NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1732, 30 June 1917, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF.

A sentry was marching to and fro before the gate of a certain field when he was ' accosted by a gentleman almost as broad as he was long. “I say, my , man,” He said, “can I go through here?” The sentry at oned replied, “U ell, I don’t exactly know, sir, but a cartload of hay managed to get through this morning!”

A movement has been commenced (says the English Ironmonger) for promoting the emigration to Taranaki, in New Zealand, of persons acquainted with the iron manufacture. A process has been discovered by which the Taranaki ironsand, that lies in unlimited quantities on the seashore, may be turned to profitable use, and the New Zealand Iron and Steel Co. are preparing to erect smelting works. An association has been formed at Birmingham to effect for ironworkers cheap and comfortable passages and Hie formation of special settlements.

Eifty girls have been trained during Hie past three months as steel chemists to replace tit young men. Professor J. 0. Arnold, who has been giving the course, said the students have been placed in laboratories not only in Sheffield but all over the country. Another 25 are (hushing their training. “Some of the girls,” ho said, “were overcome by the fumes at first, but after (raining they have shown'themselves able to do the work well.” Firms in Leeds, Bradford, South Wales, and other centres are eb-operating with Sheffield, where they are hav‘ing selected girls trained under Professor Arnold for posts at their own works.

It is reported that a most peculiar position lias been unearthed in regard to erstwhile Maori lands in Kaipara which aggregate some 20,000 acres. The areas affected are situated at Toka Toka, \\hakahara, To Koparu, nd Awaroa Island. By deed effected on August 2411 i, 1854, Mr -I. G. -Johnston, the then district commissioner, .’ greed to pay to the native owners £IOO cash, and to hand them the remaining value of [he (docks on completion of their surveys. The Northern Waivoa descendants of the natives who agreed to the transfer now contend that no monies oilier than the £I.OO have been paid, and they are prepiiring a petition to Parliament in order that the matter temy be fully ventilated.

Sir Gerald Strickland was bidden a warm farewell by Hie people of Sydney, but it is safe to say that the parting which will linger longest in his memory is that which was recorded by a small wayside township in Tasmania. The local Mayor in private life followed the noblest of all callings —lie sold newspapers —and the railway station, which stood on an island platform, was Ids busiest market, for there it was (bat lie supplied travellers from Launceston with (he Hobart papers. It happened that the Launceston train bad just pulled up when that conveying Hie gubernatorial party hove in sight on (he other line. “Hold her, Bill!” cried the Mayor to Hie onginedriver, as lie rushed from carriage to carriage unloading his bundle. It was quick work, but be had satisfied the final demand just as (he Governor's train came to a standstill. The newsagent cast the unsold copies in a corner, straightened his tie, and dashed to the. edge of Hie other platform, where he became Hie Mayor. Still hot and perspiring, he drew’ from his breast pocket the address of welcome, and assured Sir Gerald of Hie undying loyalty of Hie township and Hie poignant grief it suffered by his translation to a higher sphere.