LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 110, 5 November 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Since the war began, numbers of people who formerly regarded the Young Men's Christian Association as "right enough in its way, but " have been pleased to admit that their old attitude was mistaken. The war has revealed the V.M.C.A. as a strong intelligent body, unmistakably helping in-the warwinning for civilisation against German barbarism. The V.M.C.A., throughout the British Empire, has some exceedingly able directors, whose whole-heart-ed purpose is to promote "practical Christianity,'" decent citizenship, good fellowship, whether the nation is at war or in _ peace. The New Zealand section is doing its share, and is eager to do more. That is why Host Days have been arranged for next Friday and Saturday (12th and 13th November). . The V.M.C.A. invitei, the public to supply money for the comfort of New Zealand's soldiers (whether they are in the trenches or in hospitals). The V.M.C.A. has an efficient organisation for this purpose; the people ha.ye an absolute assurance—based on results—that the V.M.C.A. knows how to reach the men, wherever they may be. Engaging the V.M.C.A., with its experienced officers, Joj- iHTs work is iiko employing the Post Department to handle letters. Doing things, little acts of kindness, for soldiers, whether they are hale or ill or wounded, is the Y.M.CJ.A.'s "job," and its many energetic competent workers know how to do it.

Mr. Jam«s M'lntosh, treasurer of the Wellington Patriotic Society, when asked as to when a general balance-sheet of the recent Queen Carnival wonld be available, stated that his . balance-sheet was being. held up by the fact that several of the Queen committees (there were fifteen in all) had not yet forwarded their balance-sheets to him. Until they were to hand he could not get on with his work. Now that the War Relief Association was formed he was only too anxious to get the whole thing off his hands. So far he had only received three out of the fifteen balance-sheets, and that in the face of several reminders to those responsible.

A most courteous letter of thanks has been received by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) from Dr. Miura, Secretary of the Bureau of Commerce of Japan, for hospitality afforded the Japanese Trade Mission when in Wellington. Dr. Muira refers to his "lucky travels in your country," also to the appreciation of his superiors and the leading business men of Japan whom he met on his return. He adds : "They have deeply gratified for such friendly treatments as have been favoured to me and earnestly desired for future development of the trades between both countries."

Building trades (according to the Labour Department's report for October) are exceptionally busy and the war does not appear to have had any deterring effect upon the demand for cottages, consequently there is an unsatisfied demand for carpenters. The engineering trades are also busy,, and in common with other trades there is a dearth of competent tradesmen. Fitters and turners in particular are wanted. The textile trades are working at high pressure, a considerable amount of overtime having been worked during the period. Reports from retailers confirm the previous statement that trade is good, and the turnover for the. month is quite up to the usual standard.

Concerning Lieutenant A. G. Aldridge, who was wounded while sei-ving with the Wellington Infantry Battalion on Bth August and died on lOtb August, the Railway Officers' Advocate writes :— "So ended a life full of promise, for he was one of the most efficient young officers in the employment of the Railway Department, besides showing much adaptability and proficiency as a soldier. After some years in the district office in Dunedin, Lieutenant. Aldridge was transferred to the traffic manager's office at Auckland. He was an expert shorthand writer and ha-d filled many positions in the office. At the time of his departure on active service he was one of the train running officers, and held train running authority, a very unusual distinction- for so young a man. His kindly and helpful nature endeared him to all members of the staff, and the sad news of his death evoked sincere and deep expressions of regret from all branches of the Service at Auckland and elsewhere. Shortly before his departure for the front he was married; and for the young widow, and for his mother, Mrs. T. A. Aldridge, of Epsom, the greatest sympathy is felt." For that new costume you cannot do better than select Burward Suiting at Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd. Ideal for ladies' and children's wear. Tussore shades, plain and striped, Is 6d to Is lid yard—remarkable values, too.—Advt. For neatest design, good wearing material neglige shirts, gentlemen are advised to inspect the range from 2s lid to 7s 6d at Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Mannerestveet Advt,

At a Chambers sitting of the Supreme Court to-day some preliminary matters in connection with the action Walter Dinnie, formerly Commissioner of Police, v. His Majesty the King, a claim for damages for alleged wrongful dismissal, were dealt with. On behalf of the petitioner, Mr. E. G. Jellicoe applied to have the case heard before a jury, but this was opposed by the Crown, repre sented by Mr. V. B. Meredith. His Honour Mr. Justice Edwards reserved decision.

