THE PIGS AND THE GOATS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 26 (Supplement)

THE PIGS AND THE GOATS.

I could use up all my space just telling \ou of one glorious pig-hunt in the wild and trackless King Country when pig and men and dogs fell over a cliff, worried and ran and fought over miles of the roughest bush country I have ever known, and when men forgot the time and the pathless bush and everything else but that fierce boar in front, — forgot that their clothes were torn to rags and that the blood from thoir scratches was streaming down their faces ; forgot everything except to skip like grasshoppers when the old pig charged, and, then the fight that pig put up ! Lord, that was something to remember — and his tusks ! they were tusks if you like. I must tell you about the Ramarama pig. He's the Hermit of the North, and he lives in the bush on the road between Towai and Kawakawa (Bay of Islands), and not far from Ruapekapeka. the great pa which the English took by strategy one Sunday morning when the Maoris thought they were at prayers. This wise old pig is one of the toughest propositions ever a dog tackled. He's been hunted more times than there are days in a year, and he's the ugliest customer in the pork line known. Two mad bulls and three bulldogs rolled into one would be a fool beside the Ramarama pig, and what he doesn't know isn't much worth learning. It's a point of honour with the men of the district that no shot must ever be fired at this old warrior unless to save life or limb, and in a straight-out fight its a hundred to one on the pic. and there isn't a fence or a piggery within 20 miles he hasn't broken through. When you've hunted all the bacon in New Zealand try the Ramarama hermit.

Well, pigs in Auckland are now only found in the rough bush country. They are as active as cats, and a knife or a short spear and a revolver are the only weapons, as the bush is too thick to allow of the carrying of a rifle in full chase, but there is good rifle shooting if one cares to lay in wait at dusk for tho pigs at some favourite clearing. They are numerous enough round Lake Tarawera where 25 were killed a week or so ago by a party, and about the King Country and on the sea side of the Waitakeroi ranges, near Auckland City. They can bo found without much difficulty. The first essential is to have two good dogs. Kawhia referred to in in% article on sea fishing

is a good centre to work from, but pretty well all the pig sport desired can be got around Karekare Bay. which is reached by vehicle from Waikumete, eight miles by rail from the city. The drive of about 13 miles is through a forest of unexcelled beauty, and the coast-line is bold and grand, while the vehicle drive is only about 10s return.

Goat shooting may be indulged in almost anywhere where there is rough country. Near Karekare Bay i 6 perhaps the most easily accessible, but there is also good goat shooting in the King Country and round about Whangaroa in the far north. In the great forests far back there are wild cattle, but they are getting less and less every year.