GENERAL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2146, 31 July 1907, Page 1

GENERAL NEWS.

Twenty-five offices for the transaction of Savings Bank business were opened in the colony during 1906-7. Payta, in Peru, is the driest, spot on the face of the earth; the avorngo interval between the showors is soven yoars.

Sixty-two desertions, from the warships in New Zealand waters were reported to the police during last year. During tho same period 48 boys absconded from industrial schools.

Switzerland’s greatest industry the entertainment of tourists, has been officially computer! to bring in £4, 600,000 a year, £1,400,000 moro than tho public revenue of tro whole confederacy.

Mr. Joseph Swan, a veteran who died at Egmont Village (Taranaki) recently, is said to have seen more service in the colony than anyone, he having been at all tho battles in tho forties and the sixties. He was the first inhabitant of Egdnont Village.

Smokers of cigarettes may be interested to know on tho authority of tho colonial analyst, that a packet of cigarettes for which smokers pay 6d contains one-third of an ounce of tobacco, worth at tho very utmost, in New Zealand, “twononce.”

Tho amount of tho various contracts throughout the colony at present held by Messrs. McLean and Sons, including the Summit tunnel, aggregate over three-quarters of a million. The Hokitika water supply contract is one of the smallest which tho firm holds.

Madame Clara Butt, Mr. ICennerley Riimford, and company left London recently by the Mongolia for Australia. Their season, which is under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait, will open in Melbourne at the end of August, and Neve Zealand will be visited some time in November. When Paderewski was 'AitrocTuced to the champion jfolo player of England, he is said to have remarked: “I kngw we shall be good friends, for you are a dear soul who plays pelo, whereas I am a dear Pole who plays solo.”

A wax from the rafit palm of Madagascar is expected to prove a substitute for beeswax. The leaves of the palm are beaten to small fragments on a mat, and then boiled, the wax so seoured being collected and kneaded into small cakes. The new material is being tested for boiling purposes, phonograph cylinders, etc.

Speaking on the Financial Debate Mr. F. M. B. Fisher M.H.R. “If wool drops one penny per pound on the London market the colony loses £300,000 per annum. Suppose wool drops threepence per pound and butter one penny, the colony be?” The Premier interjected that if the bottom dropped out of the colony it would probably ])*’ 9 bad thing for everybody concerned.

The three diamond rock drills recently imported by tlie’Mines Department, have a boring capacity of 2500 ft, 1500 ft, and 1000 ft, respectively. The drills are to bo hired out to any person or company desiious of testing ground in any part of the colony. A hirer will be called upon to pay ,tlie Department 12s 3d for every foot bored, to pay tlie wages of all workmen except those of the Government superintendents, and to return the drill in good order and condition.

Ideas of tlie conditions of colonial life are still somewhat hazy in Europe. A lady at Paris, in writing to a relative who at present is farming in the Forty Milo Bush, asks him if be lias ail olectric stove in liis tent, and whether he has to ride through the hush and over mountains at night for the purpose of tending his sheep. She hoped he had a good supply of furs and bearskins, which she considered necessary to withstand the rigorous climate.

Hugo Stahl, tho sixteen-year-old son of a policeman at Washington, D.C.. has established a wireless telegraph system between his residence and that of a friend two miles away. ID has been able to intercept official messages sent from, tho naval station at Annapolis and warships in Hampton Roads. The Navy Department appealed to the Federal Court for an injunction against the boy, but tlie Court refused, declaring there was 110 law.to prevent Stahl’s “wireless” experiments.

The dread complaint appendicitis, which until the King’s serious illness prior to his coronation was very fittie heard about under that name, has attacked quito a number of young people in Masterton of lato. In several eases the patients have recovered without operation, although the nature of the complaint is such that, once a person has been attacked with it he or she is always more liable to another attack than a person who has never suffered from it. Ono Mastertonian, a former well-known footballer, lias just recovered from his seventh attack of appendicitis.

