LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2915, 26 January 1910, Page 65

LAND AND WATER.

' Tiie Kaikoura, which arrived on Wednesday, brought a consignment of English partridges, consigned to the Otago Acclimatisation Society by Commissioner. The consignment originally numbered 50, and of these 44 were landed. Considering the difEculty of transposing these birds with safety, the large,.proportion landed reflects the utmost credit upon Captain M'KeJlar and his officers,' who have evidently bestowed the. utmost care upon their charges. It has not yet been decided where the birds will be liberated, but in the. meantime they have been placed under the charge of Mr Charles Bills. In a few days the society will determine the birds' destination, and will be guided by disastrous'. past experiments of the kind where the birds have fallen victims to poisoned grain: It is intended also that a few shall be™ kept in captivity in the hope that breed, and so initiate a local supply. A' lengthy discussion jook place* at Tuesday's meeting of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society on petitions asking the society to secure *hs exemption of Lake Ellesmere from the close" season for ducks and swans proposed' ''for next shooting season. It was pointed out by several speakers that game was : steadily decreasing in Canterbury, and, ■-. ..indeed throughout New Zealand, and also "that at the recent conference of societies'" ax Wellington the opinion was expressed that a. close season as necessary. It was agreed, however, to postpone. further discussion on the subject until deputations from the petitioners had been heard. There were two petitionsone signed by 55 residents at Leetston and one signed by 98 residents at Springeton* POLO TOUft'NAMENTJanuary 21. At a general meeting to-day of the New Zealand Association -it was decided that the annual tournament, to be held at Cliristchuroh, shall commence on Saturday, March 12, entiies to close on February 6. It is expected that 10/teams will compete for the Savile Cup; ' ■ ■'■ ; -- ARNST v,: BAREY. LONDON, January 19. The Sportsman is opening a subscription list to enable Barry to relinquish his present employment and to begin training immediately for his race with Amsfc on the Zambesi River, South Africa. January 21. _ Barry will start for the Zambesi River in time to enable him to have six weeks.' training on the course. : ' pearoe challenges weelcb. ■:'■ OKRISTCHURH, Jairuary 22. Whelch received a challeingo from Pearoe, of Sydney, this afternoon to. row at Akaroa for the championship of New Zealand and £2OO aside. If no definite reply is received from Arnst next week, Whelch will accept the challenge, from Pearoe. They will probably row at, Easter. , : .