The Star SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1899. NOTES AND NOTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6514, 17 June 1899, Page 4

The Star SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1899. NOTES AND NOTIONS.

They manage these things differently in Germany. According to tbe Berlin specif* correspondent of a London contemporary! a duel with sabres has been fought at Potsdam between a son of the King of Siam and a young sub-lieutenant. Both, are pupils at the Potsdam Military Academy. The Siamese Prince had been subjected ty his German companions to a number of petty annoyances and insults. In consequence, he asked the permission of his superiors to challenge the ringleader. Tliis was granted. The duel took place in the academy gymnasium in. the presence of the directors of the academy, the seconds aud two doctors. At the fifth passage the German combatant received a severe wound in the head, which ended the proceedings.

Only 13 out of 100 young women maxry between the ages of . 15 and 20 years in France. From 20 to 25 years the average is 60 out of 100. The further up from her 25th year the maid travels, the slimmer are her chances for marriage; stall up to 30 yeaTS the nuptial chimes ring out for 22 out of 100. Maids from 30 to 35 years old have 12 chances in 100 ; from 35 to 40 yearf , 6, and from 40 to 45 yeairs only 5 in 100. There is only one lucky female in 100 who marries when between 45 and 50 years old. It must not be supposed, however, that after 50 oblivion covers' the hearts of belated maids. Even between the ages of 60 and 65, there is a chance for one maid among 365. The strongest competitors maids have to encounter are the widows, for they marry with equal, if not better, chances than their . single sisters.

Perhaps the most useful member of the ancient house of Wittelsbaeh is the present Duke Carl Thcodor of Bavaria, the head of the ducal line of Princes in Bavaria, a royal highness,* and. a doctor of medicine. He and his consort, a former Princess of the Royal house of Portugal, recently celebrated their silver wedding, and great preparations were made for <the event, both at Munich, where the Duke and Duchess often reside, and also at their seat at Tegernsee. The Duke is an able physician, aaid has a very high' repute bus an oculist, and his life is chiefly passed in attending the poorer classes, of Munich.. It is no unusual circumstance, to find the Duke attending patients of the working to whom he. has been sum- ' moned, l&te at night. His Royal Highness is brother to the late Empress-of Austria.

•phe publication, "La Science Pour Tons." recalls certain curiosii-fes of the-Gre-eorian calendar. Thus, since the reform of the calendar by Pope Gregory. XHl. in 1582 &° century can begin with a Wednesday a Friday or a Sunday. Also, the same calendar can be used for twenty years. Janiiary and October of the same year always begin with the same day. So do April aTIc * J u ty> a^ so September and December .February, March and November 'also begirt with the same day. New Year's Day atot Sylvester's Day also fall oh the same day except of course, in leap-years. Each dav'of the week has served as a day of rest s oP* &vrheTe ; Sunday among. Christians, Monday^ -'with -the' Greeks, Tuesdays with liL *p_rsians, Wednesday with the AssyThursday with, the TEgy^laans, Fri--7_ n; the Turksjand Saturday-, with the T~wg\. . Tsßßißyj?.s& error .jot ,i*he . Gxegorian. caigrwiai^^'cMnpa^ed with tie':^actuaT course of tlie 's^*; doe's- nob exceed. one day in. 4000 ; yea^'-7 :,:' ... : .;■. "' ■■.'■.-'

will be a measure submitted by the (Government for the establishment of an old age pension scheme. This question was reported on by a Royal Commission, which approved of the project, and suggested -various sources of revenue, most of which, however, were surrounded by difficulties. It is probable that a sum of £200,000 would have to be provided as the foundation of the fund, from the increment of which pensions Would he provided, and the real difficulty is to ear-mark sources of revenue sufficient tD create such a fund. . The " Age " says that the Government has not yet been able to decide on the means of raising the money. A tax on land values has been suggested; a tax on amusements, and also an extension of tho income tax, so that those persons who are most likely to apply for pensions should contribute something towards the fund. Th© machinery of the scheme is a comparatively simple matter,. and. a Bill' has been drafted to give -effect to the- system when the means are provided.

. Apropos of the~delay in finding the .Perthshire, the "Poverty Bay Herald " says it is interesting to learn irom Captain Cummings, of tho Prince of Wales, that some years ago, when he was an officer of the White Star liner Celtic, travelling from New York to Sajithampton, that vessel met with a similar experience to the Perthshire, her tail shaft being carried away in mid-Atlan-tic. The steamer had a large complement of passengers aboard, and was speeding across the Atlantic with the Christmas mails. When the accident happened the second engineer -fortunately had his hand on the valve, and promptly shut off steam, otherwise there might have been a serious breakage. The Celtic was completely disabled, and drifted about for thirty days before being picked up. This in the busy " herring pond," where there is such a constant traffic, was even more extraordinary than the long drift of the Perthshire in the comparatively less frequented Tasman Sea. Captain Campbell, temporarily in charge of the Mawhera, also relates a similar experience. He was on one of the liners trading to the Cape, and, the tail shaft breaking, the vessel drifted for several weeks before being taken in tow.

Lines dedicated to the Right Honorable R. J. Seddon, in recognition of his services in passing the Old Age Pension Act. "(By an Old Age Pensioner, written for the "Star.") He stands as an example To all his fellow men, Who had the courage to enforce What unjust men condemn. The old age pension was to him A cause to be revered, • Nobly he fought, and nobly passed The Act, while .others feared. Feared that the time was not yet ripe, That failure must ensue, That helping the oid and needy Was not their right and due. But strength of will and purpose Was foremost in his mind, Which now is fully recognised By the upright, just and kind. . And all the world now wonders That from Zealandia' s shore, He was the first to pass an Act To help the aged poor. In ages past, in years gono by, Even to the present day, The problem how to help the poor Was one that caused dismay. , He thought it out, his searching eye Could see the path made clear, Nobly he fought the cause of truth Without dismay or fear. Great man of strength and courage, Brave champion of the poor, ■ May blessings on you never cease, Long may your sway endure.