LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2515, 16 July 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nothing more is- known concerning the coalition proposals made by the Government to tlie Opposition in Parliament. There ivas to have been a caucus of_ the Opposition Party yesterday, but it was postponed.

Tho Government District Engineer lias been instructed to go on with the work of completing the hutments at Trentham Camp, The work ia to be .commenced at once: . /

Tho men of H.M.S. Philomol, operating somewhere off 'the coast of Asia, are having a strenuous time, but according to news received by tlje Defence Minister, they are doing well. The harmonium sent to the ship from Wellington has not yet been picked up, owing to tho ship having been moved about so much, but its whereabouts is known, and as soon as opportunity offers it will be taken on board. Tho commander has written to tho Defence Minister, desiring him to thank the proprietors of the four weekly illustrated papers, copies of Which are being sent to the ship. The papers are much appreciated by the men.

The Minister of Defence lias had a telegram from Alexandria [advising him that as there is a shortage of writ-ing-paper and envelopes at the front, every person writing to a soldier should enclose in the envelope one sheet of unused notepaper and one envelope, which tho soldier in his turn may use to write a letter from tlie trenches.

The Willochra pick'ed up her freight of wounded and invalided men at Suez, whither they were railed from the various hospitals at Alexandria, Hcliopolis, and Cairo. A few days before tlio men left Hcliopolis (where Australia's No. 1 General Hospital is located) they state that tlie thermometer registered 115 degrees in the shade, and in the Luna Park pavilion., in.' the same place temperatures went as high as 120 degrees in the shade. Hie Willochra sailed from Suez oil June 9, and extremely hot weather was experienced in the Red Sea. On one occasion the v temperature .recorded on the bridge (in the shade) was 110 degrees, and. it must have been_ 10 degrees .hotter than that in the hospital wards on board. The allowance to widows under the Superannuation 'Act is totally inadequate, in the opinion of the New Zealand Educational Institute, and tho Minister of Education is to be requested to tako steps to increase the allowance to at least £30 per annum. Tho XJnion Company is granting return tickets at single-fare rates, from South. Island ports to bpna-fide next-of-kin proceeding to Wellington this week for the purpose of meeting wounded soldiers who returned by the Willochra. On the motion of Mr. (1. Hunler, M.8., the New Zealand Racing Conference yesterday carried a resolution in order to allow of totalisator receipts being diverted to tlio Patriotic Funds. The resolution was; "That notwithstanding tlie provisions of Part VI, Rule 3, a club may, during the racing year from August 1 next until July 31, 1916, devote tlie whole or any part of the net amount derived from the use of the Jotalisator during the previous year to any war or patriotic fund, and any moneys so devoted shall not be included in the net amount referred to in tlie rule." Hie cffect of the resolution is to suspend the "application of the provision that no club shall give a less sum in stakes than the net amount derived by such club from theuse of the totalisator during the previous year.

The Coronial inquiry into the death of Daniel Barry, wlio was found dead at Ngahauranga 011 Tuesday, has been postponed until 4 o'clock this afternoon.

In view of the number of teachers now taking University decrees, the New Zealand Educational Institute considers that it is urgently necessary that education should become a .subject for honours and doctorate.

The Magistrate's Court was closed from noon yesterday, several- defended civil actions having to bo adjourned until next week.

"This is a. rather extraordinary application," said Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday to Mr. T. M. Wilford, counsel for accused. Mr. Wilford iiad applied that his o.licnt, who had com-} up from Greymouth on bail of £100, on a charge of defrauding, be allotted out of custody on his own recognisance until a person arrived from the south -to advance tho money for his bail. Mr. Wilford had submitted that his clont had no intention of "clearing out," as evidenced by tho fact that he had come up unaccompanied from tho south to answer tho present charge. Eventually the Magistrate granted the request on the condition the bail was forthcoming at 4 p.m. that day. ■ The value of a newspaper as .a means of bringing matters of public concern under the notice of those directly affectcd was emphasised by Mr. Justice Hood in the Second Civil Court in Melbourne last week, during the hearing of tvidcnce in. the frozen meat inquiry (reports the "Age"). .Mr. Crowe, superintendent of exports, was giving evidence, and stated that ho first know of Cabinet's decision to stop tho export of frozen meat through a paragraph published, in the Press 011 June 8. Mr. Latham. seemed to be surprised. "In tho newspapers?" lie queried. "Is not that- a strange way of doing public business?" 1 ''Not at all," interposed His Honour. "I would much rather trust to the newspapers than to the Government 'Gazette.' Nohodv ever sees these announcements in the 'Gazette,' The newspaper gives much , mote nuhliciiy/

Since August last Mr. J. R. Corrigan, "The Oaks," Hawera. has allowed the purchasing officer of tho Defence Department in that district tho free use of two of his paddocks for the purpose of holding horses w'henovcr necessary before forwarding them to the Remount Depot. Since March of this year Mr. Corrigan ' has also daily carted out ;v load of hay for the horses when there have been any in tho paddock. Tlio Dofoneq Department desires to thank Mr. Corrigan for his generous and patriotio action, which is highly appreciated. No charge is made for tho hay, Mr. Corrigan saying: '.'lt is all for tlio (rood of the Empire. You are welcome to the paddocks and the hay until the,war is ovor."

Tho large cargo steamer Indrapura arrived at Auckland on Tuesday morning from London, via Cape Town and Australian ports, with over 7000 tons of general merchandise for ; Ne)v- Zealand. The vessel left London on May 7, and as she passed down the English Chapncl the wireless operator received the "S.O.S."_ signal from the Cunard liner Lusitania, which was torpedoed off the Irish coast by a German submarine. The Indrapura was considerably delayed in London owing to the congestion at the docks. She nad to wait for three weeks before she was allotted a loading berth.

