It thrives as well upon hard and well seasoned jarrah, or ancient mahogany as upon the softest of pine woods.
All its demands seem to be satisfied with the finding of a trace of starch in the dried up cells of timber of any kind.
Upon such slender and sapless nutriment the ''borer'' contrives not only to live, but freely to propagate its kinds, as many householders have found and are finding to their cost.
It seems an almost incredible thing that articles of furniture, after having ministered to the convenience of several human generations, should still prove to be ''good meat'' to any animal, but the fact is, nevertheless, indubitable.
An instance that has been brought under our notice proves, however, that the borer is not indifferent to more luxurious fare when this is available.
The ''exhibit'' in this case consists of a small tin of biscuits of the variety known as ''digestive''.
The tin in question had been laid away in a workroom cupboard as - in a literary sense - provision for a rainy day! Upon overhauling his store the other day the owner found that every biscuit in his box was more or less riddled with borer tunnels.
At the bottom were a number of the perfect beetles, dead, while a good few, all alive and in evident good health, were disporting themselves among the provender.
As the owner of the biscuits admits having eaten the quarter part of one before he made his discovery his feelings may be imagined as none of the most agreeable.
- Mr H. F. Wright, of Dunedin, a well-known climber, has arrived back at Queenstown, after five weeks' climbing and exploration in the Wakatipu hinterland with different parties.
He scaled 13 peaks, 12 of which were never ascended before. On eight expeditions (says a correspondent of the Christchurch Press) he acted as leader.
This record of high climbing is probably the best for one season so far in New Zealand. The scene of operations was on the Rees, Shotover, Dart, Matukituki, and Arawata divides.
Mr Wright speaks enthusiastically of this country from a scenic point of view. Peaks involving ice and rock climbs of from 4000ft to 6000ft, and glaciers rivalling those in the Mount Cook district, were met with.
The extent and quality of this Alpine territory is a revelation to those who have not hitherto visited it. Mr Wright spent a month with Captain Head and party, taking part in their general work.
- The No. 2 Garrison Artillery (ex-Port Chalmers Navals) proceeded to Otago Heads yesterday afternoon for the third annual territorial encampment.
The camp is for seven days' continuous training.
An advance party went down on Tuesday to get the camp in readiness for the main body, which proceeded to the Heads by the Tarewai.
The men will parade every morning at 6 o'clock, drill till 8, and then have breakfast, drill from 9 till noon and then have dinner, drill again from 2 to 4.30. Tea at 5 o'clock.
Lectures on technical subjects from 7 to 8, and then amusements till 10 o'clock, when all lights must go out. For the first time the cooking will be done by Territorials.
Major Dodds will be in charge of the camp. General Godley and Colonel Bauchop will probably inspect the camp before it breaks up.
The holding of the camp earlier than the Easter holiday period is likely to prove a handicap, as some of the leading members of the company will be unable to attend at present.
- ODT, 14.3.1914.
