KAKARAMEA.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 522, 20 May 1880, Page 2

KAKARAMEA.

[> U0 M,U U n CO UK B Sl’ 0N D K XT.] Stock Sack. —Mr Cowern held his usual monthly sale on the 12th. The attendance, owing to the incdcmency of the weather, was very limited. Thirty head of splendid cattle were yarded, consisting mainly of young bullocks about two and a hall; years, the remainder being hcifcis. The Jirst pick of ten were sold under the hammer at £5 7s Gd per' head ; a farther pick of ten'were subsequently sold at £-1 ss, and the balance taken home. The prices were considered 1 very low, Mr Cowern has wisely determined to build new and commodious yards, the old ones being in a dilapidated state. As they will involve a large outlay on his part, it is to bo hoped that an increased share of public patronage will be accorded him.

Crack Shooting. —On the Bth instant an esteemed and efficient member of the Patca Light Morse, accompanied by a vendor of beef, both-dwelling within 100 miles of this township, sallied forth with the intention of destroying a cow. This cow, which was running on the estate of the former individual, seems to have been a very peculiar animal, with the hide of a rhinoceros, and was much, addicted, v l am told, to - climbing ‘trees. l After unsuccessfully blazing away at her for four days, the wearied hunters were beginning to lose heart, when a reserve force, in the form of a certain reverend gentleman, noted i’er his skill in rabbit shooting, appeared on the scene. The state of affairs, however, was not materially improved thereby, for the said gentleman, after ineffectually firing two shots, threw down his weapon and fled, leaving the: principal actors skipping round their miserable quadrupedal target, On the morning of the 12th, firing was briskly renewed, and at last, “ Hooray,” their endeavours wore crowned with success. A shot struck the animal fairly on both horns ; and it appeared to make a futile attempt to climb once more, but failed, rolled over, and gave up. It is stated that no less than twenty-eight rounds of ammunition were expended on this performance. Our Smithy, which, by the way, docs not ‘‘stand under a spreading chestnut tree,” but is encircled by ccualypti, is sadly in want of an occupier. It seems very strange that, when there is every chance of a competent man making a good, liying; no one of the ’great unemployed can he found willing to make a venture in this line.