NEWS FROM ALL PARTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 January 1901, Page 3

NEWS FROM ALL PARTS.

Wanted-a Billiard Table

Tho following advertisement from the Ceylon Observer will serve as a good example of the generous way in which Englishmen treated their captured enemies ;—“Wanted to hire. —A half-size billiard table, with accessories (new or second-hand), to be delivered at the nearest station at Diyatalawa Boer Camp. Apply, stating terms, to Field-Cornet P. W. Ferreirra, prisoner-ox-war, Diyatalawa Camp.” Snake-fed-Pork. In West Virginia a novel industry has been undertaken by a number of men I whose lands were overrun by a small variety of snake that infests that section. One farmer tried the hog as an exterminator. He succeeded so well that ho found the drove of animals he had turned loose on the plantation had not only decreased tho number of snakes, but that they were actually thriving on them. The City of Manila. Manila is the best-governed city I ever saw, says an American woman who lives there, writing to the San Francisco ‘Cali’. There is absolutely no lawlessness to speak of. In a city larger than San Francisco two-thirds of f j population that might bo classed wit! the insolvent masses (most of them in sympathy with the “insurrectos”) crime of any sort except stealing is almost unknown. There has been only one murder in two months How does that compare with civilised methods where there is usually one a day. Troubles of a War Correspondent. An American war correspondent with the Allied forces, on his arrival at Hong Kong from Pekin, was at once arrested for a broach of the Arms Ordinance. There were found in his possession two rifles, one revolver, four swords, and thirty-six rounds of ammunition. The charge was duly made, and he was let out on bail. Next morning, before the magistrates, he explained that the arms had been obtained at the capture of Pekin, and that they were curios They were, however, confiscated ; but the “ Overland China Mail ” learns that on appeal, they were returned to their captor. The Duke of York.

The news that the Duke of York will travel to Australia in the marchant ship Ophir has caused much dissatisfaction in naval circles at Portsmouth, There is a strong feeling that as the Duke of York is a naval officer he should have travelled in one of her Majesty’s ships. It has been frequently remarked that the selection of a merchant liner in place of the Ariadne or some other warship is a direct insult to the Navy, unless it is to bo accepted as an official acknowledgement that there are not enough men to commission an extra ship. It is felt to be a humiliating state of affairs for the Navy. Curious Effect of a Bullet. A curious effect of a bullet wound has just been exemplified in the Boer war. An English soldier in the storming of a position at the beginning of February last was struck in the face by a Mauser bullet. The projectile lodged in the head somewhere, but all attempts to reveal its precise position by the X-rays were futile. The soldier was discharged from his hospital as cured, and participated in several other battles. The only ill effect he experienced from the wound was a slight

impediment in his speech. On July 11 he was seized with a violent attack of sneezing, and during his exertions disgorg od what proved to be the missing bullet, Jo had been firmly embedded point downward in the lower part of his jaw.