THE SMALL BIRD NUISANCE IN RAGLAN . [OWN CORRESPONDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1506, 28 February 1882, Page 2

THE SMALL BIRD NUISANCE IN RAGLAN . [OWN CORRES PONDENT.

With the loss which has been attendant this season upon settlers here who have attempted to grow grain or other cereals, owing to the quantity of sparrows and small birds which now have their habitation in this district, several of the farmers have decided upon taking some united action, to see what can be done to lessen the number of these feathered pests. A simultaneous laying of poison is the pioposition which leceives most approval. The road boards are to be applied to, for the purpose of finding out whether they cannot do something in the way of providing funds to bear some of the expense which may be incurred. I have before stated that this is a national, not an individual evil, and am of opinion that the settlers, as a body, should give the proposed undertaking their undivided support. Amongst those who have had their grain crops almost destroyed by these feathered marauders, I may specially make mention of Messrs Johnstone, Liddle and Ward. If such is the case so soon after their appearance here, what proportions, might I ask, will the damage done by them assume a feAv years hence. New Zealand must chiefly depend upon its agricultural prosperity for its advancement, and for this reason 1 contend that attention should be given to this question by all right-minded colonists. I believe that it is quite within the bounds of possibility that Parliament will find it necessary, at no distant date, for the benefit of the colony, to legislate in reference to the matter, for the shelter afforded them, and other climatic advantages which they have in this country, the small birds may be expected to increase with wonderful rapidity. There may be a silver lining to the cloud, and I do not hesitate to say that a certain number of small birds would do good. To fix the happy medium should be our endeavour, while it is in our power, for with time the difficulty to suppress the evil will in crease. 1 write advisedly on. this matter, and trust it will receive the attention its importance merits.

Tub most manifest sign of wisdom is contined cheerfulness. ', A man's virtues/ should be measured,, not by his occasional* exertions^ but by the doings ot his ordinary life. , ;, . NfevEß , confide your,, secret^ to , pajjer.; itisflike thrbwin'g: tf stonelinto/the^kir,' and af' you knowr'^ho 'thiSys'theistdne. you do not khow^wHei-e ifmai.^falli*v>H?*