WAR GRAVES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17986, 1 February 1924, Page 7

WAR GRAVES.

PHOTOGRAPHS FOR NEXT-OF-

KIN

I (FBOH OtTB OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, December 20,

One of the activities carried on by Captain M. Mullineux, M.C., and his workers in the St. Barnabas Hostels in France is the photographing of the graves for benefit, of the next-of-Kin. But in addition to this there is attached to the hostels a lady who has remarkable skill in colouring photographs. Her paintings are reproduced oy a lithographic process ana the reproductions do not rail far short in appearance of the original paintings. Aii who have seen these productions have considerably struck with their beauty.

For some time Sir James Allen has had the plan before his Government of ' presenting the next-of-kin with some souvenir associated with the sacred ground in which their lo.ved ones are laid. The matter of cost has been discussed in the Dominion, and in conformance -with the wishes of the Dominion authorities Sir James Allen has had quotations from other war grave agencies. These establish the fact that the St. Barnabas Hostels' organisation is by a long way the cheapest. Before IVlr Massey left he expressed his approval of the High Commissioner's suggestions. These are that the St. Barnabas Hostels have the contract for supplying one photograph of eauli New Zealand grave throughout France and Belgium. In addition to this photograph, each next-of-kin will receive two coloured pictures of the cemetery in-which the grave is located. One of these will show the Cross of Sacrifice, and the other will be taken in a position to show the Stone of Remembrance. No one need have any fear ,that these lithographs are not such as 'may be treasured and placed iv. appropriate setting. "When ono remembers how many thousands of British cemeteries there are in France and Belgium, and how difficult it is to approach some of these it will easily be realised that the work will not be finished in a few months. Photography has to be worked in with the ordinary pilgrimages, an'd it may be three or even four years before every next-of-kin will receive liis or her "token of remembrance. However, before many weeks are past the first of the presentation photographs will reach the Dominion, and a steady flow will follow until the work is completed.

The loss of Mr H. J. Tennant's gold watch at the close of ail election meeting recalls to. the "Morning Post," arv ancient talo of the skill of Glasgow pickpockets. Over a cup of coffee in !» tearoom in Buchanan street, a London detective had been chaffing a Glasgow confrere about the clumsy slowness of' the Glasgow criminal as compared with the sharp alertness of tlie Cock tic} . Ihe Glasgow detective was jealous for the reputation of his own "crooks," and finally bet the other £lO that he would lose his watch without knowing it before reaching St. Enoch square, about 200 yards off. They left the tearoom ; the London man went on ; the Glasgow man called to him ;i pick-pocket, well known to the police, and said (pointing to the Londoner): '"See that man? I want von to get me his watch. I'll give you £5 and see that you doti't get into trouble." "Is ;t straight ?'' said ihe man. "Straight," •said the detective; "von know me." 1 we ]'. ' said the man, "if it's straight—here it is."