SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9916, 8 December 1893, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

The usual meeting of the Mornington School Committee, held last evening, was attended by Messrs Horsburgh (chairman) Joachim, Risk, Reynolds, Webb, and Mann. The Chairman reported what had taken place in his interview with the Education Board, which resulted in the board deciding upon seven instead of six classrooms in the new building., It was resolved that the committee's best thanks are due to Mr Horsburgh for his active and continuous exertions in waiting upon the board and inducing it to accede to the wishes of the committee in regard- to the structure and design of the new building. Accounts/to the amount of £4 7s were passed for payment. It was resolved to close the school for the midsummer holidays on Friday, 15th.inst.,.and -te-ODeir.on Monday, January 29. --JCIIO purchase of prizes and good attendance certificates was left to the head master. ■ ■■ • ■

The ordinary meeting of the Forbury School Committee, held on Wednesday, .evening," was' attended by Messrs F. A. Hancock (chairman), J. T. Ross, T. Dawson, R. Davidson, G. Reid; P. Johnson, M. Vickery. Apologies for the absence of Messrs Bellett and Smith were received. The head master's report for last month's attendance was as follows:—Average attendance 453, :\totalnumber on the roll 573. It was decided to breakup on Friday, 15th December, and re-open on Monday, 29th" January next. r The committee appointed to complete the • arrangements for the entertainment pn-behalf of the picnic funds reported that the entertainment will take place on Friday evening at Isauman's HalK It was decided to procure 100 photographed certificates for good attendance. A considerable amount of routine business was also transacted.

The ordinary meeting of the Anderson's Bay School Committee was held on Wednesday eveuing. In the absence of the chairman Mr C. S. Owen presided. The members present inspected the new school hall, which will be completed and out of the contractor's hands in a few days. The work has been very ■ well executed in every respect, and the building will be a great boon to the children as a playroom and shelter in bad weather. The question of finance was discussed, and it was resolved to apply to the Education Boardfor the balance of subsidy. It was resolved to close the school from the 15th inst. to January 29, and to hold the jumble sale in aid of the hall building fund on'the 18th and 19th current. It was also resolved not to give prizes or attendance certificates this year, all available funds being required for the hall. Mr B. JDuthie presented two silver medals, one of which it was resolved should be given to the dux of the school; the other to the pupil most proficient in shorthand, which is being most efficiently taught by. the pupil-teacher (Mr Abel), who acquired his knowledge of the subject at the technical classes. The teacher will receive any gifts for the jumble sale.

THE DEVIL PLANT OF MISSISSIPPI.

(Philadelphia Times.)

There has recently appeared in this vicinity a most peculiar growth, known as (he "devil plant," which is so deadly as to render all insect life and vegetation in its neighbourhood liEeless. It is most innocent in appearance, being of a tender green, clinging close to the earth, and sprinkled with small red blossoms, cup-shaped, nnd holding in their hearts a single drop of moisture. It is in this singular dew, which the sun has no power to disssel, that the plant's most blighting influence is" said to lie. Bees by the hundreds have been found dead in the blossoms. Indeed, the hives of the neighbourhood, are nearly depopulated by the noxious flowers. A gentleman who is noted as a botanist iv these parts tasted this dew, and declared that it was of a sickening sweetness, without odour, and viscid like liquid gum. It was allowed to dwell on bis tongue, which soon began to burn him so as to raise a blister, and the member swelled up &nd became discoloured and very painful. The bees have not been the only sufferers ,by this growth, but every insect approaching it eeeras to become paralysed, and after a beat or two of the wings above this creeping upas drops dying among its cruel leaves. Cattle which have eaten of it die in a few hours in the greatest agony with a sort of exaggerated tetanus, the skin drawn tense, and the eyes protruding from the head. All ordinary remedies fail to restore ono in these attacks. Vegetation also seems to shun the '.' devil plant," and whole tracts of meadow are now lying snorched and dead from the insidious approach of -this unknown, growth. Under the microscope the leaves exhibit innumerablo little moutfcs, or suckers, of such tenacity as to sting the hand on which the leaf is laid, leaving a dull, red mark, like the wound of a scorpion. The people of the vicinity say this plant is the forerunner of disaster, it having made previous appearances just before the outbreak of the war and on each occasion of the comingl of yellow fever. An effort has been made to burn ib out, but, protected by its singular dew, this has failed. The dead bodies of cattle which have died of eating it, on being examined, show that tbe digestive organs are swollen to four times their natural size, and look as if they had been burned ; the heart is congested, and tbe blood of a dark unusual tinge, with an odour like bauzoid. The plant is of rapid growth, covering^ actes in a few days, requiriog little hold, and going ovor every obstacle in its way, the roots being of threadlike fineness, and extending only an inch or two below the surface of the ground, but exhibiting extraordinary tenacity once they seize hold of a spot, enwrapping pebblee, old roots, &?. like clinging fingers.

As a hair dressing and renovator A'yer's Hair Vigor is universally commended. It eradicates dandruff, cures eruptions of the scalp invigorates and beautifies the hair, and prevents its fading cr turning grey.

— It is a peculiar face that with most men the growth of hair is stronger oa one side of the face than the other. It is caid that hair always grows more strongly on thai; siclo on which wo are stronger. I-Isiir also grows less strongly upon the side which is moet subject to the pressure on the pillow while sleeping.

If you want money call on the London Loan Society, opposite Fobfc Office. ITy. Benjamin, manager. Small or large sum 3; easy repayments • strict confidence.—[Advt.]