Items of Interest.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 179, 2 August 1904, Page 4

Items of Interest.

Dr. Do Forest, the young inventor of a wireless telegraphy system, is a graduate of Yale L'nivorsrty. Ten years ago he was pushing a bath chair at the Chicago Exhibition in order to get money to finish his college education. ■•tit. A Quaker gentleman, riding in a carriage with a fashionable lady, decked with a profusion of jewellery, heard her complain of tlw< cold. Shivering in her lace bonuett and shawl, as light as a cobweb, she exclaimed,' "What shall I do to get warm ?" "I realty don't know," replied the Quaker, solemnly, ••unless Mice should put on another breastpin." Owing to defective punctuation, the following passage appeared in a German paper .-'Next to him, IVince Bismarck walked in on his head, the well-known military cap on his feet, large but well-polished topboots on his forehead, a dark cloud in his hand, the inevitable walking cane in his eye, a menacing glance in gloomysi lenco. Two young sprigs of the American moneyed aristocracy—brothers and sisters, aged ten and eleven—have been left orphans and heirs to ten million dollars. Their guardian wants to spend thirty thousand dollars a year in their upkeep. They are waited on by ten KOi-vantsMbutler, useful man, dining-room maid, parlourmaid, upstairsmaid, cook, kitI'henmnid, laundress, coachman, n n'd ludy's-maid.

To foster a spirit of content amung workmen tho Town Council of Wiesbaden "intends conferring scarfpins of the value of Is (id each on workmen who have served one employer for ut least twenty years. Miss Emily Elliot, third daughter of tho Rev. Hume Elliot, of Hamsbottom, has como out at the top of the list and as medalist in the recent examinations (mecical, surgical, written, and viva voce) at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London. Miss Elliot's younger sister last year -took the M.A. degree in tho University of Edimburgh. A tipsy 2iian ono day got into a trnmcar in Glasgow, and became very troublesome to the other passengers ; but a kind-hearted minister interposed, and soothed him Into good bcaviour. Before leavings however/lie scowled upon the other occupants of tho car, but shook hands warmly with the minister, saying at the same time, "Good day, my friend; I see you ken what it is to bo drunk!''

We have no tradesmen left. They are all sweet gentlemen with single eyeglasses or noblemen with bold heads. Wo have no Bhops left; they are all establishments. And wa have no businesses; they are all "concerns" and limited. If we except the butchers and the 'grocers (says the Gentlewoman), I am not sure that the only tradesmen we have in these happy islands aro not the authors and the artists. Dr. Blanchet in a report presented to the Lyons University, contends that daily use of a motor car will gradually abolish or greatly diminish the cough of tuberculous patients and produce healthy sleep and appetite. The French people have already l:een sucked by the Russian Government of tlie gigantic sum of three hundred million pounds sterling. They have gone so far in with Russia that for their own interests it is necessary that they should continne to keep their ally in funds. Tiiis is tho only reason that could induce Ui» long-suffeiing French to assume the fresh burden of eighty million Ua»ce which financiers are cons]»iri»g to lay upon their shoulders.

The new twin-screw yaclit Warrior, which was launched for Mr F. \\\ Vandorbilt, tho New York multi-mil-lionaire, in February last, and is now bo ng completed by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company (Limited), Troon, is running exhaustive speed tnnls on the Clyde with her owner o» board. When sha is delivered Mr Vanderbilt will have a yacht that cost him close upon £IOO,OOO. This floating palace is 239 feut in length on the water line and 284 feet over all. Her extreme breadth is <S2 feet 8 inches. She measures 1300 tons, draws about 15ft aft, and carried a crew of forty,. An intelligent Korean was asked what side his nation would take in the war between Japan and Russia,. on have seen two dogs fight ovor a bono ?" asked tho Korean. Tho interrogator assented. "Well," continued tho Korean, "did you ever see thu bone do any lighting ?"

The heaviest girl in the world is said to be Mtdn Mllmoito, a Kentucky girl. She is only ten years lof age, and yet weighs nearly 'nineteen stone. She has gained eightyfour pounds in throe years, and she never stays at the same figure for long at a time. It is said that her weight makes little difference in her enjoyment of life. She is exceedingly active, being on tho go all the time ; her spirits are high, and she is mentally as bright aa any .girl of her age. In fact, there us no defect in her. Her father and mother are of normal weight. At the ago of three Miss Milmoitc weighed ninety-nine pounds, and at seven her weight was 175 pounds. She has a sister and a brothel', both of whom are of normal size.

A prominent financial company of this city, says the New York World, recently advertised for >'a boy, sixteen years old, good at figures ; 10 dollars a week salary to commence." Thirty-four boy 9 presented themselves. All had been graduated from New York Grammar schools and many of them had spent a year or two in higjh 6chooL Nineteen were at once rejected because they could neither write nor spell well. Tire remaining fifteen were, asked to find the interest on 120.80 dols. for four months and fifteen days at 5 per cent. Two were equal to the task. Tho correct answer is 2.27 dols. Thirteen of tho answers ranged from that to 481.44 dolsv Commenting on this incident, a pamphlet issued by the company remarks that the ■'curriculum of all our schools, common and academic, is not at all adapted to the needs of the average boy, who. if he succeed at all. must do so along practical lines'." This is not an exaggerated, an unusual, or an unfairly stated case. Tht» trouble exists. What is tho remedy?

Whether driving or striving always follow the best roads. The mime of Lynmoutli has been approved by Governor-in-Coundl for the magnificent property known as Veale's Estate, which is situated on Devon-street, ' 75 chains from the main Post Office, l.ynmouth contains nn area of more than one sixth of the whole borough of Now Plymouth, with an elevation of ever 300 feet ahovn sea-level, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country, and overlooking the New Plymouth harbour. The future value of sections in this town is not in doubt; already over one 'hundred sections have l>een secured, and amongst the purchasers are some of the keenest judges of value, in this district. Thoy know that very shortly, when thu present harbour loan expires, freeholds will lie worth any money in this locality. Furthermore they can make n saving of 25 per cent, by the instalment, system, which is within tlie reach of a child. The fact, of a purchaser not 'being aible to Recure a section equal to that we now oiler at £<)o for less than £3of> on the main street easterly, and for as many pounds per foot as what wo are asking shillings proves the judgment of buyers. That Messrs Callaghan and (Jo. are proud to liavc the agency of an estate that never had, nor will have, its equal in New Plymouth, goes without saying. Lynmouth is now open for selection. See prices and monthly. r>ayment on anther pagw,*