The master of Mailing (Kent) Workhouse has been trying to find out why- vagrants prefer their precarious existence to working regularly. “I asked 0110 man” lie reports to the guardians, “why ho didn’t give up begging and tramping, and be replied, ‘What, give up my profession and pick bops?’ Another man admitted that lie gave up a job where he earned 4s a day and was allowed three pints of beer to go on the roads, while a third tramp said, “It’s only flats that work. We’re the sharps, an! live on the flats.’ ”

A writer in the Christchurch Press sajs:—“l should like to know why hawks, stoats, weasels, opposums, and such-like vermin are protected. Is it that game of all sorts shall be quite eradicated from the country, or that in. their spare moments, when they cannot find a more tasty morsel, they may 'kill a few rabbits? As far as stoats and weasels are concerned, I have just seen a ben roost which has been subjected to one of their visitations. Thirty-seven dead fowls seems a pretty good night’s work for these depredators, and this is not by any means an isolated occurence. -Stoats are rapidily increasing in numbers, and in districts not over-run with rabbits the only way to avoid serious loss will be to offer head-mon-ey in a sufficient sum to make it worth a mail’s time to trap them. I have seen one of these little pests teariug at the neck of a dead lamb which was still warm, but I cannot say that he killed it.”

A rather unusual request came before the Land Board meeting (says the Napier Telegraph) in connection with an application to transfer. Usually the applicant in such circumstances will advance almost every argument possible in order to effect his object, but in the case under notice, when the papers, which were duly signed and in proper order, were being dealt with, one of the members intimated that the lessee had informed him that he had no desire to transfer bis interests, but he bad been bounced and worried into tile transaction by a persistent land agent, and now wished to withdraw. If there was any valid reason be wished the Board to refuse the application. otherwise if they did not do so and he- refused to complete it- was possible that- be would be proceeded against for breach of agreement. The Board decided to defer consideration in tlie meantime in order to perimt of investigations being made as to the exact position of affairs.

A gruesomo discovery was made a couple of days ago in Olioto Block by the Messrs. Purser Bros, and Winks. While going over tlioir recently-aquir-ed section in the interior, in company with Mr. Winks, the Messrs. Purser found in and around the cavity of an old rata tree the skeletons of an adult and a little child. Tho locality of the “find” was about two miles from on old track that was probably used yoars ago by tho natives travelling to and from Karioi. Tlie remains appear to be thoso of natives, who doubtless wandered off the track and took shelter in tho hollow trunk of the tree, where they succumbed to exposure or starvation.

The following extract from a letter written by tlie late Mr. Justice Chapman, father of tho present judge to liis father in England, throws some further light on the subject of sepulchral caves in the Auckland district. Tho letter was written when tho judge was staying with Chief Justice Martin at Judge’s Bay. “January 20, 1844.—1 have been to tlie top of One-tree Hill, about three miles from this. It is an extinct volcano, commands a view of the whole isthmus and from it can bo sciin both seas, i. 0., Waitemata and tlie Filth of Haura'ki to the east, a.id Mumikau Harbor and Heads to the westward. From Oiie-treo Hill the eye surveys a plain dotted here and there with volcanic hills, of which the craters are vefy conspicuous. The soil is volcanic, and on the sheltered side tho vino wtyA-1, I think flourish woll. I am ; "nig to-day to ascend Mount Edent 10 flier remarkable hill, and tot j a cave where are tho bones of. treds of human beings of all f 'ho remains of some great, A . Y Y uses: A delightful story' ooineslNEP. Chicago, says a New York correspondent, and it is to be feared that it will be a long time before the profesional musicians of that city bear the last of it. Tli? story goes, and its authenticity is strenuously vouched for, that immediately they learned of tlie landing of a “Sjmian Band” at New York, the members of the Chicago Musicians’ Union held an. indignation meeting and passed a resolution demanding the arrest ( of tlie band of foreign musicians from Simla, 011 the ground tlir.t their landing was a violation of tli? Contract Labor Law. Oil learning that the “band” was composed of monkeys, the indignation of the musicians speedily melted away—and so did the meeting. The musicians of Chicago, it is added, are just now showing themselveS as little as possible, being naturally anxious to avoid hearing comments concerning their foreign rivals —tlio Simian Band.

