Minor Matters.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue IX, 26 August 1899, Page 20

Minor Matters.

The crusade against raffles and art anions for the purpose of raising funds for churches and charities is, the “Graphic” notes with satisfaction, roing ahead steadily. Speaking on he question of gambling at St. John’s Church. Nelson, last week, the Ker. J. S. Smalley forcibly denounced the system of holding art unions and bazaar raffles for church purposes. This practice, he said, was simply playing into the hands of the Evil One, and he was pleased to state that no art union permits were applied for by the Methodist Church last year. Tn an illuminated address by the old age pensioners of Nelson to the I’remier the name has been written as “Richard Joseph Seddon.” whereas it should be "Richard John.” The Nelson “Mail” suggests instead of spoiling the address, would it not be a better plan to induce the Premier to alter his second name from “John" to “Joseph”? Evidently, in the opinion of the “Graphic,” the Government “vets” did not arrive a moment too soon. According to the Southland “Daily News.” a revolting state of things ?s revealed in the report of Mr C. J. Reakes. Government “vet.,” on the Sore slaughterhouses. Not only are ihey in a shockingly filthy state, but She meat is washed with water contaminated with blood, offal, and the filth washed from the pigs’ legs as they pass to and fro. He concludes: “The whole of these buildings should be washed away as a disgrace to civilisation.’’

A novelty was introduced at a bazaar in Cincinnati on a recent Saturday. Several ladies to the number of some dozens volunteered to submit to be hugged and kissed by any man who chose to pay for the privilege. A tariff was drawn up: 10 cents for unmarried lady, 15 cents tor married lady, 25 cents for a Widow. The men had to be blindfolded. One of the blindfolded men, John Reynolds, paid his 15 cents, and approaching the married women caught hold of the one right before him and held her ou>t and hugged and kissed her most boisterously, and evidently enjoyed himself immensely. When the bandage was removed from his eyes he found that the lady locked in his arms was his wife. Furiously, he demanded his money back, and this being refused he smashed some of the furniture, kicked ever several tables, on which goods *-ere displayed for sale, and behaved like a maniac. Then the police were called in, and it took two of them to subdue him.

The ukase of the Canterbury Jockey Club, that persons reputed' to be bookmakers should not be allowed admittance to their course, caused one amusing scene at Riccarton (says a Christchurch exchange), when a •Well-known individual adopted a novel method of defeating those bent on his removal from the paddock. He rushed to a tree, and throwing his arms round it. clung there for-all he was worth, while a large crowd encouraged and applauded, and several officials attempted to dislodge him. He appealed to the onlookers, offering “three pounds to any big man that would give him a hand.” Although no “big man” was forthcoming he managed to retain his grip of the tree, however, and after the officials had given him up as a bad job. was seen moving about the paddock, apparently quite unconcerned at the sensation he had caused.

Cyclists in the South Wairarapa must be careful in future. The “Times” states that the South Wairarapa County Council has approved of a new by law affecting cycling in the county. The principal provisions of the by-law stipulate for the carrying of lights at night, and the prevention of racing along the country roads. The speed in townships is not to exceed fifteen miles an hour, and not eight miles an hour at crossings or when rounding comers, or at th" intersections of streets. The feet of the cyclist must not be removed from the pedals when descending hills, and the ordinary rules of the road are to be oh'atrved. The penalty

for the violation of any of these provisions is specified as not to exceed £5. What is nothing more or less than a miniature telephone has been designed by a citizen in the United States as a substitute for the awkward ear-trumpet. The transmitter of the telephone is fastened to the clothing of the wearer in some exposed place, and a small receiver fits snugly in the ear, the necessary current being supplied by a small battery carried in the pocket, and the connections between the parts being made by tiny wires. The apparatus in use is not at all conspicuous, for the reason that the greater part of it is hidden in the pocket. The wires are no larger than ordinary eye-glass coral, and the transmitter need not be conspicuous.

It is the intention of the railway authorities to run dining-cars, similar to those in use on the WellingtonManawatu Railway Company's line, on the line between Christchurch and Dunedin, and cars are now being constructed at the Addington Workshops. The Department is endeavouring to have the arrangements com-

pleted so that the cars will be running and in use for the Christmas holidays. It is probable, says the "I’ress." that Mr Walter Freeman, the caterer on the Wellington-Mana-watu line, will take charge of the cars. ♦ ♦ ♦

A simple, but ingenious, device for protecting the ends of a rope—more* particularly that which is used for marine purposes — has, says a Wellington contemporary, been patented by Mr F. H. Carrick, of the Post and Telegraph Department. Mr Carrick is a great yachting enthusiast, and in seeking to improve the present cumbersome method of “whipping” the end of a rope, or in other words, winding small cord round it in order to bind the strands together, he has hit on an idea which he believes will commend itself to most people. Round each end of the rope he places a piece of metal something after the style of a ferrule on a walkingstack, but open on one side. The metal is then tightened up by means of an ordinary screw which runs through the ferrule, and the fibre is gripped as if in a vice. The patentee claims that his device is exceedingly neat, that it will protect a rope end from fraying, and also from the effects of wind and water, that it can be used expeditiously, and that its cost is inconsiderable. * * ♦

Some folks have queer ideas of what is humorous. According to the Wan-

ganui "Herald” three lads narrowly escaped a watery grave in the river in the vieinity of the Masonic Hotel one day last week. They were creasing the river in a canoe, which filled with water and capeixed, the occupants, who were fully dressed, being thrown out. One of them elung to the canoe, and getting astride the bottom of it was enabled to haul the other two out of the water. One of the lads was very much exhausted l»efore he reached the canoe, and all three suffered from the severe cold. A number of spectators on the bank witnessed the accident, and treated it as a huge joke, making no attempt to render assistance and leaving the boys to paddle into shore with their hands as best they could. Some little excitement was caused in Wellington last week when a seaman. a Swede by birth, was rather severely treated by his brother sailors for signing on the articles of the barque John o’ Gaunt for the run. down to Dunedin for the snm of £ 4 10/. It seems that, owing to desertion the ship wanted 5 hands to complete her complement, and the required number of seamen were available at £5 10', but this was rather in excess of the captain’s estimate. The Swede was offered and accepted £4 10/, but after signing on at the shipping office a mob of incensed seamen surrounded and buffeted him about until he made his escape. On inquiry we ascertain that £4 10/ is

about the average sum paid for the trip from Wellington to Dunedin by sailing vessels, but it varies considerably according to the number of seamen out of emplov-ment.

The following strange advertisement is from a Taranaki paper:— Air J. W. Hirst offers a dairy farm for ale.

Evidently the gentleman referred to is tired of milk. “Full up of it'* so to say.