PHYLLOXERA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9737, 27 May 1897, Page 5

PHYLLOXERA.

Captain Bronn, the Government Eoto* I mologisfc, is taking ia hand two vineries at Mount Eden, where phylloxera has appeared, in order to destroy the vines and disinfect the soil. EXCLUSION o"i~BOOKMAKERS. Tfae Bookmakers' Association have decided to appeal to the Privy Council against the i decision of the Appeal Court excluding i bookmakers from racecourse?. ! a sweepingTccu^ation. I In a will of which probate was granted in I the Supreme Court, Danedin, on Tuesday, the testator gave as his reason for appoint" ing hie wife to be his sole executrix that the country was fall of designing rogues, and he wished to protect hie wife and property from them. WOOL PRODUCTION, The New Zealand wool production for the year ending September 30th was 132,299,6071b, against 132,632,9011b for the previous year. Of last year's amount 3,989,9341b were bought'for local consumption and the remainder was exported. ! INSTITUTE OF MINING ENGINEERS. [ The Auckland Committee appointed to form an Institute of Mining Engineers for New Zealand has elected the following officers:—President, Mr H. A. Gordon; MewfVW: ttittgtfLrW:' A. Mercer, Conuell, A. H. Cartw (London), R. Deßonand, P. , L. Foster, A. P. Griffiths, i. R. Hay, J. McQombie, IT. Merrioks, James I Park,. andGeo. Wilson, representing mining in various pait3 of the colony > and JUr G; H. Ingall, Secretary. ; *' CHARITABLE AID CONFERENCE. At a meeting of the Auckland Charitable ' Aid Board yesterday »letter was read from ! the Wellington and Wairarapa Boards re a I Colonial Conference on, charitable aid questions. The Board deferred appointing a ■ delegate to the Conference, and was of I opinion that the Conference should meet ! during, and not prior to, the meeting of Parliament. inocuiation"op cattle. While in the Taranaki district last week, Mc Park, the Government Bacteriologist, inoculated some thirty ewe 3 with Koch's tuberculin, the teat results of which, will be watched and reported on by Mr Orbell, stock inspector for the district,: who will Undertake the inoculation of several other herds. Out of some 600 or 700 cows which have been inoculated by Mr Park since he began his experiments in the colony, between 20 and 30 per cent, are said to have shown themselves affected with tuberculosis. A STARTLING INCIDENT. A rather startling incident occurred during a marriage ceremony in the Blenheim Salvation Army Barracks the other day, re£orts the Martborougk -iKmes. had the' minister concluded his office©, when a man rushed from the numerous assemblage of spectators, and, before his object could v be. divined, kissed the bride. surprised, especially the bride, and the looked " daggejreu" The perpetrator oFsbia remarkable piece of forwardness immediately lost himself in the crowd again. . , \ SKATING AT CASTLE HILL ON THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY. The frost on the few day 3 preceding the 24th insfc. bad been so severe at Castle Hitt on the West Coast road, which is situated at an altitude of 2400 feet above sea level, that skating was indulged in, probably for the first time this year in any part of New Zealand, It had been foreseen that a continuance of the hard night frosts would prodace a good bearing surface on Lake CloudeaTey, and the ice was therefore carefully doctored until a thickness of over two inches in some places was obtained, and on Monday morning a supply of skates waa placed at the disposal of the visitors at the hotel and others by its genial proprietor, Mr Cloudesley. The bright and continuous sunshine, however, soon made an impression upon the glassy surface, and before mid-day the pastime had to be reluctantly, abandoned until after sunset, which takes place at an early hour there in consequence of the surrounding mountain rangee. A huge bonfire had been prepared to. do. appropriate honour to the occasion, and this was lighted later on. Although the population of this hillside station is not by any means a numerous one, the residents enjoyed their Birthday festivities with as much gusto aa the dwellers in the city, who were well provided with gaieties of all descriptions. Iα the evening the toast of her Majesty the Queen was drunk with musical honours and all due loyalty.