Wonderfully unanimous is the opinion of the returned soldiors about the other troops in tho Army alongside whom they have fought. Tlioy like the British best, or as they will call them "The Tommies." Dublins, Miuisters, Scottish Borderers, Lancashire, Royal Welsh, Worcesters, are the names of regiments on everybody's tongue. Of these the New Zealanders especially approve. Next in order come the Australians. The Indians- are different from all the rest, but great fighters, they say. Somehow the New Zealanders do not seem to go much on tho French as riflemen, bait they say that with tho bayonet the French rank among the very best.

The special Red Cross train which left Weljington last night for Auckland carried a large number of wounded soldiers 'for Auckland and way stations, including several hospital cases to the Auckland Hospital. The train comprised twelve vehicles, there being a hospital car, dispensary car, dining oar, two sleepers, six ordinary passenger carriages, and a luggage van. Tho train left the Glasgow Wharf at 7.40, and was farewelled by a largo number of people. Amongst those present were the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Public Health, and the Minister of Railways. The medical officer in charge of the train is Captain Herbert, of Wellington, and he is assisted, by Sergt.-Major Morris, of tho Ambulance Corps, and a sergeant. Nurse, Burnett-, of Dunedin, is also on board.

After going into the question of teachers' certificates the Now Zealand Educational Institute resolved' last evening: "That a certificate for practical teaching be required as in science subjects before a pass in school method is granted to any candidate for a teacher's certificate,"

The question of gambling was raised at the meeting of the Wanganui Presbytery ,at Marton, and on the motion of the Rev. R. Catherwood (Taihape), seconded by tho lieu A. Porter (Marten),. it was resolved:—'-'That this Presbytery viows with alarm the widespread tendency to raise funds for the relief of wounded_ soldiers by means that involve gambling. It deplores the spirit of sacrifice being taken out of the giving when our soldiers arc making the supreme sacrifice.. It also deplores tho spirit of frivolity, which is an outrage on the feelings of the bereaved. It calls upon the loyal members to contribute directly ,to tho patriotic fluids and to discontinue all questionable means of raising money."

The members of the Wellington, Petoiio, and Post Office divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, under tho direction of Assistant-Commission-ers H. H. Seedl (Wellington) and C. J. Punks (Auckland) did valuable work yesterday in connection with the landing of the Willochra's wounded. Their work consisted of the removal of the stretcher cases from the ship to the ambulance motors (for the hospitals) and from the ship to tho hospital train for Auckland, which left soon after 7.30 p.m.

The D Company of the National Roserve, comprising Kelburn, Northland, and Karon sub-ayea, lield a ,smoko concert last evening for the purpose of making several presentations to their instructors. Lieut. Brian, who has enlisted as a. private , with the Reinforcements, was presented with a pair of military hairbrushes, and Lieut. Thornton, Sergt. : Major Butland, and Sergt. Bpustridge' received wristlet watchps. Captain J. S. Tennent presided, and Lieut.-Colonel Porter, Lieiit.-Colonel C. Harton; and Major Newtown were also present. Sougs and recitations were given by Messrs. M'Bcth, J. Widdop, "W. E. L. Jennings. A. W. Newton, Von Haast, Marcus Marks, Sievers, and Bntland. Several toasts were ■ honoured.

A pathetic incident is reported in a letter received in Christchurch from the Dardanelles. Two cousins, Harold and William Anderson (the former being a brother of Mrs. Lopdell, Now Brighton), whose parents reside near each other in Melbourne, answered the call for recruits, William joining a Victorian re- ' giment, and' Harold, who was holidaymaking in New Zealand, enlisting with the 13th .North . Auckland Regiment, liiey had not seen one another for threo years, when they, were growing lads of seventeen, and their parents were naturally desirous ■ they, should meet" in Egypt. However, they did not find an opportunity to do so. Both regiments wore'ordered to the front and took part in the memorable, landing 011 Galhpoli Peninsula 011 April 25, and in succeeding battles both were in reserve 011 May 8, when that fierce toll among the colonials was raging. Each lad was unconscious of the.other's presence in the locality. Both were ordered .simultaneously to reinforce the fast-thinning firing line, and in the rush up the liill while taking a breath the cousins saw one another for the first time. They shook hands, exchanged greetings,.were swept ou with.the rush, and did not meet again. Harold was killed in that battle, and William, who is now in hospital, was shot through t|io i(oclc aiid shoulder.

A young calf suddenly took it into its head as it was being directed on to tho wharf yesterday morning to hold a hurried inspection of some of the public streets of the City. He dashed off'the wharf, and with several rather, ovorinterested men in his wake, made his ivay along Featherstou Street. Pedestrians in tlie vanguard of the animal naturally made a dash for the footpath when they obsorved the animal increase ing its speed down the street. One old gentleman who was not active enough was the first victim of the "inspection." The animal rushed him and bowled him over like a liinopin. A bicycle was tho next obstacle encountered, and its spokes and framework suffered in consequence. Then the animal turned into Lambton Quay, and made its way through a shop door. He soon came out again—hurriedly. Naturally by tliis time there was quito an interested crowd. The interest became embarrassing to tho animal, especially when several soldiers rushed it. Tliero was a short, struggle, in which numbers triumphed, and the animal was eventually again placed in captivity. Mr. Arnaitd M'Kellar, J\P.A'. (N.Z.), of Christchurch, has been reappointed auditor of the New Zealand Racing Conference accounts. Considerable interest has been evoked by a largo new building—tho largest of its class in tho Dominion—erected in .Tory Street just off the Courtcnay Place wcod"blocking. We are pleased to bo able to inform our many readers that this building has now been opened as a Garage by the Dominion Motor Vehicles, Ltd. tlio .rnaiw. «n.B9rtei