THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1881. ADULTERATION OF MANURES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2216, 2 April 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1881. ADULTERATION OF MANURES.

The sulphur at White Island has long been looked upon as a moat valuable natural deposit, but as yet no practical attempts have boon made to utilise it. Now, however, an experienced chemist has arrived from Melbourne, who has visited the locality and has reported most favorably on the value of tho article for tho preparation of chemical manures, &c. This chemist is Mr. Maclvor, and it will bo interesting to note the circum-

stances attending the arrival of this gentleman in those colonies, because it * shows in a pleasing light the public spirit ! displayed by a leading Victorian settler. , Mr. W. J. Clarice, when in England some i years ago, determined to seek out a first- 1 rate chemist with a view of placing his 1 services at the disposal of the Victorian farmers. Mr. Maclvor was at that time senior demonstrator of chemistry at Anderson’s University, Glasgow, and terms were arranged which made it worth his while to emigrate to Melbourne. On arrival he proceeded with great energy to run a tilt against the practices existing among many of the sellers of artificial manures. That such a course could not be pursued without evoking a large amount of hostility is evident enough, and Mr. Maclvor for some time did not find his new post a bed of roses. However, right was so clearly on his side that he finally overcame all difficulties, and the farmers of the colony were materially benefited by his exertions. Whereas, before his arrival, manure which was worth £2 per ton was frequently sold at £8 or £lO per ton, buyers may now rely that the article received is what it really purports to be, and of as good a quality as can bo got anywhere else. Mr Clarke’s public spirit in this matter cannot be too highly praised, and it will be important that New Zealand farmers should be protected in much the same fashion. Scientific farming must evidently become more and more of a necessity as time goes on. We have a public analyst, it is true, and we shall have, shortly, a chemist attached to the Agricultural College. The services of these gentlemen will no doubt be very valuable in the direction indicated, and the skill of the former has frequently been of service. But Mr. Maclvor appears to bo on a somewhat different status in Victoria—to be, in point of fact, a gentleman to whom is entrusted by the farmer the initiative in cases where fraud in the sale of manures is suspected, and where exposures are specially dreaded by the dishonest trader. LOCAL INDUSTRY EXHIBITIONS. The season has well set in for Local Industry Exhibitions. Directly one is over we hear of another being on the tapis. The energies of our Ashburton friends have no sooner expended themselves on their local show than wo find that Wellington is about to start one of its own. This Exhibition too is expected to bo an entire success. Numerous applications are being received from day to day for space, and the committee of management are exerting themselves to make the affair worthy of the ‘‘ Empire City.” There is, in addition to the usual show of local industries, to be a loan exhibition of works of art, and as this department is under the management of the well-known artist, Mr. N. Barraud, it may confidently be expected that the venture will be a success. The Exhibition will commence on May 23rd, and be open till May 28th; and, at present, it is proposed to hold it in the Athenseum Buildings, unless a larger space be proved to be required. Following close on the Wellington show will come the Dunedin Exhibition, which opens in June, and we may feel certain that our Southern neighbours will endeavour to make it the most prominent that has yet been held. And it will be strange if they do not succeed. The Christchurch Exhibition was notably experimental, and the experience gained by several succeeding efforts will be at the disposal of the Dunedin Committee. The wide interest evoked by these successive gatherings is of the greatest use in stimulating the energies of local manufacturers, and it is pleasing to see that the desire for holding them is spreading so rapidly throughout the colony.

“ LYTTELTON TIMES ” COMPANY LIMITED.

The proprietors of our venerable contemporary in Gloucester street have, we were informed yesterday by advertisement, transferred their business to a company, which has been duly incorporated under the title of the “ Lyttelton Times ” Company (Limited). The advertisement notifying this stupendous event must naturally have claimed the utmost care, and the literary ability of the whole staff will of course have been enlisted in its production. The scene is more easily imagined than described. Proprietors, editor, sub-editor, managers, printers, runners, all clubbing their brains for the production of this thrilling manifesto. The united effort, however, can hardly he called a success. “ All bnsinoss communications are requested to bo addressed to the Managing Director,” says the advertisement. How, in the name of all that is sensible, can a business communication bo requested to do anything ? If the new proprietary fancy that business communications will address themselves, and forward themselves, they must be remarkably sanguine. The idea is novel and ingenious, and much trouble no doubt would be saved if it could he carried out, but it is evidently utopian. If the start of the new company at all indicates its future, it will be a company limited no doubt in many points of view, but more particularly limited in its grammar. It seems singular that, while the “ Lyttelton Times” is being transferred from proprietors to a company, its political ally and friend the “ Telegraph” is undergoing an exactly opposite operation. It will, of course, he needless to enquire whether the two acts are in any way connected with or indicate any great upheaval of the Greyite party. Wo merely draw the attention of our readers to tho phenomenon.