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Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 2, 4 January 1910, Page 7

A Sydney business man, is at present anxious to know from what source an employee in the money order office in Ocean House, Moore Street, obtained his knowledge of the United States of America. He entered the office last Tuesday week, and handed in an application for a money order payable in Washington. The applicant and a number of people waiting at the counter were surprised to hear the official state with an air of learned confidence that there was no such town as "Washington in the United States. The applicant stared in amazement at his informant and inquired if there had been another earthquake in the States. Ignoring this query, the clerk turned to several books, and after perusing them, said that there was a State of Washington, but iio town. "But," exclaimed the exasperated applicant, "the White House is in Washington." "I've got nothing to do with houses," replied the clerk. A small office boy, fresh from school, suggested that there was a. popular belief that the town of Washi ington was the capital of the United States. "It's none of your business," replied the clerk, resentfully, "so you keep 'quiet." He then decided to hold the application over until he had sufficient time to read up his elementary geography.

During last summer 10.051, London schoolboys and schoolgirls gained the certificate of the London Schools' Swimming Association 'for swimming 50 yards, juid 14 children were enabled, by the association's life-saving tuition, to save life.

An Australian lady writes from Queen's Gate, London:—"Funny things happen sometimes on a motor tour. Near Sutton yesterday we passed a car which, had sustained a punctured tyre. The coatless and Eerspiring chauffeur was working ard to effect repairs. Inside the car were two passengers, evidently fuming at the delay. A travelling musician intent upon improving the shining hour, had posted himself in the road close by, and Ay as endeavouring to rliepr- fi, o occupants of the car with ,tlnj o.itl oi a penny whistle. The tune he was playing as we passed was 'God rest you, merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay!'"