Notes and Events.

Manawatu Herald, 6 July 1897, Page 3

Notes and Events.

» *• Most South African diamonds shine with a bluish light. Diamonds from other localities shine with different colours, such as bright blue, apricot, pale blue, red, yellowish green, orange, and pale green. The Midland Rly. Co. have decided to relay the whole of their permanent I way with the 1001 b. per yard rail, which measures 36ft. in length instead of 30ft. as at present. It is contended that these heavier rails make a much safer as well as a smoother-running road. A cup of strong coffee will remove the odour of onions from the breath. A orow will destroy 700,000 insects every year. The difficulty which arose a few years ago out of the introduction of flannelette as a substitute for flannel is likely to be repeated on an aggravated scale by the production of an j article which successfully imitates I silk. The new fabric is such a close ! imitation that even experts are deceived by it ; and as that is the case the public will soon be in danger of buying a " shoddy " fabric at the price of the genuine article. A ! quantity of the material imported ! under the name of " silk canvas " has recently, says the Melbourne Age, given rise to the question of liability to Customs duty. As the

matter could not be decided on the appearance of the cloth an analysis wa3 made, and showed that although the material had all the look of Bilk, it really contained no silk at all. It therefore escapes duty, there being no provision in the tariff applicable to such a material.