NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3598, 12 February 1927, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

The recent heat at Christchurch produced a remarkable number of mirages on the country roads (states the “Press”). At about the middle of one morning, looking from Rolleston towards Burnham, a distinct stretch of water was seen, with a background of buildings and spires jumbled into a heap. For the past month or so mirages have been seen also along the tarred roads on the city, a stretch of water appearing about 1000 yards off.

Gold coins have become so rare that they are regarded with some suspicion in some quarters. At Christchurch one day last week, the “Lyttelton Times” says, a young lady shop assistant received in her wage envelope a half sovereign. Later she tendered it at a fruit shop in payment for a shilling’s worth of fruit. The young girl who was serving looked at the coin on the counter and said: —“That is a shilling’s worth.” It was evident that the' girl mistook the half sovereign for a sixpenny bit, but great was the astonishment of the purchaser when the girl refused to accept the gold piece because she thought it Avas a foreign coin. The oAvner of the shop was only too eager to accept the half sovereign when the matter Avas -referred to him.

The last match! A picture exhibited at the London Art Gallery recently quite took the fancy of smokers. It shoAved two men avlio have come to a halt on a. lonely road miles away from shops, or even houses. One of the tAvain, pipe in mouth, has just struck “The last match,” and is shielding the IVedle flame with his hands Avhile bis mate is eagerly av etching. Like all good pictures, this one tells its story at a glance. Smokers never really appreciate the blessing of tobacco until, OAving to some mischance, they are temporally deprived of if. As to the harmfulness of smoking, it is mainly a question of •'nicotine. The less nicotine the. better. Some of the imported brands contain an excess of nicotine and their habitual use is bad. If you want a really pure article try our New Zealand groAvn toboceos toasted, because that is essential. The refined product contains very little nicotine and may be freely indulged in with safety. Ask for “Riverhcnd Gold,” mild; “Navy Cut” (Bulldog), medium; or “Cut Plug No. 10” (Bullsheod, full strength. Caversham Mixture is the latest addition. ■