From the Maitland Mercury report:
They have earned a reputation as the city’s greatest modern-day pests.
But 168 years ago on Friday, Maitland’s pioneers were also grappling with
bats.
Historian Peter Bogan unearthed an article from the Maitland Mercury and
Hunter General Advertiser dated February 3, 1844, which spoke of “large flocks
of these destructive animals” that had settled “behind Mr McDougall’s” – modern
day Lorn.
Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 03 Feb, 2012.
