Outlaw sheep caught in Northland

cause and to express an opinion. The conditions over wide tracts of the world will be favourable to a further epidemic for at least another generation.

An “outlaw” sheep, which had evaded capture for three years, and had been living on the seacoast at Point Mataio, Kaipara Harbour, was one of the interesting exhibits at the Helensville show on Saturday (says the New Zealand Herald). The sheep, which was owned by Mr H. Mather, was missing from the flock at shearing time three years ago. The flock was sold, and he refused to associate with the next lot, taking refuge among the mangroves when chased by dogs. During the next two seasons he was seen only at intervals, and evaded capture by clambering down a precipitous cliff to the coast. A few months ago Mr Mather and his companions waited for a spring tide and went out with the dogs. The sheep

ran for the mangroves, but was cut off by the tide. The dogs cornered him, but could not get him back up the cliff, and were obliged to swim him for a mile. The sheep was of tremendous size, the live weight being over 200lb, and the wool was pronounced the perfect fleece, weighing about 35lb. In places it was 24 inches in length and unbroken. Mr Mather has presented the sheep to the association, which held a guessing competition regarding his weight.

the mouth of the Waitaki river daily proceeding upstream. A species of trout, believed by some to be Atlantic salmon, is running in the Waitaki and up to last Monday three had been caught, the largest being 15lb, which was taken by Constable Berry. The prospects of an early run in the Rakaia are bright, for it is stated that salmon are to be seen in large numbers near the mouth of that river.