NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1827, 16 May 1918, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The collection of hair among the women of Munich, organised by the German Navy League, has realised over 3001bs. weight. The hair is used for driving belts in U-boat machinery.

It is reported that Orville Wright is experimenting- on a small agroplane that is designed to occupy the same place among aircraft that certain low-priced cars do among automobiles. *■

British scientists engaged in ‘industrial research are ; reported to have discovered the secret composition of several , optical glasses which were previously made only in Jena, Germany. Owing to the war, the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway now employ 4,377 women. They are doing most satisfactorily, said the chairman at the annual meeting of the company.

According to a paper read at a recent American convention of paint manufacturers and allied interests, Oil made from sunflower seed can be used as a satisfactory substitute for linseed oil.

It is stated that in some of the vessels being built in America for English owners there are from 1,000 to 2,000 men employed on one ship, and it is understood the men are working 24 hours a day. The first air raid on England occurred on Christmas Eve, 1914, when German aeroplanes dropped bombs on Dover. The first Zeppelin raid took place nearly a month later, on January 19th, 1915. Queen Alexandra has sent to the Children’s Jewel Fund a Russian ash-tray, a golden Indian bracelet, and two pairs of ear-rings, one! of gold and pearls and the other of diamond, pearl and enamel. It is planned to include in Illinois’ (U.S.A.) centennial celebration, which will be held this year, an elaborate motion-picture production portraying 12 most important events in the State’s history.

Despite the present occupation with internal problems, Russian shipping circles.are displaying great interest in, and in fact taking active steps towards, the development of the Russian mercantile fleet.

After having been under construction for six years, the pier at Yokohama, Japan, Ifas been completed. •It is 1,200 ft. long, 138 ft. wide, and the depth alongside has been increased from 20ft. at low spring tido to 35ft.

Directors of seven Japanese shipyards have offered to supply 14 lons of shipping to the United States for every ton of steel despatched from the United States. They are prepared to supply nearly 300,000 tons of shipping.

Not long ago a worker in an industrial plant in America was over-' come with ammonia fumes, and, since no pulmotor was available, an electric fan was effectively used fo force a current' of air into his mouth and nostrils.

Three British shipping companies, viz., the International Lijie Steamship Company, Ltd., the London and Northern Steamship Company, Ltd., and the Thomas Appleton Shipping Company, Ltd., are in the process of being wound up. *

To asist the Indians of the West to increase the production of food cattle on their reserves, the Canadian Government has granted 300,000 dollars (£00,000), which will be expended under the supervision of departmental instructors. Soldiers of the Petrograd garrison demand, upon demobilisation, reserves of clothes, boots, rifles, the distribution of regimental property, and grants to disbanded soldiers of 200 to 750 roubles) nominally £2O to £75) apiece, according to length of service.

The Charing Cross Underground Station at a busy time of day has no less than 177 trains in the hour. The average number of passenger;) carried Aveeldy by the London Electric Hallway Company is 0,380,000. It has 213 sfa (ions, 110 platforms, 230 lifts, and !) escalators.

An investigation made recently elicited the information that Japanese berths capable of building vessels over 1,000 tons numbered 113, the number of yards was 42, and there were besides 24 berths eitiici; in course of construction or to be started in the near future. The number of vessels listed to be launched during 1018 are reported as 83, with a total tonnage of 600,000 tons.