THE SCIENCE CONGRESS

Southland Times, Issue 17244, 15 January 1913, Page 6

THE SCIENCE CONGRESS

SOIL FERTILITY. AND WHEAT CULTURE. ftly Telegraph.—Presn Association—Copyright). MELBOURNE. January It. At the Science Congress a discussion ;ook place on the general problems of the fertility of the soil in Australia, and several papers were read on the subject. The general opinion was that the soil fertilisers in Australia were seldom ■worked out of the cultivated laud, and that practically the whole of what was not used up by the crop remained as a permanent addition to the soil within 81n. of the surface. Mr A. Richardson read a paper on the Improvement of wheat. He said that the time was not far distant when wheat would he sold on the grade system, like butter, fruit, and other produce. '1 lie production of drought resisting varieties Was a problem of peculiar importance to Australia. He also stated that improved methods of grain culture had placed the wheat industry of the Commonweal tit in M very secure position. TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE. COMBINED ACTION PROPOSED. MELBOURNE. January 14. The. hygiene and sanitary science section decided to- urge the respective Governments of the Australian States and New Zealand to hold a conference of their chief medical veterinary officers, with a view to reporting on uniform measures for the control of tuberculosis in cattle and pigs. THE BIRTH-RATE. INTERESTING COAIPARISONS. MELBOURNE. January 11. Mr Smith (Acting Government Statistician of New South Wales) read a paper on the cost of orphans’ annuities in Australia. He stated that at the age of 43 nine out of every ten men in the Public Service of New South Wales, and eight men out of every ten in the Commonwealth Civil Service, were married. The number of children under 18 years old to every 101) males between the ages of 21 and 70 in the Public Service of New South Wales was 132, and in the Commonwealth Service It was T27. Amongst the general population of New South Wales the number of children per males was only from 70 to SO. VA RIO U S R ECO AI AIK N DAT lONS. THE MOUNT LTELL DISASTER. APPEARANCE OF THE VICTIMS. MELBOURNE. January 14. Received January 13. 12.30 a.m. The Congress adopted recommendations that In view of the rapid decrease In Australian aborigines It was Important In the interests of science to secure further records illustrative of their beliefs and customs, and in favom of the strict enforcement of the law against the Indiscriminate export of scientific specimens. The Congress appointed a committee to consider the best means to secure the efficient teaching of English pronunciation In Australian universities, colleges, and schools. Dr. Love rend a paper dealing with the North- Mount Lyeß disaster. He stated that a large number of the victims lay peacefully with their heads pillowed on their arms, and their bodies composed v as for sleep. Others were standing In the alrboxes. with the air playing on their dead faces. Their eyes were bright, cheeks rosy, and lips cherry red. as in healthy infants. Dr. Purdy, Chief Health Officer of Tasmania, stated that a probable result of the disaster would be that the recommendations of the Transvaal Mining Regulations Commission of IDIO would be adopted throughout Australasia. These include the provision of one ox,ygen knapsack and pump air mask, and two oxygen breathing apparatus of An approved type for each miner. FINIS. MELBOURNE. January 14. Received January 11. 11.15 p.m. The Science Congress has ended. Professor David claimed that in the importance of the papers and the value of the work done the Congress had not been •UTpassed by any previous Congress.