West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Tuesday 11 July 1893, page 4


NEWS AND NOTES.

THE Legislative Council will hold a sitting this afternoon, commencing at half-past two. The only business will be the presentation of the Address-in-reply to the Governor, and the consideration, under motion for the second reading, of the Noxious Birds and Animals

Bill.

WE regret to record the death of Mr. John Liddelow, which occurred last night at the residence of his brother, Mr. Albert Liddelow, Stirling-street. Mr. Liddelow had only been ill a week. The deceased gentleman was a very old colonist, and was for many years in business in Barrack-street, where he had a well-known butchering business, which he relinquished some two years ago. The funeral will take place at the Wesleyan cemetery to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon.

JUDGING from the following telegram, re-

ceived yesterday by Capt. Russell, R.N.,

Chief Harbour-master, rough weather may be looked for on the southern and south-western

coastal waters shortly. The telegram, which is from Mr. Clement Wragge, Government meteorologist, is dated Brisbane, 10th July, 3.10 p.m., and is as follows :—" Further squally weather from between N.W. and S.S. W., after, rising to rough seas expected off Leeuwin. More rain south-west districts."

THE Legislative Assembly met last night, when the second reading of the Treasury Bills Bill was moved by the Premier. The measure was opposed by Messrs Canning, Loton, De Hamel, and R. F, Sholl, but on a division the Second reading of the Bill was carried by 15 to 8. The Bill will be con-sidered in committee this afternoon. The Premier gave notice that he would introduce the Constitution Act Amendment Bill and the Savings Bank Act Amendment Bill at Wednesday's sitting.

THE criminal sittings of the Supreme Court

were continued yesterday, when the case of Regina v. Keeshan was tried before Mr. Justice Stone and a jury. The charge against the accused was, that he had murdered a native woman named Meedejah on the 27th of January last in the Murchison district. The bearing of the case lasted until half-past six o'clock in the evening, when the jury re-turned a verdict of not guilty, and Keeshan was set at liberty. The Court sits again this

morning.

THE Legislative Assembly meets this after-noon at half-past two. The agenda paper is as follows:—Order of the day: Treasury Bil's Bill to be considered in committee. Notices of motion : Mr. Burt to move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the better prevention of fires caused by sparks from locomotive engines, and to facilitate the recovery of damages in such cases. Mr. R. F. Sholl to move that the following return be laid upon the table of this House: A list of all officers whose salaries and allowances are provided for on page four of the Loan Estimates ending 30th of June, 1893, containing the following particulars (1.) Name of each officer (2.) Title of each officer (3.) Amount of salary and allowances (4.) On what work engaged (5.) When ap-pointed and term of his engagement. Mr. R. F. Sholl to move : That a return be laid upon the table of the House showing (1.) The amount realised by the sale of Treasury Bills issued by the Government in May last and to what purpose have the proceeds been ap-plied, (2.) If the Post Office Savings Bank funds have been applied, showing the amount. (3.) Any other Trust Funds at the disposal of the Government and the amounts. (4). The necessity for the issue of Treasury Bills. Mr. Solomon to move—That there be laid upon the table of the House all papers and correspondence in reference to the small pox inquiry, and also the correspondence which passed between the Government and agents of the s.s. Saladin, in reference to the intro-duction of small-pox into the colony.

THE sixth entertainment given last night by Messrs. Wirth Bros.' mammoth circus, in-cluded several items which were not con-tained in the previous performances. The principal of the novelties introduced were a horizontal bar act by Messrs. P. and G. Wirth, performed upon horseback, the Zanio Brothers' clever performance on the bars, and the tandem race, in which the New Zealand stallion Bannockburn and Satan, driven by Miss Marizles Wirth, were the victors against the thoroughbred mares Elsie and Maud, driven by Miss Louise. Amongst the other competitions were the two horse Roman standing race over hurdles and the boys' and girls' pony hurdle race, a race between Indians, Mexicans and cowboys, concluding

with a cross-country steeplechase. The pro-

gramme also included an English May-pole dance on horseback, in which was introduced two amusing Irish comedians, and part of the act comprised some very exciting high jump-ing. Although the weather was unpropitions, the attendance was much larger than could have been expected, showing the popularity the exhibition has gained during its brief stay here. The Perth season closes to-morrow evening, on which occasion His Excellency the Governor has signified his intention of being present. Besides the two following evening's performances, there will be another matinee entertainment given to-morrow after-noon. The circus will then proceed to Fre-mantle and will give its first performance there on Thursday afternoon, opening on the vacant land near the Federal Hotel. The perform-ance is a treat which all should enjoy before the big show leaves the colony. The opening programme was so long and so varied that many people thought the performers had exhausted their repertoire. Last night, how-ever, caused a change in their opinions, and the entertainment not only gave a very great measure of satisfaction, but was com-plete proof of the versatility of the artists.

OUR contributor "L.L.C." writes : "A para-graph appeared in the WEST AUSTRALIAN of yesterday morning referring to the Order in Council recently issued by Government making the disinfection by dipping of im-ported fruit trees and vines compulsory. It was stated that the term concentrated lye is unknown here, and that if potash is meant the solution is strong enough to kill the trees which are dipped in it. Upon inquiry I find that concentrated lye is a term known here ; Chemists doing business in Perth have in-formed me they know the meaning of the term, and are prepared to supply what is re-quired—concentrated caustic soda. The standard of strength would vary with the purpose for which the lye was required, and if no standard was specified the chemist would use his discretion. The standard fixed in America for the disinfection of fruit trees is 80 per cent., 4-5th lb. of stick-caustic soda, containing 98 per cent. will be found equal in effectiveness to 11lb. con-centrated lye. This is obtainable in Perth. The solution mentioned in the Order-in-Council has been used for many years in America, where some millions of trees are annually dipped and sprayed with it, with no ill effects, but quite the contrary, even when 50 per cent. of potash is added. Mr. French, the Government Entomologist of Victoria, recommends this solution, at the same time drawing attention to the necessity of disin-fecting trees before they are distribute!, as a check to the importation of new diseases. Further, some eight weeks ago concentrated lye (caustic soda) was obtained by me in Perth without any preface or any difficulty, and I dipped several trees in the solution, as specified, and they have shown no signs of

dying yet. The Order-in-Council will, I have little doubt, give rise to a good deal of oppo-sition on the part of persons who have for years been breeding insects and diseases in their orchards faster than they have grown fruit. The experience of the last ten years of the largest fruit-producing country in the world will count as nothing against the expe-rience of these gentry, who are adepts only in the art of cultivating what the Order is very properly designed to suppress. In re-gard to the importation of salicylic acid, also referred to in the paragraph as being inter-dicted at the suggestion of some one who lacked experience, all I can say is that the some one, whoever he was, deserves to be well thought of. The use of salicylic acid as a preservative in food stuffs should be pro-hibited, for the simple reason that it is poisonous. This acid is now made, almost all of it, from carbolic acid, and is considered by chemists to be an accumulative poison. Taken with any food it has a decidedly dele-terious effect upon health. The people who need salicylic acid to preserve their jams and fruits, and wines, are just the kind of people the Order-in-Council compelling fruit trees to be dipped is designed to catch—the lazy, the shiftless, and the unscrupulous.