LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2580, 30 September 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

His Excellency the Governor has received information by cablegram announcing tliat smce the last report 2719 sick and wounded have been dealt with on hoard the hospital ship Maheno.

A grievance long cherished by the soldiers at Trentham is shortly to bo rectified. It has formerly been tho practice to give the men leave on Sunday afternoons about 3 o'clock, but they have had to stay at tho camp for practically all the rest of tho afternoon, because there "was no train .to Wellington until 5' p.m. In future arrangement will be made to let the mon off before 1.30 p.m. on Sundays, and the Railway Department has consented to put oil a special train to leave Trentham fit 1.35 p.m. This train will run on, Sunday next.

Mr. Harold Beauchamp, o£ Wellington, has received a letter from Mr. l'\ W. Haybittlo (of Geo. Thomas and Co.), stating that he was now in France, stationed at one of the big bases on tho English front. He mentions that ho bad written seven pages of a letter to Mr. Beauchamp, but as it had been "biffed" by the Censor he had to reduce his remarks to ono page. Ho was then restricted as to what he could say, but promised somo fine descriptive narratives of his experiences later on. Mr. Haybittle is attached to the Motor Corps.

Further reference .to the appointment of our war correspondent was made in Parliament last night, 'when Mr. T. M. Wilfor<l (Hutt) asked tlie Prime Minister whether lie would lay upon the table of the House the report of the Government _ Advisory Committee of Editors, which considered the question dealing with the appointment of a war correspondent, in order that the House might know whether the appointment was made in accordance with tho committee's oompleto recommendation. The Prime Minister - said that lie thought the report referred to was in tho hands of- the Department of Internal Affairs. The subject of tho report was communicated by memorandum from Sir Francis Bell', and that was now on record. He would inquire if the report was available, and would bo glad to lay it beforo the House, but there, was nothing in the memorandum which 'had not already been submitted to Parliament.

Tho Prime Minister stated recently that a conference would be convened for the discussion of the competition of the National _ Provident Fund with Friendly Societies. The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister in charge of Friendly 1 Societies), in reply to a question last night, stated it as his opinion that the conference' would not be convened this year.

A correspondent, "Mater," writes complaining that men at the baths are allowed to parade and lie about absolutely nude, and asks "What is the use of impressing refinement on boys under those circumstances?"

Soldiers returned from the front have of late frequently applied, to t'lie Patriotic Society for assistance, and an important meeting of the society is to bo held on Monday night to discuss the question •of the disposal -of the funds. Some members hold that the,money should not' remain locked up any longer, as there are cases needing help.

A concert is to be given in the Concert Chamber on October 27, in aid of a young musician (a much-esteemed -young lady) who is at present seri-ously-ill. The arrangements are being made by a committee consisting of Messrs. E. J.- Hill, A. M. Lewis, M. J. Brookes, and James Dykes.

Mr. Harold Beauchamp, chairman of the Bank of Noiv Zealand, who returned from Sydney yesterday, said, when seen by a Dominion reporter, that a great deal of adverso comment, was being made on tho Stato (Labour) Government's attempt to regulate the prices of commodities, _ and there was much talk about the big losses that had been made by the State in its attempt to act as supplier to the people. On the purchase and sale of hay, butter, etc., it was anticipated that tliere would bo a loss to the State (the people) of not less than £300,000. The butter imported from America was so inferior in quality .that the Australians would not look at it, and it had to be reshipped to London for sale ou behalf of tho State.

Tho total number of passengers car-; ried on the Wellington tramways during last financial year , was 25,517,515, being 952,139 more than in the previous year. Of the 25,517,p15 no fewer than 4,724,050 were carried l at concossion rates. The average fare per passenger was 1.44(1.

