FROM OTHER PAPERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 50, 22 November 1907, Page 3

FROM OTHER PAPERS.

An extraordinary escape of a child from serious injury, or death, is thus related by the Auckland "Herald":—There is a short tramway at Henderson, mounting from a crook bed to the high hank. This is used for raising metal; also, by those to whom life is cheap, it is used as a clmto. Even the latter class, however, with an eye to reducing the risk of sudden death to a reasonable minimum, s.eo that tho tide is in at the foot , and take a thought of swimming hefore getting away from the summit. The other day two innocents wore abroad, one of throe or thereabouts and another of five, and they reached this spot. The ono of five helped the one of three to a seat en the truck, intending at tho right moment to mount also, but got loft. After the inevitable flashlike run the truck ploughed holes in the creek bed, and tho innocent of three fell among stones and timber. Had tho tide been in, drowning would have been certain. To look at the spot one would say that death from concussion would have been equally certain, but the littlo ono rose whole and unbruiscd in bodv and limb. Tlio> owner of the truck now chains the wheels.

A yarn of n comicial nature comes to tho Taihapo "Post" from somoivhcro up tho railhead way. A man was employed on ono of the mills, and his mates, for' a joko, told him the police wore looking for him. I'ossihly conscience told him that this might he correct. However, ho hastened to tho office and ohtaincd his cheque, selling his tools for what he could get, and rushed for the nearest railway station. When seated in tho carriage he was not surprised when the local constable took his seat beside him. Taking a piece of paper from his pocket he scribbled a note to his mates:—"They've nabbed mo all right," and handed it to a friend on the platform for delivery. Tho voyage was resumed, and tho man was electrified a few stations further on to sec tho constable leavo tho train without taking further notice of him. Conscience! Responsibility for the following attaches to the Manawatu "Evening Standard" :—Loquacious hairdresser to customer in a Palmerston saloon on Saturday evening: "What might, your busiuess bo? , ' Customer: I'm t T ??Z" H: " A r<nv ' erp Are vou Webb?" C: "Yes, Webb." H: "'My dear fellow, shake hands; I never expected to have tho honour of shaving Webb: lam delighted to meet you. (To other customors m saloon), "Gentleman, this is Mr. Webb, the champion oarsman of tho world. Hell, I never; who'd ha' thought it." Customer (smiling): "Yes, I'm now in active training for my next match. lam staying hero to-morrow. AVhat arc tho local attractions." Hairdresser (with avidity): "There's the Esplanade, the racecourse, tho river—wo have a pretty river, and tho walk will do you good." Tho customer, having received extra attention on tho strength of his being Webb, departed, and the hairdresser commenced to expatiate on his deeds m the rowing world, concluding with tho iemark. "Fancy meeting Webb!" Another customer, who was enjoying tho joko immensely, remarked. "Well, ho may bo a rower, but ho is a bettor rough rider, and the last timo I saw him in public ho was known as Vincent O'Neil." Hairdresser: 'What, ono of the O'Ncils?" and collapsing into a seat ho exclaimed, "Strike me pink, I'm sold again!"

Tho danger of too hurriedly "jumping at a conclusion" was humorously illustrated at tho hearing of tho farm labourers' dispute before tho Conciliation Board (says tho Cliristchurch "Press"). In cross-examina-tion a witness stated that his family, in addition to himself and his wife, consisted ot two children. "Do you think," continued the cross-examiner, "with tho Union's demand, that boys of sixteen years cf age and over must bo paid 17s.'6d. per week that you will bo ablo to get those boys work on a farm?". "I don't," came tho prompt reply, "they happen both to bo girls!" In its demands for improved conditions of work, the Farm Labourers' Union declines to groom plough horses after work. "lb you think it any moro reasonable," a witness was asked by 'Mr. R. Evans (adds tho Lyttolton limes"), "that a horse should go without his cleaning at night than that "Tiw n"> l s 'i°uld-go without our wash?" Hell, was tho answer, "you and I,don't usually wash and then go out and roll in the mud, and if wo have a cover on get it mixed up with our mames andthock!" The relative times at which the four seasons of the year commence in England and m flew Zealand is matter of common argument, and elucidation of the subject is therefore not out of place, says the "Otago Daily limes. Ihe first days of tho seasons in tho two countries are as follows:—England(spring, March 21; summer, June 21- autumn, September 23; winter, December 21 Now: Zealand: Spring, September 21; summer, December 21; autumn, March 23; winter, June 21. Furthermore, spring commences at the vernal equinox when the sun enters Aries; summer commences fit the summer solstice when the sun enters Cancerautumn commences at the autumnal equinox when the sun enters Libra; and winter commences at the winter solstice when the sun enters Capricorn. Mr. G. Anderson, of Stirling, writes as follows to the "Olutha Loader",about tho white heron which for some time made its home at Balclutha:—"Tho whito heron came to my lagoon about a month ago, and lias stayed there since He comes out in my backyard and feeds along with tho hens and ducks, eats boiled potatoes and boiled meat; ho also catches a lot of perch in the lagoon. I think ho also steals some of n.y young trout, but I suppose I shall have to torgivo him for that, as 1 cannot holp it. Ho is in good keeping, and you can let your friends know, that he is safe. 1 hope ho has come to stnjV

The following peculiar incident is related by the Wooctvilee 'Examiner"':—Lust week Mr. T. Itoil, of; Hopclands, lost a young biiorthorn bull in a peculiar manner. That day he had just purchased the- bull and was driving him home. AVhen opposite Mr. Iloil's place the hull ran into a hit of bush, and in a playful way butted at a bush , of stinging nettle. The bull was only off tho road about three minutes, and when he was put in a paddocl: he acted in a peculiar manu»r. Aot much notice was taken of him; however but ho was found dead at night. Mr. Roii made an examination, and discovered the bull's head very much swollen, and ho is convinced death was caused by tho nettle. This incident recalls' a similar "oho that happened near the same spot some time ago. Mr. Flutcy, of Mangatainoka, tied his horso ui) by the bridle. When alone the horse pulled back, broke the bridle, and, landed in the middle of a stinging nettle bush On tho way homo Mr. I'lutey noticed) his horso was m troublo of some kind. Shortly after reaching homo the horse got worse, and died in great agony. After death the , horse was found to bo very much swollen between the hind legs and underneath, and the conclusion arrived at then was that tho swelling was caused by tho stinging nettlo.

There was very nearly a serious accident on Waihola Lake on the holiday. \ nar t v of visitors, mostly young people (according to Dunedm Star ) arranged with a local resident to take them for a low iii his flattie Off they went, the boat,so crowded that there was hardly any freo-board and whilst pulling out from the jetty it was struck by the ripple from a passing launch The occupants woro just within a 'footing— another twenty-five yards and tho conse.quonces would have been most serious It was most fortunate that the boat sank be fore getting out into tho lake. Visitors should be warned against using those flatties They are only safe under conditions which art. almost invariably wanting when filled by holiday-makers. When crowded, thev are absolutely dangerous. In the hand's of i skilled man a flattie with a H.w occupant's can face a heavy sea.

According to Christchurch' "Press" tho Manchurian ponies now on tho Quarantine Island, that have been brought over for tho South Pole Expedition, have settled down in their temporary quarters, where they have abundance of good pasture. , 'Wlion thev were first turned out they were very quarrelsome, and morn like a pack of don's than horses, a dispute between two brineing about a general biting, kicking and squealing match. Ono gray pony is, however, evidently ."boss of .the : shew,"-