Minor Matters

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XV, 15 April 1899, Page 486

Minor Matters

Shootists will be interested to learn that the best bag from one gun reported from the Lake Ellesmere district in connection with the opening of the shooting season is that of Mr C. Chapman, of Little River, who, from his cylinder on the lower side of the lake, shot sixty-one ducks. When Mr Chapman had secured forty ducks the right barrel of his gun was disabled, and he had to depend on a single barrel. 4 4 4

Don’t give your horse to hold unless you know who’s who. A man who arrived in Christchurch late last week had his horse stolen in a very impudent manner. Dismounting at the Caversham Hotel, he gave the reins to a man who was standing by, and went away for a few minutes. Upon his return he found that both horse and man had disappeared, a trail of dust indicating the direction which had been taken by the thief.

The Cambridge Chrysanthemum Show is one of the most important in the North, owing to the enthusiasm of local growers. It takes place this year on Friday and Saturday, 21st and 22nd of April. The display will, ’tis said, eclipse all records.

At the sports at Rongotea the other day, a Maori haka was the great attraction. The dancers were partly dressed in native costume, and their performance was viewed with great interest. The burden of the song accompanying the dance was to the effect that the Maori race would not always be in the background of the Europeans. Their period of power might come with another generation, who, led by a strong man, would bring about just laws for all. All the ‘Graphic’ can say, by way of comment, is, ‘So mote it be.’ 4 4 4

A big native marriage took place at Maketu last week. Miss I'irihia, daughter of Hirama Mokopapaki, one of the principal chiefs of the Ngatipukenga, to Mr Kiri Tapsell, eldest son of Mr Retreat Tapsell. The Rev. W. Goodyear performed the ceremony, and a great wedding feast and dance was held in honour of the occasion. 4 4 4

In Marton, the Amateur Operatic Society are rehearsing the ‘Gondoliers. This paper wishes them success.

According to the local paper, as a ‘take off’ on the action now being taken in Masterton against cyclists riding without lights, a procession of wheelmen paraded the streets the. other night carrying all the most ridiculous lamps that were obtainable; huge street lamps and kerosene tins with glass fronts being brought into requisition. Some of the waggish wheelers also carried cow-bells. 4 4 4

The Flower Show at Motueka (Nelson district) was. the ‘Graphic’ notes, a big success. So was the ball in the evening, which terminated the holidays.

Seldom have so many shooting parties left Invercargill as during the Easter holidays. They have scattered in all directions, and if the ‘bags' secured bear any reasonable proportion Io the stock of ammunition carried out the feathered tribe suffered severely. Accounts from the country state that game is more plentiful this season than for some years past.

Mr Ayson has presented to the Masterton Museum some fine specimens of moths he obtained in Canada and some strontia from Ohio. 4 4 4

The purchase money of the Waikakahi estate was paid over on Thursday. Mr Allan McLean agreed to take £250,000 in Government debentures, and £70,000 odd in cash. The total purchase money was a little over £ 320,000 for 47,320 acres. T + 4

Quite a sensation was caused in Pigeon Bay, Canterbury, last week, by the news that a whale was stranded in the bay between some rocks and the mainland. A number of people collected on the beach, and one of the shepherds on an adjacent station fired eleven bullets into it before it was finally despatched. A rope was then made fast to it. and a team of bullocks hauled the monster up into a paddock, where it was tried out, yielding between six and seven barrels of oil. 4 4 4*

There is evidently money in honey in New Zealand, and the ‘Graphic’ wishes it kept bees instead of merely working as busily. The other afternoon Mr W. E. Brown, of Nelson, brought from his farm at the Moutere a load, which he claims to be unique as far as Nelson is concerned, consisting of a ton of honey. This is the product r.f twenty-four hives, but hid not Mr Brown been kept in town at the best part of the season for nearly a fortnight, the quantity taken would have been double. In addition to the honey’ obtained, an additional ten hives of bees were secured from the increase, so that next season the output will be much greater. The whole consignment attractively labelled, was delivered to the order of Mr W. A. Roughton.

According to the Christchurch papers, in his speech before unveiling the Kaiapohia monument, the premier devoted some attention to the fate of the notorious warrior Rauparaha. He had been arrested by’ Sir George Grey, his mana had departed from him, and his memory was not preserved with respect like that of the Ngai Tahn chiefs he conquered. The Rev. W. Ronaldson. who stood on the platform elose by. here interjected: ‘I buried him.’ ‘And it was the best thing you ever did in your life,’ said Bishop Julius. amid general laughter.