A SLANDER ON SLING CAMP.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16216, 20 May 1918, Page 8

A SLANDER ON SLING CAMP.

NEW ZEALANDERS AND DRINK

Little Tuapeka is the base in which an important hie of evidence has grown regarding New Zealand soldiers in relation to the wet canteen of Sling Camp. A soldier, professing to write from personal observation, supplied the "Tuapeka Times," in December last vear, with alarmist allegations about "the visible elfects of drink in Sling Camp. The .Minister of Defence rei ferrcd the matter to officers commanding New Zealand battalions at that camp. 'ihe replies, just received, make an overwiielmmg refutation of the accuser (says tue Wellington "Post''). Here are somo extracts from the official answers:— 3rd (Reserve) battalion, Wellington Regiment: "Only one case of drunkenness in this battalion since January Ist, 191S, and only one in the previous j six months. (This case occurred while a man was on draft leave.) There is no excessive drinking in the regimental canteen, and there is absolutely no truth in tho statements reported." Canterbury Regiment: "With cn average training strength of 1200 men in camp, the total number of cases of drunkenness in the battalion for last year (to January 3rd, 191S), was 16. During the past lour months there wore only two. Practically all of these cases were caused through drink being obtained out of camp." The reports regarding the Auckland and Otago. Regiments are similar. A Presbyterian chaplain: "I must protest against the defamation of ou§ soldiers and tho alarming of their New Zealand friends by the publication of such misleading and therefore pernicious correspondence." A regimental medical officer: "During the time I have been attached to the battalion as regimental and medical officer—close on six months—l have never seen a case of drunkenness. My position affords me ample opportunity of seeing these conditions (as alleged by tho contributor to the "Tuapeka Times') if'they exist."

OBITUARY.

Mr J. T. SKOGLUND.

The news of the deatu of Mr Jacob Theodore iSkogluud, a well-known and higiily-respected citizen, caused quite a gloom "over the town this morning (says Thursday's Greyraoutli "Star")About a fortnight ago he fell from a ladder and suffered a broken leg and dislocated shoulder, severe injuries for 0110 so advanced in years, and since the accident had been confined to his residence, High street. The deceased was born in Sweden, and emigrated to Victoria (Australia) in 1859. In 1860 ho came to New Zealand, settled on the West Coast, and was for a considerable time a storekeeper at the early diggings. Ho ultimately settled in Greymouth., and was . Mayor of the town in the years 1806-97-98, _ and sat as councillor for a lengthy period. He filled other public positions, and at tho time of his death was a member of the G-reymouth Fire Board in the insurance companies' interest. For many years he held tho position of secretary to the Greymouth Gasworks Company, prior to the latter's business being taken over by the local corporation. Up to a couple of weeks ago he actively carried 011 a_ commission agency snd was shipping and general representative for tho Blackball Coal Company in Greymouth. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, auditor to the Greymouth Trotting ■Club, secretary of the Forest Sawmilling Company, and "father" of tho Greymouth Bowling Club. The late Mr Skoglund was always to the front in any °movement for the betterment of tho district. He was a most exemplarv citizen, well and favourably known beyond tho confines of his adopted town He leaves a widow, four sons, and five daughters to mourn their loss. Of the sons, Phillip is Town Clerk at Stratford; Kos is a returned soldier, now at home; Theodore is on a farm in tho North Island, and Carl is at home. The daughters aro Sirs E. Turner (Christ-church), Mrs Spenco (Sumner, Christchurch), Miss Mina (school teacher, Greymouth), Miss Hiloa (A M.P. Society, Greymouth office), and Miss Agusta (at home).

3ir H. I>. Bates, of Wanganui, has received a cable message informing him of the death of his .father, Colonel H. Stratton Bates, at his home, Langstons, Alresford, Hampshire, England, The late Colonel Stratton Bates took a great interest in connexion with the NewZealand soldiers' welfare, -numbers of whom accepted the hospitality of his homo. He sa-tv- most of the fighting with tho Imperial troops here in the early 'sixties as a young officer, being for some tima attached to General Cameron's staff in the Waikato, and later on as aide-de-camp to Sir George Grey, at Auckland. Colonel Bates is tho last of the officers of the 65th Regiment who served in New Zealand.