GENERAL NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 18 March 1913, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

DR. WILSON'S FAVOURITE NUMBER. Thirteen is claimed by Dr. Woodrow Wilson, the new President, as his lucky number, the "Express" says. "It is curious how the figure 13 has followed me through life," he said, in an interview, "and it has never brought bad fortune." The following are a few of the thirteen conjunctions in Mr Wilson's career:—Thirteen letters in his name,. thirteen letters in his wife's name (Eleanor Wilson), thirteen years at Princetown, thirteen years president of the University, thirteen is the sum of 1912, the year of his election.

TAMING THE LAMBETH BOY. An effort is being .made by the Lambeth 'Guairtliajns ito civilise %ht?

''young barbarians" in their charge. An oil'n.ial railed a ''yaidsman'' is employ ed by them at the Poor Law bchools at Norwood. His duties include the supervision of the boys in the- dining hall, where, he-sides seeing that every hoy has ample food, he hai> to give great attention to improving their table manners. After that he has to organise and participate in. thv boys' games, and all the time he is expected to inculcate Ira bits or courtesy, honour, and industry. Considering that about (ifH) children, are maintained by the board at these schools it is obvious that the "yardsman'.s" office is hardly a sinrcure. ALUMINIUM HATS FOR WOMKX. It may be doubted whether ■ a stranger legislative proposal was ever conceived than that of Mr John Benyon, who has announced his intention of submitting to the U.S.A.. Congress at Washington a, Bill rendering it obligatory "for all women who have reached the age of discretion in matters of fashion" to wear exclusively a« their headgear made of aluminium, which will be furniVhed them free of charge by the State. By, this mean.s he considers that the terrible progress of luxury will be checked; and ho hopes that th? reform will 'result in a paving to. the nation of 600 millions of pounds. How Mr Benyon arrived at '.such fimires passes comprehension ; 600 million pound* per annum on hats is a grotesque figure ev?n in a country of records.