GENERAL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2198, 30 September 1907, Page 1

GENERAL NEWS.

Shanghais, catapults, and jilier weapons must not be used in city reserves according to by-law, and the small boy is prohibitied from climbing trees in such paries. The Neiv Zealand Times states that during the discussion of this section at the Wellington City Council the Alayor siii! the object in growing trees was to let children climb them, and be lid not believe in restraining the children in what lie conceived to lie innocent pleasure. He had had to obtain permission from a former Alayor to allow one-of his sons the-right to swing on a council tree. Despite lus Worship, the restraining section remains.in operation.

J u prop to its popuii'ion (writes tho I idon trade paper, Grocery) Now Zealand sends far the largest amount o-f goods, and also of food; tuffs, and also -takes iron us the largest amount of British menu • faoturos.

Japan has an avenue of trees fifty miles ill length. The trees are cyptomora," and every one is a perfect specimen, quito straight, from 130 ft to 450 ft. in height, and 12ft. to I.sft. in circumference. The avenue ; extends from' the town of Namanda to Nikko. " i

Al. Sardou, the celebrated French dramatist, studied medicine -as a youth, but he never liked the. idea of settling, down as a practitioner. A passion for play-writing ho developed very early in life, for at the ago of eighteen he wrote a tragedy, which, however, was so liioreilessly laughed at that Tie put it in the fire. Subsequently to keep himself from starving ho gave lessons, but for some years, his position was an extremely - precarious one. Flay after play from his pen was rejected, and tho series of disappointments had such an effect on his health that lie all but succumbed. Good luck came soon after Ids juar-. riago. Two pieces were accepted, both of which attracted the public, and henceforward success was assured.

Air. 11. C. Cameron, Rroduco Commissioner to the New Zealand Government read a paper on “Cold Storage of Poultry” at the recent conference of the National Poultry Organisation Society at Reading. Air. Cameron described the steps taken b.v the Government to encourage poultry-raising in New Zealand, and discussed the prospects of tho export industry. Since tho discontinuance of the South African' steamship service from New Zealand, attention has been given more directly to the supply of tho. London market. It -is found, however, that 1 the* class of poultry -suitable lor South Africa is not that required for the English market, where competition from all sources is so ‘keen that payable prices can only bo depended on for birds of tho very best quality. The supply to Britain of anything second-rate is so enormous that, while it can bo sold, tho prices realised tor it'arc frequently disappointing. Cold air storage in Great Britain (Air. Cameron observed in conclusion) is now so plentiful that it is easy to make arrangements for the reception and proper handling ol any lines of poultry that may be received there. The methods adopted by. shipping companies: for discharge have been steadily improving, and, altogether if on the arrival of consignments, proper attention to them is paid by those in ’whose hands they have been placed for realisation, there should be no reason why the poultry should not be delivered to retailers and by them to consumers in a’ thoroughly satisfactory condition.

Athleticism, was the subject of a short discussion in .the Legishitive Council (says tlio Wellington “Post”). The subject was introduced by tho Hon. T. K, Alacdonald, who said:— "Regarding the reference made to games, I bolievo that- they are apt to he a little overdone. Who amongstus does not recognise that the rage for football, and certain forms of athletics in this colony’, is overdone? Is it a good thing for the growing youth and tho ’ young men of tho colony, that their wholo soul should be bound up ill tlio fate of a football match. If you want to see tho curso of this growing race for football, go and stand outside a newspaper office on Saturday evening, between 7 cud 8 o’clock. An lion, member: "You could not get by.” The Hon. Air. Alacdonald: “What are they engaged in but reading the results of tho various matches throughout the colony in connection with football?” The Hon. Mr. Iligg: “What is wrong with that?” Tho Hon. Air.' Alacdonald: “It is overdone, and has become the ‘subject of betting and of gambling. It is. always wrong to place too great a proportion of your time in connection with matters which are not for -the benefit of the /community or yourself.” .The?’Hon, Air. Rigg: “You cannot show that football is bad for tho community;” The dlon. . 'Air. Macdonald: “Too much football is like too much of anything else. Aly him. friend may hold an opposite view; but I leave (lie question to the consideration of the Council. It is too large a question lor discussion at this stage. Ido know that tho bulk of our young men take more interest in the question of football than in becoming expert men of business.