NEWS NOTES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 250, 24 November 1914, Page 1

NEWS NOTES.

A Wcodville farmer, in edvocating the claiais of c'uver, said that he put 15 of his cows on clover for a couple of hours on Monday evening and again for an hour on the follow ing morning before they were milked. The result was that their milk increased by 551bs in weight—almost 41 bs each.

The experiments made last year in the Taihape di-trict of inoculating California thistle with rust in this district proved successful, says the "Taumaranui Preßs." Mr W. Seth Smith has located pome specimens in inoculated patches which are affected by rust, The officers of the Agricultural Department opine that rust infected specimens do not produce aecd. If this be so, and it the rust spreads itself, nature will dispose of a matter w.hich has been puzzlirg the Department and farmers generally. Mr Seth Smith is taking steps to show farmers infected specimens and give information necessary as to the method*of inoculation

Exporters may now rest assured that shipping for their goods is now provided for come three months to come. By the end of that time our transports will be returning, and as far as one can see there ought to be no check to transport facilities. A i.ore disquieting feature 18 the congested state of the Southdown Freezing Works. When that company increased its storing capacity it neglected to provide increased killing facilities, and the result is that hundreds of fat bullocks have to be railed to the southern portion of the island to be frozen there. The Waikatj people rather foolishly allowed themselves tu be talked out of their intention to provide a freezing establishment at Frankton, or by this time the Auckland Province would be able to deal with the whole of its meat for export. Thii year's experience will probably determine the farmers to see that no such block shall in future interfere with the trade. The newly-gazetted laws giving extended powers to the military authorities to deal with suspected treachery or espionage are tolerably drastic. Any commissioned officer may now arrest a suepected person without a warrant, and may either have him handed over to a magistrate to deal with, or have him detained by the Defence authorities. Any houses, ships or land may be entered upon, by force if necessary, and documents, instruments or anv other articles seized. Persons publishing or spreading untrue reports likely to cause disaffection or alarm, or publishing or communicating any information that may be directly or indirectly useful to the enemy are equally liable ti arrest. Similarly, anyone communicating wither' authority with a prisoner of war, or making any signal which may reasonably be suspected of being a signal to the enemy or a prisoner of war is liable to lose liis liberty, Taking it all together L'.e lut of the traitar or spy is not being made a happy one.