Strike Out Both Top Lines

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 260, 7 December 1914, Page 8

Strike Out Both Top Lines

all Army and Navy contracts arising out of the war. This is the first result of the recent demand in the House of Commons for full enquiry into prevalent allegations of contract scandals.

In the Chancery Division the Zinc Corporation sought a decision whether a contract to sell the whole output to the German firm of Aaron Hirsch and Son until 1919 was voided by the war, or merely suspended. Mr Justice Sargant held that the case was covered by the clause suspending contracts during the continuance of events beyond control of vendors or buyers which prevented .or delayed the carrying out of agreements. He granted an injunction restraining the directors from acting on the assumption that the contract was terminated, and added that undoubtedly this was a ease that should go to the highest tribunal.

The Government ; has prohibited the* export of tinned meats and tin-plates for Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands,* also ta'nning extracts to-all' destinations.

The English, French, and Russian police have discovered that one factor in German espionage is a press and seals for printing plates for a wholesale system of forged passports for the use of German agents. Copies of the "Irish Worker" in Dublin were seized by the police, who also seized the printing plant and all documents on the premises. / UNITED STATES DEFENCE. VARYING- OPINIONS. OFFICER'S ALARMING STATEMENT. WASHINGTON, December 5. The state of the United States' defences is now agitating the Press and ftoliticians. Messrs Fitzgerald and Siierley, members of the House of Representatives, conferred with President Wilson on the question, expressing the belief that MiGardner's allegations as to New York's defences being inadequate, were untrue. Competent army officers bolieve that New York's defences are able to destroy any attacking fleet. Major Aleshire informed the Military Committee of the House that the army was fully supplied for six months, but the militia was not yet fully equipped. Bi'igadier-General Weaver, in his evidence before the Military Committee of the House, said that ten thousand more men were needed to make the coast defences efficient. The coast guns were obsolete, as they had been

built in .1890 and were incapable of resisting siege guns at present in use in Europe. The artillery troops were deficient, owing to the numerous drafts necessary for the Philippines, Costa Rica, and elsewhere. The American Press professes great alarm at the condition of the land forces. Many papers doubt whether the country would be able to put more than one division in the field if - war broke out to-morrow. Mr Roosevelt is quoted as recently stating that New York was at the mercy of any foreign foe. Mr Gardner wishes to have a National Security Board formed, consisting of naval and military experts. President Wilson and Mr Daniels, oppose the idea. JN THE COMMONWEALTH. ALIEN EMPLOYEES DISMISSED. AMMUNITION AT GERMAN'S RESIDENCE. MELBOURNE, December 6. The Metropolitan Board of Works has dismissed two German employees for seditious utterances. Sixty-one Germans, two Poles, and three Austrians were-naturalised, in the Commonwealth during November. A naturalised German was arrested. A quantity of ammunition was . found at his residence. (Received December 7, 10.30 .p.jn.) BRISBANE, December 7All prices fixed in the southern districts for commodities, excepting the retail price of meat, have been rescinded as it is considered that trade has now resumed its normal course.

BACK FROM SAMOA. THE MILITARY COURT. PRISONERS ARRIVE AT AUCKLAND. Press Association. " AUCKLAND, December 7: One military and eight German prisoners, seven New Zealand ,-officers, of the .Expeditionary Force, %tici 22 men returned to Auckland from Samoa by the steamer Navua last night. . The transfer of the prisoners to the Auckland police station was watched with great interest by a large crowd. The returning officers included Major Pinwill, second in command at Samoa, and'general staff officer of the''Canterbury military district. Another ellknown officer on board was Captain Eastwood, formerly • aide-de-camp to the Governor. The complete list of returning officers is: Major W. R. Pinwill, general staff - Officer; Major M. Hplmes, New Zealand Medical Corps; Captain T. K. Eastwood, aide-de-camp to the Administrator, Colonel E. Logan; Captain R. Wilkinson and Captain R. N. Ev'att,' Sth *WelliugtOii' Regiirteiit;' Second Lieutenant C. N. Mitchell, D Battery, New Zealand Field Battery. Three of the returned men are medically unfit, one case of rheumatic fever being, stated to be of a serious nature. Some surprise was manifested when a Territorial was marched off " the steamer with the German prisoners. 0h November 12, PMyate Morton, of the New Zealand Artillery Field Service Corps, was tried by court-martial and sentenced to 90 days' imprisonment with hard labour, on charges of theft and drunkenness. Seven of the Germans ,are undergoing various terms of imprisonment imposed by the military court at Samoa; and the other prisoner, a plantation overseer, will join the German prisoners of war at Motuiti, his case being very different from that, of his comrades, who have committed serious offences against the military law.

