LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2539, 13 August 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

_ A supplement to the Gazette published last niglrt notifies the. acceptance by tho Governor of the resignations of certain Ministers from control of certain Departments, _ and the appointment of others ill their stead. The list is identical with that published after the announcement of tho formation of the National Cabinet was, made.

In only 782 cases has it been necessary to amputate one or. more limbs of British soldiers admitted to hospitals in England and Franco since the commencement of the war to the present time, according to a reply made on July 6 by Mr. Harold. J. Tonnant, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of War, to a question in tho Houso of Commons.

One of the costliest pranks of which business men arc victims is that of scratching shop windows with diamonds. Many, fine plate-glass windows in Wellington have been disfigured in this way, and frequently the culprit lias not been discovered. This week a lad of a dozen years was arrested by the police on a charge df mutilating a £5 pane iii Mr. Geo. Winder's shop, and'ho was taken before tho Magistrate yesterday morning. Tho Magistrate ordered' litni to sifter seven strokes of the birch.

Four little children whose parents were too poor to keop them properly were-directed to appear iu the Juvenile Court yesterday morning. Tho . caso against ono was withdrawn, but' the others wore sent to somi-publio institutions which extend tho charity of their shelter and caro to tho orphaned and the poor.

Regulations under the Education Act are gazetted, and they como into operation forthwith.

One of the Cliristchureh. men who left with the First Expeditionary Force writes to his parents of an incident that ho witnessed on' board one of the transports between Malta and Alexandria. There was a shortage of food, the daily ration consisting almost solely of a largo hard biscuit. The climax came one night when the Maoris; who were on' their way to the front, kicked over the traces, and there was "a terrible row." The result was that the oflicer commanding'sent ashore for fresh bread and meat. At an inquiry next day it was ascertained that the stewards hail been making sandwiches from bread and meat- belonging to the men, and had been selling tlieni at threepence each among the troops. "I might add," says the writer, "that tlio stewards cannot be round, or they would get a pretty rough time."-

Members of the sth Wellington Regiment are notified that the battalion parade called for Saturday afternoon next is cancelled owing to tho parade of the 6th Reinforcements. I

The Wellington Rugby representative team loft for Auckland by last evening's Slain Trunk train. The team .will meet Auckland on Saturday. At least half the members of the team have enlisted for active service, and will begin their training very shortly.

Among those who returned from America by tbo Marair.:! yesterday was Mr. William M'Cullough, proprietor of tho "Thames Star," who was a New Zealand delegate to the World's Press Congress, held in connection with tho great Panama-Paciiic Exposition. All countries save Germany were represented at tho congress —representatives from 2G countries. Mr. Adam Weston, of the "Times," was England's representative. The most striking feature of the congress to Mr. M'Cullough's mind was the speech of Mr. William Jennings, Bryan, ex-Secretary of State to tho United States, who spoke on tho relations of the Press to the State. Mr. Bryan, according to Mr. M'Cullougli, was a brilliant orator, with a particular charm of manner and a splendid choice of phrases and words, nid one could listen to him for hours without tiring. Mr. Bryan pointed out in \ ivid langiiago tho shortcomings of tha Press of to-day, and ill delight!ul wordpictures conjured up what an ideal Press might be, ought to be, and will be, some fine day: One of tho host.papers read was that by an American pressmail and solicitor on the United States jaw of libel. Both Mr. M'Cullough and Mr. Mark Cohen (of Dunedin) took part in the ensuing discussion. Tho congress was a great success, and it was decided to mako it a permanent institution, and that tho lioxt meeting bo held two -years hence at Sydney, New' South Wales. Messrs. Mark Cohen and Robert Bell were elected vice-presidents to represent New Zealand.

Tlio troup of Maoris from Rotorua who travelled across .the Pacific Ocean to entertain the Americans at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, returned to Wellington .by the Marama yesterday. Members of the party statedtliat whilst they had enjoyed their visit and had been very well treated they _ were not sorry to return to their native land. America was a great country, and the Exposition a magnificent show, but they did not like tho American peoplo. Tlicir entertainment had been very successful, and tlieir manager, Mr. Aunesloy, wished to take them on to Los Angeles, but the younger members of the party were anxious to return to Now Zealand, so at the last minute they decided to come on by the Marama. The party consisted of nine men and eleven women and girls. During their absenco two babies had been born, one on tho glorious "fourth of July" and another (which died) on the day after the steamer - leTfc llaratonga on the return voyage. They all left for Itotorua by last evening's express.

