GENERAL ITEMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1447, 6 May 1905, Page 3

GENERAL ITEMS.

The Wairoa Guardian states that Mr J. Hunter Brown (Wairoa) and Messrs Biohmoud and Fenwiok (Gisborno) went out shooting at tho Boating island on MiBrown’s l’uhura estate, ond baggod 150 wild dnok. This rooard does not come up to that obtained by soveral Gisborno 1 sportsmen. I The hydraulic mountings for tho guns of H.M.S. King. Edward VII. alone cost over JU.QO,OOO. _ I In Spain stroot porformors on tho guitar aro licousod, while organ grinders arc I rigorously suppressed. I In Chiuoso tobacco faotorios it is still

customary for tho coolies to stamp the loaves with thoir bare feet. There are 25,000 pores in the hands of a man. Out of every 1000 citizens of London, 28 are paupers, Some 60 languages are spoken in the dominions of tho Czar. Tiie proportion of male lunatics in the sexes is 110 men to 190 women. Plants grow faster between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. than at any other time during the d °y- . . . ' Damascus, in Syria, is so ancient a oity that no mention of its origin can be traoed in nny written histories. A pig is usunlly kept in every stable in Porsia, ns its presence is thought to be bonofioial to the health of tho horses. Capa Cod, known as tho “ graveyard of tho Atlantic,” has caused nearly 600 shipwreoks during tho last 26 years. The Fronoh Comodio Frauoaiso is tho only theatre which peuslons its actors and actresses. After 20 years’ servioo they nre ontitlcd to .6200 a year. With a view of encouraging Rugby football in tho public schools, says nDuoedin writer, the local union has been distributing Rugby balls gratis to the headmasters for the use of tho schools. In some instances, whore Association has got a hold, the offer of a Rugby ball has boon “ declined with thanks ”

To put a polish on Rugby football, N.S.W. Union proposes to appoint coaches to instruct in the fine points. As BedellSivwright, Swannell and Crowther are holiday-jountiDg .in N S.W. baekblocks, it's more than possible (says the Bulletin) that a billet will fall to one (or perhaps tho three) of the last .British Rugby team.

The Union is trying by this means to wipe out the unnecessary roughness which has crept into Rugby.