NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2553, 10 March 1923, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Of American Indians only about a quarter of a million now exist. Drink and diseases due to civilisation have been the cause of their decrease. Out of 476,000 tons of shipping launched by the world in the quarter ended September 30th last, 307-

000 tons were built in the United Kingdom. A ton of water from the Atlantic when evaporated yields 811bs. of salt; a ton of Pacific water, 79lbs; the water of the Dead Sea, 1871bs. to the ton. “Friends who have ben kind to me,” benefited under the will of an American. The heirs included waitresses, bootblacks, business men, lawyers and doctors. Capable of travelling at forty miles an hour with a driver and a passenger, aeroplanes are being constructed which cost about £l5O apiece.

Rickshaw, the little “carts” that are drawn by coolies, are disappearing. Twenty-two years ago there were 300,000 in use in the time of the Emperor Suiko, A.D. 592,629 the art having been introduced from China.

Electric light for coffee-stalls and street sellers, to be supplied, from a shilling-in-the-slot standard is being considered by the Hackney Municipal Electricity Department. The managers of London’s telephone exchanges, some of whom control staffs of 300, are among the worst paid of Post Office officials. They start at £IOO a year and rise to £2OO.

It has been estimated that there are always 1,000 thunderstorms in progrss in different parts of the world, and that their energy is equal to about one hundred million horse-power. A tropical fish, whose tins' become bright blue in moments of excitement, and whose young hang from aquatic plants by hooks on top of their heads, is now exhibited at the London Zoo.

Little larger than a man’s watch, a new type of thermometer works with a special metal spring, and indicates all degrees of temperature from 10 degrees Inflow zero to 130 degrees above. A clay tablet dating from 2100 B.C. gives a fresh version of the story of the Garden of Eden. It states that Adam was thrust out, not as a punishment, but f<> prevent him becoming immortal. Mill-owners in Scotland have 1 decided to make it a condition that the women they employ shall not indulge in any form of betting. They state the women are bad losers, and the betting spirit creates trouble among them. Only one person, and he a reporter, composed the “audience” at a concert given at Streatham. Nevertheless, a full three hours’ programme was carried through, but the “audience” left during the interval.

Platinum is reported to have been discovered in the State of Parahyba do Nortre, Brazil. The deposit is on the main road leading from Campina Grande to l’atos. “Silk stockings are more hygienic than cotton hose,” says a wellknown doctor; but he condemns the too-light shoes worn by many girls and women nowadays. “Boots for wet weather should have fairly thick soles or else rubber over shoes should be worn.