Interesting Items.

Manawatu Herald, 1 December 1904, Page 3

Interesting Items.

A good story is told in connection with the recent Salvation Army International Congress in London. A crowded tram was steaming towards the great metropolis when one of the passengers, a smartlooking girl in Army costume, was accosted by the guard, who queried, “Where are you bound for, Mists ? ” “Well, t guf';- ,c » I’m bound for Glory,” was tho curt reply-, in a strong American accent “ Change at Clapham Junction then ; all change there,” was the prompt rejoinder of the guard ; and before the girl bad recovered from her astonishment the ollicial was calling, “ Tickets, please.”

An amusing example of oversight on someone’s part is reported from Hannier. A cold swimming bath lias been constructed at tiie Spa, and though there is provision made for letting out the water there is none for letting it in. This essential point was not discovered till the concrete portion of the bath was finished, and some of this will probably have to be destroyed in order that provision for filling the bath may be made. When the defect was discovered a telegram was forwarded to the Minister of Justice (the Hon. J. McGowan) suggesting that the prisoners at Hanmer should be detailed with buckets to fill the bath.

A radium clock, which will keep time indefinitely, Ims been constructed by an English clockmaker. The clock comprises a small tube in which is placed a minute quantity of radium, an electro-scope formed of two long leaves or strips of silver is attached. A charge of electricity in which there are no beta rays is transmitted through the activity of the radium into the leaves, and the latter thereby expand until they touch the sides of the vessel connected to earth by wires, which instantly conduct the electric charge, and the leaves fall together. This very simple operation is repeated incessantly every two minutes until the radium is exhausted, which in this instance it is computed will occupy 30,000 years.

Remarkable revelations were made at Preston Bankruptcy Court, during the examination of Charles James Toole, hair specialist, formerly of Briggate, Leeds, known throughout Lancashire as the “Hair King of Blackpool.” Toole informed the Court, that, during the late ’Nineties, he made £IOOO per year profit on the sands at Blackpool. He had 9d profit on every Is bottle of “hair restorer sold; but had to spend considerable money in advertising. Upon the death of his first wife, five years ago, he owned several horses and carriages, but an accident affected his memory. Upon marrying a second time, he transferred the business to his wife, and, since then, it had been conducted indifferently, The debtor attributed his failure to his extravagance upon jewellery, dress, etc., but denied that he spent £IBO upon a holiday in America. His second marriage proved very unhappy. There was “ five minutes’ peace and ten hours’ trouble.” ’ When he married her, lie understood that she was a widow, but later discovered that her husband was living at Jjiverpool. He charged her with bigamy, but the Manchester Stipendiary Magistrate told him that ho should bring proceedings in the Divorce Court. She undertook, but failed, to pay his debts.