AUSTRALIAN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12708, 20 March 1911, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN.

(United Press Association.—Copyright.)

MELBOURNE. March 18.' Ab an inter-State conference of Ministers of Agriculture it was decided that experiments should be made in all States in spraying potatoes to prevent Irish blight. The conference held that evidence removed all doubt as to the efficiency of tho method, which is to be made compulsory.

Approval has been giv€<n of a proposal to secure a.direct line of steamers between Australia, and Manchester, and Brisbane.

A 'girl at Bendigo, who was charged with behaving in an . offensive manner in a pitblic place, appeared in Court dressed in male clothiug. For tbree months she hf*d posed as a boy, and worked in various employments, for a time as a policeman's assistant. The Court decided to give her a chance conditional on her assuming proper clothDefects have developed in the steering engines of thel Federal destroyers, and several times they have refused to work, endangering the safety of the ships. The experts are puzzled. Tlw engines may require replacing.

The commercial agent in the East reports that 260,000 pounds of beef and 384,000 pounds of mutton will be required this year by the War Office for India. Tenders are to be sent to the Quartermaster-General, India, - before April 35.

It is estimated that tl\e taking r>f tho census in tho Commonwealth will ccst £150.000.-•-•■ .

SYDNEY, March 18. The visiting solar eclipse scientists strongly -.urge the claims for the establishment of a solar physics observatory in tlio. Commonwealth, and declare that tht matter is of world-w'.de importance. FREMANTLE, March 18. Two Customs officers have been recommended for dismissal owing to laxity of duty in allowing Chinese! to land in connection with tho case cabled on February 7th. It is intended to increa&e the Government dock rbo 700 feet dn owlet to accommodate' the Federal cruisers.