NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2627, 1 September 1923, Page 1

NEWS IN BRIEF.

At one Bavarian hotel a visitor found the tablecloths and napkins to he of paper, the butter margarine, the coffee oats, and the rice breadcrumbs.

Electric light meters in Toronto, Canada, are now “read” by means of photographs taken with a special roll-film camera.

In a gramme of soil, about equal to a tablespoonful, the number of living organisms offer exceeds 40,000.

Knowledge of coming weather changes shown by bird.s. is attributed to atmospheric pressure on their nerves.

Whistles operated by wireless in locomotive cabs to signal to engine drivers are being tested on French railways.

About 18,000,000 tons of coal are consumed in London annually, 5,000,000 tons being used for domestic purposes.

In the 205 bull fights held in Spain during 1021, four bull-lighters 28,704 horses and 1,002 bulls were killed.

The copper money bearing the uncrowned head of Queen Victoria is being called in by the Bank of England. The largest telescope in the world is on Mount Kelson, California. It magnifies the brightness of a star 250,000 times.

The largest towns in Kent are Gillingham, with 54,020 inhabitants; Margate, with 40,480; and Chatham with 42,013. Machines for the detection of the deadly carbon monoxide in gas for use in American mines, are now being tested. Special aircraft for high-speed mail services over long distances -liould have three engines and travel normallv on two.

Most of the cheaper wraps sold as “marabou” are really made from the feathers of the turkey; the genuine article would cost a huge sum. Banns were published simultaneously at Long Buelcby (Northants) Parish Church of three daughters of Mr R. T. Bowers, who were all three to. have been married, but only a double-marriage took place, as one of the bridegrooms, Mr W. A. Wells, had not arrived from Rhodesia.

The Earl of Denbigh was by popular vote, awarded the prize of the most handsome man present at a fete promoted by the Women’s Institute at Monns Kirby, and held in his grounds at Newham Paddoxj near Rugby, recently. There were about fifty competitors for the honour. At the same function Viscountess Feilding finished first in a flat race for mothers.

The Buckingham Guardians have received a novel application. A widow, who has been allowed 10/weekly in outdoor relief, has written asking that, as she is to he married again in August, the Board will allow her the money in a lump sum. The guardians have decided that they cannot vote the ratepayers’ money in a lump sum for the trousseau but that they can allow the weekly allowance for a limited time. “Boys and girls who are now under fifteen years of age will use the air when they grow up just as their fathers and mothers now use motor cars and trains. The London Air Station by then will probably be [he roof of one of the great railwav stations.” Major-General Sir W. Soft on Branokcr, Director of Civil Aviation, who drew this picture of the future at a transport conference at Sheffield, prophesied that air fares would soon be less than sixpence a mile. Dressed in her bridal robes and veil, Mdlle Brentncr, a young Geneva woman, was burned to death. She was married by the registrar, and a day was set aside for the religious ceremony, .lust before starting out for the church where the hridegrt nun's relative were waiting with the wedding guests, the girl decided to smoke a cigarette. As one of the bridesmaids struck a match a spark sot lire to the bride’s dress, and in a few seconds she was enveloped in liames. On learning the tragedy the bridegroom had to be forcibly restrained from taking his own life.