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ÏJBWS OF THE DAY
THE TAMAR ORCHARDS.
AVhoii spoken to yesterday; on his re-
turn from tho North, tho Chief Secretary
expressed himself as much struck with
what he bud seen ot tho Tamur orchards
in u run down Hie river as far as Kelso.
The orchards were ¡ill young 'in yet, bul
if the present rato of progress continued
lie* could not help thinking that a, timo
might como when the South would havn
to look to its laurel« "in tho ftuitgrovv
ing industry. The Northern people had
taken up the orcharding business willi
great keenness, and there was every indi-
cation that they would make a success ot
it. Uno Rrni. in Launceston had already
introduced about JJlSO.OtK) lioni overseas
into orcharding on the Tamur. They
bought the land, and then sold i.t to
people in Indio, South Africa, and else-
where. They then planted out Hie orch-
ard for the purchaser, and kept it culti-
vated and looked after till he was ready
to resido mi it. Tho orchards wero
kept" in splendid condition, and if ali
tin* purchaser« came lo sel Ho down on
them it would mean ii ¡very considerable
addition to the population of tho Tamar
dústrietsi and of the State. .
KOBTU-AVESTT COAST EXPORT«.
Last week's exports of produce- from
Norlh-AVest Const port?, to Sydney wero
almost wholly composed of potatoes and
turnips. Tito »shipment ol potatoes,
18,561 bag", was over -1,00(1 bags larger
tlnui the previous week, but carno very
far short of the corresponding week in
1015, when lim hugo total of U3,035 bags
«ere* despatched and brought tho local
market down lo nbout M per Ion, where-
as last week's values were up to X13 IO.'.,
so that His total value was decidedly
with 1918. Turnips, 1,253 bags, «¡is
largely accounted for by 3C0 bags from
Stanley; this port lins only a fortnightly
sen ice, mid on the previous trip found
ov«*r a thousand bags, so other ports con-
tributions aro comparatively -small.
Devonport found the other items, which
als,« were em tho small side, viz., 370
bags oats, 11X1 "»aga chuff, 70 bags peas,
25 bags beans, Tho shipments in the
corresponding woelc in 1015 were 313,035
bags potatoes, 4,089 bugs oats, 2,739 bags
turnips, 668 bags chaff, 2 bnç's peas, '¿til
baled straw.
FRUIT SHIPMENT DIFFICULTIES.,
Willi respect lo the forthcoming ship-
ments of fruit to England, there was pub-
lished in "The Mercury" some days ago
an official statement that the Federal
Atinist'er of tho Navy (Mr. Jonsen) lind
deputed Messrs. Henry Jones und Co. to
imiko all the arrangements necessary for
the shipments of iruit from Tasmania,
working under his control, und also in-
forming lum that there would lie 20
transport steamer« avnilablo, The ralo
fixed «-us 65s. per ton of 40 cubic: feet,
plus 20 per cent., which rale works out
-at about Us. 3d. per stunduid bushel
case. Since then further difficulties havo
arisen in obtaining the, steamers. air.
Ashbolt stated last evening fhut Messrs.
Henry .Tones and Co. did not yet know
wliiit vessels would' be available; anti,
moreover, it was not definitely ascertain-
ed whether the fruit could bo handled on
arrival in England. Correspondence was
going on between the firm anil the differ-
ent States, and cablegrams to and Irom
England were being despatched and re-
ceived. He expects thal ¡( will bo about
another fortnight before, anything very
definite will be ascertained.
LANSDOWNE-CRESCENT SCHOOL.
The new school at Lansdown-crescent,
West Hobart, was opened for business
yesterday. The school is in charge of
Mr. W. Howard, formerly of the Bellerive
School, with Miss Ivy Watson as
assistant.
THE MEAT SUPPLY.
In commenting on the shorttigo in the
meat supply h Hobart bulcher remarked
the other day that meat would bo scarcer
and dearer still, if tins big export of
store stock from, the North-West Coast
and other parts to Aricloria continued'.
This muller was yesterday brought under
the notice of the Minister of Agriculture
(Hon. J. Bollon), who had just returned
from a flying visit to the North-West
Const. Mr, Belton said that the export
«-asi certainly not due to any shortage ot
feed, ¡is far us the North-West Coast was
concerned, lint the high prices ' being
offered" for sloro stock hy mainland
buyers were certainly very vetnpting.
. EMU BAY RAILWAY.
The Emu ¿ay, railway receipts for Ue
cember last amounted to JÍUW3, as com-
pared with .£3,600 for Herein|>piy 1011,
milking the tutnl receipts for the' twelve
months of 1015 .£38.101, ás agnhst £47,718
foi-the'same period'lust year. " v
. ' KING ISLAND.
