AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2776, 29 April 1890, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(IJY KLECTHIC riiLEGK.U'H.— COPYRIGHT.) Melhouhne, April 26. Me {Smith Ellis, of South Yarra, to whom the Victorian and New South Wales Governments conjointly agreed to pay the sum of £10,000 it his specific for the prevention of rust in wheat proved effectual, has submitted Ilia views to the respective Governments. The rust he defines as a parasite fuugus, constitutionally affecting wheat plants. On ariviug at maturity it bursts forth and escapes ill the atmosphere in the form of pale yellow smoke. The rust smoke fastens on clean wheat, producing disease, aud every precaution must be taken to prevent fermentation of seed wheat, as it affords an opportunity of detaching the parasite. The principal preventive measures are to sow wheat in sufficiently wet ground, as rust smoke perishes in water, to winnow the grain, and carefully avoid reaping before ripe.

Messrs Spizell and Company have issued a writ against the Belgian Consul, who empowered the Melbourne postmaster to impound diamonds contained in letters sent through the post addressed to the firm.

April 2S. The Government chemist is not sanguine that Mr Smith Ellis' specific for rust in wheat will prove effectual, and the Commissioners of Land for South Australia think his recommendations are opposed to their experience in the Northern portion of the colony.

The Marine Board has decided that the ill-fated steamer Quetta struck on au unknown rock.

Sydney, April 26 . Louth is now in a similar condition to Bourke.

Mr D. O'Connor, Postmaster-General proposes to recoup the loss to the colonies by the reduction of the inland letter rates to one penny, by imposing a rate of a half-penny oil newspapers, which are at present free from postage.