A doctor'makes a somewhat strange but probably practical suggestion that mathematics should be used as au antidote to gambling. The ordinary gambler, lie states, speculates in order to win, and the prospect of winning* is the incentive which does, too greatest liana. He forms a clear mental picture of liis prize, and the odds do not present tho same pi - turp to liis mind. Consequently he exaggerates liis prospects. Schoolboys ‘ought to learn to calculate probabilities so that when they grow tip they should think as clearly and form as strong mental pictures of the odds against'them in a game of chance as they do of the,value of tlio prizes, and tlifit they should learn to calculate ' expectations and to think of these rather than of the prizes. If nobodv gambled except for the amusement, and if everybody before doing so made a calculation beforehand as to how much they were prepared to pay for that amusement, realising that their expectation in every ease was a loss (if playing against a bank), the worst evil of gambling would be eliminated. The old difficulty would be tho psychological one of preventing a man from being carried away by ids excitement.

The modern idea is a quest for her,lth, I thiilk, rather than beauty, though I am ready to confess that health is beauty, and that there is 110 beauty without health, says a writer in an English journal. Therefore, perhaps, I bad better say grace in place of beauty, in regard to it taking the second place, with health in the chief place. "Because, of course, you may be healthy, quite healthy, wild yet 110 t .be graceful; and indeed, the way of athletics and games by which many in these days seek health, is liaidly tiio path of grace. We have only to look at the champions of our sex who have made their mark in any game to prove this. Hard they are, and healthy, hut there is too much muscle -for grace, and the lino of strict beauty has given place to something more serviceable. I think the truth of the matter is that a moderate amount of physical culture is good for a woman’s appearance; bn, that any exercise or game that cxccds this is not conducive to good look:: in a .woman. The ancient Greek women played games, but it was a gentle one.of ball, in which the fleetfooted excelled. It was not a hard game sucli as we play, but one which, though wo would disdain it as childish, yet held in it tho foundation of their suppleness and grace. Agilitv rather than muscle, suppleness rather than hardness, is what is needed for grace. Health, too,' requires. u certain moderation in games and physical culture, which some missing have regretted long and deeply; in fact, moderation should govern our sox in all things.

Here is (lie latest pen-picture of the Pope, from Mr. Douglas Sladdcn’s “Secrets of the Vatican”:— “The present Pope wfiuld lend solemnity to any short strong-ly-built old man, with the head of an Irish peasant; strong in simplicity, illuminated with goodness, full of sincerity, and sound judgment. As he walked round tho room, holding to each his hand to be taken and kissed on the ring, lie began looking straight down into the upturned faces (the audience was kneeling) till his kindliness was checked by tho headstrong attitude of those who bad seen no harm .in scheming for an audience at which they intended to make a protest of their ill-bred consciences. It is not easy to describe the' innate condescension which has triven Pope Pius X. a majesty of his own. He is 'the very personification of the meek inheriting the earth. His complete gentleness impressed me more than Leo XIII. s strong dramatic sense of fitness. As I saw the white-capped, white-robed, figure of the head of Roman Christendom pirns, unlnirrying, liiidclaying. with an air of blessing, round the kneeling ring, I knew that 1 was m die presence of true greatness. Itach person, after he had kissed the great uliy on the Papal finger, and paused i few minutes to meditate or pray, -ewe When tho Pope had completed the circuit all knelt again, while lie rravc liis prnver and benediction in ,v voice free from all academic arti(ice. As suddenly as he had entered, his Holiness was gone.”

