Nearly A Million Pensioners

The pension rollof the United States has almost reached the million mark. Commissioner Evans lias just issued a statement 6howing that on Aug-ust 1 the pensioners, numbered just 983,528, and increase of 12,850 for the past fiscal year. During that year 50,101 new pensions were graoted and 3,971 persons were restored to the rolls. Old age and disease, however, is working great inroada into the lists, for there were 31,960 deaths during the year. Other sources of loss were 1,074 f rom remarrfage of widows; 1,845 orphans attained majority; 2,683 failures to claim pensions, and 3,560 losses from unrecorded causes. Arkansas fruit growers are negotiating at Denver for a carload of red ants to kill off worms that are ruining their orchards. The steamer Miowera from Sydney, Australia, brings details of the recent annexation of the Solomon islands by her majesty's ship Wallaroo. The first island made a colony was Bellona, where the union jack was hoisted with the usual ceremonies. The natives were shy at first and much frightened by the salute, but they became reassured. Runnel island was placed under lritish proteetion the same day. The Wallaroo called at Maru sound and proceeded to the Stewart islands, anncxing them. The natives are of a high type and very friendly.