AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 15, 19 January 1910, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

• « TEACHERS AND CONSUMPTION. Tho problem of what to do with echool-teachers who are known to be suffering from consumption is at present claiming tha attention of the educational, and other, authorities in Victoria. The dangers of infection are admittedly great. Strong objection is taken hy the shire council of Shepparton to teachers suffering from consumption being sent to northern district State schools, and Mr. Graham, Minister for Agriculture and Water Supply, supports the contention of tne council. Speaking on the subject recently, Mr. Graham said he brought the question under the notice of tho Director of Education several years ago, and he was satisfied that fiomething would havo to be done to prevent the risk of infection of scholars. He thought the risk was particularly great m the case of small, crowded country schools, and, -while having every sympathy with the teachers, felt that the health of the children must be made the first consideration. Mr. Graham mentioned two cases which had come under his notice, in which teachers had remained at their posts so long as it was physically possible for them' to do so. It would na better to give teachers who suffered from consumption leave of absence, but the children should not be exposed to the risk of infection. It is probable that the subject will be made a matter for the consideration of the Cabinet. AN HEIRESsTwANTED. Miss Amy Castles has received, under date 6th November, a letter from Messrs. Wright and Blinn, a firm of solicitors, of Oklahoma City, U.S.A., requesting her to make enquiries as to the whereabouts of a Miss Alvis Fay. Miss Fay (says the Sydney Telegraph) is heiresj to -an estate in the city of Oklahoma, valued at 75,000 dollars, owing to the death of Mrs. Maggie Fay-Harrison. It is stated, Miss Castles says, that she is somewhere in Australia, having joined a theatrical company — probably under an assumed name. j BEET SUGAR FACTORY Operations for the production of beet sugar are to be re-started at the Maffra factory (Vie), which was Hosed somo years ago. The Victorian Minister for Agriculture, acting under Dr. Maxwell's advice, and after a visit to the district, has resolved to begin with 1000 acres of beet, or about one-third of the factory's maximum capacity. There must be 'no syndicate^ beet>growing, but bona-fide i cultivation by farmers in small areas. [ The factory is to start with 80, as compared with a previous 250, hands, and I gradually work up' as the employees become competent. Guarantees have already neen secured from 300 dairy farmers, who are now preparing their land, and will nex;t September plant out a total of from 5 1000 to 1100 acres of beet in areas of from two to five acres each. All these are dairy farmers. BALLOONIST'S NARROW ESCAPE. At the double balloon ascent at the Jubilee Oval (> Perth, last week, there was an exciting parachute descent by Zahn Rinaldo. His mato, Albert Eastwood, made a triple . descent from an altitude of 4500 feet, and Rinaldo, who was to race him down, released his parachute at 5000 feet. He dropped half-way -with the use of two parachutes rotationally. Then his final one failed to open fully. It remained partially closed, and he could not shake out the folds. His parachute attained a remarkable velocity, covering over 2000 feet in Csec. Fortunately for the aeronaut he landed in a big % tree in the Quamßi Nursing Home, Nortn Adelaide. He tore tho bark off the llm^s of the tree as he dashed through, but his fall was broken, and thus a serious J accident, or a tragedy, was averted, j Rinaldo was carried into the home, and treated by the nurses. It was some time before his Teppiration became normal. His injuries only consisted of bruises on the leg and hip. When he fell through the tree he landed within a yjird of a baby in a cot,

and withinr two yards of a lady patient, who ran screaming away at the sudden apparition. APPLE EXPORT PROSPECTS. A report from a leading firm of Hamburg agents states in reference to the prospects for Australian apples during the coming season : — "Our home crop of apples is small this year, and shipments of American apples are moderate, as, prices in America are too high, and the quality of the fruit in general leaves much to be desired. So, in our opinion, prospects ought to be very favourable for next year's shipment of Australian and Tasnianian apples, ana perhaps better prices will be obtainable than last season. The worst detriment is the disease bitter pit. Everything should be done to subdue this. It is a pity to see apples of fine quality affected with bitter pit, which sometimes goes right through the fruit." BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS. Provision is made under the Fire Brigades Act passed by the New South Wales Parliament last session for a Board of Firs Commissioners for the

State. This board takes the place of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board. It is to consist of a president appointed by the Governor, one member to be elected by certain councils of municipalities, one to be elected by certain other councils of municipalities and shires, one to be elected by insurance companies, and one by volunteer fire companies or brigades. It is proposed to appoint Mr. Bown as first president of the board. Mr. Bown has for many years boen president of the old Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board. The position cairies with it a salary of £300 per annum. The elected members of the board will be, paid fees. M.L.A. ARRESTED. A sensation was last week caused in Perth by the arrest on warrant-, of Mr. J. M. Hopkins, M.L.A. for Beverley, on a charge of -fraud preferred by" Mr. John Wilkie, of Perth and Guilford. The information sworr by Wilkie is that in pursuance of a settlement with Hopkins, to whom he lent considerable sums, ha took over Hopkins' s interest in Rifle Downs station, in which were included 2000 sheep, 30 cattle, and 16 noises. On taking possession, Wilkie

found thero only a few sheep. Hit allegation is that Hopkins, who is an auctioneer and stock agent, removed the missing stock after the transfer had been made. Hopkins was admitted to bail Ifo was formerly >n the Victoria railway service and was elected for Boulder years ago. He was Minister for Lands in Sir Walter James's Government. • After an absence from Parliament for some years, he was returned for Bevei* ley last electioa.