CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

BENEFITS FROM IRRIGATION. Lord Islington, in! the course of his speech at the opening of the Dunedin winter show, said they had of late years suffered severely from drought in this district, and he was given to understand that there was a considerable tract of land running through the South Island and into tho province of Otago which did not possess that fertile usefulness which it had in former years. This was duo to rabbits, drought, and dry winds. Ho was given to understand that this land amounted to close on 2,000,000 acres, and it had had its effect upon tho products of this province. Ho understood that the Agricultural Department was exercising all tho scientific research it could with a view of recovering this land for more useful purposes in days to come. Sixty* varieties ox grasses were being tested with a view to showing how better pasture could be produced from this land. He horded the action of tho department would result in this land being recovered and made more productive. The same disability was being experienced in largo tracts of land in the United States. This problem brought him to tho subject of scientific research with regard to agriculture. Considering tho age of New Zealand and its population and its distance from the great markets of the world, his observations in other parts of tho Dominion had satisfied him that the scientific advantages offered to farmers in this Dominion were quiet admirable, and if these were availed of, as he was sure they were, they would prove of tho greatest possible benefit to the farmers in tho conduct of their occupation. Then he understood there would bo shortly established in the dry part of Otago a scheme of irrigation. A scheme of irrigation in dry places where there were fertile soil would, ho ventured to say, bring about a perfect revolution in tho existing state of affairs. He had seen the most 'extraordinary transformation brought about by a scientific scheme of irrigation in South Africa, and most notably in Egypt. When those interested became thoroughly conversant with the intricacies of irrigation ho confidently predicted that there would be a great future for those districts where this beneficent system was going to be introduced. JAPANESE SECRET SERVICE. Giving some impressions of his recent six months' tour of the East, Mr H. D. Bates, of Wanganui, told a ‘'Herald" reporter that the Japanese secret service is a wonderful organisation. When Mr Bates was there it was feared wax would break out any day with America, owing to tho latter's Japanese exclusion policy. When tho tension was at tho highest pitch, it was notified that a treaty had' been signed, and within a week the papers \vore announcing its terms, which showed that Japan had got the best of matters, as she generally did. But had war occurred, they had all the information they wanted, and had made their dispositions. They were quite confident, of at least immediate results, and confident they could smash tho American navy, and were prepared to laud 400,000 men in America a few days later. They did not want the war, owing to their al- ! ready heavy taxation and because America could stand the strain better, but they were ready for it- Mr Bates related an incident arising out of tho situation just mentioned. When returning there were with him on the boat several American secret service officers returning to Manila (Philippines). When trouble seemed likely, they had gone to Japan, posing as tourists, but found out on arrival that they were exiiebted, that everything about them was known, and that their every movement was watched. Even their rickshaw men were spies upon their doings. The stewards, in fact all on the Japanese steamer which carried them from Manila, were in some way or other connected with tho Japanese secret service, and knew their business. So, though they moved about very warily, they learned very littlp, . but the Japs know all about 1 them.

DOMINION MUSEUM ACCESSIONS. It will be recollected that some time ago the late Mr Percy Duller presented his fine collection, of foreign butterflies, which have been so much admired lately When exhibited, to the Dominion Museum, and the late Sir Walter Duller, his father,., was during the whole of his life a contributor to the collection. The Museum has just received from another member of the family, Mr Leo- Duller, two canoes which were on the beautiful lake Papaitonga. On© is a large war canoe called Te Eanga, about the size of the one in the Museum, and the other is a small, light craft of very' perfect workmanship, presented to him by the late Major Kemp (Te Rangihiwinui), called Te Karore-aAVahnri. There are very few specimens of this small light craft now existing. Steps will be taken shortly to bring those canoes from the lake to the Museum. STOCK INSPECTORS. The secretary of the Feilding A. and P. Association has received advice from the Department of Agriculture in reference to the resolution passed by the Westland A. and P. Association, urging that in future inspectors of stock bo fully qualified veterinarians, that tho matter will receive consideration. It is pointed out, however, that the present inspectors of stock, although not holding a veterinary degree, are not . without qualifications in the matter of the detection and treatment of diseases of live stock. Most of the men appointed have had a long practical experience amongst live stock and in addition have been given the opportunity of acquiring further knowledge by a coarse of instruction at meat-export slaughterhouses. They are also in close touch with veterinarians, and are, therefore, able to acquire useful experience. In cases of doubt an inspector is always able to requisition tho services of a veterinarian, and, in addition, should an outbreak of disease in the nature of an epidemic .. occur a veterinarian is at once despatched to investigate the matter. The department’s veterinarians do not advise settlers in ordinary cases of sickness of live stock, nor do they treat such oases. To do so would seriously interfere with the number of veterinarians throughout the Dominion who are carrying on private practice, and would certainly bo resented by them- The matter

is being carefully considered by the dcpr/' -nr.nr. and every care will be taken to obtain for positions as inspectors of stock only men qualified therefor.