A sum of 250 guineas lias been donated to the Hospital Ship Fund by tlio New Zealand Society of Accountants, and tlie council of the society lias been given power to donate up to £500 additional to patriotic funds if considered advisable. . •

On the trip from Sydney by tlie Manuka a most successful patriotic concert was given, resulting in tlie sum of £4 lis. being raised. Mr. Harold Beauchamp presided. Songs were contributed by Misses Collins and Carlton, and Mrs. Erard, and Messrs. Rosenthal's recitations were very much appreciated. Mr. Major gave a conjuring exhibition, and Sir. Bray Mas also a contributor. As some of tlio performers were members of D. B. O'Connor's Opera Company, tlie talent generally was of a high standard.

Judgment was reserved by the Court of Appeal yesterday 111 the case of Soutor v. Souter, aii< Auckland will case, of which some particulars were published yesterday. Tho announcement is mado by Mr. W. H. Morton, General Manager of tlio Wellington City Tramways and Electric Lighting Department, in his annual report, that there has been a substantial increase in the volume of business handled by the freight service, and,tho acquisition of a small motor-vail to work in conjunction with the froiglit car lias greatly extended tho usefulness _ and scope of this service. An additional freight'oar is now under construction, and in view of the steady increase in tho quantity of goods handled, it will bo necessary shortly (says.Mr. Morton) to consider the establishment of a depot which will- permit tho loading and unloading of goods to he carried out moro economically than at present. Mr. C. P. Powles, chairman' of St. John Ambulance Association, desires to acknowledge the following subscriptions towards the Second Hospital Ship equipment: Mrs. W. F- G. Levin, £10; Mr. H. B. Horsbrugh, £5; Mr. C. L. Galwev, £3; Mrs. and Miss Dalrymple, of Hulls, £7. Mr. J. A. Jickell, a New Zealander, speaking at a recruiting meeting ill London, sold ho was too old to ioin tho Army, but ho had come to England to offer his services as a munition worker. Mr. Jickell has three sons serving with tho forces at tho Dardanelles.—l ress Association.

A man will appear at tho Magistrate's Court this morning to answer a charge of assaulting his wife on Monday last. He was arrested yesterday by Detec-tive-Sergeant Itawle 'and Detective Cameron.

In his annual report to the City Council, tho General Manager of the Wellington City Tramways and Electric Lighting Departments (Mr. W. H. Morton). says: "During tho past year considerable development has taken place in tho efficiency of incandescent lamps, and lamps are now on the market known as 'halfrwatt lamps.' These are undoubtedly efficient, and have enabled tho department to do away with all its arc lamps with very gratifying results. Further development may be anticipated in tho direction of high efficiency lamps for domestic use. This will probably seriously affect our rcvemio for. a time, and is a sfrong reason why there should be no interference with the present scale of charges, certainly not until it is known what_ offcct tho general usa of tho lamps will have on tho revenue of the department."

A scbemo is afoot in Wellington to supply the soldiers in camp with pillows. One of the cxecutivo of tho Patriotic Society, Mr. C. 11. Osmond, has suggested to the Camp Commandant that pillows would add to the comfort of the men, and the Commandant has approved'the suggestion. Sample pillows may be seen at the office of t'ho Patriotic Society. They are oifly ten inches by eight inches in size, and the society iiopes to receive numerous offers to make them.

At the quarterly meeting of the New Zealand Chess Association; held on Monday evening, it was-unanimously decided to ask the affiliated clubs to authorise the donation of £20 to somo Patriotic or Hospital Fund, to he determined by the association. The clubs are requested to reply urgently,_ stating whether such a course meets with their approval. Clubs are also asked to keep a list of their members engaged in the war, with a view to tho compilation of a complete roll of honour when the war is over, i Councillor Luckie will move at tonight's meeting of the City Council: "That the' Bill introduced into .Parliament giving power to construct-a roadway through tho Basin Reserve, in terms of tho resolution passed by-the council in June last., be not proceeded with this session."

