LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 38, 13 August 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

■' " ' «s- - No soldier, who comes to the Wellington district can have cause to complain that he is a stranger in a cold, friendless land. The Soldiers' Club (Sydneystreet, at the back, of the Hotel Cecil) I is as cosy as cheerful ladies can make it. Winter lingers nippingly these nights in the open ; therefore coal blazes in big grates at the club, and armchairs offer a soft lap to those who care for comfort, by way of a change. Billiards, cards, books and papers, music, writing materials, and very palatable refreshments are all free, and the friends of the club are very glad to give. That is the charm of the room — the bright eagerness of all to help any soldier to pass the time pleasantly. It is a warm atmosphere, one to gladden any man who is not hopelessly stolid and unimpressionable. This place of peace, rest, refreshment, and healthful recreation is only two or three minutes' walk from either Lambton Station or Lambton-quay. The Government Offices throughout New Zealand will be closed on Dominion Day, 27th September, in celebration of the eighth anniversary of the day on which the Colony of New Zealand was created a Dominion. During the Royal Commission's hearing of , evidence on Trentham Camp it was stated that soldiers, convalescent from measles, had gone beyond the bounds of the Bei'hampore Hospital, and had mixed with friends. It is also a fact that convalescents of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (near the Main Public Hospital) have similarly broken bounds. A correspondent has enquired as to the safeguards taken to prevent patients from mingling with the public until this procedure is deemed to be safe by the medical authorities. The Minister for Defence stated yesterday that some negotiations weTe going on with the British Medical Association in regard to the organising of the medical profession in New Zealand to meet demands likely to be made by the large number of sick and wounded who are returning, and for other war purposes. The Minister said he did not know what the result of those negotiations would be. The Dominion had its own organisation, and the Minister said he would be glad if any medical men who did not belong to the New Zealand Army Medical Service would join. For the month of July' the gate receipts at the Wellington Zoo amounted to £40 10s 9d, as compared with £40 Is 6d for the corresponding month last year. From Ist to 11th August the takings amounted to £14 2s 6d, as compared with £11 15s 9d for the similar period during the previous twelve months. The amount derived from sales since the last report was £8 9s. In a letter to Mr. H. F. Allen, who was secretary of the Wellington Committee of the San Francisco Exposition, Mr. Maurice O'Brien, Assistant New Zealand Commissioner at the Exhibition, states that each of the 58 counties in California has issued at least one booklet setting forth its resources and at. tractions, and each county also has a live organisation working to attract the settler and man of means. "Some of itftese methods could be adopted by many of the districts in New Zealand/ continues the letter, "as we have attractions quite equal to and in some caaeß superior to the Californian counties. The American lias developed his boosting propaganda until it is quite an art, but we need not follow 'him over the boundary line between fact and fiction, which, I am afraid, he is sometimes liable to cross. Our exhibit is attracting great attention, and has been Very successful in securing awards." "Imports," observes the Trade Review, "have been coming to hand more freely lately, which calls for financing by the banks, but in many quarters stocks are low, and so merchants are in a good position financially; also, exports are keeping up well for the time of the year, helping to balance the account. The surplus of over £5,000,000 of deposits over advances, as shown by the bank returns for the last quarter, means a considerable fund to carry on operations for the next few months or so. This puts the banks in an excellent position to meet the demands that will shortly set in for the gathering and moving of tho coming season's produce. The Savings Bank figures show that the Government holds the enormous total of over £20,000,000 to the credit of _ depositors. This shows that the s savings j of the community stand at a high level, and they have increased by over £2,000,000 in the last twelvemonth. Also, the Government has acquired substantial funds at a comparatively cheap rate through this channel. While money is plentiful at present, rates are not lowering, as there is a general feeling that before very long there will be ajnple scope for investment at very remunerative rates, and tho expectation is that rates will not ease in tho near future, but rather that the value of money will maintain a fairly high level for some little time come, in view of tho enormous calls for capital caused all over the world by the war." One of the men who was in the fighting at Cape Helles when the brigade was sent down from Gaba Tepe described to Mr. Malcolm Ross, the New Zealand official war correspondent, how the New Zealanders went through the lines of the 29th Division to take a Turkish trench ahead, and of how the British Tommies gave them a rousing cheer as they went. The French were pressing forward on the right, and the Turks there were retiring. The 3rd Canterbury were in the third line — the last lino of supports — - yet though they saw other companies being shot down in front of them they never wavered or hesitated. The Aucklanders on the left lost heavily. With fixed bayonets the New Zealanders went forward and carried a 'line of trenches 500 yds 01- 600 yds in front of the British position. . . . Having gained their advanced position, the New Zealanders had to dig in under heavy fire, and that ib no joke. That night the Turks came at them several times. Our men could hear the word passed down the Turkish lines in a low monotone, and presently they could see forms silhouetted against the sky. Then the rifles rang out, and the Turks fell or staggered back. Towards daylight, when our men could see better, their fire was more effective. Some brave deeds were done that night in bringing in wounded. When daylight came there was one man in the Canterbury trenches who stood up occasionally to get a better shot at a Turk. "By Jove! I got that one," he Would say as he ducked back into the trench. He admitted it was rather a risky game for himself, but said he would have just one more shot. He stood up for that lnat shot and. got three bullets. One of them went clean through his head. Why be cold? Good overcoats reduced to 10b and 22* 6rl. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Maunen-etreet.— Advt.

