GENERAL NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 10 June 1913, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

THE TAILOR ANTS. A species of a-ii't which dors neattailoring work has befitl discovered in Ceylon by two' German naturalists. They observed these ants In tiie' act of sewing two leaves together to form a covering for their nest. A row of the insects pulled the edges of the leaves together, others trimmed and fitted '.'■'■> edges, and finally the work was completed by other ants, which fastened the cages with a silky thread yielded by their larvae.

JURY FOR THOSE ABOUT TO

MARRY

j A Cincinnati pastor has empanelled a church jury to decide love and marriage questions submitted by members of his congregation needing advice, the "Mail" says. A series of sermons on tno ideal home produced so many appeals for such guidance from young men and women that a jury of six men and six women was | formed to hoar them, the questioners' | identity being concealed. On a r young woman's question, "Shall I j marry a man several years my junior?" ten of the jury' voted '''Yes," j one man and one woman not voting. CHAIR OF WIT AT HARVARD. A department of wit and humour is probable at Harvard next year, •says the New York World. A number of classes are given over to the reading and study of modern languages and their literature, but none olfers any encouragement or much benefit to the student whose literary ability lu\s along humorous lines. The now dvpartmemt will fill a long-folt want at the university. Dean ]?r:o , "-s. Assistant Prof. C. Y. Oopelaud, and Barrett Wendell are among the men who would have to be considered for the now chair. THE TIPPrNG TYRANNY. A number of Swiss hotels are going to experiment in the coming' season with a view to suppressing th« tipping tyranny. Five per cent, of the total charges will ho added to the bill to cover ordinary services, and the guests will be freed from running the gauntlet of porters and waiters on their departure. Visitors will be expected to give tips for extraordinary services. During the winter ■some hotels experimented with a view j to th" total suppression of tins by ! charging' ten per cent on the bill, ! but the. plan failed, and it is \ general belief that the new scheme I will also fail. I

CONFIDENCE IN MR HARRIS.

Mr J. M. Barriers new play "The Legend of Leojiora," was accepted by Mr Charles I'Vohman without beinn; read. '■! have taken the play." Mr Frohnu'n said to a. ''Standard" representative, "and shall produce it in London at the boa:'lining of the autumn season'. But I am in itnvunuioo of the story, and have ?iot seen the. manuscript. Mr Bnrvie hn<i written the play—a modern comedy—at my request, and it is certain io he good. Any play by Mr Bnrrie 1 would accept in the same wav. And I believe the public, would prefer not to know what Mr Barrio has written' until they see the play."