GENERAL NEWS

Wairarapa Age, 18 December 1919, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS

Approximately 7000 more Americans immigrated .into Canada in the first eight months of 1919 than in the corresponding period last year. iQfthe 38,222 persona who this year crossed tho border, more than half Were farmers. PARROT FRUSTRATES SUICIDE. Tho determined attempt of a Dundee man, John Ross, to take his life hf means of gas poisoning was. frustrated in a remarkable manner by tltescreeching of a parrot. Between Friday and Saturday morning the inhabitants of the tenement where Ross lives were much disturbed by the screeching of a parrot owned by Ross. The noise increased, and the neighbours intervened. No response could bo obtained to tho knocking at tho door, and, as the bird continued to screech as if in pain, the neighbours burst open the door. A strong smell of gas met those whoentered the house, and they discovered Ross rolled up in a blanket lying on the floor, with the end of & gas tube in bis mouth. Ho was removed to the infirmary. The parrot suffered from the effects of the fumes, but before long it seemed to recover. SIXTEEN EGGS A DAY! From sixteen hens? No, from on* henl And thirteen of the eggs were laid before a witness who has sworn on oath, in the presence of a judge, that these thirteen eggs were kid by tbo hon without getting off her nest once to take a breather! The hen belongs to an American, and is a White Rock. She is called the Machine Gun Pullet, or the Mftga* zine Hen, and sceptics who have visited her have comq away converted. She does not lay sixteen eggs eveiy dayj that is her highest record; but she maintains a good daily average, having produced 151 eggs la a month v and 77 in one week. She is a very particular bird, and has a right to be. As soon as she thought about laying she marked a certain barn for the purpose, .and would not begin her career until < she had been admitted. She laid four to six eggs per day from the outset, and hundreds of people came to see hor. She is still laying hard. "DEAD" MOTHER MEETS HER "DEAD" SON. About twelvo years ago a Mrs. Paul, who then lived at Wimbledon, went to Canada, and some time afterwards her son in England heard by letter that she had died. Soon after the outbreak of war the son joined tho South Wales Bordefers, and the troopship on which he was going to the Dardanelles was sunk. Ho was saved, but news was sent to his mother—who was still alive in Canada—that ho had been drowned. She was mourning for him. However, he came through the war unscathed, and is now working at a muntion factory at. Kingston-on-Thames. . .. • A few days ago Mrs. Paul arrived in England on a visit, and at Wimbledon was overjoyed to hear that hor son was still living. She set out ta Kingston to see him, and on- her way to the works where he is employed she met him unexpectedly in the street. Each had thought the other dead, and the shock and glad surprise of the meeting may bo imagined. <t

Brown Irish retriever flog lost Tradesman requires private board. Board for few weeks wanted by gill on holiday in Masterton. Tho W.F.C.A. have landed a Stock of-steam-tarred, rot-proof tennis nets. Final practice for "The Messiah" at tho Methodist Church to-night Tho amateur photographer who took a snapshot of gentleman in the Park about a fortnight ago is asked to call at Mr. G. W. Hchroeder's for his penknife. . t On Sunday evening, at the Masterton Methodist Church, after the service, the members of the choir, assisted by local talent, will rendSp selections front ilandel's Oratorio f Tha Messiah," at the conclusion of which a collection will be token up fa «IA of ekoiz fufids. ■ .