Tom Thumb—His Mark

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 388, 23 June 1928, Page 26

Tom Thumb— His Mark

ANDORRA. WORLD’S SMALLEST REPUBLIC, DECIDES UPON ISSUE OF POSTAGE STAMPS A NDOHKA, that lonesome, midget, 1,200-year-old Republic, perched up in the Pyrenees, but neither in France nor in Spain, is making history —philatelic history. Its Superior Council, or Cabinet —a more numerous body than that which sits in Wellington —has resolved to “fill a long-felt want.” Andorra has never had postage stamps of its own The 5,000 odd people of the Tom Thumb State do little letter writing. When an Andorran writes he puts a French stamp on the envelope if the document is getting to France, and a Spanish one if it goes to or via Spain. Now, however, beautiful Andorran stamps are to be printed, shorving specimens of the Republican’s scenery. Budget Prospects It is not that the people have become complete letter writers. No: but the idea has struck the Superior Council hat an issue of postage stamps would bring in much-needed revenue—not from the pockets of Andorra’s peasants, but from those of the world outside. Also, views of Andorra will make the tiny Republic better known. So the new stamp will start a little

“Come to Andorra” campaign. Until the issue is ready, French and Spanish stamps will be surcharged with the word “Andorra.” Already stamp-collectors are looking out for the “192 S surcharged ‘Andorra’” stamp. It all this goes well the foregoing may yet foot the Budget Bill of the frugal little Pyrenean country.

Princess Betty Learns Her Part From the King

The King, the infant Princess Elizabeth and Mr. R. M. Judge, business manager of the Royal Welsh Ladies’ Choir, figured in a pleasant little instruction in Court etiquette recently in the Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle. The choir visited the Castle by Royal command on the eve of their

world tour, to sing to the King and Queen and their guests. In the audience was Princess Elizabeth, who displayed some liveliness during the 45 minutes’ concert, and then watched with a child’s curiosity the customary round of formal in-

troduetions and handshaking. Deciding that she would do some handshaking herself, she toddled across the chamber and picked out Dr. Henry Leigh, the choir's musical adviser, and Mr. Ivor Novello for the honour. , . , , , Ignoring convention, she introduced herself, prattled to them, and, to their embarrassment, imitated her grandfather’s handshakes. When the laughter subsided, the King took the Princess to Mr. Judge, and the proper part a Royal young lady should take on such occasions was enacted under his Majesty’s guidance. She also shook hands with Mme. Clara Novello Davies, and said, “Thank you.” "The Kynge’s Maske” Included in the programme were Welsh folk songs, and two pieces of royal music—“ Time to pass wyth goodlie sporte,” and King Henry VIII.’s “The Kynge’s Maske.” Mme. Clara Novello Davies, who conducted the choir of 60, and her son, Mr. Ivor Novello, both sang songs. Afterwards their Majesties complimented the singers, and the King particularly expressed his delight in their coming tour round the world to arouse interest in Anglo-Celtic music. Before leaving Mme. Clara was presented with a gold brooch surmounted by a crown, the letters G and M in diamonds, together with the rose, the thistle and —not the leek—but the daffodil.

GOLD-FINDING MACHINE

WORKS ON GRAVITY PULL A recent invention made in the ■workshops of the London Science Museum is likely to have considerable influence in increasing the world's supply o£ gold. It is a balance which will act as a mechanical gold-finding machine. The “Manchester Guardian” say s: “The idea, though remarkable, is simple. There is a beam suspended by wire. From the ends of the beam there hang equal weights, one some 6ft nearer thet beam than the other. The beam swings, and the instrument is so sensitive that the gravity pull is appreciably stronger on one weight than the other, with the result that from the effect produced on the beam conclusions can be drawn as to what lies beneath the earth's surface. . . It can follow the track of igneous rock and show how it has broken or dwindled as easily as a camera on an airplane can trace the windings of a river, and can show a miner under certain conditions where a missing lode has vanished and how it can be traced,”