MISCELLANEOUS.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1051, 20 February 1882, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS.

In contrasting the work of the women with that of the men in the London Post Oiiice, the authorities say that the women are more conscientious and take a greater interest in their occupation. This it, perhaps, only too easily accounted for when it is remembered what is the class of women who are here employed. The women in tlie Teleghaph Department and other Post Ofiice work are distinct from tho Post Office clerks proper, and their social position is not enquired into when they are admitted. But theso specially appointed clerks wore not born witii the prospect of work lying before them, and many a sad htbtorv is (.■r.-.-uO-t-.-d with t!-.:*i:- e-.t_--v-.eQ Q-.\

official life. The young men in the Post Office spend their time in exercise or amusement whtn the hours of work are over. Many of the women go home to continue their exertions in some other form. The salary is small, and one tries to increase it by giving lessons, another by sewing, a third in drudgery of a domestic kind. The continuous close application is often found a relief from pressing thoughts o? great sorrow or loneliness ; of there may, perhaps, be anxiety to rise as rapidly as possible to a higher position in the section, that a larger salary may be obtained. The clerks in some edge's hare others depending on them. Ltiflg ings, were two idiot brothers are her only companions, is the home r of one woman. A solitary attic near London Bridge is the home of another of these clerks. Possibly the women plod more steadily than the men do. 7\t any rate, the authorities are satisfied that nothing is wanted among them of quiet business-like ways.

In Norway it is said, the erection of telegraph poles and vires scares all the wolves away from the neighborhood, And many miles of line have been put up for the double purpose of securing rapid communication and immunity) fi»m wolves. Large districts have thus been cleared of the dangerous and troublesome brutes.

A watch that will go in perpetuity -without the assistance of a key or any other mechanical device, is certainly a novel invention, and one that will secure all the notice and attention that its ingenuity certainly entitles it to. This new pocket wonder winds itself up automatically, simply by being carried by the possessor. Thus the motive power is continuously and indefinitely maintained through the vibration produced by the daily average movements ol the human body arising from the ordinary vocations of every day life ; and it is no less strange than true that a watch wound in this automatic manner yields a better rate than when wound in the ordmaty way. This latter feature is due to the fact of the lesser range of mainspring in use. The -perpetual watches are damp and dust proof, require no cleaning, need never be opened, and will last a life-time. The invention of a distinguished Austrian Government engineer, these marvellous pieces of mechanism are rapidly causing an extraordinary sensation, not only on the continent, but in this country. It is the desire of the promoters to make the "Ladies Court " in the New Zealand section one of the most important features of tke Exhibition. They therefore wish the ladies of the colony to assist them by forwarding specimens of their skill in any of the i numerous branches of fancy work in' which ladies -excel. The exhibits in the .Court" will include specimen- or «mbr©idery, crewel work, wa? flower modelling, painting in water colors, and every other description of fancy work. A correspondent writing to the N.Z. Times from Edinburgh makes the following suggestion: — I have been informed that a much esteemed Danish "beer is * hopped' by the use of the flower of the broom. This may be an important matter for New Zealand, where broom grows readily and flowers luxuriantly. If the flowers of furae will answer the same purpose, there is a still greater opening for New Zealand industry in the brewing trade, for in no country furze flowers more freely. The matter is worth inquiry, and would soon be proved by the brewers.