The following extracts arc taken from letters written, by the lato Private Ranald L. H. Martin to his mother. Privato Martin belonged to the Wellington Battalion, and was killed in action on August B: —"Tlie heat on tho Peninsula is intense, but we wear the scantiest attire, and one of tlie best points is that wo, are always near the sea, and aften go for a swim. So far I am sound in wind and limb, but don't know whether it is owing to wood luck or good management. You will notice that -we are very short of writing paper. Anyone in tie trenches who owns a writ-ing-pad can make a small fortune, because one page is worth a packet .of cigarettes, and an envelope another packet. We hear, that Wellington is very gay with carnivals to raise funds for the wounded. If the people in New Zealand could see the terrible suffering our cliaps endure, thero would surely be no difficulty in raising money. . . Many of the men who were slightly wounded' are now' returning. How accoptable a magazine would lie here. Our platoon has several books, but we have read each one about twice. There is very little pomp and show about this business; it is real, hard work and long hours. The account of a fight in a paper .is mighty different from olio a soldier could give. These boys' are brave and great in a fight. Oiio day I was. beside,a fel,low .who was 'shot 5 itif tfotlrllegs, 'WObably one would have to be amputated. As he was beine; carried away he called cheerfully, 'Good-bye, boys, I'll try to como back soon.' This is only one.of many incidents/ Gifts from. the Wangaiiui Gift Club arrived to-day, arid were immensely appreciated; One of tlie boys got chocolates, and gave me some, and Tt was goad. Socks from the Lady Liverpool Fund also have arrived, and they are grand."

One of tlio orders issued by Lieuten-ant-Colonel Baucliop, C.M.G., just before his death refers to a plucky action by Trooper J. Forbes, of the 12th Squadron of the Otago Mounted Rifles. Lieutenant-Colonel Baucliop 1 specially commended Trooper Forbes for his prompt help ,to a comrade on July 5. The facts were that •a' trooper of the 7th Squadron was wounded in the leg, and was crawling for shelter along the river-bed. Learning of liis predicament, Trooper Forbes immediately rushed out of shelter, and helped along, the wounded man under fire. Before cutting cover, unfortunately, another shot struck the man already wounded, and killed him in Forbes's arms when within two or three yards of safety.

To date 19 military pensions have been granted by the New Zealand War Pensions Board* their aggregate amount being £1168. The average pension works out at something over £61. A recent cablegram staled that in Australia- 955 war pensions had so far been granted, of an aggrogato amount of £30,000. The average Australian pension so far is thus £31, just over hslf tlio Dominion average to date. The discrepancy will no,doubt be reduced, liowover, as tho number of pensions, granted in the Dominion is increased. The Military Pensions Board, consisting of Mr. D..G. A. Cooper, S.M., Colonel G. F. C. Campbell,, and Dr. Pollen, met on Tuesday to consider claims for pensions. There were fivo applications from returned soldiers.' Three \wro declined. One was reconsidered, but the original decision of the Board to declinc was reaffirmed. In the other case it was decided to defer consideration pending a special report from a medical expert. Fifteen applications Independents were also considered. One. by a wife, was doclinc-d on tlio ground that she was not a dependent,, and another pending tho consideration of applications by other dependents. Four applications by parents were declined on the ground that they were not dependents, and one application by, a parent was adjourned. Fivo pensions of £26 a year were granted to as many parents and one parent was granted £39 a year. The last-mentioned sum was also granted to a father and mother between tliem. In a number of cases the militarv pensions granted to dependents of soldiers aro supplementary to old ago pensions.

A further hatch of cadets will have completed t'lieir train ins on board the Union Company's Aparima b.v the end of tho year, when they will coino ashore to qualify by examination as junior officers. 111 this connection it is int-erost-inp; to note that up to tho present about 3G of the cadets trained by- tho Union Company have been appointed as officers in tlio "Red Funnel" fleet,' and 111 every caso their promotion lias been rapid. They are now' occupying lucrative positions 011 various steamers. On tho outbreak of war somo of the cadets volunteered for service in the Navy, and are now assisting in important work elsewhere. A Corporal in the Mounted Brigade Headquarters, who returned from tho front in the Tahiti, and who was reported in the Vress to have been wounded, states that ho was not wounded, but returned invalided. The statement that he had been wounded, he says, was made without his authority, and would, he said, create an altogether wrong impression among his coir.radcs, whom he was "oing to rejoin as soon as he was fit and well.