HERE AND THERE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3034, 8 May 1912, Page 77

HERE AND THERE.

—A Successful Journalist. — Dr Jose Paz, the multi-millionaire proprietor of the famous Buenos Aires paper, La Prensa, died early in March (says the Paris correspondent of the Morning Leader), at the age of 69, in his villa at Monte Carlo. The organ which he founded, far and away the most important in South America, had a very modest beginning of four pages in 1865. It now numbers 40 to 50 pages, and among its contributors are the most famous French writers, Jules Lemaitre, Jules Claretie, etc. The advertisements alone bring in just under half a million sterling yearly. Dr Pa/, loved to tell how, when he began, he was so hard up for advertisements tint, on more' than one occasion, the members of his staff had to play the part of advertisers. They filed past him, each lending his name and address in order to swell the "wants*' column. One would advertise for a nurse, another for a recond-hand piano, etc. The answers, of course, always arrived "too late." During the Franco-German war, when the'European mail was due at Montevideo, Dr Paz, in order to beat his rivals, would get possession of the wire from that port to Buenos Aires, and keep it at wor£ on the Bible until the "copy" was ready for transmission. These feats, common enough nowadays, were, of course, marvels of enterprise. 40 years ago. The Prensa building at Buenos Aires cost £400.00-0, and is a veritable palace. Illustrious persons arriving in the city were invited to be guests of the Prensa, and had a splendid suite of rooms, a staff of servants, and a motor car at their disposal. Among the more recent guests was M. Clemenceau. Of late years Dr Paz—who had represented the Argentine Republic as Minister Plenipotentiary at Pahis and Madrid —had lived almost exclusively in France, having pa.ssed the management of his journal to his son. It is estimated that he leaves a fortune of four millions sterling. —Missed Being Queen. — By the terms of the agreement between Kinf Manuel, the deposed ruler of Portugal, and Dom Miguel of Braganza, pretenders to the throne, Dom Miguel and his eldest son, Prince Miguel, renounce their claims to the succession, and undertake to assist Manuel in his effort to restoie the monarchy. Therefore, says the New York correspondent of the Argus, Prince Miguel's wife (who was Anita Stewart, of New York) has left no shadow of hopo that she can ever be a Queen. So far as I can learn, the news does not disturb the mind of hev father, William Rhinelander Stewart, a worthy gentleman who happens to be an acquaintance of your correspondent. Mrs Stewart, who was not in smpathy with hex husband, a man of moderate, but sufficient, fortune, who gave much of his time to philanthropy, was separated from him by divorce about eight years ago. Tins was without discredit to him, for his life was blameless. She longed for display, and the enjoyment of great wealth, having no patience with philanthropy. He was president of our States Board of Charities. She captured. James Henry Smith, who had been a comparatively obscure broker (known as. "Silent Smith") until, somewhat unexpectedly, the death of an eccentric undo in. London made him heir to an estate of about 25,000,000d01. She became Mrs Smith in 1905, and took with her. the daughter of her first marriage, Anita. Smith lived but a short time. The bulk of his fortune was left to his widow and this girl, whom the widow succeeded in marrying to Prince Miguel of Braganza. It is reported that Manuel is to be assisted by a loan of 3,000,000d0l or 4,000,000d0l of the Smith should be successful in overthrowing the Republic, Anita and her mother would have good places at Court ae members of

the Royal Family. There is provision for this in the agreement with Manuel.

