TEMVKA BIRDS CAUSE DAMAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21821, 26 November 1940, Page 7

TEMVKA BIRDS CAUSE DAMAGE

Crop Of Green Peas Ruined Vegetables And Flowers Attacked Gardeners and horticulturists in the Temuka district are of the opinion that small birds are a greater nuisance this season than they have been in other years. Vegetable seedlings and young flowers have suffered from the depredations of sparrows, thrushes and In spite of counter measures small plants on one farm in the Milford area have been so attacked that the whole of the crop of green peas had to be replanted. The owner said he had never seen so many small birds on his paddocks as he had this year. “Birds may have their uses, and I myself admit I like to hear them singing and to see them flying about, but I am simply dreading what they will do to my fruit when it begins to ripen,” said a prominent fruitgrower. He added that from his observations it seemed that small birds were in greater numbers every fourth year. Intensive steps to combat the pest should be adopted, he proceeded, and although much credit was due to the Geraldine County Council for its work in this direction during past years, still more effort was necessary. It was a commentary that unlike the boys of his generation 20 and 30 years ago, the present day youth were not keen on gathering birds’ eggs, an efficacious method in the control of the nuisance.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNICS

More than 500 persons attended the annual picnic of the combined Woodlands Street, Walmataitai and Fairview Methodist Sunday Schools, in the Temuka Domain yesterday. The party which was headed by Messrs J. C. Butcher (superintendent, Woodlands Street), C. Hawkey (Walmataitai), C. W. Markham (Fairview) and F. Matthews (secretary), constituted a record attendance. An enjoyable day was spent, there being a treasure hunt and a sports programme. Food for lunch and afternoon tea was all procured in Temuka, the secretary remarked. It was their policy to support the trade of the town they visited.

From Ashburton, the Salvation Army Sunday School also picnicked in the Domain yesterday. There were nearly 200 persons in the charge of Sergeant-Major A. W. Allan and Major R. E. Liddell. Boys from the Bramwell Booth Memorial Home were also present. Sports were held in the afternoon.

HOLIDAY TRAFFIC

Even with petrol restrictions, holiday traffic through Temuka during the week-end was unusually heavy. Motor cars passed chiefly southwards early on Saturday morning, many obviously proceeding t the trotting meeting at Eorbury, Dunedin. Campers came to the district from Christchurch, Jamaru and Ashburton. Anglers from all parts of South Canterbury also helped to swell the volume of traffic. Yesterday being bright, warm and sunny, the influx of visitors was remarkably high.

BOWLING

The Brown Cup rinks which were postponed from last Thursday will be started at 5 45 this evening.