TABLE TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 1

TABLE TALK.

The Xavy Estimates provide for a per* sonnei of 450,000 men. The second of the City Market build* ings will be out of the contractors' hands next month. • A British military aeroplane flew from London to Rome, descending at four points en route. John Robertson has been charged with' murdering Peter Larsen at Karioi, near, Ohakune, on Saturday night. The Chinese Premier (Wang Sliih* Chen) lias resigned, owing to the hostile party capturing the Government. Another Spanish steamer has been subV maimed, intensifying the demand for a, severance p' relations with. Germany, Volunteers are being rapidly enrolled to defend Petrograd, and it is expected thai 50,000 will be available ia a few days. The Xewspaper Proprietors* Associsw tion, at its meeting in Wellington, decided to transmit a, loyal message tor tjie King. The Germans are stated to be ■movinjf forward to Petrograd in motor-cars at the rate of 50 miles a day, assisted aeioplanc3. .Mr. Philip Gibbs says that tanks raajj fight tanks in the coming offensive, but, if so, the British will have the advantage of experience. The Russian and Finnish forces Jiavet agreed to evacuate the Aalajid Islands* and a Swedish force has -been, sent there to maintain order. , ■ \ % A ftuesian official wireless message states that Lenin a.nd Trotzky have ac< cepted Germany's peace conditions. They; say that Russia Las now no army. The introduction of rationing in Lon* <ion has produced long queues -waiting foir tickets, and' also determined attempts tor buy food before the change was effected. ilr. Asquith. declares that the Liberal party will not merge its identity or be obliterated, aa its continued independent activity ;will be mueli ■ seeded after war, v ■ A hundred Onehunga residents em« ployed in Auckland are endeavouring td have the 5 p.m. train run direct to One* hur.ga, obviating a -wait of 20 minutes a.j> Penrose. The capture of Jericho by the Anzatf mounted troops -was a brilliant feat. Tfie enemy held an impregnable defile, bhb were forced to abandon it by clever nighS ma noeuvres. . . The proposal to erect a museum build* ing on Observatory Hill in the Domain, wag approved last night at the annual, meeting of the Auckland Institute after a long discussion. The Commonwealth Government introduced a new recruiting scheme, in- : eluding more pay for married men, interest -on deferred pay; and voluntary ballots of eligible men. According x.o an American official report Germany and Austria are suffering horrible privations, and Trtrkev is actually starving. The authorities are unable -to -relieve' tßc situation.- J . Mrs. Russell, milliier,'has opened up her. new and winter goods, and invites her nmnerous customers to inspect.—(AtT.) -: .Boys' and girle' school reductions during Bale.—Adams' Boot sale, now on, opp. Y.M.C.A.—^Ad.)