GENERAL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8063, 20 March 1906, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS.

The Avenue Louise in Brussels is lined with chestnut trees, and an electric tramway runs along one side; but, strange to say, the chestnuts on that side lose their leaves in August, then bud again in October, whilu those on the other side keep their foliage till near the end of the year, and only bloom ngain the following spring. It is believed that the electric current of the tramway passing through the ground affects the roots, and causes the abnormal behaviour of the trees. It has long been known that electricity in the soil does influence vegetable growth.

A cable to the New York "World," from St. Petersburg says: A marvel of engraving has just been accomplished by a youth of Odessa, who is known throughout South Russia for the extraordinary precision of his work. On a grain of wheat lie has engraved the music and words of the Uussian national anthem with the aid of a lens. Kvery note is dotted and clearly defined. He was'called to the imperial ctfurt to show the Czar the wonderful piece of work, which is framed in a tiny silver setting. The Czar, amazed at the production, gave the engraver a gold watch with his monogram on it. Between the two " ll.'s" of Nicholas 11. the engraver la now engraving a long prayer for the Czar's safety, taken from the Russian liturgy, Earl Roberts, the commander-in-chief of the British army, is a man of indomitable energy and tireless industry. During his tour of Scotland, which began on August 9, ind ended on the 22nd, he had nearly thirty Inspections to make. After travelling all night to Edinburgh he started work an hour tn'd a half after arrival, having three engagements for the Sunday. He included among his engagements a visit to the new naval base at St. Margaret's Hope, and landed on Inchkeith, the guardian fortress of the Forth. His itinerary extended as far north as Inverness and eighteen cities and towns were included in his tour. A ehort stay at Stobs Camp, where about 30,000 men were under canvas, concluded his arduous fortnight. », » • Manilla is one of the most important ports in the Philippine Islands, but strange to say, is one day behind all other places of its size In the world. This curious fact is accounted for in this way. Although the Philippine Islands lie near the Asiatic coast, they were (discovered by Spaniards who sailed from America. When they crossed the magic line where Sunday changes into Monday these | fiery dons of proud Castilian ancestors did not revise their calendar. When told of this ' years later, and informed that their mode of reckoning time was not up to modern notions, they only said that that was so much the worse for modern notions. Anyhow, the fact remains that these islanders keep plodding along one day behind the rest of the world which reckons time by new style. Not long ago a Turk, while repairing a roof, fell into the street upon a wealthy old man, who was killed, without any serious damage to the workman himself. The son of the deceased caused the workman to he arrested and taken before the cadi, with whom be used all his influence to have the poor man condemned; and, though the innocence of the labourer was established, nothing could satisfy the son but the law of retaliation. The cadi stroked his heard, and then gravely decreed that the workman should be placed exactly upon the spot where the old man hat! stood. " Now," said he to the son, '■ you may go on the roof of the bouse, fall down upon this man, and kill him if you can." Of course the sou declined to do anything of the sort, and the case was dismissed. * * * King-tail .monkeys, one of the most valuable and expensive uf the tmiallcr animals, are caught in an interesting way.' A cocoanut is split in two, and it bauana with a piece of .wood running through it placed lengthwise through the nut, the two halves of which are drawn together by wires. Then a hole is cut just large enough for the monkey's paw lo enter. The monkey spies tho tempting nut from his tree. He hops down, looks it over, sees the hole and smells the banana inside. He is fond of bananas. Putting his paw in he grasps it, but the wood prevents it from coming out. Then the catchers appear and the monkeys run for a tree. But he cannot climb because of the cocoanut on his paw, and he will not let go of that, so he is captured pawing wildly at the tree trunk.

The Duke of Marlborough, who "wrote English badly and spelled it worse," had such irresistible charm of manner Chat ho influenced all Europe and swayed the destinies of nations. Mirabeau, who is said to have had "the face of a tiger pitted by smallpox," so won men's affections by his politeness that, when he was dying, the populace besieged his house in their anxiety to learn his condition, and even his eneuiieß lamented his death as a distinct loss to mankind. Madame de Stael, than whom there shines no star more brilliant in the firmament of womanhood, lacked that surest charm of her sex, beauty, but possessed such tact of speech and rare manners that groat men became mere creatures of her will, and even Kapoleon feared her so much that lie banished her. History overflows with the conquests of courtesy. Radium, discovered in 1898, was valued at £10,000,000 a pound, says "Harper's Weekly." Its estimated value has since been reduced to £500,000 a pound, which is a very material reduction, but the price is still higb. We rcftd with interest that a Buffalo man, Mr. Stephen T. Lockwood, expects to engage in the manufacture, or extraction, of this interesting substance, and hopes to lower the price still further. His hopes, as recorded in the papers, are based on the possession of certain deposits of carnotite in Utah, from which he has been able to extract radium, and which he believes can be induced to give its radium np somewhat easier than the pitchblende Jrom which the radium 60 far obtained has been extracted. We hope he will succeed. Eadium is the most interesting substance out, and, dear though it is, a very little of it goes a great way, and lasts, apparently, forever. We want more of it, for, unlike liquid air, it seems really to be of use for something besides amusement and speculation. *

A 1)003 TO DAIIiYMJiN

A bail has been patented by a Turaoak! (inn, winch is far in advance »l' any oilier contrivance fur securing ■■"«:- while being milked. It is opcrulcil li-..iii (1.0 1,a.-k 0ri1,,. cow, and she can he bulled up or released with the ease by even the smallest milker. Dairymen will liml these bails are nut only great lime-savers, but are reliable, easy to |, X| illu l m , m . ()u( yl repair; in iael, can be lixed wilh liUlo alteration in any shed in which old bails are at present in use. The articles supplied are : 2 screw pulleys, I 'U't of cord and ring. 1 iron bail ; and the cost is only a few shillings. Messrs I'oberlsoiL and Bond, of Liardd-strcef, New Plymouth, are the patentees and vendors. An illustrated leallet, and all estimates or particulars, will be provided to enquirers free. The I'ollo.v--nig letter just received speaks volumes : —Messrs. Kobertson and Bond, New Plymouth. Dear Sirs—l hare pleasure in stating that the new cow Lails you supplied are giving every satisfaction. They are easy to fix, and effect a great saving of time. I (irmly believe if they were used continually for twelve months they would more than save their first cost. I can confidently recommend them to all dairymen. Wishing you every success, I am/faithfully yours,—Kombt Clesiow, Omata, Taranaki