NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2790, 27 September 1924, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Seventeen cyelists, riding “push” cycles, were killed in April in the streets of London. Fear of death shortens the average span of life, according to a French scientist. There are still 20,000,000 square miles of the earth’s surface that have not been explored. The only two animals whose brains are heavier than that of a man are the whale and the elephant. One farm in Surrey makes a speciality of growing woods suitable for turning into walking-sticks. The trade of Canada is growing ar a faster ratio than ever before, despite the war, until she now sells to 100 and buys from 77 countries. Roses of 450 different varieties, collected from all over the world, are grown in the Royal Horticultural Society. Leonard Blake, aged sixteen, who won first prize for hymn composition at the Mill Hill Eisteddfod, was the youngest competitor. Mrs Pleasants, mother of the late Mr. Jack Pleasants, the well-known comedian, who resides with two unmarried daughters ar Bradford, recently attained her ninety-sixth hiiihday. Considering her age she i.-, remarkably well and active. She first wore spectacles when she was ;g, nmt even then was able In thread a needle without their aid.