LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 15, 12 October 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Minister of Defence made a statement in the Houso of Eemesentetave ycaterday- regarding f $° New Zealand Forces till October 8.. ino number of men killed in ac ion, died of wounds, died of disease, died . oi unknown causes, and drowned vas 8099, missing and prisoners of war, MO, wounded, 22,007; total, 30,746.

In tho Magistrate's .Court yesteiday a man charged with bemg drunk excused himself by stating that he had attended a wedding, and took more than was good for him. The Magistrate (Mr. S. E. M'Cnrthy.. S.M.) said: "I notice that eomo people get drunk at a wedding, a birth, a christening, and even a funeral. In fact, any excuse is sufficient for tho purpose," A newly-married man applied to the Third "Wellington Military Service Board yesterday for financial assistance. I lie fcoard decided to recommend certain aid, which will mean that his wife will receive £1 per week in addition to whatever military pay lie leaves her. That, is very reasonable." said the applicant. "Thank you very much, gentlemen. Tho whole board looked up, surprised. "It is not often we are thanked, the chairman explained. Tho total number of permanent officers and employees in the Public Works Department on March 31, 1917, was 680, and of these ten have been discharged from tho Expeditionary Forces as unfit for active service, and 150 _ are either in camp or serving abroad with the Expeditionary Forces. The total casualties suffered by the permanent officers of the Department sinco tho outbreak of the war nro as followi-Dicd of wounds, 10; died of sickness. 2; wonnded, 30; gassed, 1 In place of permanent officers anemployees who have joined the Forces, the Department lias taken on forty-eight officers, most of whom are employed m a temporary capacity. A mistake had been made in camp (so it was stated at the Third Wellington Military Service Board yesterday) regarding the procedure for men who seek leave for shearing and eo on. It is said that it was stated in camp orders that men needing leave for iraoh purposes must make application to tTie Aational Efficiency Board. It seems that the proper quarter in which to place the application., is the Military Service Board. A. mother who appealed for her son at the" Military Service Board yesterday was complimented on tho good record of her family. Of five sons, four are at tho front and one- is endeavouring to keep the farm going in Taranaki. The mother, who spoke in fairly broad Irish, put up a good fight, and the board undertook to recommend that her one remaining boy should not be sent away before January next. Sometimes men have been euspected of claiming illness or injury in order to avoid going to the war. Hero is a reverse case. A man who appeared at the Military Servico Board yesterday had twice enlisted voluntarily, and each time had been rejected because of a certain defect. As the call for men continued, he underwent a 6evere operation, had the na'uso of his trouble removed, and now has.been passed as fit for active service. It is gazetted that tho new land tax is payable on November 15 and the income tax on January 2S. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church will open at Dunedin on November 20. The following minitstovs will represent tho Wellington Presbytery:—Eevs. Drs. Gibb and Elliott, Revs. .1. 'Paterson, .T. M'Caw, A. B. Todd, I!. 1 Ellison, J. Gumming, and W. Phircr. The Eevs. l<. Thompson, J. M'Grogor Welch, and .1. Cuthcnvood, and Messrs. M'lCenzio, Fisher, and Dngit will Tci'/resont the Wairarapa Presbytery. Vive elders from the Wellington l'res&ytery will be appointed later. Commercial travellers arc Uikiii" kindly to "GOLDEN IUJLK" Soap and "NO KIJBrVING" Uumlr.v Help. So ulso are thrifty housewives, consequently its biiccess is assured. Wellington meivhaJiU.— Advt,

At tho meeting of the Dunedin Presby. tery on October 2 the Rev. G. 11. Bnlfour reported that arrangements were being mado lo open the John M'Glashan College in February, both for boarders and day boys. Tho present contracts for extension of the building would bo completed by December. To meet the initial expenses the board was aiming at raising a sum of JC4500 to J3OOO. Already a number of generous friends had promised donations. Some tree-planting had' been dono on tho largo playing field, lho selection of a principal was engaging tho careful attention of the Hoard of tovernors. Applications from a number of iirst-rato men had been received. Owing to the irregularity of the Australian mails the appointment had been delayed, but it was hoped' that it would bo m"-ue by next week. A winner of the Military Medal wn* among the men whose cases;were considered by the Wellington Military Service Board yesterday. The man is a lieutenant, he has served at tho front, and there won the decoration nientiiiieu. Ho had two brothers at the Avar, and ho is tho tol« semaining eon of t[io family. In view "of hie record and the fact that he is lho only son left the board decided to recommend that no should be exempted from further service and b-.'. given homo iscrvieu if h0 desired it.