Acting under the War Regulation* Act, the Postmaster General has prohibited correspondence with Jean Tordeur, Dordrecht, Holland. The total deaths registered in the four principal centres during the month of July were 274— Auckland 72, or 0.69 per 1O00 ; Wellington 67, or 0.91 per 1000 j Christchurch 55. or 0.75 per 1000; Dunedin 80, or 1.20 per 1000. By a notice under the Education Act, gazetted last night, the Director of Education is appointed the registration officer for the registration of public, private, and secondary schools' colours, badges, or monograms. The fee for registration is £1. In the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon the trial was concluded of charges against James Hassall, of Greymouth, of conspiring with some unknown person in Wellington to defraud Philip Byrne, a bookmaker. After a retirement of four hours, the jury an* nounced that it had failed to agree, and a new trial was ordered for next Monday, This morning bail was fixed s by his Honour the Chief Justice at one surety of £50 and a personal bond of £50. i A strong appeal for binoculars for officers going to the front who might- be 1 unable to provide them was made by Major Firth last _ evening at the opening of the miniature rifle range ( at Hataitai, a«id he hoped the various unitß of the National Reserve would take up t the matter. A few minutes later Major Amos announced that the Hataitai Company would guarantee at least one pair, and another pair would probably be donated by a member of the company. The Petone Technical School lias been fortunate in obtaining from the Agricultural Department an interesting and instructive collection of samples of New Zealand wools. There are eighty-one samples of nine distinct breeds, and they are arranged on oards containing printed information as to the name of the breeder and the class of the wool. They are duplicates of the samples of New Zealand wool sent * to the San Francisco Exposition, and tfiey will no doubt prove very useful to the woolclassing students at the school. Cabled advice has been received in Christchurch from the Wai* Office, Lon- 1 don, to the effect that 2nd Lieut. H. E. Voyce, of the Worcester Regiment, lins been r reported missing since 6th August. Liftut. Voycft is the eldest son of the late Mr. T. G. Voyce, of Christchurch, and was one of thd six members of the New Zealand Main Expeditionary Force who received commissions in the Imperial Army. He was at one time Officer Commanding No. 79 Company, Sydenham Cadets, said subsequently coming to Wellington, he was attached to the Wellington Technical College Cadets. Some folk regard the reading-room of the Public Library a* a convenient, comfortable place for meeting friends and chatting aoout events of the day. These misusers of the accommodation do not seem to be perturbed by the fact that their conversation is a nuisance to others who wish to give individual attention to books and papers; The Other day a woman's voice, traversing rapidly the surface of life here and abroad, attracted the i notice of 3,11 attendant, who gave a polite reminder that talking was forbidden. The offender begged leave to give her recital in a whisper, and when permission was refused she exclaimed in the manner of a teacher to an ignorant pupil : " You should go to Nelson. You can talk as much as you like there." Mrs. T. Kirk, 60, Pine-street, Writes to The Post as follows:— "I have received a most encouraging letter from Sir John Kirk, Director of Shaftsbury Ragged School Union, expressing thanks for a, box sent by me. I wish to extend the thanks to all who assisted me by contributing to the box. The terrible war has increased the claims on all the Home institutions, and I am preparing another box. Any gifts of well-mended cast-off clothing or children's outgrown clothing will be gratefully received by me at my address. I hope to send the box by the end of ' September. The Holiday Fund has suffered severe depletion owing to the war. Any monetary assistance will also be gratefully received, as 12s 6d will give a crippled child a fortnight's holiday at the seaside or a farm-house." A strongly-built youth, nineteen year* of age, was brought before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., on a charge of being absent without leave from the Burnham Industrial School. According to the statement of the young fellow to Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared on his behalf, he wanted to go to the front, and had permission from the master of the school. He had passed the necessary examination, but was told he would have to wait four months before he wae called up. _ He then cam© on to Wellington, hoping to get called up sooner, and had applied to the Public Works Department for work while he was waiting, with the result that he was put on at