Page 1 Advertisements Column 5

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2148, 2 August 1907, Page 1

ANTHRAX BACILLI. AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. According to a report from the North of England (says Lloyd’s News) one of the most important life-sav-ing discoveries ever known has been made by a Dewsbury chemist. He Ins found a way of completely destroying the anthrax bacilli without in any way injuring the wool or hides treated. The chemist is Mr. Harry Hay, the technical expert in one of the biggest dyeing and woollen cloth firms in Yorkshire. For a long time past ho lias been conducting experiments for destroying coloring and foreign matter in woollen rags, to render them more valuable for the heavy woollen trade. He immersed the rags in a weak eleetrolitic solution, and a current of electricity was passed through it. The result was that cotton or other vegetable fibre was destroyed, leaving only the wool. Mr Hay found that by the same process thi wool was effectively sterilised and rendered free of disease, and he pursued his investigations accordingly. New wool of all kinds was imjjregnatei with anthrax germ's, and on being subject to the treatment these were found to be completely destroyed. Skins wre also found to be amenable to the same treatment. A', hat tho discovery means to the woollen trade can hardly be estimated. The numbers of wool and skin workers who have fallen victims 1 to anthrax in recent years is enormous. Wool-sorting is scheduled as among the most dangerous trades, ami further restrictions on the import of wool in consequence arc being considered. Mr. Hay’s discovery will change all that. In future it will be unnecessary to open, out bales of woo! or skins arriving from foreign countries before dealing with them. If they arc placed in tho liquid on importation they will be rendered clean and innocuous in a few minutes Mr. Hay has patented his process, which lias been taken up for commercial purposes by a strong syndicate,

THE MOSQUITO FLEET. HOW THE VESSELS ARE INSPECTED. Auckland possesses a larger fleet of small coastal vessels than any other part of the colony, and it will be interesting to the majority of our readers to know how these vessels are looked .after by the Marine Department. All vessels fitted with auxiliary engines are classed as steamers and have to undergo an amyijal inspection ; but those depending entirely on sails, and engaged in the coastal trade are entirely exempt. In lieu of an annual inspection the sailing vessels are visited periodically, and also when opportunity offers, by a surveyor of ships, who gives instructions as to repairs, if anv, that must be done before the vessel can leave port. This arrangement naturally entails a great deal of work on tils part of officials, as it is ofttimes very difficult to pick up a particular vessel vdiere there are so many, and where they are constantly entering and leaving port. In conversation with a representative of the Auckland Star, the Superintendent of Marine at Auckland (Captain Fleming) said a considerable portion of his time v r as taken up with the inspection of sailing vessels, and the task was a very heavy one, calling for the utmost vigilance. All vessels were being inspected, but so far they had touched only an the fringe of them. There are close on fishing boats alone, and the total number that have to lie inspected is somewhat over 200. The offloers of the Department meet them as they arrive, and subject them to a rigorous inspection. It is not an annual inspection, as these boats are not subject to that, and the officers examine tile vessels as time permits. Some 56 vessels have been inspected and put right since the beginning of the year. If the inspector is no-t interrupted, ne can examine three yeseels j n two days, hut the port of Auckland is so busy that interruptions frequently occur. The shipowners have promptly complied with the directions as to repairs, etc, made by the inspector. Asked by the reporter whether it would not be better for all concerned if these vessels were compelled to undergo an annual inspection, Capii.i:r Fleming said that he could not express an opinion on that point, but admitted that such an arrangement would mean a great saving of time t> the Department.'

CASE AFFECTING PLAYGOERS. The controversial point whether playgoers who approve and express their feelings by applause would have an equal right if they disapproved to hiss, was raised in a caso at Brentford Police Court. Alfred Bell, ah attendant at the Ealing Hippodrome, was summoned for assaulting Arthur Hoskins, a financial agent, living at Mount Park Crescent-, Ealing. The manager of the Hippodrome was summoned for aiding and abetting in the assault. According to Mr. Oswald Hanson, who prosecuted, the complainant took his wife to the Ealing Hippodrome on March 28th. They saw a bioscope picture representing the skinning of a hippopotamus, and to his client this was revolting. He expressed his disapproval by hissing, and this, Mr. Hanson submitted, was legitimate criticism. Unless the complainant’s conduct was such is to disturb the whole audience, the management had no right to eject him. The manager, however, ordered the attendant to put him , out, and in full view of the audience he was escorted outside. In his evidence Mr. Hoskins said he hissed because the subject-matter