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Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 14398, 4 January 1911, Page 2

Upwards of 1700 men are now casually employed bn the wharves at Wellington. Great interest is being taken in the conference of mining engineers to bo held at Thames this month. It is expected the Governor and Minister of Mines will be present. Without stoppages, tho AucklandWollington expresses average something like twenty-five miles an hour, lint sometimes the average is much faster. For instance, Friday afternoon’s express ran tho thirty-eight miles between Koputaroa and Paokakariki in sixty-eight minutes, an average of over thirty-three and n half miles an hour. The twentyseven mile run from Paokakariki into Wellington was accomplished in sixtyfour minutes, exclusive of stops of seventeen minutes and three minutes respectively at Paokakariki and Paremata. —Dominion. A learned Gorman savant, in the course of an exhaustive study of the evolution of the sense of colour, discovered that the rainbow has not looked tho same to men in all ages, says tho New York Tribune. He found that it was first thought to bo all of one colour. To Homer, ho_ says, tho rain--Ih)w seemed purple white. At a later period Xenophon saw in it “ a purple cloud, red and yellow green.” Two centuries after this Aristotle distinguished three colours—red, green, and blue—and was able sometimes to see yellow between the rod and green. Three hundred years after Aristotle came Ovid, to whom the rainbow was “a thousand dazzling colours, which the eye cannot distinguish separately.” But the tricolour division persisted until the thirteenth century. Tho Melbourne offers tho following summer-w'o/Jsht “specials” in men’s underwear. India gauze singlets Is 6d, Is lid, and 2s lid. English halbriggan singlets Is !)d and 2s 6tl, Fine lisle thread singlets 3s 6d. Merino shirts Is lid. Fine natural shirts and pants 2s lid and 3s 6d. Natural singlets with half sleeves and ventilated gussets 3s Bd.* ■

A tnwrts HfR t)uiMins°> including dvilUnsS anil baste lie.rVjfcgiigr'2, to the Ygke'c-f £1.1,T00 were erected in 'h- Lovc-m'M of ii'Vlktinp: last year, and the cutleok for (life building 'trade Ur tha new year is promising!

A heavy sc-ov.-fai! occurred on the Main Trunk railway between Tnihr.pe end Ohefeuno on Tliuradsy wj, Ut, aml continued Rcrt morning, 'iho southbound express had a heavy coating of brow wlip'n it arrived at Tnihaoe, and B>;rernl inches of taow wero seen on portions of the railway line. Trains were running to time. Tho doors of ono of tho Alabama gaols, that in tho capital, .Montgomery, v.-oro thrown open on Christmas Day, and about 1O0" convicts turned loose. Their release was intended as an act o'. Christmas clemency. Among those who thus secured their freedom were 40 homicides, and no fewer than 20 other prisoners who were undergoing imprisonment for life. Plans have just been completed in connection with a remarkable engineering project. The scheme is one for the construction between Chicago and New York of a tunnel of sufficient dimensions to carry telegraph and telephone wires and a pneumatic tube for the transmission of packages. Tho construction of the tunnel is to be commenced immediately.

The North Taranaki representative cricket, team returned last night from its visit to Wanganui, Palmerston North, and Hawera. Although tho team, which was a very weak one and handicapped by lack of men, was unsncces.siiii on the cricket field, it had an enjoyable tour, and received many encomiums for the excellent behaviour of its members.

A sensational lynching is reported from Hot Springs, in Texas. A man who had been arrested for the murder of a county sheriff was being transferred from ono gaol to another, when 39 masked men started after tinv culprit with the intention of dealing out justice in their own fashion. The pursuers overtook the prisoner, and, having got him awav from the guard, fairly riddled his body with bullets.

A young couple, with relatives and invited guests, attended at Knox Church, Dunedin, a few days ago. 'When the Rev. Davies put the usual formal question, the bride, who had made all the arrangements for the ceremony, said she declined to accept the bridegroom as her wedded husband, and aS appeals of the parties to the ceremony, extending over an hour, failed to alter her resolve, the interrupted ceremony had to be abandoned.

Every bachelor in Mcnde, in Auvergne (the Paris correspondent of tho London Daily Telegraph says) has received the following circular: “League against De-population; Appeal to Celibates..—Dear Sir,—ln an essentially humanitarian and patriotic cause, we have the honour to acquaint you with tho names of the spinsters of Monde aged eighteen and upwards.—Yours truly the Managing Committee,” A list of 200 names of marriageable young ladies followed, with their addresses appended. A posteript was added: “The committee have at the disposal of those concerned a’ list of twentyseven more yoting ladies who did not wish their names disclosed J’ •