The orders of commitment of .the seven German offenders throw considerable light on the completeness of . the military control at-Samoa. For proceeding to the American port of without having obtained -permission from an authorised officer, Franz Pfiel was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour; Gustav Kohler assaulted a provost sergeant in the execution of his duty, and was given a sentence of two years with hard labour; for changing their places of residence without permission, Christian Boyens, Paul Voget, Ernst Studt, and Hubert Casselbaum were sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour; the remaining offender, Leo. Keller, is Undergoing a sentence of 120 days, with hard labour, the charge against him being that he was out of doors between the hours.of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., contrary to the regulations. The prisoners, who were mostly young and well educated men, did not appear to relish their position, and were not so cheerful as the prisoners who have arrived before»them. At the police station they "regarded their transfer to Mount Eden Gaol and the preparations to divest them of tlieir valuables, hats, collars, and ties, etc., with many expressions of disgust. The spokesman of the party was plainly told that he would not get a feather bed at Mount Eden, and when he had handed over his possessions he relieved his feelings with an emphatic, "Gott in Himmel." Major Pinwill and the officers and men in his command leave to-day by the first express for Wellington. It is stated by the returning members of the Expeditionary Force that matters are very quiet at Samoa. The general health of the men is good, though there were a few on tlie sick-list. THE SOLDIERS' CHRISTMAS. FESTIVITIES AT TRENTHAM. Pre. an Association. 4 WELLINGTON, December 6. The Trentham camp, where the Expeditionary reinforcements are in training, was the scene of festivity yesterday, when the men were entertained at Christmas dinner by residents of the city and surrounding districts. Large quantities of eatables had been presented, and forwarded to camp for preparation, and at noon the camp cooks had got through their important task, and the soldiers 'Sat down to a very tempting repast. Large numbers of ladies assisted in attending to the hungry men, when the assault on the eatables began, and as the weather was fine and sunny, everything conspired to make the meal one to be remembered with pleasurable feelings by all who participated in it. The Governor and Lady Liverpool,

Colonel Robin, and tlie Mayor of Wellington and Mrs Lnke were among those present. After the dinner the troops adjourned to the racecourse, where an extensive sports programme was carried through. No "records" were put up, however, the kuife-and-fork training so lately preceding the spoi'ts no doubt being responsible.

DRILL BEFORE CHURCH. CAMP ON THE COAST. Press Association. HOKITIKA, December 6. A large axnount of interest was centred in the church parade at Hokitika to-day. The Territorials, who have been encamped for the past week at the racecourse, were joined, by a contingent of the National Reserve from Greymoutli, who arrjved by special train. These, with the members of the local corps and the Kokatahi mounted men, joined forces and paraded to the various, churches, accompanied by a Greymouth band. In the afternoon the whole of the men fell in at the racecourse and were addressed by Colonel Cliaffey. Just prior to the church parade there were murmurings of discontent, in the ranks, and Captain Jeffries, the 0.C., was informed that some of the men did not wish to attend church service. He was subsequently informed that a number of the men were Social-Demo-crats who were not adherents of any church, and that rather than attend the service they were willing to put in the time at drill. Their wish jwas acceded to. BELGIUM RELIEF FUND. BANGIORA, A meeting of those willing to help in collecting a Christmas gift (universal one shilling subscription)/for the Belgian children, will be held in the Rangiora Borough Council Chambers to-mor-row night. ~~ GIFTS OF CLOTHING. The Acting-Consul for Belgium desires to acknowledge with thanks parcels of clothing for the Belgians from the following:—Mrs A. Capstick (Christchurch), W. Litchfield (Pic ton), Mrs H. Symons (Omihi), Mrs Hicks (Christchurch), Mrs E. M. Orbell .(secretary Belgium Relief Fund, Waimate), Mrs E. M. Neave (Upper Riccarton). UPPER RICCARTON SCHOOL. The following letter has been rei reived by Mr H. English, headmaster of tl\e Upper Riccarton School:—■ /.'Hearing that the pupils attending your school have decided by vote to forego their usual annual picnic and have donated the sum of £25, to the Belgium Fund instead, I think this is a most noble action and a striking object others. I am enclosing £5 for prizes, or, if they wish, they can add it to the amount already given to the Belgium Fund.—(Signed) 'Hurrah for the Riccarton School. ' " Mr English, at the children's request, has handed this additional 'amount to the ActingBelgium Consul (Mr Cyril J.- Ward). This makes a total of £3O given bv these children for the relief of distress of the poor Belgian children. SPRINGSTON SOUTH. A number of Springston South ladies held a meeting at -Mrs G. Mcßean 's residence jon Wednesday afternoon to .consider ...ways- and.m,ea#s, . providing a district contribution of new and good cast-off clothing to the Poor of Belgium Fund. With this end in view, it was decided to hold a public meeting in the local schoolroom on Tuesday evening next, when it is hoped a good number of residents will attend.. lii the .meantime, gifts of clothing or cash to purchase, material may,., be left witli Miss ISlay at the Post Office: NAPIER COLLECTION. Press Association. NAPIER, December 6. An organised house to house canvass and street collection yesterday, together" with an open-air fair on the Marine Parade in the evening, resulted in over £BOO being collected for the relief of the distressed Belgians. The Sumner and Redcliffs section of the Citizens' Defenee Oorpl'held a two hours' parade in St. Leonards' Square yesterday morning, wheii there/was an excellent muster of 75. Major Beattie was in command, and the various section officers were also present. Useful work was put in, and the commanding officer congratulated the men on the improvement shown. Ex-members of the Canterbury Engineers are invited to meet in the Engineers' Orderly Room to-morrow at 7.30 for the purpose of forjning.an engineer section in the Citizens Corps.