THE WORLD’S NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144133, 1 July 1913, Page 3

THE WORLD’S NEWS.

The following cablegrams bay© appeared In the Sydney Sun; — LONDON, Juno 21. A Road Congress is now being held, which is attended by delegates representing 39 governments. From asummary of the papers to be submitted' it is seen that the authors agree that modern engineering problems in road construction' are caused by the increased motor traffic, and that these problems are' creating a tendency to greater centralisation. It is pointed out that a further development of State assistance and supervision is desirable, England possesses 150,000 miles of roads, controlled by IS9B borough and district authorities, all of whom are, therefore, greatly interested in the proceedings of the congress. LONDON, Juno 22. Speaking at the annual dinner of the Associated Booksellers la'sfc night, Mr. Hail Came, the well-known author, said that sevenponny books were the most wonderful things in history. Books wore an incalculable influence in educating and amusing the' public, and nowadays the masterpieces ,of literature, beautifully printed and bound, could be purchased for the: price of a glass, of brandy.

Some ' remarkable disclosures were made yesterday at an' inquest into the death of an old man who earned a livelihood as an artist. - The deceased was 65 years of age, and lived at Paddington, where he led the'life of a recluse. Ho was of eccentric habits, and occupied' a room, from which ho had never emerged for several years past. Another Of his many peculiarities was his aversion to taking off his clothes, which, it was shown, ho had not removed for many yoark. .Ho" used to say, that it. was too much trouble, and that it gave him a terrible sonsation to take. off his coat. During the time that he was in bed suffering from congestion of the lungs, to which his death was due, he painted a num-’ her of pictures and sold them all.Rhubarb Bft. 9in. in height, and each stick 19in. in circumference, has been grown in Kent. NEW YORK, Juno 23.

Many alarming reports are in circulation of the serious damage that has been done to the Panama Canal as the result of a crack developed in the masonry of the north-west wing of the Miraflores Lock. One report states that the,lock gates have bean pulled away, and that the damage amounts to £300,000. The engineers, however, declare that the crack is of only minor importance. American papers are describing today the heroism with which two little boys, Donald Roscoe, 10, and Hubert Moore, 9, went to their death in the whirlpool at Niagara Rapids. As tho small scow in winch the boys had been, sailing on the river was whirled alonp; towards the falls hundreds of people ashore stood watching it honor-stricken but helpless. Many attempts at rescue were made, but although two companies of firemen were summoned nothing could bo done to save the boys. As tho 1 craft approached tho rapids the little fellows, realising their fate, stood up and bravely took each other’s hand, while men and women, hysterical in ■their helplessness, wept and prayed. After the boys took their last farewell of each other they jumped out of tho boat and hung on to the bottom, until it was swept into tho., rapids.'Once or twice afterwards a little head bobbed above tho seething waters, but that was the last seen of the brave little chaps.