BREVITIES.

Evening Star, Issue 11823, 28 February 1903, Page 3

BREVITIES.

The health of the fourteen Industrial School boys at Quarantine Island in the peeling stage of scarlet fever has steadily improved, with the exception of one lad, who had developed au acute attack of quinsy. A query for the Health Officer: Why is a public school a likely place to catch infection? Because there is a plague round (playground) about it. The Natal Government ' Gazette' of December 11 contains the text of three Bills which it is intended to introduce into the Natal Parliament during the ensuing special session, empowering the Governor to make three lines of railway. A young Parisian girl named Antoinette Samir, disappointed in -love, has just selected one of the most horrible forms of suicide ever attempted. Taking's large lamp glass, she pounded it into minute fragments, which she then swallowed in a tumbler of water. Her dying agonies were frightful to witness. Lieutenant Peary has decided to make another attempt to reach the North Pole. He is looking for a suitable steamer for a voyage next summer. General Kelly-Kenny says he is proud of the manner in which the volunteers joined the line regiments in the late war. That fact struck deeper into the roots of our military system than anything which had occurred since 'the volunteer movement" began in England. A report has been received from a practical man of long experience on the suitability of the fire clay deposit found on the Mount Somers Coal Company's property for making fire clay goods. After thoroughly testing the sample, he reports that it is first-class fire clay of the best quality ; that it burns white, and will make excellent fire bricks. Timaru is asking for telephone communication with Christchurch. ...At the Hokitika Magistrate's Court several saw-millers were charged, ou the information of the Crown lands ranger, with casting sawdust in certain rivers, contrary to the fishery conservation regulations. Defendants were fined £5 Is and costs. Notices>f appeal was given. Similar informations against the same defendants were recently dismissed by the magistrate at Greymouth. Madame Melba had a great reception at New Plymouth, and was enthusiastically received at the Theatre Royal in the evening. She left directly after her concert for Auckland. A largely-attended meeting of representatives of local bodies was, held yesterday ! in Auckland to consider the Health Department's scheme for the erection of an infectious diseases hospital at Point Chevalier. Much feeling was displayed at the action of the Health Department in forcing on the scheme in spite of the protests of local bodies, and a committee were appointed to interview Dr 'Mason and suggest a modification, of the scheme..