WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7923, 15 April 1887, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(BY TELKGRAPU. —Offo' C'IUKESPONDejfT.] Wellington, Thursday. TAKAPUNA LIME (FORESTS DEPARTMENT). I AM in a position to forward a report of Professor Kirk on the cultivation of lime in New Zealand. This report is addressed to the Commissioner of Forests* Accompanying the report is an analysis of the Now Zealandgrown limes as compared with limes grown in four different subtropical olimates, from which lime is an important export, or where it is the basis of the manufacture of citric acid. 1 would respectfully direct attention of your readers to the report and analysis. Professor Kirk says in his report to the commissioner :—" Referring to conversation with regard to the cultivation of limes for the manufacture of citric acid, I submit herewith an analysis of the fruit grown on the estate of Sir F. Whitaker, M. L.C., at Takapuna Lake in ISSO ; also analysis of fruit grown in other countries, which show that New Zealand grown limes afford the same percentage of citric acid as the best European, and are superior to the best fruit grown in India and Tahiti. The New Zealand grown limes are only excelled by fruit from South Asia and Jamaica. It should, at the same time, be mentioned that the trees bolongiug to Sir F. Whitaker have been neglected for many years, so that the fruit was grown under disadvantages. The fruits subjected to analysis were grown at Palermo, West Indies, Jamaica, South Africa, Tahiti, and New Zoaland, that is, Takapuna, near Auckland. The following are the results of the analysis : Specific gravity, Palermo, 1044.56; West Indies. 1041.30: Jamaica, 1044,09; Tahiti, 1041.20 ; New Zealand, 1045.40- Percentage of citric acid : Palermo, Sl3 ; West Indies, 796 ; Jamaica, S6C; South Africa, SSO; Tahiti, 775 ; New Zealand, 593. Percentage of ash: Palermo, 289 ; West Indies, 3*21 ; Jamaica, 401 South Africa, 364 ; Tahiti, 545; New Zealand, 67-. The yield of lime juice, with the best means of extraction, is about 50 per cent. The demand for this article is increasing." PATENTS. John James Haslain, Wharf Road, Avondale, has applied for a patent to an invention for tipping earth aud other material, and described as.a horsepower earth-elevator and selecting tipper; Arthur John Smith, Auckland, cabinetmaker, has applied for a patent for an appliance to facilitate the use of the telephone, to be called "Smith's Patent Telephone Holder." VOLUNTEERS. Sir George Whitmore had a lengthened interview with the Defenoe Minister to day. I assume from what I have since heard that the subject of the interview was the reported conduct of the Volunteers while in camp at Taranaki. I now understood that it is not the intention of the Defence Minister to take any further action in this particular matter. It was reported that there would be no more encampments held. lam assured, however, that no decision of the kind has been made. I