Published by the Gordon Technical College and the Allied Associations. VOL. II.-No. 3. APRIL, 1897. No. 7. All communications to be addressed to the Editor, Mr. H. E. Hill, at the Gordon Technical College, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The Editor is not responsible for the statements in any paper. NOTES. The bonus offered by the Government for the destruction of cormorants has been discontinued, owing to the amount voted last year for this purpose having been exhausted. On Yorke's Peninsula-writes the Adelaide Observerthose who have gardens and vineyards almost worship the little plover, and woe betide the man who shoots one in the vicinity of Stansbury. The "sportsman's enemy," as it is called, from the alarmist cry it utters when it sees any one creeping on game, is encouraged to visit the gardens on Southern Yorke's Peninsula, and appreciating its position of safety, the plover runs about in quest of insects. The birds have been found exceedingly valuable in ridding the vines of the grub which does such an amount of damage, especially to young vineyards. The amount of grubs one plover can consume is simply surprising.-Australasian. It is notified in a recent issue of the Government Gazette, that it is intended to issue a proclamation on March 24th, to change the close season for the emu, and to protect this bird, along with the grey and the red kangaroos from January 1st to December 31st. The longest commercial distance at which the telephone is now operated is from Boston to St. Louis, a distance of 1,400 miles. The line is almost twice as long as any European line. Electrical Review (N.Y.) The Winnipeg street railway system was recently tied up. for several hours owing to a sudden thaw followed by a blizzard. Manitoba is having an exceptional winter of sudden changes of temperature.-Canadian Electrical News. Ink for writing on glass :-The following mixture makes a good ink for writing on glass. Dissolve 36 grains of sodium fluoride and 7 grains of potassium sulphate in 500 c.c. of water; dissolve also 14 grains zinc chloride in 500 c.c. water. For use mix equal parts of the solutions and apply with a brush or a quill pen. After half an hour the letters appear in matt etching.-Painting and Decorating. The January number of The Hub contains a good typical picture of coaching in Victoria. The scene is at Queenstown, a few miles N.E. of Melbourne, a four-horse coach being drawn up in front of the "pub" and P.O. The following statement in regard to the care of milk is of interest to people of all classes :-Gelatine plates, when exposed to the air for a minute, contain more or fewer germs, according to location. When exposed in an ordinary living room five minutes after the floor had been swept, there were 543 germs found of 8 different species; in an open field, 6 germs, 2 species; in an open meadow, 8 germs, 3 species; in a college cow stable soon after feeding time, 570 germs, 11 species; university creamery and cheese factory, pasteurisation-room after scrubbing, 5 germs, 3 species; refrigerator store-room, temperature 40° F., I species. Very few persons have any idea of the numbers of germs that they take into their systems with milk that is kept in insanitary places. This article of diet is, of course, much more palatable when fresh and cool, but unless it can be kept from disease germs, it is far more wholesome when sterilised.-Australian Agriculturist. Reported discovery of a silver lode. It is stated that on O'Donnell's lease, near Adelaide Vale (about 20 miles from Bendigo), a handsome find of silver has been made. It is impossible to get any reliable particulars at present owing to the extreme reticence of those from whom information on the subject might be obtained, but it is said by a gentleman from Bendigo that he has been shown some extremely rich specimens. It is furthermore stated that several of the leases in the vicinity, which were taken up ostensibly for goldmining purposes, have in reality been secured on account of the silver which is believed to exist.-Bendigo Advertiser. 16/3/97. Always blow any dust off your plates before developing. Supposing you have borrowed the dark-room of a man who does not smoke. Is it a fair thing when he objects to your smoking to tell him to go outside? THE members of the Science Club were treated to a very instructive lecturette on "Induction Coils" on March 25th, by Mr. L. J. Goodwin, of the Australian Electric Lighting Co., Melbourne An exhaustive description of the construction of the instrument was given, and its value for various purposes was shown by sundry experiments, including the X rays. The chairman, Mr. James Wighton, tendered Mr. Goodwin the hearty thanks of the meeting when he had concluded his remarks. Owing to business engagements, Mr. Brewer will not give his paper on the "Comparative Philology of the Native Language" until the next half year. AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION. 3/2/97. Mr. J. Wadelton, vice-president, in the chair. The resignation of Mr. G. H. Brinsmead as lantern engineer accepted with regret. Monthly competition :-subject, landscape; judges, Messrs. Brinsmead, C. O. Dentry, and Leitch. Class A.-W. M. Waddell, Ist; J. Wadelton, 2nd & 3rd. Class B.-H. Wadelton, 1st; F. Price, 2nd. Mr. Waddell asked that on account of his leaving the district, his name should be transferred to the list of corresponding members; agreed to. It was also resolved to place on record the club's appreciation of the valuable services rendered to it by Mr. Waddell. 24/2/97. Mr. C. O. Dentry, vice-president, in the chair. Numerous items of correspondence dealt with. Owing to unfavourable circumstances the monthly competition was postponed for one month. 10/3/97. Mr. J. Wadelton, vice-president, in the chair. Mr. C. O. Dentry practically demonstrated the methods of enlarging and reducing with the ordinary camera. 17/3/97. Mr. J. Hammerton in charge; subject:-making lantern slides. 24/3/97. Mr. H. G. Roebuck, president, in the chair. Certificates and trophies won by members at the Ballarat society's exhibition were distributed by the chairman. Lantern engineers were appointed as follows:-Messrs. A. C. Bartlett, G. H. Brinsmead, H. Dentry, W. H. Hillier, R. C. Hocking, W. H. Humble, J. F. Millar and R. B. Mockridge. Decided to procure new accessories for lantern. Monthly competition.-Subjects:-Marine and Interiors. Wadelton. 3rd. Marine-Class A-G. H. Brinsmead, Ist. Interiors,, A-G. H. Brinsmead, 2nd; A. E. Bratley, Interiors-Class B-W. Weir, 1st. The librarian gratefully acknowledges receipt of the following publications:-Australian Photo. Journal, Australasian Photo. Review, Practical Photographer, Photography, Photographic Scraps, Photo. News, Photo. Record, American Process Review, Canadian Photo. Journal, Photo. Times, Kodak News, Magic Lantern Journal, N.Z. Photographer. |