A speaker at the recent meeting held at Cromwell (says the Argus) stated that it was now quite a common thing to hear of men offering to pay a large premium for the right to kill the rabbits on a block of country for the winter, with the provision that they can keep the skins.
As the ordinary rate on the station runs to about 20s per hundred for poisoning work, and at the prices ruling last winter for skins the return would probably run into fully 40s per hundred in the high country blocks, so there is a good margin left to pay a premium with, as a couple of men for a winter's work often collect as many as 10,000 skins off a block in three months.
• Owing to a rope attached to one of the large lamps giving way, a most alarming fire was instantly started at All Saints' Church, Tapanui, on Friday evening last, just at the close of choir practice.
The lamp, which held nearly a gallon of oil, came down on one of the seats, and in a moment (says the Courier) a sheet of flame rose up in the air.
Fortunately the ladies were able to jump over the seats, and the two gentlemen pulled the seats away and beat at the flames with small mats, but without any result.
Then a rush was made for soil from the garden, but without spade or shovel it was a difficult matter to scrape enough with the hands to extinguish the flame.
However, in about 10 minutes, by the most strenuous exertions, it was conquered.
In the meantime the firebell was rung, and in a few minutes willing hands were there ready to do anything that should be done.
• The eleventh annual outing of the Catholic schools took place this year at Evansdale on Wednesday last.
The Railway Department, with 18 carriages, provided ample accommodation for the 900 passengers of all ages.
Evansdale was at its best, and Mr Hawkes, the grounds proprietor, left nothing undone to ensure the comfort of all.
The Sports Committee with the ubiquitous Brother Brady at its head, ably carried through an interesting programme of 20 events, while a distribution of toys and races for the tots occupied the attention of a ladies' committee, with Mrs A Jackson as supervisor.
ODT, 10.2.1910.