Queensland Likes Batiki
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
Grass From Fiji
AS a result of Mr. S. L, Everist, a Queensland Government botanist, being sent by the South Pacific Commission to New Caledonia and Fiji, to study grass lands —part of a plan to improve Pacific Islands pastures—it is thought probable that the Queens land cattle industry may get the benefit of a valuable new grass.
In Fiji, Mr. Everist found and was much impressed with Batiki Blue Grass, which does well in a wide variety of soil types, appears palatable in all stages of growth, and does not need the same careful management as Para and Guinea grasses.
He has taken specimens of Batiki to Queensland, and it is hoped that this may prove to be a plant that will considerably strengthen and improve the pastures in the Queens land high-rainfall coastal districts.
Data From Twin Calves
It is expected that valuable data will be gathered, to assist the pastoral industry in the Islands, as a result of the twin-calves experi ment now being carried out by the South Pacific Commission, in co operation with the NZ Agriculture Department.
Eight sets of twin heifer calves were selected in NZ; and one calf of each set was sent to the Experi ment Station at Sigatoka, Fiji, while the other is being kept under observation at the Animal Research Station at Ruakura, NZ. They are being reared as far as possible under exactly the same conditions, except that one of the sets of twins is growing up in cool NZ, while the other is subjected to the tropical Islands climate. The animals are subject to two years of observation.
Inspector and Mrs. T. Upson, of Wau, NG, were present when their son, Corporal T. Upson, 19. gradu ated as an electrician at the Army Apprentice School, Vic., in Decem ber.