LATE AUSTRALIAN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 48, 11 October 1911, Page 6

LATE AUSTRALIAN.

MAWSON’S AEROPLANE

(By Electric Telegraph.--Copyright.) (United Press Association.) (Received 11, 9.10 a.m.) Sydney, October 11. Mr. Watkins hopes to repair the aeroplane in time lor despatcii by the I Aurora. Melbourne, October 11. The Irish Envoys addressed a large gathering in the Town Hall. Ihe collection amounted to £IOOO.

NEW CARGO VESSEL

Melbourne, October 11

The steamer Sydney, the first of a dozen large cargo vessels belonging to the Gcrman-Australiau Line, has arrived. Siie is a splendid specimen oi an up-to-date cargo-carrier. AN APHIS DESTROYER. (Received 11, 9.10 a.m.) Sydney, October 11. A natural aphis destroyer in the, shape of a small parasitical flv has appeared in the Bathurst orchards. It is reported that the fly completely annihilates the aphis • VITAL STATISTICS. Melbourne, October 11. The number of marriages in the State last year was the highest, on record. The birth rate was 21.20 per 1000, the lowest on record. The death rate showed'a decrease of 1.8 per 1000 since 1901. LATE MR. BATCHELOR. Adelaide, October 11. There was a largo representative gathering at Mr. Batchelor’s funeral. Thousands lined the route, and signs of mburning were general, PRACTICAL TEACHING.

SHEEP-SHEA BING CLASSES

AT WORK

(Per Press Association.)

Palmerston North, October 10. An interesting development of rural education by the Palmerston Technical School was inaugurated to-day, when the first sheep-shearing classes in the North Island were opened, and will continue for six days, and a further course if necessary. They began with thirteen students yesterday, nut on tiio’ farmers' seeing their practical character the number was more than twenty to-day. There is a machinery expert, an expert shearer, and an expert, wool-classer in charge Sheep are sent in from a neighbouring station, and after its manager saw the quality of the work to-clay, lie said .they could have one thousand if they wanted them, and the same next year. The classes are in the show ground sheds. The students arc first taught the use of the oil engine, which drives the plant; then tae crutching blade and machine shearing skirting, classing, baling and pressing. To-day the A. and P. committee and many fanners visited the sbeds and were .greatly surprised at the thoroughness of the teaching, the singular aptitude of the boys, and tiio excellent condition of the shorn sheep. The boys propose to go shearing 'this year. The wool classer in charge of the tables, who has now a good position, was himself a graduate of the Palmerston Technical School wool classing classes, which have been successfully carried on for the past three years.