AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 218, 12 September 1907, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

m RESISTING PHYLLOXERA. j A reserve of about 300 acres, near Belmont, Lake Macquarie, has been secured by the New South Wales Agricultural Department for the purposes of a . viticultural station, in order to propagate phylloxera-resistant stocks. At present, clearing operations are proceed- . ing on the land, the idea being to utilise ' the station so as to supply the demands J of the counties of Northumberland for stocks. This will obviate the necessity of obta-Lning vines from the Howlong station. THE WOOL SEASON. 1 t . » It is not anticipated that the New - South Wales wool clip this season will be ' greater than that of last season. The j returns of receipts at Darling Harbour t and Newcastle indicate, however, that 2 the season has set in earlier this year, j as since July 1 there has been an increase .of 10,000 bales. The improvement last 1 year over the previous year represented • a substantial increase of 87,000 bales, or the difference between 808,000 bales and 721,000. This increase meant to the . railways a sum in round numbers o£ ' £42,000. The railways earnings are, of • course, being satisfactorily influenced by [ the advance so far shown this year. 1 ; ——_ ; STILL THE PLAGUE RAT. During the month of August 27 plague rats were caught in close proximity to the Darling Harbour and Circular Quay j foreshores. Dr. Armstrong (City Health s Officer) again calls attention to the no- - cessity for constant vigilance being 2 exercised if another plague outbreak is to be obviated. Over and over again r he has pointed out how much depends " upon the co-operation of the citi.cns in j this respect, and unless they take some - interest in the work the threatened danr gc.r may develop into a stern reality, and r they will be themselves largely to blamo 1 OFF TO THE POOKHOUSE. _■ An old man named Barraclough, 81 1 Tears (says the "Tweed Herald") on T Tuesday took his departure from Byron ; Bay en route to the Paramatta Asylum s for the Poor. The old fellow had been • through the Indian Mutiny, and carries . trophies in, the..shape of bullet scars to ; bear witness to the fact. He has foi- - lowed his occupation —that of a saw- " sharpener—on the Northern Rivers for - the past 19 years. For a numbe>' of 3 years he was in Queensland, so the poor *' old chap, though a colonist of 31 years, ' misses the pension, and now, when he - is sick and old, seeks the shelter of The ■ Benevolent Asylum. Despite bis great " age, his eyesight is still wonderful, and .' he was able to read the smallest print I in a daily newspaper given to him. Ho ' never wore glasses, and asserts that he 3 can set the finest saw with accuracy. ■ COUNTRY STOREKEEPERS' PLAINT. A deputation from the New South Wales and Victorian Storekeepers' As- ■ sociation asked the Postmaster-General '- in Melbourne that the parcels post sys- ; tern should be .varied to the extent of I payment being made according to dis- • tance, zones being established for the ' purpose. It was stated the pre- \ sent arrangement played into the hands , of big establishments, which Were able to [ send their goods to the farthest end of ' the State for a small charge. The depu--1 tation also protested against the "value t payable" parcels post system, under 1 which the department collected the purchase money from a customer, Mr. Mauger, while promising to consider the representations, said that public convenience must always be a first consideration. Thousands of parcels were sent every year, and he could not think of curtailing these great privileges without serious consideration. Mr. C. Re™an, of ) Tamwortb, and Mr. Eeeby were° present as representatives of New Sduth Wales.

A handsome motor launcH, built to the . order of Mr. M. A. Jenny, of Nelson, by * Mr. A. Bailey, jun., was launched this . morning in the presence of a large number of friends of the owner. The 3 launch, which was named Naomi ILL, after two other vessels built for Mr! Jenny, by the same builder, is 3__t. long by -10ft. beam, by 2ft. Oin. draught, fitted with an 18i_ h.p. Giardiner engine. The hull is built on the diagonal principle, with three skins, and copper fastened - throughout. Nothing but the best heart J of kauri has been used in the construe- . tion of the yacht, while the floors are of 3 the best pohutukawa. The a__ommo_ation of the yacht leaves nothing to be desired, all the compartments being fitted up sumptuously. The saloon, in the fore part of the vessel, is beautifully finished with mottled kauri and cedar .framing. There are several berths, and. a plentiful supply of lockers. The upholstery i 3 in maroon rep, with curtains to match, and this work wa/. car- - ried out by Messrs. Winks and Hall. ! The ceiling of the saloon is picked out in |. white, flatting, relieved with a nicely decorated teak skylight. A galley and pantry on the starboard side, and a lavatory on the port side, - are situated im- - ; mediately abaft the saloon, and separat- ' ■ in" that compartment from the engine- ' room. The yacht is fitted with a set emptying cockpit. After the launching of the vessel, the visitors were entertained by the owner, when he made a presentation of a claret jug, suitably engraved, to the buili der, in recognition of the faithi ful manner in which Mr. Bailey trad carl ried out his'contract. The yacht will be i shipped to Nelson by the Talune on 1 Saturday next.. Mr Maurice Kearin, of the Kailway s Department, Onehunga, has received no- • tice of his transfer to Wellington. He i leaves to take up his new daties next week. "■ " " ■ i