Ir. the United States, an unusual de«reo of absent-mindedness lias been ascribed to two distinguished proteswhose names it would perhaps be unkind to publish in this connection. as they are still alive. One of i-}-. cm an eminent mathematician, was walking cine day ill the gutter instead of on the pavement, when his way was blocked by a carriage standing in front of a shop. The polished back of tlie vehicle suggested •i blackboard to his nnnd, so lie took a piece of chalk out of his pocket and began to work out an abstruse problem that was just then occupying his attention. Presently the carriage started off. The mathematician followed, still working at the problem, until the pace became too hot fOT him. Then he looked about him 111 a surprised way, pocketed liis chalk, mil walked home. The other professor, who is an ornament of Yale University, accepted an engagement to lecture ill a city some distance away. His train arrived late, so he jumped quickly into a cab, handed the driver two dollars, and shouted “Drive fast.” The horse started with a plunge, and kept going for a rapid rate for half-an-hour. up one street and down another, finally the professor, who was meanwhile concentrating bis thoughts upon the forthcoming lecture, stuck bis head out of the "Window and inquired, “Are vm nearly there, cabby?” “Blessed (or otherwise) if I know, mister,” wis' the astonishing reply. “Where did you want to go?”

No Household Should ovor be without a bottlo of Dr. Sheldon’s Magnotic Liniment; a reliable remedy for cuts, bruises, aches, pains, rheumatism, lumbago, otc. if or sale by A. w. J. Mann, agent, chomist. A tabby cat had the novel and dangerous experience of travelling under a train from London to Dover in May. On the arrival of the 1 o’clock boat express from Victoria at the Admiralty Pier, a cat, dishevelled and frightened, was seen to spring from underneath one of tho coaches. Apart from being somewhat dirty, it appeared to be none tho worse for its journey. Tt was found to belong to Lloyd's Restaurant, Victoria', and had evidently perched itself on some part of the coach before tho departure of the train from Victoria. It was returned to its owners by a later train. About the same time a cat? was returned to Dover from Ashford, the animal having jumped into the Ashford train when it started from Dover. A 20th Century Preparation. Dr. Sheldon’s New Discovery for Coughs, Colds, and Consumption. Small dose. Pleasant to take. Price Is 6d; large size 3s. For sale by A. W. .T. Mann, chemist, agent. Many burlesque amendments to a Bill for the restriction of motoring in the State of Illinois have been introduced by Mr. J. 11. Robinson, a farmer, who is considered the liumorisl of the State Legislature at Springfield Two of the amendments read as follows:—“When a farmer’s cart is sighted -coming in the opposite direction, the chaffeur will stop the c«ic half a mile distant, and approach with, cigars, a bottle of spirits, and a white flag. In case the driver of the cart will not permit the motor-car to pass, the chaffeur is to come forward with presents for the fanner’s wife and children. If this does not avail, the chaffeur is to have the right to wreck the cart and kill th© driver.” “AP touring cars must change color with vegetation, according to the season, in order to be rendered as inconspicuous as possible. Carts to be green in the spring, the color of golden wheat in June, dust color in July and August, red in October, yellow in November, and white in December.” New Lease for Weak Lungs. Dr. Sheldon’s New Discovery for Coughs, Colds and Consumption cures nfluenza and all lung troubles. For sale by A. W. J. Mann, agent, chemist. Tho only nine occupations in which women are not competing- with men, as indicated by the latest New York census returns, .are as follows:—The army and navy are barred by law. No woman has been brave enough to apply for a position as a. tramway driver, telegraph or telephone line repairer, roofer, slater, steam boilermaker, or brass worker. Dr. Sheldon’s Magnetic .Liniment. Cures Rheumatism. It ’ will penetrate to your very bones, sooth and subdue the pain. Rub it in freely. It will not blister or burn the • skin. Rub it in and the pain will stop. Is can’t help but do you good. For sale by A. W. J. Mann, agent, chemist.