Firemen find themselves in hot water

The start of the ladies' race during a recent swimming tournament at St Clair baths. - Otago Witness, 16.3.1910.
The start of the ladies' race during a recent swimming tournament at St Clair baths. - Otago Witness, 16.3.1910.
Five firemen from the Buteshire made themselves boisterous at Port Chalmers on Friday, with the result that they were brought before two justices (Messrs D. A. De Maus and J. Watson, jun.) on Saturday to answer for their misdeeds.

After coming off the steamer they imbibed freely at several of the hotels in Port, and when the hotelkeepers refused to supply them with liquor they went to the higher levels and became further hilarious by drinking the contents of a number of bottles.

Dancing and singing and some horseplay followed, and then two of the number obtained possession of a couple of horses and rode up and down the street, to the danger of children at the school.

From the Port they went to Mansford Town, and caused a hubbub because they were refused liquor at the hotel there.

A greengrocer's cart attracted their attention here, and two of the number helped themselves freely to grapes and scattered rhubarb about the roadway.

Three of the ringleaders, were charged with disorderly conduct, and were each fined 5s, or 24 hours.

Two were further charged with stealing 4lb of grapes, of the value of 3s, the property of Daniel Woolsey, and were each fined 5s and costs (4s), in default 48 hours.

Two were fined for obscene language, and two others were convicted and discharged.


That the rabbit pest is more prevalent in the country this year than for some time past is (says the Southern Standard) evident by the number that are daily brought into the Mataura works by rail, carts, etc.

The season commenced only on Monday last, and already several thousand carcasses have been handled, the packers being kept busy until midnight.

The heat of the early part of the week had a disastrous effect on some of the consignments, and it is stated that already as much as 100 worth of rejects have been put aside.

One lot was so badly affected that it was impossible to skin them.l As much as 7 1/2d per pair is being paid this year to rabbiters, some of whom are said to be earning as much as 2 per day.

Every morning boys attending school are to be seen taking their catches to the market, and some of them earn good pocket money by this means.


Part of the Government grant of 300 to the Nugget Bay fishermen has been expended by the Marine Department in purchasing a hauling engine, to enable the men to more easily haul their boats out of the water to the sheds. - ODT, 14.3.1910