Tho Engincer-in-Chlcf (Mr. T. AV. Fow-
ler* returned. on Saturday from a visit
lo King Island. ., Ho found that good pro-
gress is being mude'with tho.ï'riiîser uiver
jetty, on, tho east Side of tho island,
1 hough ii recent storm did some diiiiuigo
lo an incompleto part ot- the work, li
is expected that it will be ready loi« tho
final inspection in Milich. Mr, Fowler
also looked into scvcrnl'mnttcrs connect-
ed with the work of deepening-niid im-
proving the entrance to Currie Harbour,
which is to be proceeded with as soon US'
the ncccssitpy nhuit can bo obtained.
THE MENINGITIS OUTBREAK."
It lias (sometimes btoii asked why, see-
ing Hutt cprebi'o-spiiiiil meningitis has
been proclaimed ii dangerous infectious
disease, the casts thal occur aro treated
nt the Hobart General Hospital instant
of ni the Infectious Disojisps Hospital. It
wa« learned, on inquiry of the eily autho-
rities, that the Infectious Discuses Hos-
pital is reserved for two dusses of
diseases, diphtheria and scarlet lever.
AVIieii meningitis broke out at the Clnro
moiil camp, the Government asked the
city authorities «'hollier, as a matter ni
urgency, they would hnvo any objection
to ii wind at the Infections Diseases Hos-
pital hoing used for the enscs. Tho
Cotpoialion replied llmt they had no
objection, provided the) cost was horne by
tho Government, bul *!he permission was
nut Hindu use of. .,
MARINE BfLVRDCOLACTIONS.
Tho following were the Marine Board
collections at the port of Hobart hist
weuki-AVhnrfngp, J!272 15s. Iel.; hurbour
due,?, ,tl7 12s. 5d.; quayage, ¿'33 -Is. .'id.;
pilotage, X11 17s. ¡ miscellaneous, X2fl lSs.
9tl. Total, XlOj 7s. 8cl.
WHEiN SPRINO COMES.
Air. Stephen Graham points out in the
"Sunday Pictorial" what ive may expect
fiom liussia when the spring comes.
"Russia is now steadily gaining strength¡
she is Iraiiiinir/n new army ol thro mil-
lion liiem composed of only sons, physic-
ally elelsctives to whom doctors have now
wail ed objections, tribesmen mid Poles
and Jews ot military ago discoveicd
among the thousands ol' refugees novv
stri'iiniing eust'vvurd. This army will ho
ready and fully equipped by the spring,
and the lightly wounded will have re-
turned to I ho ranks. Russia, muy thou
have something like len millions under
anns, and if Germany's winter plans,
whatever they may he, fail her, we shall
seo tho Russians going ahead nguiu. What
is more, Germany will be greatly weaken-
ed by holding thiougliout December,
J unitary, und Fobruury' an extremely
cold, bleak, and inhospitable tract of
country. Whiter is likely to do mote
harm to the Qerni.ins this year Hum the*
lttt'bsiuns will do."
A ATSITOR'S IMPRESSIONS.
Mr, Samuel McCnulny, the New South
AViiles Comptroller-General ol' Prisons,
who is now visiting Hobart, is evidently
a keen observer,' and one who sees things
in the light ol' shrewd common-sense,
tinged with humour. His evidence he
fore the Parliamentary Publie Works
Committee on the subject of the Hobart
Gaol yesterday was interlarded with much
in the way ot comment which, although
having no direct hearing on the subject
of the committee's inquiry, was both
interesting and elliot in in i ng. After re-
ferring ia the fuel (hal htalistics showed
the number of convictions for criminal
offences lo be nuicli* lower in Tasmania,
in proportion to (he pomilatioii, than in
the other States, ho spolo of Hie ortlorly
appcarane-e. of tho streets ol' Hobart in
general, tho lew "drunks" to be seen,
and the total ubsenco of mendicants und
lonfersv or "kerbstono artists,'" as they
are termed in.other cities. Olio unpleiis
ing feat ure there was which had struck
lum, 'however, and thut was Hie "ap-
palling" number of public-houses, ¡mel,
wlulo on the subject ol' the more (han
ample facilities for imbibing slrong
drink, he expressed the opinion thal 73
per cent, of the crimes committed now-
adays were attributable lo indulgence in
alcoholic liquors. Bobnrtians will be
glad to "bear of the* favon rabio impres-
sions formed Jiy Mr. McCauluy, who
ottghl to know something about crime
and criminals.
J'OPULATION OF AUSTRALIA.
The Commonwealth Statistician makes
the population of Australia on Sepleniher
30 last -1,351,086, or 3,009 more than on
.lune 30, and 13,181 more than on Decem-
ber 31, 1914- -H looks ¡is though Aus-
tralia will no1 cain 2i),000 on tho year, as
against. 68.80S in 1011, and 138,700 in 1013.
Of course, the exodus of troops and (he
war account for most ol' the difference.
CRESSY CLOSER SETTLEMENT.
