NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1055, 11 June 1912, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

An unusual sight in the South Seas was witnessed by the passengers and crew of the Union Company’s Island steamer Tofua on her last cruise among the islands, says the Post. The captain states that while at Nukualofa, and about two and a half miles south of Tonga Haapa, a submarine volcano was visible at a distance ot about forty miles. In continuing the voyage, the vessel passed within twelve miles ot this volcano, about eight o’clock on a bright moonlight night. Intermittent volumes of water and steam were noticed coming from the volcano, and the scene is described as having been one of considerable grandeur.

The following incident in a circuit court of Missiouri during a “horse case,’’ in which a horseman well-known throughout the State for bis expert knowledge was called as a witness, is vouched for. “You saw this horse?” asked the counsel for the defendant. “Yes, sir, I ’’ “What did you do?” “I opened his mouth in order to ascertain how old he was, and I said to him. I said, ‘Old fellow, I guess you’re a good horse yet.’ ” At this juncture opposing counsel leaped to his feet. “Your Honour,” he cried, “I object to the statement of any conversation between the witness and the horse when the plaintiff was not present.”

The modern syndicalist has developed out of the high ideals of the intellectual few, the emotionalism which takes the place of intelligence in him has caused him to reduce the ideals to their lowest common denominator, which is the simple ideal of the brigand, “What I have not I will take by force.” Curious to note that the riotous red tongues of the syndicalist bosses pour forth denunciation and contempt of the laws of the laud, but are ferocious in the enforcement of their own laws, and that their admission is that Liberty is only to be attained to through tyranny. The syndicalist stirrings throughout the world are an almost exact parallel with the beginnings of the French Revolution. —Auckland Observer.

Among the many humorous post cards that are now in circulation is one which gives advice on “How to Live on 30s a Week.” The iutormatiou appears in the form of a letter from “Thrift,” and is as follows : “I enclose a balance sheet of my expenditure which may convince doubtful readers that it is quite possible to lead a happy domestic life on 30s a week. Beer 17s 6d, wife’s beer as 6d, instalment on Shakespeare’s work ss, rent (paid next week) —, butcher and grocer (paid next week) —, bread qd, missions is 6d, one tin boot polish 3d, a little more beer 2s 6d, charity 2d, tobacco gd—3os 6d. In adding up the total I find that during last week I ran into debt to the extent of 6d. That will be easily remedied, next week the wife’s beer will be cut down to as.”

While in Sydney recently, a promineut Victorian detective met a man who is well-known to the police of various States, and the “crook” showed the officer a letter which he had received from a friend located at San Francisco. The writer stated that included in the victims of the Titanic disaster were three of A ustralia’s most notor ions criminals. One of the trio had an international reputation as a confidence trickster, and he was regarded by the Australian police as being at the head of his profession. The other two at odd times tried their hands at housebreaking, larceny, and other criminal pursuits, but above all they were competent confidence men of smart appearance and faultless manner.

The balance-sheet of the Bank of New Zealand for the year ended March 31st last shows a profit ot ,£393,182 as compared with £355,270 iu the previous year. From this has to be deducted interest on guaranteed stock £40,000, and reduction of premises and furniture ,£25,000. The directors propose to pay a further dividend and bonus, making altogether 15 per cent., to add .£200,000 to the reserve fund, making it £1,200,000, and to carry forward £'4,000.

Pioneering days were brought to the memory ot Christchurch City the other day, says the Lyttelton Times, by the appearance in the streets of a bullockdray, the first seen there since the days of the Canterbury Industrial Exhibition. To the waggon were yoked four span of oxen, and they were proceeding from Little River to Burwood, where it is intended to use them for hauling logs at a timber mill that is to be set up there. The team left Little River ou Thursday and camped for the night. The journey was continued the next day, the team arriving at Burwood at uightrall. The passage of the bullock waggon through the city caused a small sensation, and the amateur photographers were very busy.