NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1933, 30 January 1919, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

The Headquarters of the N.Z.E.F. in London and in Egypt have been instructed to return medical and dental students, who prior to enlistment had been attending courses at the Leylaud University by (he lieginning of March, in order Unit they may resume (heir studies at the beginning of the new term.

At the outbreak of Ibe war the Royal Flying Corps and the N'avai Air Service comprised 285 officers end 2,853 of other ranks. When hostilities ceased there were 30,000 officers, including 10,000 pilots anti 204.000 of other ranks, including 21.000 Hying cadets. At the outbreak of the war there were Kid aeroplanes, 45 seaplanes, and seven airships, and at the dose of the war there were, 21,000 aeroplanes, 1,300 sea phi ties, and 103 airships. In addition, 2,500 aeroplanes and 55,000 engines had been ordered.

An ear of corn, containing (he national colours, red, while, ami blue, lias been found in a field near Newport, Arkansas. While it is quite common Cor while ears to be dotted with grains of blue or red, it is very seldom that, all three colours are to he found on one ear.

There are about thirty species of tobacco, all possessing nearly the same properties. It is said the plaid was (irsl found in Yucatan, whence it was taken (o Spain, and thence to Portugal. From Portugal it was carried to different European kingdoms. Sntilf-laking commenced in Paris, Catherine de Medici being its first patron.

A remarkable instance of fidelity in circumstances where it might not have been expected is recorded by Hie Samoa Times. Faasou, a Samoan police messenger, was dispatched from the Courthouse, accompanied by a certain prisoner who was serving a sentence on a conviction for threatening to shoo! another Samoan. On their way over the mountains both became ill with inlluenza. and it was with difficulty that (hey were able lo reach Aufaga, whore Eaasou’s relatives lived, fhere Faasou died. His companion was also very sick and unable to move it bout for several days, lint as soon as he was able lo return to Apia, where he arrived twelve days from the date of his departure, bringing with him some official reports, together with the uniform of the dead messenger. The man had some three months of his term of imprisonment still to run, hut the Commissioner of Police has recommended his release, and lie will then be offered a post as messenger in the Department.

The free-and-ca-y manner in which Labour advocates refer to the holders of titles was illustrated by Mr R. Semple in Masterton on) Sunday. In the course of a speech which, in many respects, was as able as it was unexceptionable, Air Semple referred to “Mr" Ward, “Mr” Buchanan, and “Mr” Bell. Opinions concerning the granting of titles in a democratic country may be divided. There is a growing feeling that such social distinctions .should not be perpetuated. But even the Labourites have their “captains” and “comrades,” and Mr Semple does not appear adverse to having “M.P.” attached to his name. In these circumstances it savours of vulgarity for Labour leaders —who should really know better to refuse to recognise the distinctions that have been made by a social custom which, bad as it may be, has the tradition of a great nation behind it.— Masterton

Ago. ; A Parisian matrimonial agency has had a brilliant idea. Usually such intermediaries arc content to send the photograph of the would-be-bride to the prospective husband, or of the aspiring swain to the languishing lady. As a photograph can Hatter, there have been many clients sadly disillusioned when they eame face to face with the reality. But this enterprising agency invites the matrimonially inclined to visit its salon, where a cinematograph representation of the “young man of good family” or df the “lady of darlc complexion who desires a partner” is given in private. In turn, the spectator is put through his paces before a recording machine. When the couple m'eet there can he no surpluses.

Many people are notoriously careless with money, and. in more ways than one, it is on the racecourse that such a weakness becomes apparent. At the meeting recently held in Invercargill many incidents occurred which, as showing what almost amounted to contempt of the “filthy lucre” made one wonder how many sadder and wiserpeople there would have been if an enterprising pickpocket had made himself at home amongst the crowd. Men were lo he seen leaning out of a crush to tap a friend on the shoulder with a fistful of pound notes, while others were observed, jambing waistcoat pockets with paper currency. It often looked, as a policeman remarked, that “A smart spieler would do better than the totalizator.”

Richard .Simpson, u lad of 13 or 14 years, was the victim of an attack by a shark at Little Sirius Cove, Mosnmn (says (he Sydney Daily Telegraph), Mr F. j, yunierhotf, when on his way home after a dip, heard erics for help, and saw the boy struggling in the water, aboul 20 yards from the beach; at the same time he saw the jin of a shark. Mr Sommerhoff, not being a good swimmer, called out to a fisherman, who went to the lad’s assistance, and pulled the hoy into the boat, .the flesh was torn away from the right thigh, and the boy, who w;is in a weak slate from Joss of blood, became unconscious Miortlv after being pulled into the boat. Efforts were made to arrest the (low of blood, but before medical help arrived Lire boy had died.

While some fanner- arc talking of helping returned soldiers lo establish themselves on the land, oliters are offering definite assistance. The lion. D. 11. But brie says Ihitt a co-operative dairy company, the Grant-hiinirii, near Maiigontti, has otfeml (o pay an extra penny per pound of butter-fat to every soldier-settler taking 1 tip neov blocks of land at Fern Flat and Paranui, the offer to remain open for Jive \ears, for which time payment is to be continued at this extra rate over the current price paid to ordinary suppliers. Another offer comes from (he Auckland Provincial Farmers’ Union. The executive of (hi- bodv oeelares (hat it is most anxious to help returned soldiers to get on the hind, and that for this purpose it will place the organisation of the anion at the disposal of the Govcrnmenl.

Mr George Bell, M.P. for Victoria (8.C.), speaking at Auckland, referred itt glowing terms (o (he great natural resources of (his Dominion. Alter having spent several months in New Zealand he was firmly convinced that (he people generally had failed to appreciate to i|s full extent the tremendous possibilities of this country. As I luit was probably the hist time he would have an opportunity of speaking in public in the Auckland distinct he wished to I hank the people of New Zealand tor the very cordial hospitality he hud received from one end of the Dominion (o (he oilier. He would curry away with him (he happiest, of recollections and many useful ideas as the result of a most pleasant visit.