NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40028, 26 November 1929, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

It was the day of the school concert, and the audience consisted mostly of proud parents anxious to see their children perform. No. 8 on the programme was Master "William Adams, who was going to recite. Striking- a bold attitude, this young gentleman began as follows : “Friends, Romans, eountrynien, lend me your ears.” At this point a mother turned to a woman sitting beside her, who as it happened was a neighbour. “There, that’s the Adams’ bov for you,” she said tartly; “he wouldn’t be his mother’s son if he wasn’t trying to borrow something,” In proportion to their size and weight, - insects are by far the strongest *bf living things. A horse can draw about five times its own weight but a bee. can,draw more than 20 -times its own weight with ease. A caterpillar has been shown to be capable of pulling 25 times its own weight, - while a “blue bottle” fly is able to drag more than 150 times its own weight, A small horn beetle weighing about two grammes will alternately raise and lower a piece of stick weighing 200 times as much as itself. In order

to (rival such a feat a man would have to lift a railway truck laden with, about eight tons 'of eoal. Some interesting’ observations on the state of affairs in the no-li-cense district of Awakino fell from the lips of Bench and bar during (he healring in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court of a theft ease in which liquor played a prominent part. “It’s, a great pity,” said the Magistrate, “that there is not a big loek-up at Mo'kaii into which the whole party could have been shot.” “And social reformers might say if is a pity there is not a hotel in the district,” irejoined counsel. “Probably two or thpee hotels would cure the evil.” “And then three or four constables instead of one,” said the Magistrate. Cars equipped with balloon tyres ,develop fewer rattles and, because of this fact, owners are less aware of incipient troubles. To be on the safe side it is as well to inspect 'bolts and nuts that hold vital parst. They may have worked loose withcut. giving any warning noise. The kindly clergyman was presiding at a Sunday School anniversary. lie lectured very brightly on the valud of observation. Pie illustrated his InHk with apt references to things he himself had observed, such as the occasional juvenile ha- , hit of holding up telephone posts instead of going to Sunday school, ill manners in the ’bus, unkindlydeeds, and so. forth. “How many of you,” asked he, “are keen observers'? For instance, is there anything about me you can observe?” A hand shot up. “Yes?” asked the pa dire. “Please, sir, you’ve got your collar turned the 'wrong way round,” said the young observer.