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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 96, 24 April 1868, Page 2

We extract the following from the Intellectual Observer, February, 1868 : — lt seems strange that more attention has not been given to rendering houses less liable to be destroyed by fire than they are at present. The employment of bad conductors of heat for the protection of the more inflammable materials which must of necessity be used, will, in a great measure, effect this object. If the floors and ceilings can be rendered comparatively fireproof, there will be little danger of a fire, accidently kindled, extending beyond the room in which it originated. A very simple and useful invention has been patented by Mr John Thompson, of Carlisle, by which he proposes to place between the wood floor-joists a layer of cement, made of plaster of Paris or of some other suitable non-conducting material, so laid as to form a smooth surface above the joists on which the flooring boards may be placed, or which will itself answer as a floor. To form a good, bed for the cement, the joists are cut thinner at the top than below ; this arrangement also has the effect of lightening the structure, which object may be still further attained by leaving hollows in the cement, between its upper and lower surfaces. These hollows are formed by earthenware tubes, or by others made of the cement itself. In this way all the constructive timber can be protected from fire, even should the flooringboards, when they are used, be entirely consumed.

The ladies of New York, having become convinced of the deleterious effects of the popular hair dyes, have determined to wear their hair grey, and the dealers are now demanding twice as much for grey hair as for Any other color.