The Treanurer (lion. J. A. Lyons) ant
the Chipf Secretary (lion. .!. K. Ogden),
accompanied by Mr. M. J. OTCcufe, visit-
ed Cressy yesterday,'und received a depu-
tation from sonio of the* closer sol tiers
thoro who had several requests to lay
"before thorn. One concerned a rond which
formed th'e only outlet for tho produce
of some of the settlers. They lind good
crops this year, bul ii «hört stretch of
the road was almost impassable. H was
pointed out in reply Hutt there was a
sum of XJ.jO on the estimâtes for this
woik, which would bo available as soon
as the Supplementary Public -Works
Execution Bill was passed. The settlors
would then be uble to re.i;h Ihn Snake
Banks Railway Station. Sonio, of the
¡orilors on the Woolmers estate also ¡isk
.d that a bridge should bo provided over
the Lake River.
"HIS BOUNDEN DUTY."
Mr. William Rossel', ono of Hio most
prominent union leaders in Australia,
has joined Hip colon is. At (ho sitting
of the Now Soul li Wales Government'
Railways Wages Hourn for tjie pormini
ent-vvny staff hist week Mr. Rosser,' who
is the employee' representative/- itn
notincrd flint he. would very shortly re-
sign his sp» I on the board, ¡is he had
volunteered for active service. ii r.
Rosser said that in the present, position
of national affairs he bud como« to Hie
conclusion that it was his bounden duly
to put all other consideration* un one
sido and enlist for active servico. Mr.
Rosser is president of tho Railways
Workers' and General Labourers' Asso-
ciation.
FA EMEU'S TRAGIC DEATH. .
Mr. George Andrews, n well-known
farmer, residing a(i Moorinn, Buck-road,
was yesterday building up a stack ol'
hay, which suddenly slipped, and he fell
heavily on lo his henel, injuring his spine.
He expired shortly iiflcrwurds.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
The Public Service Board is still lund
at work on its report on the administra-
tion and running of the Public AVorks
Department, but hopes to conclude it
.within a week. The Board met lust night,
and took lurther, évidence ou certain
points that have arisen'.
THE TRACK TO THE GORDON.
Further representations on tho subject
of the completion of the track lo tho
lower reaches oí tho Gorden from Tyenna
have been nítido lo the authorities by Mr.
Bowes Kelly, who lins for a long time
shown n keen interest in this matter, Bo
slated .that theio was ntlw- only about 12
miles of truck remaining 1o bo cut io
conccl up, and that the small expendi-
ture necessary would be* amply justified.
ACCIDENT NEAR LILYDALE.
Abel Reeve, 31, a married man, wits
admitted to tho'Lntinceston General Hos-
pital last night, suffering from a frac-
tured right ankle.' It appears he was
working on a sawmill tramline, near
Lilydale, and, jumping off a t ruck, caught
his foot in the ridge of the tramline. .
FURNITURE TRADE AVAGES BOARD.
The Furniture Trade AVages Board
meet« in Launceston, to-day to consider
tho question of amending its determina-
tion.' Soniu ovideiico Is to bo token, main-
ly on the question of the minimum rate
of wiigevs, and iho.buard hopos to conclude
its work this week.
.' THE DARWIN ELECTORATE.
II seems probable that unions' Hie Libo
ral candindtra for Darwin at the forth-
coming elections will bo Mr. -S. W. llar-'
grits, who put up, a good fight ugninst
.Mr, Jensen some time back. A. requisi-
tion asking him to nominutc is in course
of signature». - v .
PARLIAMENT.
Both Houses of Parliament will reas-1
semble this evening. Lu itlio/Assembly |
the debate on the AVusca Botuds Bill
will bi* icsuiiicd, nitor which tho Publia
AVoïko Exeeullnu Bill will be liikcn, ntter
which the Hoitsi) will go into committee
of supply, In Hu' -Council, tho Deceased
Persons' Estates Duties Bill will hu fur-
ther consideied in committee, nfler which
the Tiiinnr Improvement Bill (grant
in aid) tct'onel reading will bo taken, and
piobnbly other measures will ho advanced
a.v stage.
INCREASE IN PRICE' OF SUGAR. .
Information wits received in Hobart
ypsteidtty that the price of sugar to tho
wholesale merchants was to be increased
by X3 Ids. pel ton, which would mean
an increuso in tho retail pi ico lo the con-
sumer Irom ¡Iel. lo 3Jd. per lb. The
sugar supplies uro controlled by-Mho Fed-
eral Government, and mcichiints ure not
allowed to hold stocks in excess ot those
held by them in the corresponding month
last yeui. It will .be icmembcrcd that
early hist week onr .¿Melbourne corre-
spondent statiel that the îcport that
lhere was a shortage of sugar was em-
phatically dented by tile Federal Primo
Minister (Mr. Hughes), who «aid lhere
weie ample stocks available in all the*
Slates tor present requirements, and tho
supply was assured tor immy months to
come. /
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