The Canterbury representative rugby team which played the
British at Lancaster Park on June 13. - Otago Witness,
24.6.1908.
Some little while ago Mr Robert Gibb, now Inspector of
Apiaries, but formerly a school teacher with a decided leaning
towards natural history, told a somewhat incredulous body of
savants, through the columns of the Wyndham Farmer, that the
native rat of New Zealand was not an extinct animal, as was
generally supposed to be the case.
He declared that he had seen the little rodents nibbling the
roots and climbing trees in the native bush surrounding the
school at Haldane, in the Waikawa district, and within half a
mile of the sea coast, over which school he then presided.
Mr Robert Hamilton, who resides in that district,
corroborates Mr Gibb's statement, and declares that he has
seen these animals frequently in the bush.
They are, he says of a light greyish colour, and in shape
resembling a cross between the common rat and a mouse.
Mr Hamilton is confident that he can secure one or more of
the animals alive.
• A meeting was held in St. Joseph's Hall on Monday evening
for the purpose of taking steps to pay off the debt on the
Cathedral parish.
The Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., presided, and Mr W. P. Rodgers
was appointed secretary.
There was (says the N. Z. Tablet) a large and representative
attendance, and the greatest enthusiasm was displayed.
The Rev. Father Coffey gave details of the parish debt, which
at present amounted to about 1430.
The rev. chairman said that until the parish debt was removed
it was not possible to undertake other necessary works. He
trusted that within the next 12 months the existing debt
would be a thing of the past.
Two motions - one to take steps to carry out the objects of
the meeting and the other the appointment of an executive
committee - were put to the meeting and agreed to.
A subscription list was then opened, with the result that
promises of close on 200 were received.- ODT, 27.6.1908.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.