SMALL TINS WANTED.

The ladies who havo charge of the soldiers' parcels arc in need of tins for packing such things as sugar, sweets, etc., in, and appeal to the public for quarter-pound tins, which may bo left either at the Stak office or the Council Chambers.

Tho half-yearly meeting of the Foresters' Lodge will be held to-night, when tho installation of officers will fake place. All members are. urged to attend. Cards will be indulged in after tho meeting.

" Half a slice of bread at a meal and no sugar, that is what you get in England now—and hero in New Zealand there is plenty to eat." Sir Joseph AA r ard.

"I get credit for being an optimist," said Sir Joseph AVard at Auckland. " I rather rejoice in it. I believe I would have been dead and buried long ago if there had not been a spirit of. optimism in my composition." -~

A New Zealand officer, writing to a friend in AVellington from France, says: " Tho. Now Zealand Division is going strong, and ranks as a firstclass fighting division. From what 1 hear, there 'is much competition amongst the Army Corps Commanders to have its co-operation in order to stiffen-f lieu- men."

•AVhile some' New Zealand officers wore assisting to examine about 1000 German prisoners on tho western front otic of the Huns, recognising the Now Zealand hat,. called out. "Eh, New Zealander! Do you know anybody at Tauinarunui?" He spoke perfect English. ■ -..*

The statement mentioned in a cable message from' London last week, to the effect (hat tho poseitioii of the King's representative in New Zealand probably would be raised to that of Governor-General when the present term expired, was mentioned to the Prime Minister at Auckland. " 1 think that thi s is very likely to be so," said Mr Massey. He added that the suggested} change would bo only in consonance, with tlie status of th'o Dominion.

Much publip intorest has been directed to the treatment given at Croydon Military Hospital, which specialises in cases of injured limbs. The head of the hospital, Colonel Deane, is a skilful gymnast, and in the system he has adopted he makes use of all the apparatus usual for the development of muscle. The wounded soldiers are put through a rigorous course of training, and in a surprising! v short space of time crooked limbs have been mado straight, and wrists and fingers that seemed past curing have been put in good working order again. . The men always se'om to get a great deal of pleasure and exhilaration out of the exercises.