A deputation consisting of Messrs. H. G. Hill (chairman of.the Patriotic Society), J. Lewis''(secretary), J. E. Fitzgerald, Captain Tilling, and Captain M'Laggan, waited on tho Reserves Committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon to request tlie use of Newtown Park for Saturday afternoon, August 2S, when it was proposed to holda military tournament and assault-at-arms in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The deputationists dwelt on tho big scale on which the tournament was to be arranged, and stated that a number of the troops in camp would bo engaged (by permission of tli'o Defence authorities), and that a display of horsemanship was proposed to be included in the programme. Mr. Hill suggested ' that some members of the Reserves Committee should act on tho Ground Committee of the society. Tho chairman (Mr. Georgo Frost) stated that the request would be favourably considered, and that ho would be pleased to act 011 tho committee.

Mr. Charles SI. Carter, tho head mastor of tho Napier Street School, Auckland. writes to tho "New Zealand Herald" as follows on the subjecb of naturalised Germans I "Yesterday ia ray infant department my infant mistress was speaking to her pupils about tho war. One and another stated that various relatives had gone to the front, when up jumped a little cliild of six years of age, and callcd out, 'My uncle has gone to help the Germans, and ho says he will kill as many. English as lie can, as the English tako tho coats from tho Germans.' A' spontaneous roar of derisive laughter from. a liun-, dred little British, throats greeted this statement. But, _ sir, the point is, whence did the child imbibe its ideas? Its parents—l believe—were old pupils of mine and with their parents have for years been enjoying British freedom and fair play as naturalised Germans-, and yet this is tho outcome!"

For the drainage scheme in Greytewn tho following lenders were rcceivd:—D. Burke, £4709 7s. 6d.; H. Hollfe, £4695 7s. 6d.; Burk and Lynch, £4100 lis. 6d.; T. Graham, £406S 155.; M'Dougall, £3740 55.; and D. M'Calmont,' £3416. Mr. M'Calinont's tender was accepted, and lie will mako a start with the work in a few days.

JVIr. Maurice O'Brien, Assistant Now Zealand Commissioner at tho PanamaPacific Exposition, writing to Mr. AV. F. Allen, who was secretary of the AA r ellington Committee in connection with tlie big Exhibition, states that tlie whole of tho 58 counties in California, each of which has issued at least onei booklet setting forth its resources and attractions, and each county also has a live organisation working to attract tho settler and mail of means. "Some of these methods could be adopted by many of tho districts in Now Zealand, as wo have attractions quite equal to and in some cases superior to 'the Californian counties. Tho American lias developed his boosting propaganda until it is quite an art, but ivc need not follow him over the boundary line between fact and fiction, which, I am afraid,; lie is sometimes liable to cross. Our exhibit is attracting "great attention, and has been very successful in securing awards." In concluding his letter Mr. O'Brien thanks Mr. Allen and the members of the Central Committee who were associated with him in organising tho New Zealand exhibit. .

Mr. J. L. Hay, Y.M.0.A.. -representative, reports most oiicouragingly on Ins work among tho soldiers in Egypt. Ho says that in Alexandria the authorities placed so much value on tho work that they have provided a largo public building' and liave handed it over to tho Y.M.C.A. 11l Cairo, also, a largo central building, the old German _ Club, lias been secured, and is now in uso as ft Soldiers' Club, ill order to counteract tho evils of Eastern life. Tho Red Cross Society is also co-operating-with the association in its work, and lias made a contribution of £500 towards tho heavy expenses incurred. Mr. Hay appeals' for New Zealand illustrated papers, v.liich are much sought after. Mr. Varney, Y.M.C.A., Willis Street, will bo pleased to receive copies of current issues of tliese papers in 'order to forward thorn to tlio Y.M.C.A. buildings in Egypt. Registration of Nelson Moate and Co., Ltd.,"as a private company is announced 1)v the "Mercantile Gazette." Capital: £10,000, divided into 100 shares of £100 each. Subscribers: Wellington—H. Nelson, CO; J. Nelson, 50. Objects: to acquire the business of Nelson Moato and Co., Ltd., incorporated in 1896. The final touch that brings perfection is to be found on tho "KING" Car. Tho latest model is now awaiting; your inspection at the Dominion Motor Vehicles Garage, (55 Courtenay Place, and 41-46 Tory Street. If you-cannot call, write for a catalogue, or Ring for a demonstra•Mau..—Advt,

The now miniature rifle range at Ftataitai _ was opened last evening by the Hataitai subdivision of the National Reserve. Those present included Colonel Porter, G. 8., Commandant N.Z.N.1)., Major Firth, Officer Commanding tho "ml Regiment, and Captain M'Lcod.

It is obvious that the practice of dishonesty is not a difficult tiling in a big military camp, and cases of theft are heard of from time to time. Two young men who bad teen employed on works in Trontham Camp figured in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, and admitted the theft of two pairs of gum boots, a pair of blankets, and a rug, to tho value cf £5, belonging to tho State, and also a watch and chain belonging to Charles Robertson, one of the soldiers in camp. The accused wero Robert M'lntyre and James Baldwin. They were sentenced to six months' reformatory treatment. Baldwin received a similar sentence for stealing an ovcrcoat and a suit of clothes from Michael Patrick Nau«hton.

