GENERAL NEWS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10474, 9 October 1912, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS.

PLUCKING LIVE GEESE. Several influential people in Ireland are endeavouring to check the practice of plucking the feathers from live geese, and the Limerick branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals conducted prosecutions at the Limerick City Sessions. Michael Forde, a professional plucker, was .prosecuted for illtreating 34 geese in this way, and John Nolan, a farmer, was prosecuted for'permitting his wife to pluck 19 live geese. There was conflicting evidence as to cruelty, one witness stating the practice had existed in Ireland for 800 years, and that the trade in feathers was a staple industry of the country. The Magistrate convicted, fining Forde 21s and 30s costs, and Nolan 10s and 10s costs.

SHERLOCK HOLMES COLLEGE. " M. Louis Lepine, the" Paris Perfect of Police, has decided to establish a special technical police school, which Parisians have already named the “Sherlock Holmes CoPege ” In this institution, the Chronicle states, police officials will be scientifically trained in the art of criminal investigation. All the lore of the greatest detectives of past and present is to be taught there, in much the same manner as pupils are prepared for examinations at the great “cramming” establishments ;in England. Special departments are to be organised in relation to the various forms of burglary, pocket picking, “bunco steering,” scientific safe cracking, counterfeit coinage, jewel robbery, and crimes of violence, including every category of murder. Men who prove their merit will receive a certficate, and henceforth no detective who has not secured this certificate within the twelve months alloted for this purpose will be retained in the criminal research brigade.