INTERESTING NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 16, 20 January 1916, Page 7

INTERESTING NEWS.

GERMANS IN LUXURY. Further light is thrown on the conditions 'at Islington [Workhouse camp, where 720 German civilians are interned, by a report made by a representative of the United States Embassy in London, printed in the "Berliner Tageblatt," one of the foremost German papers.

The "Berliner Tageblatt" states that the prisoners may receive visits regularly from their wives and children. They used to have only three meals a day, but recently the Home Office has directed that they shall have an additional meal at supper time. Those who care to pay can have any dish they select. Among the interned persons are some of the finest cooks in London, and the food is extremely good. There is a steam cooktog apparatus, 'and at the camp canteen delikatessen and other choice foods may be obtained.

Nor is the sleeping accommodation less generous. Each bedstead is of •iron, and every prisoner has spring, feather, or woollen mattress, sheets, pillows, and three blankets. There are eight private bedrooms which may be rented. Every prisoner may have a hot bath once a week free. Any prisoner may take up a hobby.' There 'are a cabinet-maker's shop and a machine shop. The wood-carving rooms are extremely well appointed. The contrast is given in a report by a United States official on life in ■the Austrian camp at Illm'an, where 104 civilians, including eight Englishmen, are interned. The camp is a castle in a partial state of ruin, all the prisoners occupy one dormitory on the second story, which is not 'as clean as it might be, no adequate bath arrangements, sanitary arrangements open to criticism, no canteen, and no pastimes. POCKET MONEY FOIt WOMEN IN HOBBIES. One of the interesting features of January Everybody's Journal is the first of a series of articles showing Australasian housewives how they may make money from their -hobbies. It is proposed to show readers how to grow herbs and flowers, keep pigeons and poultry and so on, with profit as well as pleasure. For example, in this number readers are told how to grow flax and spin thread. Minute details of cultivation, preparation, and manipulation are given; and any sensible girl could encompass the whole business.

Side by side with this is an article on Toy-Making, which is a pleasant and profitable hobby if conducted aright. Diagrams and suggestions cover the making at home of toy-dogs, toy-kangaroos—in fact, a regular toy zoo. There is no reason why Australia should not be 1 independent for all time of the German-made toy. Somewhat akin to these is Miss Card's Crochet-Avork Department, in which that expert fancy-worker gives a number of new designs. There are one or two special New Year articles and some good poetry, as weJl as the usual liberal supply of stories, domestic pages, and fashion designs. Finally, there is a long illustrated interview with Carrie Haase, the wellknown Australian elocutionist.

On the whole, Evorylady's Journal starts the 3STew Year well! and rejoices in the fact that it has been able to maintain its great circulation ami keep its price at sixpence in spite of the war. If unobtainable locally, a 3/ postal note sent to T. Shaw Fitchett, Swanston Street, Melbourne, will bring the magazine by post for six months.