Through tho agency of the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), a few carpenters wero secured yestorday for the urgent work needed at tho Trontham Camp., A number is still required, and in the Mayor's opinion contractors with such tradesmen in their employ should show a- little genuine sacrifice by loaning a few to the Defence authorities at once.

Tho gate receipts for the Zoo for July totalled £40 10s. fid., as against £40 Is. 6d. for July of last year. Tho takings from August 1 to 11 amounted to £14 2s. od.,- as compared with £11 15s. 9d. for the corresponding period of last year. Sales since last report totalled £S 9s.

. Our Napier correspondent reports that at tho Bawke's Bay Education Board meeting on Wednesday Mr. J; R. Kirk, ex-Mayor of Gisboiuie, proposed that the old system of granting allowances to school committees should he reverted to, as tho present method provided for under tho new Act was considered unworkable.. A motion on the lines of the proposal was carried by four votes to three. The principal argument in favour of the'motion was that if insuffiisient allowances wore yiade to committees thoy would be inclined to spend and apply to the board for more money and otherwise grow careless.

Iu a letter to the hon. secretary of the Albion Football Club, Christchurch, Corporal R. Livingstone, of A Company, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, writes appreciatively of Private 11. Cogle, son of Mrs. Cogle, of Heatlicote Valley, who was missing after the landing -upon tho Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25. "I may say," says Corporal Livingstone, "that lie was ono of a party of 14 which included F. L. Sapsford, T. L. Burns, N. ]{. Si me. L. H. Parson, F. L. Buttle, G. Porter, W. E. Cookson, and somo other Rugby enthusiasts who went forward to reinforce the weakest part of the line on tho left flank. After suffering terribly for'six hours wo were compelled to retire to the cover of tlio ridge, \somo fifteen yards in our rear, and when wo counted our party R. Cogle was among the missing. He had'fought magnificently throughout the long afternoon: with a .courage and perseverance that won the sincere admiration of- his comrades, and his absence caused profound and universal sorrow throughout the platoon aud company. I felt compelled to write and let you know how he had upheld the worthiest traditions of the club."

Figures were given by Mr. Brace, Under-Secretary for the Home Depart ment, in tho House of Commons on June 25 as to the number of persons who have been killed and wounded as the result of Gorman attacks principally on open towns and' unfortified places in England. They were supplied in reply to-a request from Mr. liellaway, member for Bedford,, who evidently had in mind tho hypocritical protests made in Germany regarding the French,air raid on Karlsruhe. Apart from the 12" civilians killed and 567 injured in tho bombardment of Hartlepool, Scarborough, and Whitby, Mr. Braco said that tho total casualties caused by aircraft raids directed .chiefly against undefended towns, villages, and country places were 56 killed, including 21 women and 11 children, and 138 wounded, including 35 women and 17 children.

A compliment to New Zealanders and New Zealand is paid by Bisliop Neligan, formerly in charge of the diocese of Auckland, in a letter to the Hon. J. Allen, written from Ford, Northumberland. "How splendidly the New Zealanders have done," Bishop Neligan wrote. "I do feel so proud of having been, as Colonel Davies used to call me, 'Staff Officer for Religion' for the Auckland Command for eight years. If you want a man to go out to buck up the chaplains and bear a hand, send mo. I can easily get away for six months or so, and I migjlit be of tome use." Since taking over tho position of Minister of Munitions, the Hon. Arthur M. Myers has been busily engaged in obtaining tho necessary data in connection with tho creation of this new office. "This preliminary work," said Mr. Myers, 111 an interview yesterday evening, "entails' an investigation of multifarious matters pertaining to the question of supplies and munitions, and the equipment of the military forces .both iii camp and at the front. It is evident that tlie Department is going to bo an important and busy one. Mr. Myers liad a conference with General jxobin, Commandant of the Forces, yesterday afternoon, when many matters of detail in connection "with. ,tlie new Department were discussed.

Lieutenant V. F. Nancarrow, of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, who has died of enteric fever, was tho youngest son of the late Mr. Richard Nancarrow. of Cliristchurcli. On tho outbreak of the war Lieutenant Nancarrow otiered to go as a privato or in any capacity, but was not allowed to resign his commission in the Territorials, and went as a lieutenant with ; the Second Reinforcements. The deceased was educated at Christ's College, where lie proved himself to be a fine all-round athlete. Among the visitors to Napier are: Mr St.' Hill, of Poraiigahau; Mr. iS. Jl'Kinnon, of AVaihau; air. AY. Taylor, of AVairoa; Mr. W. Hunter, of Dannovirkc- Mr. and Mrs. Omerod, of W airoa; and Mr. and Mrs. AV. Beck, of Palmcrstou North.