Last night's Gazelle slates that fcl-e appointment of Mr. Har.z I'ay as ConsulGeneral of Norway for Australia at Melbourne has been provisionally recognised by New Zealand.

"Can a boy of seventeen years plough?" was a, question which arose at Yesterday's sitting of the Third Wellington Military Service Board. It arose through u farmer seeking exemption for an older son in order to get «sseutial farm work done. "You ask Mr. Oonaidine (a member of the board) if a boy of seventeen can plough," said '.he u-ili-tary representative. "1 ploughed when I was fourteen," answered Mr. Considine by way of answer. "And I have a boy of seventeen doing fa'rm work lor me," added the military representative. The appeal of the farmer was dismissed. Many are the Tensons advanced lor appearing from military service. One luau who was before the Third Wellington Board yesterday appealed because his wife "had a sub-conscious imn« (as the military representative put it), and ho wished to bring a spiritualist to givo evidence. The appeal did not succeed.

■ Over eightv appeals are set down to bo heard by the Third AVellington Miliary Servico Board to-day. Moro than half the appellants are soldiers seeking leave. A soldier who appealed at the Military Servico Board yesterday said he was a farmer and that he wished to stay behind a while to do shearing, lie cinio from the Te Akau settlement, and tflfre were no shearers ;iu tho district. Hβ was an expert who had been relied on in the past to look after the machines. If he went no shearing would be done in tho block.'The board did not ainvo at a decision.

Two hundred and twelve miles of lino and 22CS miles of wire were added to the telegraph system, and 4CO miles of line and 13,011 miles of wire to the telephone exchange system of the Dominion during the twelve months ended March 31, .1017. Tho number of telephone exchange connections increased by 35 *7 - Underground cables werj put down, in several of tho larger towns, and arrangements are in hand to extend this method. Thirty-nine new slot telephones were installed, bringing tho total iu uso up to 237.

At its meeting on Monday, next- the Wellington Industrial Association will discuss tho urgent need for industrial education, and the work of tfio New Zealand Board of Trado.

Thoro aro at least two men 'on the West Coast who have every canso to bo thankful that they were not on a recent occasion blown to eternity. They were bowling along the Ten-Mile Road, in tho Oirey district, in a motor-car, when a parcel was momentarily sighted on tho road, but the car-wheels passed over it with a grinding noise without the cars, speed being at all diminished. Subsequently it was found that a careless miner, homeward bound, had dropped a narcel of high explosives on the road. It is a wonderful tiling that the sudden impact and friction did not explode the dangerous contents. On Sunday next reference will bo rnado in all tho Anglican churches in the Wellington diocese to the church schools movement, and in some of >e Panshee collections are to be mado in aid of tie church schools' fund. Good progress is roported to have been made in tho case of the St Mark's School, which is the first to be established in Wellington. Mr J S. Dickson asked' Sir Joseph matter. - Last night's Gazette published a notice Street, Petone, A deputation of women, headed by Lady Stout, waited on,the Hospital Committee of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday with reference to the movement for tho establishment of free clinics for the treatment of venereal diseases. The deputation stated its views and expressed the opinion that the Hospital Board should give financial help. The matter is to come before tho Hospital Board next week. Crayfish have been plentiful along the West Coast (writes our special correspondent), and thero have been some great hauls lately. At Opunake on Sunday last a party fishing from a boat in the Opuuake Bay lifted 340 in about three hours. There is no difficulty in disposing of the fish, and along tho coast between New Plymoutlv and \\ anganui big sales are recorded at satisfactory prices. Other lines orfish aro also "bringing big prices, Auckland smoked schnapper realising Is. per lb. Last month 622 people arrived in the Dominion and 423 departed fronl it Ihe figures in September, 1916, were 1091 and 1193. 'The standard regulations to which the electric liglit and power licences must conform are being revised, and will possibly be completed and issued during the present year," say the Chief Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Department. "Several modifications liavo been found desirable, maiuly in view of the- rapid ■rowth of the application of electricity to cooking and other domestio purposes. Opportunity is taken to incorporate a number of special regulations issued with permits for the use of bare wiro, which have become standardised. This has the advantage that applicants for the use of bare wire will know beforehand the conditions to which they must conform. Four fatal accidents have occurred during the year in connection with electric liues. but'in no instance could "">■'>■' lie averted by regulations."

