." After hearing legal argument the magistrate stated that in -view of the great importance of the question, and the i complicated statutory law. he would take *■ time to consider his decision. ' The camel is the only animal that cannot swim. It is an extraordinary fact that the moment it loses its footing in a stream it turns on its side, and makes no effort to save itself from drowning. Only five whales have so far been captured by Messrs Cooke Bros, at Whangamumu (writes the Russell correspondent of the New Zealand Herald). The season is L now drawing to a close. Probably the only instance on record of a tie in a coursing match being won by a dead dog occurred at Riverton (South Australia) recently. The greyhound Sirene was matched against Marjorie, and fell dead while pursuing the hare. The Aog had. however, scored sufficient points to win the match. At a gathering of boxing officials held at Wellington on Saturday evening it was stated that the next New Zealand t-hampiorr-6hin meeting wottld be held in Auckland, and the Australasian championship meeting next year would take place «n Wellington. A lion-hunter, who has made a study of that animal's peculiarities, says that all lions when striking a forcible blow u&e their left paw. Dr Frederick A. Cook is on his way to Alaska, where he proposes to make a fresh attempt upon Mount M'Kinley (20,300 ft), believed to be the loftiest summit in North America. A previous attempt was made by the same climber in 1903. The expedition began with a tramp of about 500 miles '"over swamps and tundra, through glacial streams- and dense forest." to reach the foot of the mountain. The first further advance wa? defeated by ; unfavourable weather, and the second by f climbing difficulties. A layer of snow 14m deep had to be removed before some ice in which steps could- be cut was Sound; 3000 ft was thus ascended, and a floor large enough to pitch a tent upon was then carved out of the ice. In the morning, however, the climbers found themselves faced by an arete with a nearly vertical granite "wall 4060 ft in height. There was nothing for it but to turn back, having only ascended 14.400 ft. j A letter receded from Mr Dan Black, formerly of Tiroaru. »nd now of the Natal Mounted Police, states that a Rugby foot- ; ball team at present touring South Africa j includes nine New Zealanders. and is under j the management of Mr R. Lloldstone (Waimate). Major Boam, secretary for the rifle clubs in Victoria, has issued a return, showing that the number of riflemen on the official list is 18,141, or nearly 2000 more than last year. The natives of Omaio and neighbouring Bay of Plenty settlements have been very busy for weeks past preparing for the whaling season, doing up their boats and getting their harpoons, etc.. in good trim. The only fish that never sleep are believed to be the salmon, pike, and goldi fish - In connection with a recent Volunteer parade at Warracknabeal (Victoria) the Commandant of the Commonwealth Forces issued a notice that all men, except those who were ill. were expected to attend. It transpires that Private Lindner, of Murtoa. had arranged to be married on the day of the parade, but his devotion to duty was ao strong that he determined to ' postpone the wedding in order to comply with the direction of his superior officer. The Government has decided that the next annual meeting of the* New Zealand Defence Rifle Association shall be held at Trentham at the usual time, either the last week in February or the first week in March. The intention to hold it at Chrktchurch during Exhibition time has been abandoned. An invitation has been extended to Australians to send a team, and it is understood that a special prize will be allotted for that match. Duly qualified instrnctors in connection with the cadet movement will shortly be axuxuated.. It is not unlikely that a bill

will be introduced during the forthcoming session to provide for giving commission status to officers of cadet corps. It is understood the Governor has refused to allow Chinese and Australian I quail to bo imported into the colon y. SWIMMING THE CHANNEL,/ CHRISTCHURCH GUN CLUB. CHRISTCHURCH. August 15. The Christchurch Gun Club's Grand National meeting -was held to-day. There was a large attendance of competitors, fend the shooting was fairly good. The Grand National Handicap, of JEIOO, second .£35, third £10, was won by G. Bruce, who killed all his birds (17). K. Graham, A. Gardiner, G. H. Andrew J. Simpson. T. M. Dean, G. Cbeeseman, T. Kaney, A. Falconer, and S. Jensen tied for second place with lfa kills each, and -j agreed co divide. SWIMMING THE CHANNEL. ! LONDON, August 13. ' BGrgess made another unsuccessful attempt to swim the English Channel. PARIS, August 19. Burgess failed to ewini the Channel after being 8J hours in the wat<*r. He reached w'lthm six miles of Cape Grisn^z. LADIES' G.OLF CHAMPIONSHIP. SYDNEY, August 16. ■ The Ladies* Golf Championship o£ NewSouth Wales was won by Miss "V^ray with a score of 314. defeating 'Mis 3 Mort, who made 313. PROPOSED SCULLIXG MATCH. WANGANUI, August 16. A cable was received from Stanbury today stating that he or Mitchell was prepared to row W. Webb, of Wanganui, for £200, the match to take place on the Wanganui River. A public meeting has been called for Thursday next to consider finances and frame a .reply, which it is practically certain will be in the affirmative. „ A LAAVN TENNIS CHAMPION. BRISBANE, August 20. Parker. Ihe New Zealand tennis champion, played with great success »i the tournament, whining eveiy set of singles, beating Lockley and Dou»t, and the cup. LADIES' GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP. CHRISTCHURCH August 20. The first round of the- Ladies' Golf Championship of New Zealand was played at the Shirley links this morning. The weather was beautifully fine, and the greens were in good order. Thirty-two competitors entered for the event, most of the leading New Zealand players being represented. The results of the first round are as follow- — First round.— Mis>s G. Gorrie (Auckland) beat Misd Harley (Christchurch). 6 up and 5- to play. Mrs Ogston (Dnnediu) beat Mrs Boy'e (Christchurch), 8 up and 6. Mrs W. E. Bidwill (Wairarapa) beat Mrs Butterworth (Wellington), by default. Miss Nora Campbell (Christchurch) beat Miss Rutherford (Christchurch). 7 up and 5. Miss E. Wilder (CbristchurctO beat Mrs Payne (Christchurch), 5 up and 4. Miss Una Williams (Wellington) beat Miss Jackson (Wanganuji. *UPU P ana< 3. Miss R. Cracroft Wilson betkt Miss Sise (Wellington). 5 up and 4. Mrs Fergus (Du-nedin) beat Miss K. Sealey (Timaru). 5 up and 3. Miss Gould (Oam-aru) beat Miss Wilder (Christchurch). Bup and 6. Miss C»ve (Wanganui) beat Mu= K. Rattray (Dunedin). 3 up and 1. Mi&9 W. Scott (Dunedin) beat Misa N. Christie (Oaniam), 6 up and 5. Mrs G. ! N". Johii9toz> (Dunedin) beat Mies Mill (Dunediu). 7up and 6 Mrs Cleghorn. (WangsumO i beat Miss Symes (Chrintchurcb), 3 Tip and 1. i Mia^ E. A. Harcourt (Wellington) beat Miss 1 Begg (Dunedin). 3up and 2. Miss Mendel1 sohn (Timaru). beat Mrs Ward (Oamarn), 7 up and 5. Miss Noel Stead (Christchnrch) beat Mrs Vernon (Christchurch), 2 op aod 1.