LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2602, 26 October 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Solemn Requiem Mass for deceased soldiers will be celebrated at 91). Mary of tho Angels Church, Boulcott Street, at 9 a.m. to-morrow. His Grace Arch, bishop _ Redwood will be the celebrant, and will- also address the congregation. . > A young man, formerly a Civil Servant, was arrested aboard the Ulimaroa when the vessel arrived here yes-, "fierday afternoon on a charge of theft of about £40 worth of stamps from the Health Department. He will appear in the Magistrate's Court this morning.

Included in the passengers who arrived from Sydney by the Ulimai'oa yes'terday were twenty-live expert fitters in tho employ of tho Sunshine Harvester Company, of Victoria. This firm has been doing an extensive business in agricultural implements for some years past, and is now establishing fitting works at Bahia Blanca, where the party now in Wellington are to be located. They will leave for Monte Video tomorrow by the Arawa, en route to the South American port. , ■

The Defence Department has received word that the Tofua, which is bringing some 400 returning soldiers, will arrive at Port Chalmers this afternoon about 3 o'clock. The North Island section of the troops will be sent straight on to Christchuroh, 'leaving there by boat for Wellington on Wednesday evening, and arriving in Wellington on Thursday morning. The AucJilanders "will leave .Wellington by special train at midday on the same day. For those whoso homos are in the Wairarapa and beyond, arrangements have yet to be made.

'Tis an ill-wind that blows nobody some good. With the entire population of Wellington off for the day yesterday's light but persistent rain was particularly unfortunate for thoso who would have liked to breathe the incense of spring at the seaside or in the country. With everything off in the city crowds of people thronged the streets during the afternoon,, with the result fhafc tho picture theatres were packed at every session, and the managerial expression was one broad, expansive smile. At 3 p.m. yesterday not only was every picture theatre filled to capacity, but thero _ were substantial quoues of people waiting for an opportunity to be entertained by screen reflections. The monetary harvest must have been a rich one. . The vaudeville matinee at His Majesty's Theatro also attracted a large audience.

In answer to a question by Mr. J. W. Bright at tho meeting of the Gisborne Citizens' Defence Committee on Thursday last, Lieutenant Moltzen said that over 1000 moil had been sent forward from Gisborne already. He said that thero was a large area around Gisborne which was exempted from military training. This stretched north of Tokomnru Bay and back to Matawai and Motu. Every man who wanted to dodge compulsory service had made this territory his happy hunting-ground ever since tho Territorial schcmo was introduced. This war, however, had proved that men who had been keenest on dodging compulsory service had been the first to volunteer.

The Suburbs Rifle Club will open their rifle shooting son son with tlia club's duunpions'iiiJ series on Saturday, the ranges being 300 and.oQO yards, ten ihots at each range. Well-finished, high-grade, ready-to-wear Suits arc waiting for your inspection at Geo, .Fowldgj Ltd.. Manners Street, 705,, "35., see. bulb that bring return custom,—Advt,

When the shareholders of the Kia Ora Dairying Company, Gisb'orue, were discussing tho question of a monthly donation to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund at the annual nieeting, the chairman declared that farmers were now receiving 25 per cent, more for their produce as a result' of the war. One dairy farmer pointed out that against this tlioy had to remember that tho cost of labour had gone up 100 per cont. It was decided to contribute £10 per month towards tho Wounded Soldiers' Fund.

The model motor-shed, which attracted so much attention in tho Labour Day procession yesterday, was built, to special designs—drawn by Mr. .Jaires Bonnie, architect —and all material used in tho construction of same, was donated by various firms. The shed is to be auctionod at midday by Mr. James Dykes, in Victoria Street, opposite Public Library, proceeds to go to the War Distress Fund. A Red Cross collection taken up in the streets of Oamaru oil Saturday realised £224, with several lists outstanding. (Press Association.) The Magistrate's Court was presided over yesterday by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. Thero were a good number of I convictions for drunkenness. Allan M'Phec was fined £3, in default one month's imprisonment; Timaru Euston Osborn and John Carolan were eaci fined 205.; Leonora Parker, John Flanagan, John Whitmoro, and Sham Singh were each fined 10s.; and six first offenders were dealt with in the ordinary manner. John Buchanan was fined 405., in default seven days' impiisonment, fop committing an ; nlecent act; and a young man. named Frank Watson was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, on a charge of using indecent language.