There have boon some curious things done on the Sydney Cricket Ground including big hits, that sent tho ball right out of the ground, anjl little hits of a few' inches from which four have come as overthrows; but perhaps the most extraordinary fourcr in recent years was that scored by Redgrave last week at tho expense of Scott. Tho Petersham express was sending them down very fast, but on this occasion the hall slipped from his hand, ‘and rolled harmlessly along the pitch. The crowd laughed, but just before the ball ceased moving Redgrave ran down the pitch, more than half way, and drove tho bail easily to the on. By the time tjie field recovered from the. surprise, and sent a fieldsman in pursuit, the ball had rolled on to tho cycle track. ■ It is doubtful which was the more commendable—tho batsman’s judgment in placing the ball or his presence of mind in taking advantage of the opportunity. A Wellington tobacconist last week was made the object of on attempt to “ring the changes.” It was done on hoary, timc-cncrustcd lines._ The person was a man of rather “flashy” apjiearaneo, and he asked for cigarettes. Ho tendered half a sovereign, and received 9s 6d and tho cigarettes. Then, as if struck by a second thought, lie pulled out a handful of silver, nut down sixpence, mid asked that the half-sove-reign should be restored. Before his demand could be complied with, however, the customer requested that he should bo given a sovereign in exchange for the half-sovereign and 10s in silver that lay on the counter. Tho assistant who was serving complied, without perceiving that he was 10s to tho bad on the transaction. If tho customer had been content, to drop the matter at this stage he might have got clear away, but, instead of leaving, ho bought a cigar, and again tendered half a sovereign, and, as it scorned, began the game de novo. But this time the assistant demanded that tho sovereign first handed over should he laid on the counter beside the rest of the cash that had figured in the transaction, and called the proprietor of the shop. The latter deposited tho whole of the money in tho till, and suggested the intervention of a policeman. Tho customer left hurriedly.

Roar-Admiral Bridges, who thirty years ago commanded tho Australian Squadron, and who has been living in Victoria since 1885, lias just returned to Australia from Vancouver. Giving his impressions to a Sydney interviewer, ho said: “1 was greatly impressed with tho great headway Canada is making. It is extraordinary. Tho value of land is increasing, and wages are very high. There seems to bo no falling off in immigration, and the statement that tho number of immigrants, is now decreasing is accounted for by tho fact that every man entering tho country has to show a certain amount of money, and that amount is doubled during the winter months, because a man must have enough to tide him over tho severe winter until such time , as lie can get to work on the land. The hardships that a settler has to face there in tho winter time are very groat. The Canadian Government offers remarkable facilities, however, to those who desire to go on tho land, and everything is made ns easy as possible for tho new settler. If our Crown lands were to be opened up in the way Canada is opening hors up, depend upon it immigration would follow. Are you aware that in Australia 93. J per cent, of the land is still hold by the Crown? See tho Commonwealth Y'oar Book. Then there is tho drastic land tax. There is no question that it is, to a very largo extent responsible for the feeling in England on the part of those with land interests here that the best thing they can do is to sell out. They are disgusted. If tho Government would go after that 03j nor cent, and get it working, it wouldn’t need to tax the six and a half.” For catalogues, prize tickets, members’ tickets, etc., try Herald Jobbing Office.

PtAniq-growyrs around Pukckoho arc feftid Hare bftd rpiums of from £6O to €lO3 pet ftero this season. About 1600 fcere* of fan 4 tras devctfid to thin orop, v/Hfch therefore represents n lot of money, Tho chairman of the High School Board requests us to inform pupils that the new tennis courts are now .ready for those who desire to practise during the holidays. At tho next meeting of the Borough Council the Mayor will submit the following notice of motion: “That the council appoint a working overseer at a salary of £3 per week, and that applications bo called for a person having a thorough knowledge of the formation and metalling of streets and the asphalting and tarring of footpaths.’ 1

For about throe weeks “ Pelorus Jack” was missing from his usual haunts, and it was feared that something bad happened to him. But he was seen on Monday to the northward oT tho French Pass by officers of the Takapuna, as lively as ever. “The most amusing story of an American in France that I ever heard,” said a recently-appointed attache to the French Embassy, “is this: A wellknown French actor became involved in a discussion with an American, grew heated, drew his card from his pocket, throw it on the table with a tragic air, and stalked out. The American regarded tho card for some moments, took out his fountain pen, wrote ‘Admit bearer’ above the engraved line, and went off to the theatre.”

An interesting; wedding took place on board the immigrant steamer Perthshire at Cairns, Queensland, a few days ago. The immigration agent announced that there was a vacancy for a man arid wife at a certain place, and one little fellow immediately broke in, “I’ll take that.” “Are you married?” was asked. “No, but I soon will be,” was tho reply. It appears that ho and his intended Wife were on board,* and, acting on the impulse of the moment, they were married immediately in the saloon.

