NEWS AND NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20056, 13 March 1935, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES

It is said that old soldiers never die, and Bruce Baimsfather’s famous “Old Bill,’ who became famous in 1916, still lives. To a very large public “Old Bill” and “Alf” are well known through Bairnsfather’s humorous war sketches. “Old Bill” is at present in Wellington in the person of Mr H. Thurston, the original player of the stage character. This is Mr Thurston’s third visit to New Zealand, his last one being 12 years ago, and on the present occasion he is under contract with the Broadcasting Board to give sketches of London life. When “Old Bill” first appeared on the boards at the London Hippodrome in 1916 in a sketch from which “the Better ’Ole" was subsequently adapted, Mr Thurston played the name part. The sketch contained a very generous complement of swear words, lurid and picturesque, culled from front-line trenches. So when royalty paid a surprise Visit to the Hippodrome and there being no time to tone down the sketch, it was with some terpidation that Mr Thurston let the first of his expletives float over the footlights. There was a momentary pause; all eyes were turned to the royal box to see whether the occupants would be shocked, but the King and the Prince of Wales laughed heartily, the house following suit, and all Was well, “Old Bill” is now adapted to all kinds of environments—as a stump oi’ator in Hyde Park, a seaman, and so on. Mr Thurston uses him to show the light and shade of London life.

A famous furnishing house! Small profits, quick returns one of Thomsons’, the drapers, mottoes. Well and nobly has it served them. Furnishings! Always been a place for these. Carpets, window’ blinds, linoleums, blankets, floor cloths, squores, cretonnes, curtain nets, madr.'ses, all in grand selection besides smaller things, Thomson takes pride in showing his new goods bought in the centres of manufacturing transported to Timaru and marked at lowest figure. The millinery at Thomsons’, too, has been responsible for more happy marriages than any other proje:t in Timaru. All new stock —Laces, buttons, white and scarce colours. Hats, fine new’ ranges wanted. Overcoatings for Mr Solomon’s branch. Pays to get one of his suits—lo years’ wear not uncommon, and like it all the time.

H. Allchurch and Go. insert a preliminary notice of a sale of chocolates, groceries, office and shop fittings, etc., which they are holding at their rooms, the Rialto, on Friday next, at 2.30 p.m. Further particulars will be advertised to-morrow.

To keep fully informed on the new developments in science throughout the world, a person would have to read 36,000 scientific journals published weekly, monthly or quarterly, in eighteen languages. About four-fifths of them, 28193, are public in the five principle languages, and nearly half of these are in English. The figures are: _English, 13.494; German, 6186; French, 5013; Russian, 1833; and Italian, 1667. Dr. C. S. Sherrington, of Oxford University, states that the compilation gives an index of the scientific activity of the various language groups. The list was compiled by Mr W. A, Smith, of the British Museum. These figures indicate that scientific research w'ork is being carried on at such a rapid rate that it requires more than 1000 standard magazines issues a day to report the progress made. Even if all the languages were available to a scientist, it would be impossible for him to read all of these contributions. If he confined himself to English, he would still have to read about 425 Issues a day.

A grand Irish dance w’ill be held in St. Patrick’s Hall Browne Street, on Saturday night. Splendid arrangements have been made for the dance, a feature of which will be the specially arranged Irish dance music.

There are no horses, cows or sheep on a one thousand-acre farm in Norfolk. England. All the work is done by machinery, including one plant which can, using nothing but hot air, dry two tons of wheat in an hour.

The clearing sale at Kimbell, Fairlie, on account of Mr John Wilson, advertised for March 16, has been postponed to March 23.

Monte Carlo night at the Ritz Dance Club always draws a big crow'd, and last Saturday night w’as no exception, when patrons from both town and country filled the Ritz Hall, to try and secure one of the handsome prizes w'hieh are usually given on such occasions. A glass-like floor and bright music added much to the entertainment. Prize winners were: Misses Townsend, B. Nelson, Bennett, Laplanche, M. Donn; Messrs Woods, W. Hogan, Kennedy, P. James, E, Running.

Indigestion- When you teel that youi digestive organs are not working properly, if you suffer from severe stomach pains, wind or fullness after eating, or ac' ’ity of the stomach, try our indigestion mixture. You v’ili enjoy quick relief. This mixture contains those ingredients which aid digestion and -ne up the nerves of the stomach Price 2/6 and 4/6 a bottle, E. C. Ayres, r_.d„ chemist, 78 Stafford Street South Timaru

Nerve Tonic: Ayres' Nervita Is the best tonic to take when you fee) run down and the nervous system is all unstrung. It is rejuvenating and strength giving when you are depressed through overwork or worry. It quickens circulation, improves the c—iptite and increases muscular power. As a remedy tor neuritis it is unequalled and can be taken by the most delicate persons, as it assists digestion, and is reco»mended wherever a restorative and vitalising medicine is reouired Price 2/6 and 3/J a bottle. E. O. Ayres, Ltd., chemists. 78 Stafford Street. South. Timar a