—Ethics of Suicide. —

Dr Yamakawa, president of the Kyushu University, has (says Renter's agent in Tokio) resigned his office in connection with a curious incident. Last November, when the Emperor attended the grand manoeuvres, the Imperial train, during shunting operations, jumped the points, with the result that its august passenger was detained for 40 minutes at the Moji Station. Subsequently, the station-master, as a sign of penitence, for what wag after all not his fault, committed suicide by placing himself in front of the express. His Majesty was much moved On hearing of the tragic sequel, and sent a sum of money to defray the funeral expenses. It has now been proposed to erect a statue to tho deceased railway official, so that his sacrifice may be remembered by posterity. Dr Yamakawa strongly disapproved of such a course, and wrote to the newspapers against the proposal. He at the same time drew attention to the common incident of .school teachers being killed or severely burnt in their attempts' Co rescue the Imperial portrait from tho flames, when their schools happened to catch fire. The press declaied that the doctor's letter was most indiscreet, and demanded his removal, in reply to which lie is understood to have tendered his resignation. The whole question of the ethich of hari-kari is, therefore, likely to be again discussed. The doctor claims that not even the Imperial portrait is Worth a man's life. —Swinging in Lent.— In accordance with old tradition, all you people in Russia (says the correspondent, of the Standard) give themselves over to the enjoyment of swinging during the third week of Lent. In the poorest backyard swings are erected at this time, and many elegant and manifold contrivances for graceful balancing in the air are to be found in. the residences of the wealthy. There are circular swings radiating from a central massive pole, tiny chariots on wheels, which rim down an incline before launching into space (not unlike the modern aeroplane), and rocking chairs suspended on ropes to suit more stately dames. It is quite an accepted thing to have young men call during swing week in order to escort the girls of their acquaintance to the nearest swing. The house which boasts a well-equipped installation of swings is very much frequented, and the hostess gives a daily tea party. It is said that the Empress herself conforms to usage in this point, and her daughters practise it assiduously with their playmates. The villagers throughout Russia go through the performance as if it were a religious function, mothers bringing their babies to the swing on the village common and waiting patiently for their turn to give them at least one moment of free suspension so that they may thrive for the year. —Kensington Palace.— One of the strangest stories in connection with Kensington Palace, where the King and Queen have opened the London Museum, was. that of George the Second and the thief. The King was in the habit of walking round the garden every morning. One day when he was alone a man jumped over the wall, came to him, and with great respect informed his Majesty that as he was in distress he must ask for the King's money, his watch, and the buckles from his shoes. The King handed over his valuables, and the man "always with the deepest respect," knelt down and remove the Royal buckles. Then the King remarked that there was a seal on his watch chain of little value, but one he wished to keep, and requested the man to take the seal off the chain and return it. "Your Majesty," said the man, "must be aware that we have been here some time, and that it is not safe for me to remain here, longer ; but if you will give me your word not to say anything of what has passed for 24 hours I will place the seal at the same hour to-morrow morning on that stone." The King promised, and the man kept his bargain ; but we are not told how the King exrilained to his attendants his own return sans buckles. The story was told by William the Fourth to Lord Uuncannon. —Oil for Steelworks. — Quite an extensive development has occurred in the use of oil in the production of steel. Iron and steel are, of course, staple industries in this country, and it is a most significant fact that, in spite of all conservatism in regard to methods employed, oil fuel has invaded such an oldestablished industry as that of steel manufacture. This innovation has occurred in connection with the wonderful invention of Sir Henry Bessemer, who revolutionised steel manufacture by the device of his well-known converter. By the use of oil tho actual melting of the metal is effected in about 60 minutes, and so perfect is the process that an exceedingly high-class product is obtained. At a well-known ironworks in the North of England this process has been in use for nearly 16 months, and the castings obtained by it give a silky fracture and are remarkably regular. The cost of the metal in moulds does not exceed £5 per ton, and the consumption of crude oil used for each smelting is a little more than 40 gallons.— Sydney H. North, in the Express. —The Oldest Bank.— The Palazzo San Giorgio, on the Piazza Caricamento, Genoa, lias played an important role in the history of this Italian city and of the world of business. It was built in 1260 by order of Gugltelmo Boccanegro, captain of the Republic of Genoa, and, after serving aa his residence, -was te headquarters of the celebrated company and bank of St. George. Our modern system of banking sprang from this historic edifice, and the Societa delle Comprere di San Giorgio was the first limited liability company. The architect of the place was a monk! named Oliviero. Although itß architecture has undergone

a number of changes, the facade still speaks eloquently of the thirteenth century. Its arcades -with pointed arches and its windows formed of little columns are exceedingly charming.—Wide World.