The law of .coincidence (if there is one) moves in a mysterious way its wonders to perform. Sapper R. A. Munt and Swgeant Joseph Hills, both of Wellington, were great friends. Each, unknown to the other, enlisted in the. Main Expeditionary Force. The first to jump into the gunpit at Gallipoli two days after - the landing was Sergeant Hills. Later on in September both were wounded without knowing of each other's trouble. Sapper Munt was taken to the Main Hospital at Malta, but who should he find in the adjoining bed but his friend ; Sergeant Hills. They have uow promised to meet in the Unter den Linden in Berlin'next spring. By ail arrangement entered into by the British, and Frcnch military authorities, Argentina has been left free of British Army horse buyers in favour of the French Remonnt Commission, a reciprocal arraugement subsisting in Canada, which is reserved to British activities in the liorse-buying direction. Up to August 1 France had purchased 40,000 horses in Argentina at about £13 per head.

Amongst the visitors to the Tauherenikau Military Camp last Sunday were Sir Joseph and Lady AYard, who went out from Wellington by motor-car. Sir Joseph Ward, who was shown over the camp and grounds by Major Adams, expressed himself as well satisfied with what he saw. He said lie considered a splendid site had been selected. The arrangements for the health of the troops were excellent. There is a fine water supply, and splendid sanitation. Sir Joseph Ward had the opportunity of chatting with a number of the men,and they all expressed themselves as well pleased with the oamp_ and the treatment they were receiving. The Wairarapa Caledonian Pipe Band has decided, in the event of a Scottish Regiment not being formed, to offer its -services with one of the reinforcements.

According to the Miraniar Municipal Electors Association there is' a rumour that the Miramar Borough. Council intends asking the City to" take over the running of the trams again, and' the association is concerned as to the future of the power-bouse, which cost the boroug\ £18,000. This matter was keenly discussed at the meeting of the association on Thursday last. In an interesting letter received by Colonel Chaffey from Major-General Godley, the latter says:—'.'lt is quite true tliat the Turk is a clean fighter, and compares very favourably in this respect with the German. I also have no hesitation in saying that, at this moment I believe he is a better and braver fighter than tho German. Anything more valiant than the way he has fouglit us lately it would be impossible to conceive, and he is a really formidable enemy. I hope you will contradict some of tho ridiculous .stories which I see in troopers' letters of the Turks firing on the Red Cross, ■ mutilating wounded, etc. There is not a word of truth in any of them. They have re< 6peoted our hospital ships and Red Cross in every way, and have treated our wounded, and prisoners extremely well. lam a very proud man to command such troops as I have got here, and (in a good hour be it spoken,) I am keeping, very fit, though I am at tho moment the only survivor of my own mess.

Mr. T. W. Lynch, Timaru, has received a communication from the front at the- Dardanelles of which he is proud. It is a short note from Colonel "Hughes, giving details as to how Pte. J. Lynch was wounded. The note is as follows:—"Your son was hit on August 6, when conveying dispatches. I regret I can give you no particulars as to his whereabouts. All wo know is that he was hit in the arm and got away to the hospital ship. Since I have taken the command of. the brig-, ado (June 1) ho has been constantly near me, and I have got very fond of him. Although wounded severely he delivered his message and returned with the answer under extremely heavy fire. I have sent his name to Headquarters for- gallantry. I trust you will soon hear that he is mending." Mr. Lynch received a letter from his son, St. George's Hospital, Malta, in which ho gives the following modest account of the deed for which ho has been recommended to Headquarters "I got 'cracked' about midday when coming hack from General Johnstone (in command of the N.Z. Brigade) with a messago to Colonel Hughes. To tell you the truth I didn't think I could get there,, lot alono back. It was coming back I got a bullet through the wrist from behind. It started from the middle of the wrist, but tlio bone evii'ei'tly turned it off. It went clean through, except for splintering the bone a bit. Altogether, I.was very lucky.