Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1895 — MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. [ARTICLE]

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

Western Australia was first settled in 1829 as the Swan river settlement and for many years the population was very small, but in the end of 1889 it had risen to 43,332. A curious custom prevails at the coal pits on Hogmanay, in Scotland. The first man to come up the pit after his work is over is received with a shovejjul of hot ashes, which, being prepared for he dodges as best he can, while the last man gets a bucketful of cold water thrown at him. What is said to be the largest ice rink in the world has just been opened in London. The hall measures 22,000 square feet, of which 10,000 are covered with ice, manufactured at the rate of eight tons a day. There is a panorama of Niagiraqn winter in the background. I It has befen decided to establish a torpedo school at Chatham, Eng land, so as to avoid the inconvenience and expense of sending I dedway steam reserve men to the torpedo school ships at- Portsmouth Ind Devonport for instruction in that branch of naval warfare.