KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3158, 20 September 1892, Page 2

KIHIKIHI.

Rabbit Day.— Last Wednesday, the 14th inst., being " Rabbit day," :ynd fine (which day has usually been wet) induced quite a number of natives to wend their way into Kihikihi, where Mr Clifton, Government Sheep and Rabbit Inspector, was waiting to meet them. They had brought between them over 12,000 rabbit skins, receiving 3d per skin for large and small alike, which means a considerable sum of money every year. It is, however, money well spent. Withdraw the inducement to kill, and what would the country be like in a few years with the additional increase of from 12,000 to 15,000 bunnies per month ? The natives have different methods of procuring the rabbits. In some cases they dig them out of their burrows, others are snared, a great many are trapped, and numbers are caught by dogs—principally greyhounds—of which a great many are kept for the purpose. It is very remarkable to see how the natives conduct themselves when here on rabbit day. Taking them all round they are well behaved, and seem anxious to exchange the proceeds of their skins for food and clothing. As for theft, it is very seldom heard of; at the same time it_ would not bo wise to put temptation in their wav. Thk Polo Ci.ur —The Polo Club is about to lose one of its suppoiters in the person of Mr George Archer, who is leaving the district, having been with Mr C. Kllis in his store as assistant for some time. A Birioke concert was given to Mr Archer on Saturday night at Corboy's Hotel, where a few of iiis friends met to wish him goodbye. Cricket.—A cricket club is spoken of. Why not combine it with the Polo Club and play cricket and polo on alternate Saturday afternoons, and shortly, when the days get longer, cricket in the evenings, givingthose who cannot possibly get to play in the day time a chance i > join in. The Sparrow Nutsanck. — How can we get rid of the sparrows must be in everyone's mind who is either a gardener or farmer, for nuisance hardly expresses what they are becoming. Peas arj eaten off by them to nothing but stems, and they seem to watch for the green leaf as a tieat to devour. Quite a number of us have had to make a fresh sowing of vegetable seed, caused by the late rains, having apparently washed the soil from off the seod, and leaving them to the mercy of the birds.

Footbiudge.— Our footbridgo over the Puniu, en route to the Pniii railway station, will be completed during the course of this week. Subscriptions are slowly coming in, but a feiv pounds are yet required to defray the cost. A few have objected to subscribe to a footbridge, with the excuse that it would be no use to them when riding. I know of a few, both Europeans and Maoris, having had to make a long detour by the lower traffic bridge (about two hours extra ride) before they could cross when the river has been in flood. Noiv, considering this footbridge will be suspended from bank to bank, and no piles being in the way. it will be quite an easy matter to carry their saddle over and allow the horse to swim, guiding him across by a rape from the hridge.

Town Board Elkction'.—The excitement of the time has been the polling for five commissioners for the Town Board. Nine having been nominated, a keen contest was expected. The old Board, with exception of Mr Anderson, sought reelection, and have succeeded in being again returned.