GENERAL NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 7 November 1913, Page 7

GENERAL NEWS.

SURGEON AS SHERLOCK HOLMES.

Sir A. Conan Doyle's inductive method of solving crime is ' being used by Mr.Claud Woakes, an. aural surgeon, of Wimpole street, London, in tracing a man who broke into his house and got away with £7O worth of old silver and a pair of new boots, small in size, and of a vivid yellow colour. The fllief left hi« : own boots behind him, and from these -Mjr•Wpakesj who has made a study of men's clothes ancl footwear, has been : able to give the police a description of the man wanted. The doctor says that the man is either a painter or a window cleaner—more probably the former—of thick-set build, rather short, and given*to walking with a hang-dog air. "It is plain," said the doctor to a press representative, "that the boots fray? been worm by a man who is used to walking up and' down ladders; they are worn in a cei'tldll place and. manner. He may either be a' painter or a windowcleaner. I think ho is a pdiiliei", .because' his boots, instead of being "blacked" are done with black paint. TlnJve are indications that he is a thiefc-set fellow, who is probably j rather .short, and I am pretty sure ' | from tfie> jvay the heels are worn that I he walks with a hang-dog look." A WICKED PIECE OF IVY. • Judge Parry was asked to decide at Lambeth County Court the amount of damage caused by the fall of an ivy-tree over the house of an East Dulwich blacksmith. The'tree fixed itself to, the . complainant's fell on his forge, "and ctittsed other damage. In giving judgliiettfc for £2 and costs the Judge said : "It wafi ft wicked piece of ivy. It began growing on one man's wall, goes trespassing upon someone else's, pulls down the bricks, and finishes up by falling at'l'pss tile roof of a forge. Tt is the most disorderly piece of ivy I have ever Jicni'lt of. If we go on we may find that .it'is identified with the Suffragist cause." * ' S '• A GENEROUS DONOR. Sir Gerald Strickland, at the North" Sydney Grammar School last week, told a story of generosity that might well excite the envy of the heads of educational institutions everywhere /says the Daily Telegraph), The principal of the Church of England Grammar School in West Australia' was visiting England, and: staying at the house of a wealthy acquaintapce. After hearing about the school, the host said he would like to give something to the institution, and asked the principal what he would like. The, latter, half seriously, replied that he would like a chapel. "Very well," said his friend, "when you go back" have plans and estimates prepared, ancl send them, to me." This was done. Some friends of the school thought the plans were too elaborate, and when the estimate was supplied the cost was found to be £3o,o()o>s<Jn trepidation these wore forwarded td* England. The feelings of those concerned can searel.v be imagined when they received the intimation: "Go ahead, and if in ore is required it will be iorthcoming.