DOGS IN THE ARMY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 278, 3 December 1901, Page 1

DOGS IN THE ARMY.

’i'ho military authorities are .seriously considering the advisibilily of making use of dogs on active service in connection witli the performance of ambulance work. Willi this end in view they have just called upon Major 1 lautvjlle Richardson to furnish an exhaustive report on the result of some experiments with dogs that were recently carried out under his directions in Forfarshire. The occasion in question was that of a sham fight between the Angus Rifles and the Forfar Artillery, when a number of dogs trained by Major Richardson were em-

ployed to carry medical comforts t

men told off to act as casualties. 'Die dogs arc said to have acquitted themselves of their duties in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. Major Richardson conducted some experiments of the same description at the Crystal Palaceqnite recently. EDUCATING ROYALTY.

When the German Emperor and his consort paid what proved to be their last visit to the late Queen, their sons Prince August Wilhelm and Prince Oscar became general favorites with all who saw or came in contact with the bright and unaffected little sailor lads. From an interesting account by

a Jady who has recently seen them at Pion, where they are at school, it appears that by this time their education lias become a serious business. Each of the two boys, writes this

lady, has three companions who share

all his lessons. The actual desk lessons are not very long, but the whole

time between the meals is occupied with riding, gymnastics, rowing, and swimming, so that there is not an idle moment in the whole oE the day. In the course of tiie present year a new branch of activity was added, when a tract of some 28 acres of agricultural land, which forms a sort of peninsula near the Plon Park, was taken for the the purpose of giving the two Princes and their comrades the opportunity of

the practical study of fanning. At a recent meeting of the .Waikato Farmers’ Club, a communication was received from Mr John Runciman, of Paemaka, enclosing a sample of clover

hay , and stating that although but two acres of seed had been sown about 17 years ago, the clove had now spread over 40 acres, and so far from showing signs of running out, it appeared to get better every year, and had a splendid sole, although the land was poor. Mr Runciman, who was present, said that in all his experience in the colony lie had never seen anything like the clover. 1-Ie had sown ordinary broad clover and cowgrass seed on the same land, but the plants would not hold. A peculiarity of the specimen was that it would grow on any kind of soil, and thrive on poor light or cold wet clay. It of course, did best on good land, and a plot growing on a piece of alluvial Hat was a piece of luxuriance, and had a splendid sole. He felt certain that if sufficient seed could be got to sow plots in Waikato it would be found one of the best forage plants in the district, and just what was wanted . After members had examined the specimen submitted, which appeared to be a sample of genuine perennial cowgrass, the president moved that the Agricultural Department be asked to report on the clover. There could be no two questions, he said that if a reliable perennial red clover could be obtained it would be a grand thing for Waikato.

The abolition of treadwheels and cranks lias lately been proceeding throughout England, in accordance with the instructions of the Secretary oi State. This form of penal labour may be said to be in its last stage. Of the 50 treadwdieels and 29 cranks in operation in 1805, only 13 and 5 respectively now remain, and it is proposed in due course to abolish these as soon as satisfactory substitutes can be found for the hard labour prescribed for prisoners in the first stage. Experience, it is said, goes to show that in those prisons where the treadwheel has been abolished the necessary deterrancc ot first stage hard labour is well maintained by the strict separation of prisoners while employed in some onerous task, such as stone breaking or heavy coal sack making. Oakum picking is now, as far as possible, limited to prisoners whose sentences are so short that they cannot with advantage or profit be employed at any form of more useful labour.

The Children of England are increasing. as they never did before, one source of Government revenue. The pretty mania for collecting picture post-cards has led to an enormous interchange of these commodities between correspondents in this and other lands. Thirty cards by one morning s post is just now a moderate allowance in many a London household of daugliters —all "card-sharpers” now. a ert for the postman’s knock. The popularity of the travelling acquaintance of these young ladies is entirely changed bv the number of tiiese missives posted ; and some recent holiday-makers have come home complaining that- the consignments of cards they have found it necessary to send to the young people of houses at which they call has taken away .their change, and deprive them of their rest.

The session just closed will lie memorable for the waste of tune and the trifles on which the leadei of the House lias kept his followers engaged since four months ago he tliiev. a basketful oi political garbage, left over from the previous session and requested them to worry at that.— Oamaru Times.

A very characteristic story about Lord Salisbury is going the rounds in London just now in connection with the abortive Kind’s Declaration Bill of last session. It will bo remembered that the Government were very much blamed for not putting at least one representative of the Bench of Bishops upon the Committee which sat to consider the question of modifying the Declaration. The Archbishop of Canterbury protested strongly but ineffectively against the exclusion, and Lord Rosebery afso expressed a preference for the advice of'those “ theological experts.” The Premier subsequentiy spoke rather candidly to a friend about what he called this t* ecclesiastical ingratitude.’’ “ I am not in favor,” he said, ” of Disestablishment, and yet the Bishops blame me for refusing to take active steps towards that end. They ought really to thank me for keeping them offthat Committee. For what could be more likely to promote Disestablishment than to ask the Bishops to define the Protestant religion ' in writing ? ”