NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1725, 14 June 1917, Page 1

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The islands of Orkney and tshctland are hold as a hand and disposition in security,- and the 'Danish Crown may at any time resit me possession by discharging (he bond. Tho Imperial domains in Russia comprise 21,328,000 acres, an area larger than Ireland. Tho clear protil derived from these sources is something like £2,000,000 per annum. A system of shorthand writing for the Chinese language has been invented by Mr Wong Po Koung, of Hong Kong, and a speed of 140 words'per minute has been attained by him. The first English lottery—for the repair of harbours and other public works —was drawn at the very door of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and under the patronage of “good Queen Bess.” Orientals seem to be immune from the fierce heat of the fireroom in ocean steamers, and can endure for a great: length of time temperatures that would speedily prostrate white men. During the present war there has been an almost total disappearance of enteric, and (he number of eases of typhoid in France, has been only 4,571, compared with 50,000 in (ho South African War, Not withstanding the war and (he increased cost of living, the British Wesleyan Foreign Missionary Society records (he receipt last year of (he largest income it has ever enjoyed—£l7o,(>l4. The year 47 B.C. was the longest year on record. By order of Julius Caesar, it contained 445 days. The additional days were put in to make the seasons conform as nearly as possible with the solar year. The ground attached to barracks has already been dug for the cultivation of potatoes or other garden produce in all parts of Italy. AA here practicable the soldiers are employed to work the ground. A Yorkshire lad who ran away to sea at sixteen, and was not heard of again for thirteen years, recently me! his father in a Leeds hospital. Both had been wounded on the same day on the western front. The Herman Union for the Development of (he German- language has sent a petition to the Chancellor asking that in future negotiations the Herman language shall be used, and not that of Hermany’s enemies. The American If ml Cross has completed a scheme which gives it twenty-live base hospital units, with a staff of 1,875 trained nurses and V.D.A. workers. In addition, more than 7,not) trained nurses are available if required. A more complete division of departments, which has recently come in force at the Board of Inventions, London, will greatly experiate the consideration of the many war and other devices which are daily received there. About the year 1320 the woollen trade of England became located at AVorsted, about fifteen miles from Norwich, and it was at (his place thei twisted double thread of woollen, afterwards called worsted, was first made, if not invented. The Chilian (lovernment, which formerly purchased its banknotes and postage stamps from (he United States, has established works for the manufalciire of its own stamps and paper currency, the machinery having been obtained in England. Strange (ish have made their appearance in the daily list of supplies issued by •Billingsgate —megrims, catfish, coalfish, witches, dogfish, and monkfish. Bel ore the war they were not found worthy of a place in the ((notations, but now all are required. America possesses a society of seaweed enthusiasts who hold periodical dinners at which nothing but seaweed is served. One of its members recently stated that on the sea beaches of the United States sufficient proteods to take the place of the entire jmoduct of tho Northwestern wheal fields are cast up by the waves and allowed to decay. A typical case of the sacrifices some women are called upon to bear in connection with the war is" illustrated in a Westport family. Mrs AV. O’Neil, who lost her husband within the last two years, has been a married son and two single sons, voluntary enlisters, off to the war. A fourth son was drawn in the ballot two or three months ago, and the last male member of the family, who had just come of age ;uid registered himself, was immediately drawn in the ballot.