MISCELLANEOUS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2552, 26 May 1881, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

The increase o£ paralysis is one of the alarming features of the present age, and the conclusion is now being reached that this is due mainly to the introduction of ooison in food and drink. A chemical’ analysis of artificial mineral waters by the French Academy of Science showed in all of them the presence of poison to an alarming extent. These are the waters that are mainly consumed in this country, including the for a while popular Appollonaris water. People had better be careful what they drink. A mendicant who used to stand at a street corner in London was passed daily for more than 40 years by a merchant’s clerk, and he invariably gave the man a pennyi One morning the clerk missed the recipient of his gifts on going to business, and in a few, weeks’ time he was informed that the beggar had died, leaving him a larger sum of money than the clerk had ever had in his life, Two French philosphers having kept nine hogs drunk for a year, as a scientific experiment, an American paper says : “ Thai’s just the way some folks cast their pearls before swine. Why couldn’t they have let some New York men have the fun of the experiment.” _ The first locomotive engine made in the great Borsig Works, Berlin, Gerwas finished in 1841. Next year the second was completed, and named after Professor Beuth. In 1846 the 100 locomotive was completed at the Borsig Works, in 1854 the 500th, and in 1858 the 1000th. The works now employ 3000 workmen, and turn out a finished engine every day.

Mark Thyne was committed for trial by the Waimate Bench to-day, on a charge of perjury' alleged to have been committed at the Waimate Court, in a civil case, a short time back. The Oa-uaru “ Mail ” says It will be interesting to know that our local stqno as exhibited by the Oamaru Stone Company at the Melbourne International Exhibition, has been awarded highest honors for building stone, amongst 89 exhibitors in that class, inclu ling 20 exhibits from New Zealan .