As far back as 1908 when a party. of Federal politicians visited the Northern Territory of Australia the prospects of growing rice in the Commonwealth spoken of as possibility. The fine low-lying country adjoining the rivers and the undulating areas which could be conveniently cultivated and irrigat~ ed from those rivers were declared suitable for the growing of rice. The late ex-Senator T. D. Chat-away, who was a member of the expedition, in conversation with h, by inducing White men to cultivate vice. The {dea received no support, but upon the irrigation along the level country bordering the Murrimbidgee; now known as the Leeton and Gri-with irrigation areas, fed by the Burrimjuck Weir, becoming an accomplished fact, he again broached rice growing during the season in North country. Years passed by, fand the advocates to the growing of rice increased and when a report arrived in this country of rice being harvested in America with machinery it was urged that the ordinary wheat harvester or the reaper and binder might be able to handle the crop with every propect of success. Farmers in the Leeton area were induced to experiment. One grower averaged 160 bushels per acre from 12 acres.
is considered that 16,000 acres planted should produce suflcient Fice for Australia's present requirements while 30,000 acres or more were available to be pi yet permit of a thorough fallowing land and cropping it in alternate years.
The quality of the crops vary somewhat but excellent results have been obtained. This gives promise, owing to the easy handling of the crops and the good price ranging, that much larger areas will under rice next year. The Minister for Customs, Mr. Pratten, aa, is willing to put the question of tance to. the rice growers before the Tariff Board immediately for consideration, in order that either a form of protection or bounty may be arranged for, such questions finalized, and the decision of the government be made known to the rice growers before the sowing season arrives for the next crop.
Murder of Chinese Gardener very popular Chinese who diligently worked a market garden in the town of Mansfield was the victim of a particularly brutal murder on May 22 last. Lim Kwong, who had resided in the dis-jet for two years and was known 'a courteous man without, anybody's knowledge, an enemy in the world, had awakened with the those of the resources of the country to the uttermost while these Empire representatives are here.
Water conservation schemes are ging of his alarm clock at the hour of six in the morning. It is assumed that he dressed and opened his door with the intention of to be shown to the visitors. The Burrinjuck Weir, Australia's largest reservoir, and reputed as the third in size in the world will be commencing his morning's work when he was brutally struck upon the face, the blow being followed with another which broke his skull. visited in the eastern watershed, from which situation it sends forth irrigation supplies to the vineyards, He had some money in "his house and it is thought that the murder-ler knew this and that was the mo-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.