George Anstey, aged twelve, a cripple, of Leicester, is one of the most remarkable cyclists in the country. Both his legs are withered and useless, but the Leicester Cripples’ Guild has provided him with a two-wheeled pedalless machihe, with a padded tube covering the axle-bar. Across this he lies fa'ee foremost, and with wooden clogs strapped to his hands he propels himself along the streets and roads in a marvellously rapid manner. He has complete control of the machine, his hands acting as pedals, steering gear, and brake combined. Mr. B. Kerr Clarke, private secretary to hjs Excellency the Governor, has written to his Worship the Mayor as follows: have the honour to inform you, by direction of his Excellency the Governor, that he will be pleased to visit New Plymouth on Thursday. January 26. 1 shall be glad if you will be good enough to send me a programme d the arrangements for the Governor’s visit at your earliest convenience.” His Worship the Mayor will convene a meeting probably for Monday evening to draw up a programme.

At Tamworth recently Bill Squires found his’punch at a local'hotel (says the Quirindi Gazette). It appears that seven men formed a sort of combination to bump Bill over some fancied grievance. One struck Bill behind the ear, but ho only shook his head, and in twenty seconds four were spread on the floor, two went down as soon as they got within range of the ex-champion’s mighty arm; the seventh man did a guy, but Bill raced after him, and knocked him, over at the Boyal. Then ho slipped into an office, probably to see how he stood over the matter. Tamworth was ringing with Bill's prowess, and the number of men who were “down and out” was magnified to 17. Squires was brought before the Magistrate,’who took a lenient-view of tho case and fined him Is and 6s costs.

Building operations have been commenced in Groat Portland Street, London, for the new premises of the British and Foreign Bible Association. The now building will have to provide accommodation for forty-three years’ accumulation of 160,000 books and embossed plates, which represent practically the whole literature of the British Islands which blind people are able to read. New machinery is to be laid down and operated by blind people, and it will bo possible for the first time in history for those who have no sight to read a daily paper. Up to now they have had to bo content with one a week. The new machinery will <mboss plates for the blind paper as last as a linotype sets up type. Quito a sportsmanlike attitude was exhibited by a' number of competitors in the hop, step, and jump event at the Mangatu sports on Wednesday (says the Gisborne Times). A young follow named Roy Patterson broke a small bone in one of his feet, which absolutely precluded him from further contesting the event. The other competitors immediately withdrew, and allowed Patterson to win the event. The public also subscribed the sum of £4, which will go towards defraying the expenses at the hospital, where he was conveyed on the arrival of the train at Gisborne. The action of the competitors in withdrawing in consequence of the accident is one that cannot he too highly commended, for each of them displayed a spirit that was as pleasing as it was rare.. “You say, madam,” said a barrister to a woman in the witness box, “that the, defendant is a sort of relative of yours. Will you please explain what vou moan by that? Just how you aro related to the defendant?” “Well, it’s like this,” replied the witness; “His first wife’s cousin and my second husband’s first wife’s aunt married brothers named Jones, and they were cousins to my mother’s aunt. Then, again, his grandfather on his mother’s side and my grandfather on my mother’s side were second cousins, and his stepmother married my stepfather after his father and mv mother died, and his brother Joe and my husband’s brother married twin sisters. I ain’t never figgorod out just how close related wo are, but I’ve always looked on him as a sort of cousin.” “Quite so,” answered the lawyer. The Isle of Lewis, the principal island of the Outer Hebrides, is to be sold, Major Mathcson having instructed his London agents, Messrs. Osliorn and Mercer, to find a buyer for this unique sporting domain. Covering about .000,000 acres, the island is a sportsman’s paradise, providing unlimited sport with deer, grouse, woodcock, snipe, etc., and one of the three salmon rivers is claimed to bo the. finest in the United Kingdom, 1000 salmon being caught in a season. The principal mansion, known as Lewis Castle, standing in GOO acres of wellwooded grounds, is a spacious and up-to-dato building dominating tbo town of Stornoway and harbour, and was visited by King Edward and Queen Alexandra in 1902,, when their Majestic* planted trees in the grounds. The population of the island is about 23,000, of which Stornowa^-D—l 4000, most of the others being crofters.

It is very evident ibero aro one or two persons in New Plymouth anxious to gain admittance to an asylum if one is to judge by their actions recently. During the last few days numerous complaints have been made of a . man behaving indecently before young girls proceeding along the esplanade. Quite recently a railwry employee, when proceeding along Gill Street in the direction of his homo late at night, Raw n man standing on the footpath near the Drill Shed with not a stitch of clothing on. Tim police were acquainted with tho matter, and a thorough search was made in tho locality, but without success. On New Year's Eve a local gentleman and a number of ladies were walking along Vivian Street when they saw a man. dT rather short stature, following three ladies, mid apparently endeavouring to attract their attention. Tho man was wearing an ordinary short coat but no trousers; what appeared to be the latter garments he was carrying over his shoulders. ckunotlmig was done to startle the fellow, and ho disappeared. The police were communicated with, and a thorough search was again made in tho hope of dis-, covering the offender, but it proved futile. It is more than probable that one individual is responsible for these mad acts, and no effort should bo spared to trace him and mete out tho punishment he so richly deserves.