GENERAL NEWS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13434, 22 July 1911, Page 9

GENERAL NEWS.

HORSE FORTY-THREE YEARS OLD

A horse belonging to Mr James Brandwood, of Embleton, a farmer in the Lake District, has reached its 43rd birthday. For fourteen years it made a weekly journey over Kewhmds Pass, from to lluttermore, with a grocer's cart, and it, still works occasionally. TRAVELS OF A BOX OF CHOCOLATES. A Queen Victoria box of chocolate sent 11 years ago to Alfred Cassell, who served with the Guards in the South African campaign, and was wounded, has just reached him at Daws Hill, High AVycoinbe Buckinghamshire, where he is employed as niglit-watehman on Earl Carringtoii's estate. The wrapper of the box is covered with postmarks, indicating that it has travelled thousands of miles.

FIGHT FOR A SKELETON. The heirs of a. family named Fleurot, living- near Remiremont, are lighting a curious case over a .skeleton which has been for many years a treasure in the family. The skeleton belonged to a lancer of abnormal height, who sold his body t;> t!ii! Fleurot family, on condition that his skeleton should be kept after death. The inheritance was divided some years ago, and two cousins are now lighting for the possession of the lancer's skeleton. GRILLED SHARK AND TORTOISE. An unusual-menu was placed before .a distinguished company at the jivnuai lunof the French National Acclimatisation. Society, an organisation whose object is 1,» acclimatise foreign products in France, at the (la re do Lyon. One of the hors-d'ouvre was "foie gras" of tortoise, while the roasts included grilled shark and Madagascar goat. A variety of dishes of. Soya beans from a factory run entirely by Chinmen near Paris was also served. The luncheon was attended by the Minister of the Colonies, the Bulgarian Minister, the Governor of Dahomey, and several ladies'. The guests, however, did not seem to have enjoyed the exotic dishes. "UPSTART SONS OF THE RICH." President Taft made a speech at the .Tewieh Temple in- New York which, acoordmr.' to the "Herald", is creating much discussion. The President uttered a scathing criticism of clubs in which "unstart sous of wealthy parents blackball 'applicants for admission who are "their superiors ih brains, .-.biliry, and deportment." Ho asserted tnat it was possible for worthv men to be blackballed "bv tiro or tlir»e persons who are not fit to Mack their slices " It is believed that Mr Taft retired t.o_ the recent action of two prominent JNew iork clubs in -blackmailing two equally prominent men because they were uot university men.