■V resident of Christehiirch, who has travelled between Chrislchurch and Dunedin regularly at lUlferDut times ior the past twenty years, and who has just returned from his latest trip, reports that stock, wheat, oats, and frmt on nearly nil the farms seldom have presented a better• appearance. "The autumn-sown wheat and oats," he said, 'look exceptionally well. There is a good deal ot watei the -other side of Oamani, and it is keeping that part back, but about Pareora the country, perhaps, has MnrW brighter prospects as far as actual production is concerned. Cattle and lambs especially fat lambs, are in excel ent condition. I have never seen such splendid fruit crops. The only thing w> need now is suitable shipping arrangements. An unusual appeal came before the Military Service Board at Dunedin. lhe wife of a returned Main Body man, wno was wounded and has again returned to c-iniD for service, appealed to have him released. They had two children am Kho did not consider her husband should serve n"«in until the Second Division was calfed up. They had had.no row, and it was jiot a question ol money. Shi- had written to her liuslmnd saying thit she was appealing, bul had not received a reply from him. The chairman remarked Ilia! the application was unusual They did not know hmv (ho husliiuul'woulil'take it, hut die board would recommend that he he released for Unco months without y&h ,

Referring-to one phase of liis onces in Trance, Lieut. T. li. Y. Seddon, M.P., writes:—"This camp is a great place. We have the Portuguese on one side of us. Tnere aro also plenty of Sootties—'Jocks,' as our icilows affectionately call tuom. It is really remarknble the affinity between our boys and the Jocks. I was taking a craft through the camp to go up to the line early in the morning, and the Jocks turned out to see their 'cobbers' away. It was really funny to hear the remarks, but tho expressions of goodwill were there genuinn and sincere. After the war I feel Euro there will be many a laddio seeking his c-olouial chum in New Zealand. Jtoro welcome emigrants wo could not have. I wish the idea could be acted upon at once by the authorities, but I suppose until the war is, over nothing workable can be arranged. It seems' generally lo be recognised that soldiers are going to emigrate from the Homeland after thu war. Xcw Zealand, doubtless, will attract a.lot of them. It is to bo hoped thnt our own, fellows will be all back, settled oa the land or in suitable placed, before the inilujt. It will take a couple of years for all the. New Zcalanders to i return home, so in the meantime somd idea should be thought out of settling' our own men on our own land. I fancy most oftlie men now returning are im-bu-ed with the idea of taking up iand. and that a wise administration will set aside land, not only in my district, but: throughout 2v"ew Zealand for this object. Ife the men's right, anjl I feel sure they will make good fanners."

A note of warning was struck at the Wangftnui Patriotic Association's meeting, says our special correspondent, concerning the squandering of money on Christmas gifts for soldiers. A considerable sum was raised Inst year for proriding Christmas comforts for the eoldiers in the trenches and other local camps, and it was pointed out that most of the soldiers spent Christmas in their homes or elsewhere.' It was further stated that ,£"250 had been expended on cigar?, cigarettes, etc., and that many of the oilicera had been set up for twelve months. "We don't want a repetition ot this," remarked a member—comment which was generally endorsed.

The following is tha movement of troops from Featheraton Camp for tho week ending Saturday, October 20:— Monday, 15: 32nd Infantry Reinforcements commence returning from final leave. Tuesday, 16: 35th Reinforcements and 36th Mounted Rifles commence concentrating. Thursday, 18: Final leavo 32nd Reinforcements, lees- infantry. Saturday, 20: A, B, C, D, and E Companies, 33rd Reinforcements move from Tauherenikau Camp to Featherston huts; return from finol leave, 32nd, !»rd, and 31tli Mounted Rifles.