Trentham Camp at lls a day. Inspector Hendrey said he understood the authorities wished to have the youth returned to the school, but if the facts were as stated, the Education Department would probably allow him to remain at work. The Bench made a formal order for his re-committal to Burnham. In the course of a letter to this paper, in which she thanks the Defence ana Postal authorities for the consideration they have shown to her when she has made enquiries about her son, who was in the trenches but has been sent to Malta invalided, "A.M.F." says : "Our boys are wonderful j they grumble so little when their hearts are in it. I wish I had time to quote more of my son's letters. In the second received from the Dardanelles, when he had evidently been in a 'tight place' for some time, and had been sent to the beach to 'rest' for three days, he complained that the Turks were a little bit inconsiderate, 'flinging a shell t into the sea just when we were embanking on a quiet swim.' Iv his last letter he says that he has not 'seen a house since 12th April. Hills and beach and sea every day and all day ! With my penchant for cities, etc., yon can understand that it is beginning to get on my nerves. I believe if we ever sight a town 1 shall stand up for half an hour regardless of the enemy, just to have a long look at it.' This is the first complaint (if such it can be called) since he joined the Forces. Valetta will, no doubt, prove city enough for him, and how glad I am to think he is being ministered to by the nurses of whom we hear bo much praise. In fact, this i letter was only meant to be an expression of my thanks for the kindness I have received from officials. I am quite sure the regulations are made for our welfare, and for the welfare of those dear to us. () Study your customer ! It will please him if you send his parcels or goods through us, for we will deliver them quickly, safely. N.Z. Express Co., Ltd., 87-91, Custorahouse-quay.—Advt. Some rather amusing stories are told about our soldior boys. One of the most recent is that, of a loyal New Zealahder who went away after training for active service, and it was not till he waß undergoing in Egypt severe route marching that it was discovered he possessed a wooden leg. He is back again without tho honour of reaching Berlin. It shows that if, always pays to be genuine. That is why C. Smith's aye always so busy— (hey have always given genuine hemt*t \<duas. O. Smith, Ltd., Cuba-street, Wol« liugtoii.— Advt,

On Monday evening Sir Joseph Ward and Dr. M'Nab will speak at ft National Reserve gathering at Palmerston North. They *ill return to Wellington early on Tuesday morning. On board the R.M.S. Marama last Monday evening, whilst bound from Sftn Francisco to Wellington, a concert in aid of the Wounded Soldiers Fund was given by the " Mavama Follies" (organised by the torovidore "department), w^Jf^ resulted m the satisfactory sum of £30 benig raised for the fund. A well-known Eastbourne resident, who was charged at the Magietrafce'ts Court to-day with allowihg hi* horse to wander on the street* of that salubrious suburb, (stated that the bylaws were never intended to apply to euch an offence aa he was charged with. He had a, hand In the framing of the bylawe, and know that, such was the case. Mi Cooper, S.M., said he would have to inflict a small fine of ss. "Too much,"' said the defendant, as he smilingly departed. Though little is heard from Ravotonga, inhabitants of that island are greatly interested in the brave deeds being accomplished by the New Zealanders now fighting at Gallipoli. Duiv ing one month a collection box on the ■wharf at B&rolonga received £6 10s from the Native cargo workers for the Sick and Wounded Soldiers Fund. This amount was received by Mr. T< R. Tripe, accountant of the Union Company's Wellington office, and has been forwarded to the secretary of the fund. "The last time I fined you, you said yon would not pay the fine," said My. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., this morning to a young Territorial named Andrew Meyer, who was charged with failing to render military service, and Who had a bad record from the Territorial point of view. "You will be fined £2, in default seven days' military detention." A similar fine wag inflicted on another youth named Clarence J. Taylor, with an .equally bad Territorial record, "You will be dealt with more severely if you come here again," said Mr. Cooper, In consequence of the increase in the volume of work in Wellington, particularly with respect to the loading and discharging of vessels, it has been decided to station two more surveyors of ships at this port. The positions are to be filled by Captain J. W. Burgess, harbourmaster and Customs officer at Picton for the past six years, and Captain Hardy, harbourmaster