NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 28

NEWS IN BRIEF.

'■ I have not paid for my benzine, and I have not paid mv rent for three months,” said a judgment debtor at the limaru Magistrate’s Court (states the Herald) ‘‘Anything else you have not paid? ’’ asked Mr W. D. Campbell. Yes. I have not paid for my groceries tor two months/’ Do vou pay anybody? ” asked Mr Campbell. ‘'Ask him if he has paid his solicitor's bill? ” eaid the magistrate, the remark causing many smiles among members of the legal profession. lhe unusually warm weather experienced during April has caused spring ilov.crs to make their appearance in many 'fl laradale (near Napier) gardens. Rather a neat answer to the assertion ot a bassanaeli that pipers are cranks was given by one of the pipers at-Gore the other day (reports the Mataura Ensign). “A crank,” he said, “is a most necessary part of an engine, and it ennnnt be done without—neither can a piper.” A Wanganui lady was seen in the Avenue the other day who was obviously more used to calling in the dogs than meeting friends in town (says the Chronicle). After a few ineffectual waves of the hand to a wandering canine companion, she began to shout to him to “come here.” This failing, she put her fingers to her mouth and blew whistles which would rival those of a railway engine. Her companion came at once,'thus saving further publicity. “I do not think that many people have seen a treadmill at work,” stated Archbishop Averill at a meeting of the Howard Penal Reform League recently (reports the Auckland Star). lie said that he was in an English prison 50 years ago, and the treadmill made such an impression on his mind that from that time he took a keen interest in prison reform. A lot had been learned from America, and, whereas in the old days the treat-"" ment was punitive, it was now reformative.