GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 5 (Supplement)

GENERAL NEWS.

"FULL UP ON TOP."

Fob some time the ' Sheffild • tramway authorities have been experimenting- with a device, the invention, of a local man, for indicating the number of passengers on the upper deck of the cars, 1 and 1 thus showing conductors and intending pas- ' ser.gers : whether there' is-any room." with- : out . giving, the trouble of climbing the stairs. ' The invention is in tie form of a meter, and ' it' Can be placed in any" convenient part of the car. • On its . dial is automatically registered the fact ,of a passenger ascending or - descending the stairs. The only doubt seems to be whether the device will be able to ' stand th& rough usage it mil inevitably suffer, the meter being,worked by an attachment on the steps of the stair- - M.P.'S TO BE CINEMATOGRAPHED. A Paris cinematograph firm . has just signed a contract with the French Government under which it has. obtained ,the sole right to take cinematograph pictures as the Chamber of Deputies. , . The company proposes to .make a feature'of * films showing the Chamber actually at work; but it is precluded, under the contract from recording any incidents in the nature of "-scenes in. the House," Among . the members the innovation is regarded as likely to be of great value as a means of giving their constituents visible • proof of. their devotion to their Parliamentary duties. The sum to.be paid by the company to the State for this novel privilege is £480 per annum.

HISTORIC TREE CUT DOWN. The old. " Court "tree 011 Kingsborough Hill, in the centre oi'the Isle of Sheppey, has' been cut down. For hundreds of years courts were held under the , tree every Whit Monday, only being discontinued in 1856, when the King's'--Ferry was replaced by a bridge. From time immemorial the " annual general court and ■ law day in the King* name " ■ was held before the steward of Kingsbprough, and the homage was there sworn 1 for the choice of the constable, who held jurisdiction over the Island of Sheppey. The election of ferry warden and ferrymen took place under the old tree, and matters relating to the ferry between . Sheppey and the mainland were here discussed. It is believed that courts weTe held at the very spot on Kingsborough ' Hill from the earliest Saxon times-