afc Hokianga. Captain Bui'gess was at one time in the Union Company's service. Before going to Holuanga Captain Hardy wae chief officer of one of the Government- steamers, and he wae also at one time master or the' Otago Harbour Board's big > dredge and assistant harbourmaster at Port " Chalmers. Mr. J. L. Hay, V.M.C.A. represent*' tive, reports most encouragingly on his work among the soldiers in Egypt. He says that in Alexandria the authorities placed so much value on the work that they have provided a large public building, and have handed it over to the ' V.M.C.A. In Cairo, also, a large central building, the old German Club, has been secured, and is now in ueej as a Soldiers' Club, in order to counteract the evils ( of Eastern life. The Ked Cross Society is also co-operating with the association in its work, uild lumade a contribution of £500 towavu the heavy expenses incurred. Mr. H:\ appeals for New Zealand illustrate papers, which are much sought after Mr. Varney, V.M.C.A., Willis-street, will be pleased to receive copies of current issues of these papers in order to forward them to the V.M.C.A. build' ings in Egypt. "What age are you?" asked Inspectoi Hendrey to-day in the Magistrate Court of an elderly man who- gave hi 1 evidence with considerable vigour on bi half of his son, William M'Kay, cha'i'gi»t with resisting Constable Jairold in tl\< execution of his duty. "Seventy-four," replied the veteran. "And 1 supple you were as good a man as your t>on a! his age?" suggested the Inspector. "1 didn't need to turn away from a person at thai time," was 1 the laconic reply. The son was said to be an expert at jujitsu, and the arresting constable also had some knowledge of the Japan* ese art. But he was "15.8," as he expressed it, while the man he was arresting appeared to be four or five stone less. And weight told, as it generally v does in rough-and-tumble contests. The constable took his man to the loak'itp, and he was fined £3 and 8s costs "by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. Referring to the immense amount of damage being done by the warships engaged at the Dardanelles to the Turkish land positions, Driver W. Hornblow (Masterton), No. 2 Battery, N.Z.F.A.. writing from the rest camp on the beach at Alexandria, says:— "l was sorryywuen the Triumph was blown up, as she was doing such great work. She set fire to a village which was full of munitions for the Turks, and this was burning % for three days. Just before the initial landing at Gaba Tepe, the sights we saw at the entrance to the Dardanelles were never to bo forgotten. Of the men in the first two boats to pull ashore at Gaba Tepe only two came out alive. Others were then rushed in, and the men made a most brilliant landing, of which you have many accounts. After spending a month on the Peninsula we had to bring the horses back to Alexandria, as work for them was too risky." A deputation consisting of Capt. Thring, Capt. M'Laggan, Councillor J., E. Fitzgerald, Mr. EL. G. Hill, and Ui, Joseph Lewis, president and secretary respectively of they Patriotic Society, waited on the Reserves Committee of th«> City Council yesterday afternoon with a request for the free use of Newtovm Park for a military tonrnaineni and assault-at-arins on Saturday, 28th Aug^ ust, in aid of the Wounded Soldiers Fund. Councillor Fitzgerald explained ' that the display .would not only assist the fund* but it would doitbtless stimulate recruiting. Manoeuvres on hofseback would Be included iti the programme, and it was desirable that, in order to protect the public the enclosure should be safeguarded. It was suggested thai Councillors Frost and M'Kenzie should occupy positions as members of the Grounds Committee of the Patriotic Society. Capt. Thrihg stated that the military authorities intended to do_ all in their power to assist the project. The chairman (Councillor 0. Frost) replied that the request • would be consfdored. Personally, ho was prepared to act as a ' members of the Grounds Committee, and he was of the opinion tha.t other members would a-lso be prepared to accept membership. Special invitation to country visitors '. Kirkcaldie and Steins' Great Winter Sale cea6Cs to-morrow (Saturday), at 1 p.m. We invite yoimattendance, and are posi tive you will spend a profitable and pleasant time. 'Come early in the morning, and «& avoid the final lutvry. This is good advice for everybody. Kirkcaldie and Stains, Lid.— Advt. That famous picture "Fedora" will long live in the memory of the Wellington public. Its sequel "The One Between," has come to hand, and ■> \\ " be shown at Shovtt's Theatre on '' day.— Advt. For ten days our hat department -' offering two good bargain fines. Fin , straws, all reduced to 2s 6d 5 lounge felta, 3s lid each; usual prices, 6s Gd Ito Ss 6d. Oreo. Fowlcfe, Ltd,~Advt.