THE GRAIN MOTH.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 235, 27 June 1908, Page 6

THE GRAIN MOTH.

A SEIUOUS RISK, (nr TELECRArn— rREss association.) , . , Auckland, J,uno 26. . instanco of tho noed for the careful' inspection of produce coming into New Zealand was afforded yesterday. There was a stack of maize from Fiji, the sacks of which wore completely covered with a little grey moth, and any examination of the grain showed that it was simply riddled bv a tiny black head grub. Mr. Annett, Government I ruit Inspector, noticed 'tho pest in a shipment l, ii iß' a ® 0 ' ollco communicated with Wellington, but found that at present there is no law to deal with this as grain. Had it only been an enemy of the orchardist it could have been promptly dealt with. As it is, tho liiaizo had to be admitted and tho risk incurred of one of the worst scourges of grain crops in America being spread throughout A'ew Zealand. Tho only hope is that, as tho maize has arrived in winter, and as there are no growing crops of gram for tho insect to attack at the present timo of the year, it may perhaps perish without getting a footing here. This particular moth is known as the angoumois grain moth (geleclna cercallella). Tho danger of this insect is not confined solely to ma'izo, as the larva bores into tho kernel of wheat rve or corn. ' * '

Tho defects of the Act governing tho election of school committees, were thrown up in the limelight speak, at tho Mount Uook bciiools Committee election last night. No specific regulation is laid down for the actual 'procedure at tho ballot, and voting tickets, stamped and numbered, wero distributed, one each to tho doctors. After the voting, one individual showed our representative three stamped and numbered cards; winch ho had got nossession 01. t bis makes it clear that plural voting was possible. Further, thero is 110 means of ascertaining, beyond all doubt, tho status of electors in the school districts—thero is 110 district roll of householders, and such a method as that adopted hist evening—putting those present on their honour, to abstain from voting if they had no status—rlnes not afford sufficient guuranteo of tho validity of tho election.