Untitled

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13343, 3 April 1911, Page 7

The census papers ■which householders filled, or should have filled, last evening, will be called for by the sub-enumeratorcs as early as possible. Should anyone not have understood any point in connection with the papers, it would bo as well for them to make a note of it, so as to point it out to the sub-enumerators when they call, and not waste those officials’ time bv leaving them to find out amissions and hunt for the requisite information. A grand carnival is to be held at Casllechlf beach on Easter Monday. The members of the Surf Bathing Club are arranging a programme of alarm and relay races, surf shooting, etc., and the display is certain to be as attractive as it will be novel. The event should result in a record attendance at the beach. The idea of building a new ladies’ dressing shed has been taken up, and a number of ladies are interesting themselves with a view to assisting in raising the necessary funds. A cable from Lisbon on Friday stated that five of the crew of the barque Buteshire, which was abandoned on the high seas, during a heavy storm, had landed there. One of the members of t';e crew (Martin O’Brien) is a- eon of Mr J. P. O’Brien, at present an inmate of the Wanganui Hospital. The last letter vie latter received from his son was from Pisagua, Chili, South America, and the father is naturally anxious concerning his son’s welfare. It will probably be some weeks before authentic information comes to hand. We have all been more or less familiar with the penny-in-the-slot machines from our childhood days, but perhaps few have seen the same principle put intc. daily use for feeding the hurrying public. In Philadelphia the stranger is puzzled by a sigr. “Automat” hanging out over the sidewalk in several localities; at night it is picked out in blazing electric bulbs. Being oi a>; inquisitive turn of mind, a correspondent of the Otago Daily Times determined to I investigate, and found that it was nothin.' more or less than a new variety of restaurant. In the centre of the room are many small tables, while fitted into the walls are perpendicular glass cases about 6in wide, each containing shelves laden with some variety of food. There must have been 30 or 40 of these cases, containing such dishes as oyster pie, apple dumpling, bread and butter, cornflour, baked beans, sandwiches, ice cream, etc. If a drink is wanted one may have coffee, tea. cocoa, or milk. The mode of procedure is for the visitor to put in his nickel (5 cents) pull a handle, and the whole shelf comes down till his dish is opposite an opening, from which he takes it. The food is of excellent quality on the whole, and at midday the place is crowded with young people from shops and offices. The method has three great advantages—one sees what one is getting, there is no time wasted in being served, and there are no tips to be paid the waiter. ,