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Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1614, 4 December 1912, Page 8

Much amusement was afforded the recent conference of master bakers in Melbourne by. a New Zealand representative's recital of tho eVildoing of a fourteenth century baker of bread,' says the "Argus." This dishonest varlet, it appeared, baked dough, in his oven for his neighbours, and in his wickedness he bethought hiin of coutriving a trap-door in the table on which the dough was set down. One of his family, secreted under tho table, noiselessy drew aside tho small trap when the dough was placed over it, and stole a little from each amount deposited by the trusting neighbours. The discovery of this conduct, "a scandal to all London," led to the delinquent, together with seven other worshipful master: bakers and two "bakoresses," being placed in the pillory with dough hung about their recks. The conferchoe laughed heartily nl' Iho trick nn<l the punishment, and one member exclaimed: "There aro some short-weight bakers down our way I'd like to.see pilloried." Fines in those olden days ran from Id. to 5d., and were inflicted for such offences as "coming to a bakers' conference with a white hat on" and "leaning tho elbows on tho table, and playing with the beard." One of tho mediaeval offenders was n namesako of a popular member of the 1012 Melbourne .conference..

Mr. Evelyn Wrench, organiser of the Overseas Club, has telegraphed to Mr. A; C 4. Hume, one of tho hon. secretaries of the banquet being given to the Hon. tho Minister for Defence, on Wednesday. December/11, stating that ho is altering his plans .so as to enable him to bo present at tho function. An announcement regarding tickets for the above function is inserted elsewhere.

Au excellent dairy farm of 190 acres will bo sold by ■ public auction at Andrews's Sample Rooms, Dannevirke, at iinon on December 11. The sale will be conducted by Messrs. Hitching;, Hankins, ai\d Co., Levin. : In Germany the cost of old age and infirmity pensions is borne by employers and work-people alike in equal shares jjut the Imperial Government mokes a uniform annual addition of 10s. to every