LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 20, 25 January 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr M. P. Anderson, of the local post office staff," ha*-'been appointed representative for the National Provident Fund. A' curiosity in plant life has been grown by Mr J. Nicholson, caretaker of the Auckland Domain Gardens. Five years ago Mr Nicholson secured the seed of a sensitive plant, and he has now a, small collection of healthy young specimens of this variety. The leaves, which are somewhat similar to those of the kowhai, close Up when touched. The sight of each leaflet responding to the touch of a finger, and the whole leaf bending down at the joint, is an ususual one. A hard blow causes the whole plant to collapse, when it has the appearance of having been destroyed by a severe storm. It takes from ten minutes to a quarter of an hour for the miniature tree to rega:." its normal appearance.

Woman Suffrage leaders are taking an active part in a struggle that is being waged between certain women public school teachers in New York City and the Board of Education (writes the Ot'ago Daily Times, correspondent). The Board of Education contends that it is neglect of duty For a'' married woman i teacher to yemn.i n away from school for the purpose of bearing a child. The board that married teachers must do the same work as others; that they are paid for teaching, and that if marriage duties interfere with her teaching she should resign and devote herself to the greater duties of a mother. The woman teachers involved maintain on the*-other hand that to discharge a tacher for giving birth 'to a 'child is contrary to good morals and sound public sentiment; The question will be fought, out in the courts.

A lady and gentleman were about to attend a ball at the Town. Hall reports the Otago Daily Times. On alighting from the cah at the latter place the gentleman slipped and tore his trousers. The kindly,- young attendant of the ladies' cloakroom, which was, empty, suggested that the wife shou|d take her husband into the cloakroom and there mend the torn nether garments. They did so, and the gentleman sat waiting a la Chidley while his wife busily sewed away. Suddenly, a commotion occurred without, and loud voices demanded that the cloakroom door he opened to admit a fainting lady. "Go! Hide in s that cupboard, John!" cried the pushing the scantily-attired John through a small door in the room. A second later the fainting lady was escorted in. Even as she entered the wife heard thunderous knocking on fche door through which John had •/anisTbed, and was hoitrifiecl to hear fcW husband's frenzied whisper: "Open thn door Mary, for Heaven's sake.