NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3712, 3 November 1927, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The brain of an ant is larger in proportion to its size than that of any other known creature. Specimens of cactus in the'hot Mexican deserts have been known to reach 30ft. or 40ft. in height. The longest canal in the world is the Imperial Canal of China, which is over 100 miles long. 'Somje of the horses used by the mounted police in London are valued at as much as £SOO each. Black moths are frequent specimens in the North of England and the Midlands, being bred in smoky areas. Every year malaria- bearing mosquitoes are responsible for the deaths of between two and three million people. Buses to the number of nearly 6000 run in London’s streets, while there are more than 356 miles of tramways.

For the past three years a big trout has frequented a pool in the Patea river near Skinner road, and local fishermen have devoted deal of attention to the work of securing it (says the Stratford

Post). The fish was elusive, however. It soon became well known, and for purposes of identification was named John Willie. On Tuesday, the adequate career of the fish was brought to a close by Mr J. Petrie, junr., who landed it on a silver Zulu fly. It is 20in. long' and 15in. in girth, and weighs 8 A lbs. It is a female, and is of such a beautiful shape and in such splendid condition that the Stratford Acclimatisation Society has decided to have it stuffed. Mr Petrie had to play the fish for half an hour or more.