NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1746, 30 October 1917, Page 1

NEWS IN BRIEF.

In 75 years an oak contains a ton of timber, in 150 years eight tons, but the poplar increases three times faster than the oak. So in 13 years while the oak increased four and a-half inches in girth, the larch increased 33in. Comparatively few Londoners are aware that one of the most remarkable hospitals in the world is that of the Royal Veterinary College at Camden Town, where over five thousand animals are treated every year at a cost of over £G,000 per annum. Owing to the steady hoarding of small change by the citizens of Dusseldorf, Germany, and to avoid the necessity of introducing municipal paper money, the tramway conductors have been forbidden to give change to patrons, and gveryone who cannot pay his fare in small coin will be put off the car. Brazil, according to the last census, has a population of 24,600,000. of whom more than 18,000,000 are listed as illiterate. The figures show that only eight persons are found to the square mile. Brazil’s territorial extent Is equalled only by four other countries—the British Empire, Russia, China, and the United States, The moment that a young crocodile breaks its shell it is to all intents and purposes as active as it is at any time during its life. It will make straight for Hie Water, even if it be out of sight and a good distance off, and it will pursutxits prey with eagerness and agility duping the first hour of its free exist-, ence.