GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 222, 12 September 1908, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

INFECTED SEED. By Telegraph,—Press Association. lsivcrcargill, Last .Nigut. The Chamber of Commerce to-day discussed the Agricultural Produce Importation and Sale Bill, and resolved tjjjjKjtlie secretary draw up a strong pwPst against the Bill going through ia tho form proposed at present, and that.telegrams be ..sent to the Ministerfor Agriculture and Southland members to this effect. It was urged that the Bill was detrimental to farming interests, &nd pressed most heavily oil innocent parties, viz., the merchants who had purchased infected produce in perfect good faith from clean sample. POLITICAL. Christciiurch, Last Night, Mi*. John Jamieson, who is a member of the Education Board nnrt the East Christciiurch School Committee, and who has taken a keen interest in matters affecting the Avon electorate, will be a candidate for Avon at the coming election. CIIRISTCHUIiCH SANITATION BILL. Cliristciiurch, Last Night. The C'ity Council has made arrangements to meet the objections raised by the Legislative Council to the Coun cil's Sanitation Bill, which has been hung np. The Mayor to-day interviewed the Hon. C. Louisson on the subjvet in dispute, and it is hoped that matters will bo smoothed over. THE LEPEII PATIENTS.

Christchurch, Last Night. The North Island Maori, who is to be dotained at Quail Island quarantine station 011 account of being afflicted with leprosy, was brought from Wellington by the Government s.s. lline1110a, which arrived at Ly.ttelton about 110011 to-day. He was under the care of Dr. Pomare a'nd Inspector Pukahika, of the Health Department. The steamer was met 011 arrival by Dr. C. 11. Upliam, Port Health Officer, and the patient was taken early in the afternoon, to Quail Island, where a cottage similar to those occupied by the other patients has been erected for his accommodation. There arc now three leprosy patients on the island, the last arrival, a European who was sent there from Christciiurch last year, and a young Maori from the North Island who was segregated in November last. He and

the Uuropean have both improved ill health since going to Quail Island. The. young Maori in particular has done so well that it is understood hopes are entertained of his recovery. At 1.30 to-day, the leper patient was transferred from the Hineinoa tb ft steam launch lying at the side of tlie steamer farthest from the wharf, and taken to Quail Island, accompanied by doctors and other officials. • CHRISTCHURCII BAND CONTEST. C'hristehurch, Last Night. The band contest committee, at a meeting on Wednesday evening, resolved that entries for the band contest would close on S-eptember 21st, but letters and telegrams on that date would be accepted. Col. Cooper, Major Stewart, Capt. McGee, Ca.pt. Farthing, and Scrgt.-Major Itore were elected military judges. A "SHARK" INDUSTRY.

Auckland, Last Night. There are many curious industries in operation in Auckland, and one is tie production of shark oil. Quite a large demand has set in for this oil, which is extracted from the livers of sharks, and is being largely used for t'he feeding of calves, being mixed with skimmilk. Experts hold that for medicinal properties, if the prejudice against it could be overcome, shark oil is quite equal to cod liver oil. The shark, how-, ever, has more in him tliat this oil, the body _ being converted into a valuable fertiliser, while the fins are dried and exported to China, where t'hey arc esteemed as a great delicacy. The industry is limited by the number of sharks caught, but it is urged by experts that the Government might be asked to assist the industry by a liouus to fishermen or others who catelt sharks, and thus also improve the fisheries by reducing the ranks of- tiro natural enemy of the marketable lisli. OUK TRADE Wll'H THE ISLANDS. Auckland, Last Night. It has several times been said at

, the fruit-brokers' meetings that New Zealand's trade with Fiji Jma sltjiping away. Mr. Tooina-i slated to-day | Ifliat he had seen Auckland boats arrive at Fiji with a, few tons, of cargo, and the rest coal, and in wa idling liic arrival of the Sydney boat had noticed that it arrived with a deck cargo of general merchandise mid produce. lie had seen similar evidences at both Samoa and Tonga, that Sydney trade was largely 011 the increase, whilst New Zealand's was getting smaller each year. LAND BOARD MEMBER'S REMOVAL. ,

Napier, Friday, i Tlip. opinion of Hie Solicitor-General i on the ruling of the Commissioner of : Crown Lands at last meeting of the ' Land Board "vvliif.-li led to the removal of Mr. Lane came before the Board today. The opinion upheld the Commissioner';! ruling, but declared the incident to be now closed. Mr. Lane strongly protested against whn.t he, termed ministerial interference and withdrew from flit! meeting to emphasise the protest. AUCKLAND THAMWAYS. Auckland, Friday. A statement of accounts of the Auckland Electric Tramway Company for tlip year ended December 31 has been submitted to tile City Council. U slates that the traffic receipts within tht! city totalled '£85,051), and the anion-,it payable to the Council is ,£3005.