Gossip
The Corn Tax on Linoleum
Few people not in the trade would see any connection between the corn tax and the linoleum industry, but such, of course, exists. It may be helpful to note that the word corn is a general term referring to a variety of grains. The New York Carpet Trade Review points out, "The Biitish Government proposes to tax linseed at the rate of five shillings a ton, and as about four tons of the seed are required to produce one ton of oil, this will mean a tax of £1 on every ton of oil, an additional expense not at all agreeable to manufacturers of linoleum, and especially those exporting to countries under protective tariffs.
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Church Carving
The improvements now being carried out in the Cathedral, Ripon, include, first, the new stalls for the clergy and choir in the nave. These have been designed by Mr J. Oldrid Scott, F.S.A and the work has been carried out by Messrs. Thompson & Son, of Peterborough. The stalls are in wainscot oak, and are carved with tracery in front, and carved bench-ends. The bookboards are designed in canopy form, the fronts having groined carving. Messrs. Thompson are also erecting a new lobby for the west doors, this being also in wainscot oak, with carving.
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Valuable Coronation Chairs
The chairs which were manufactured for use at the Coronation have been specially marked, and the greatest precautions are being taken against their being counterfeited. Mr. R. Bailey, the Controller of Stores, has initialled each one, and on the back of each chair the inscription "E.R. VII. Coronation," with a crown in the centre, has been burned in in block letters with an iron brand specially made for the purpose. This instrument has been destroyed. These souvenirs are being competed for by some of the greatest families in England, and will doubtless be handed down as heirlooms for generations.
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Vikings and the Coronation
Nor the least interesting of the Coronation gifts is the Viking inkstand which the King has been graciously pleased to accept from one of his subjects. In the River Hamble, Southampton, at low tide, can be seen the remains of an old Viking ship wrecked [Ed: possibly referring to the Grace Dieu] about the 10th century. A small piece of timber from the old vessel was in the early part of this, year handed to Mr. Schauermann, sculptor, of Twickenham, with the request to "design and carve something suitable for the King and Queen." The finished result was an exceedingly handsome inkstand in the form of a Viking war vessel.