NEWS IN BRIEF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12083, 11 August 1917, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Tn England a road has been built of leather waste treated with tar. By freezing -water under pressure a ¥ tench scientist' hits made, ice so heavy that it does not float. The latest' nailmakins; machines enable an operator to make a nail a second . ■ Spurs to he fastened to hens' legs to prevent them from setting havo been patented by a Ivansan. Much speed is attainably with a new nut cracker that is operated with a pedal. Experimenters in Ceylon hare found that cocoanut water, fermented for a few days, can bo used to coagulate lubber. Batteries in tho heel supply current for an incandescent lamp on tho buckle of a new low shoe for women that is intended for evening woar. Following exhaustive research a Paris scientist has recommended a diet equally divided between meats and vegetables as tho best for workers. So successful have wireless telephones proved on Italian warships that tho Government plans to install them on merchant and passenger vessels. To enable two persons to examine .an object at tho same time a French optician has invented a microscope with two eyepieces, but only one objective. Rubber artificial eyes, which are partially pneumatic, havo been invented in Europe and are said to be .lighter and more comfortable than glass ones. Telegraph poles hare been dispensed ■with entirely in one Welsh town in which the residents liave permitted the wires to be swung from house to house. An umbrella w"ith a handle that clasps over the wrist like a bracelet has been invented for tho benefit of women shoppers. A recently invented trailer which can be attached to any automobile, converts it into an omnibus that can carry from eighteen to twenty-five passengers. Japanese physicians have demonstrated that it is possible to disinfect the mouth, nose and other body cavities with ultra-violet rays. More than 150.000 packages, of a total weight of about 300 tons, are being Bent daily to our men at the front." Tho body of an ambulance for horses that an Englishman lias invented is mounted on a pivot and can be turned ground to permit an occupant to walk Kio xitati first. A system of shorthand writing for the Chinese language has been invented j by Mr Wong Po Koung, of Hong Kong, ! and a speed of 140 words per minute been attained by him. Because ordinary ladders' frequently »lip when used against the walla of tylindrical silos an inventor has patentfed a metal one, tho upper end of which Is hung on wheels from a permanent track. The' United States has not yet footed all the b.lls of her previous campaigns. tier Government—to its honour haa always been generous in the matter ol irar pensions, and her expenditure tinier this head has been enormous. Tho Divil War alone lias been responsible for tho almost incredible pension expenditure of over £'737,000.000 sterling, ir.d. pensioners being proverbially io; lived, the account for from 'settled »vcu yet.