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New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10290, 27 May 1919, Page 6

War has been responsible, for many discoveries, nnd not the least interesting of these, states tho Melbourne "Argus,” is the geophono, a new instrument for detecting earth sounds. Professor David has related in Sydney the beginnings of this invention. It appears that a soldier lying in a tunnel, with a flask for a pillow, heard strange sounds in tho earth. He stood to attention, and the sounds ceased—or be ceased to hear them. He again pnt liis ear to the flask, and the sounds were‘heard again. They revealed that the Germans were countermining not far away. This experience was related, nnd scientists developed the Idea suggested by it until they completed the gcophone. In tho old days, when miners feared tho coming of tho “shift boss,” something of the kind would have been very useful. Now the "shift boss” may carry his geopbone to warn him of the approach of tho union delegate. A contrivance which will cnahlo a person to know what is going on without putting “his ear to tho ground*' certainly supplies a “long-felt want” to politicians —even to those In high places.

A certain difference of opinion appears to exist as to which is tho most beautiful street in the world. Among those “in tho running” may be mentioned: Princess street, Edinburgh, from which tho city received the nickname of the “Athens of tho North”; the Via XX September, Genoa; Sackvillo street, Dublin; the Avnnida Callao and tho Plazo Mayo, both in Buenos Ayres; tho High street, Belfast; and tho Unter den Linden, Berlin.