A Tote of rio-confidence in the committee of tho Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association was carried at ft meeting ot the association on Tuesday evening. There has been some friction lately regarding tho administration of tho club's affairs (6ays the "Herald") nnd members generally felt that tho election of o. noncommittee would stimulato progress in the affairs of the association. Tho majority of'the committee forthwith reeigned, and a general meeting is to be held in two weeks' time to elect a new committee. The secretary, Mr. E. F. Andrews, confirmed his resignation, tendered at ft previous meeting. Mr. Andrews was asked to reconsider his decision, members expressing their confidence in him. Mr. Andrews stated after reconsideration that ho would allow himself to he nominated for the position.

The speed with which casualties on the Western front are- dealt with is shown in. the "British Medical Journal." On June 7, the day the Messines Bidgo was carried, ambulance trains wcro entering Charing Cross, at 2.15 in the afternoon. Tho. action began at daybreak, and people in London returning from luncheon saw tho casualties from tho battle. On Easter MondayVimy Ridge was attacked at 5.30 in tho morning. Within, an hour the wounded were coming down. Shortly after noon . the battle was over and by i o'clock the field was clear. In one case the feat was performed by the R.A.M.C. and in the other by the Canadian A.M.C. The following temporary appointments have been approved by the Camp Commandant at Featherston:—Pte. R. Biennis, to be corporal whilst in charge of S.S.M.'s mess; Corpls. S. Palmor, F. Young, E. Cooks, Q.M. Stores, to be sergeant cooks; Ptes. H. W. Estoll, C. Noilson, QM. Stores, to be corporal cooks; I'te. A. E. Jackson, Q.M. Stores, to be lance-corporal; Sergts. J. W. Fawcott, 11. Ayleft, to be company sergeantmajors whilst employed on CI instructional staff and attached to A Company, CI Camp; Corpls. E. Crosby, A. M. Hume. H. S. Malcolm, A. V. Snadden, F. G. Tucker, E Company, 33rd, to be sergeants; Corpls. N. W. M'Gorlick, W. H- Hicks, C. F. Rainoy, A. R, Johnstou, J. O'Donnell, D Company, 33rd. to be temporary sergeants; Sergt.W. 1. Roots, Army Pay Corpa (34th Reinforcements), to be staff-sergeant.

Some curious tilings aro brought up from time to time by tho gold dredges working on the West Coast: Recently the Success dredge, owned by Mr. Heseey, dredged up part of a gold signet ring, tho engraving, on it, which was clearlv discernible, being a Scotch thistle. The dredge also brought up lately a half-sovereign, bearing the date 1858, the coin being ia perfect condition, and a copper coin, bent and unrecognisable.

"I have gone back to my own work," said a returned soldier, a. wireworkcr by occupation, in a letter to the Minister-in Charge of the Returned Soldiers' Department, "biit if there is a job vacant as member of Parliament, manager of the. Bank of New Zealand, or Governor or the Dominion, I think I could fill it. P-S-— Remember mo to Bill Massey, him for thogood trip he gave me.

The final report of the Local Bills Committee was presented to the House of Representatives yesterday. The following business has been transacted during tlia session :-Number of Bills referred to the committee and reported upon, 22; petitions referred to the committee and reported on, a; meetings hold, li; average Attendance, 8. The committee placed on record its high appreciation of the able and painstaking manner in which, me chairman (Mr. Pcarce) has presided over its deliberations.

Tho following temporary appointments havo beon approved by the Camp Commandant e t,Trentham:-B Company. 30ft Reinforcements: Cpls. R. J. &• Wceber, 1. J. M'Kenna, C. 0. Bnrdan, to be.sergeants; Lce.-Cpls. G. Wilkins J. 0 iseill, Pte W H. Sc&rrow, Lce.-Cpl. \\ -. •)• Flynn to be corporals; Pte^H Pilkington, G. C. Breed, P. A. We»th J. J • Stein* W. E. W. Luxton, M P. Quillinan, to be lance-corporals; Lce.-tpi. I. 0. Bell, to be corporal. The Commissioner of Taxes draws attention by an advertisement in this issue to the y neceseity of lodg.ng claims for the additional exemption and deduction for income tax purposes, provided for by the Finance Act, 1917. Claim forms may be obtained at any postal money order office, or will be posted to taxpayers on receipt of ft request accompanied by a stampod addreesed envelope.