MISCELLANEOUS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 24 November 1919, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

The teacher was giving the class a natural history lesson on. Australia, recounts “Quex” in the London “Evening News./' “There is one animal,” she said, “none of you have mentioned. It" does not stand up on its legs all the time. It does not walk like other animals, but takes funny little “Skips. AATiat is it?” And the class ' shouted with one voice, “Charlie Chaplin!”

The medical staff of the Anti-Vivi-section Hospital, Battersea, were called upon to deal with a strange case recently. A little-girl, aged eight, had been using a tin metal polish bottle for •drinking purposes when her tongue was drawn in to the neck, and, owing to air pressure, could not be released. The doctor first cut oil the bottom of the bottle, but, so firmly was the child’s tongue wedged in the aperture that he had eventually to divide the bottle from top to. bottom before relief could tid-giyoA- j

In recalling previous war awards the endowment of John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, should , not be overlooked. He received no great lump sum; an annuity of £SOOO was the most Parliament offered as a reward for his victories. But then he received an income infinitely greater than any!general of later days. His pay as General of the English Forces was £IO,OOO a year, supplemented by a similar sum from the States General, £3OO as. Master of the Ordnance and £2OOO as Colonel of the Guards were other plums, and £15,000 annually passed through his hands nomiivilly for secret service His income for many years was estimated at £-10,000, and, in additioii( the admirable Sarah, his wife, contributed lo the family coffers £750(1, received for various Court appointments.

The seaside girl in the United States lias started a. new fad. With the aid of. the friendly sun she brands her pretty arm with the badgo of the regiment in which her fiance served of now is serving. The process is simple. The fair damsel fashions her favourite regimental badge from pieces of court plaster, which she presses upon her - arm. Then the sun’s rays arc invited to get busy for a day or two. When there is a real deep coat of tan the adhesive plaster is withdrawn, and lo! upon the arm-of her ladyship stands out in bold relief the replica of her soldier boy’s army emblem.

As long as people are billing to pay a prico for an-article, so long will the article remain at that price, all regulation by Government notwithstanding. Means will be found to get the prico and yet comply seemingly with the regulations. The only way to bring prices down is for all the people to refrain from buying except what is absolutely necessary. In this regard the people who have surplus means could help in a large degreo their -weaker brethren. It is the demand of the well-to-do which in many cases maintains rates.—“ Sydney Morning Herald.”

A remarkable injury, which is drawing the attention of doctors from all parts of the world, recently happened ut Bristil (Tenu., U.S.A.). Fannie Schynliers, 14, of Aviugton, Va., while visiting .relatives, fell 20ft from the top of a cherry tree, and completely broke her neck. She was immediately taken to a local hospital, where she is still alive, improving, and is expected to make a complete recovery. It is declared by the medical profession of this part of the State that this is the first case within their knowledge of a person with a broken neck not being instantly killed, while the fact that she will recover is said by them to be nothing short of a miracle.

The most up-to-date excuse for a strike was mentioned tho other day in one of the Glasgow courts. A dock labourer was caught in the act of pilfering a bottle of whisky from a case in a ship's hold. AVhen lie was handed over to the police his pals at once ceased loading, demanding the dismissal forthwith of the watchman who had detected the pillager! The employing company declined to accede to this impudent request, and apparently as a protest against crime being inuiished (for the man admitted his guilt) knocked off work till the following morning.

Replying to a query, AVhat is a jitney 1 a London newspaper explains that it is an institution which helps to solve fhe traffic problem in many American cities where motor ’buses are unknown. During the rush hours, when the trams are packed, private motor cars ply for passengers at a uniform charge of 5 cents any distance within a certain radius. As “jitney” is the colloquial name for a 5-cent piece, this form of traffic has become k> be known as “jitney competition.” Jitneys are not licensed, and many private owners turn their cars to profitable account by using them in this way. They have hit the tramways hard, and are gradually driving taxi-cubs off the streets. For journeys between certain points and the railway stations the “jitaey” fare is about a quarter of that demanded by taxis.