NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 953, 11 February 1911, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

It is claimed that the fingerprint system is so scientifically perfect that 999 cases out of every thousand are absolutely trustworthy. But there is no rule that does not admit of an exception, and one turned up in a London police court on December 21st. A man was charged with attempting to commit a felony. The police proved, by means of their infallible system, that the prisoner had been sentenced to three months’ “hard” for a previous sentence, yet he was able to show beyond the shadow of doubt that on the date alleged he was on service with his regiment! Of course, he was discharged.

“ Wanted, a motor cycle cheap, or would exchange cottage property.” This advertisement, culled from the Bath Herald, England, will give the New Zealander some idea of the value ot house property in some of the provincial towns of the Old Country. Another advertisement from the same paper reads: “ For sale, house, ten rooms, near Belgrave Crescent. All conveniences, large garden, freehold. Accept ,£350 or offer.” Ridiculous as these advertisements may seem in this country of high property values, there are many similar advertisements to be found —and Bath is a city with a population of over 60,000.

“ A great deal of suffering is imposed on school children and the public generally,” said Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., recently, “by the mistaken assurance of teachers and parents that they can draw or paint. The public suffers enormously in a year by being called upon to look at abominable creations in the form ot colour that are alleged to be paintings. You are actually asked to buy them, and, if you refuse, you are looked on as a barbarian , but if you did buy, then you should be severely punished for encouraging mediocrity, and not extinguishing it.” Mr Taylor’s argument was that brush-work should be discouraged in the primary schools, and left to the School of Arts, where, he said, any gifted person could easily enter.

A stewardess on board one of the steamers lost a fashionable hat in a strange manner at Wellington the other night. The lady had intended visiting friends on shore, and was coming up the companion way when she felt her “Merry Widow” hat being tugged from the hat-pins in her hair. The decorated portion of the head-piece gave way, the young lady screamed and retired swiftly to her cabin, while one of the elephants of Wirth’s circus, which was on board, stood calmly considering the taste of imitation flowers and burnt straw.