"Doing very nicely, thank you," about expresses the state of health of all animals at the Zoo. Gate money last month was £50 0s 6d, as against £69 0s 6d in October of 1914. The falling off in the gate money is attributed to wet weather. Sports were held in Newtown Park on 3rd October last, and on that day the takings at the Zoo were £1318s 6d, while on Labour Day last year £13 18s was taken. This year Labour Day was wet, and the Zoo takings were only £1 2s 9d.

An extraordinary state of affairs was revealed by the road foreman at last night's meeting of - the Onslow Borough Council. He was referring to a drainage matter in Law-rence-street, Ngaio, and he stated that an overflowing snmji had caused a, great nuisance, and the position now constituted a serious menace to the health of the community.- "Is it as bad as all that?" asked a councillor. -"It is so bad," was the reply, "that the other day one of my men working on the spot was knocked out completely, and I had to carry him away. The stench was dreadful." The matter was left to the engineer for urgent attention, and he was instructed to confer with the Health Department.

Special interest attached to the departure for Duiiedin early this morning of the Union Company's steamer' Marama, by reason of the fact that this fine vessel is going South to be converted into a hospital ship. The Marama arrived in port on Wednesday morning from San Francisco, via ports, and thus terminated her running in this important service for the time being. The Marama, which is a fine airy ship, well construct' ed and extremely seaworthy, was built in 1907 at the yards of Caird and Co., Ltd., Greenock, for her present owners. Her registered tonnage is 6437 tons, and her commander is Capt. B. M. Aldwell, late of the Wahine. Up to the present no announcement has been made a* to what the ship's personnel will be when she proceeds to! the war zone as the second hospital ship from the Dominion.

The Victorian military authorities recently made the startling discovery that an nnnaturalised Bohemian had enlisted for service in the Expeditionary Force. The man in question was in training at Broadmeadows, and his real identity was only discovered a few days prior to the date fixed for his departure with his company for service abroad. He secured enrolment under the name of "Joseph William Spacey," describing himself as a Canadian. It was subsequently ascertained, however, that his real name was Joseph Spacek, while his birthplace was not Canada, but Prague, Bohemia. He had risen to the rank of lance-corporal in camp, and was looked upon as a smart and intelligent soldier. Prior to the outbreak of the war he had been working as a chemist. Once his true nationality was discovered he was sum dismissed from the forces, and the authorities now have the matter,in hand. Further action is contemplated)

By sheer grit, a West Australian farmer has won a place iri the ranks of the Australian Imperial Force, states the Melbourne Argus. Many weeks ago he sold his small farm in the back-blocks of West Australia and went to Perth to enlist. He had, however, contracted sandy blight, which so affected his eyesight that the medical officer refused to pass him. After making one or two further unsuccessful' attempts, he went to Melbourne and again offered himself as a volunteer. He had by this' time travelled fully 3000 miles in order to win an opportunity to fight for his country; but he met with no better success at the Victoria Barracks. With but a slight ray of hope left, he declared that he would seek work to maintain himself while under medical treatment, and a paragraph was inserted in the Argus stating his case. Employment was given him, and the young farmer placed himself under the care of an eye specialist. His reward has now come, for he is in training at one of the military camps near Melbourne.

Some straight talk was indulged in by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day in dealing with John Carroll, a sturdily-built man, ap parentiy about 35 years of age, charged with assaulting William Morran. Morran is totally blind. Yesterday,' Carrol] went to his room in Dixon-street, and accused his (Morran's) attendant of stealing a razor. Morran got out of bed to interfere, when Carroll assaulted him in a brutal manner He forced his helpless victim to the floor, and almost choked him. "Well, what have you got to say for yourself," said Mr. Cooper to accused, who had pleaded not guilty. "I did not know he was blind," wae the reply, N "or 1 wouldn't have bit him." His Worship: "What nonsense. Anybody could see he was blind. You're not blind, are you." Accused: "No, and I didn't know he was." His Worship: "Do you expect me to believe that? I think you're nothing but a, low down cowardly brute. You are fined £5, with the alternative of one month's hard labour. If you pay the fine, £2 is to go to Morran." ;,

The Native^ contingent at present in training at Narrow Neck comprises 330 men, including Maoris, .Niue Islanders, and Rarotongans (states the Auckland' Herald). The Maoris are being drafted into the camp weekly. Splendid progress is being made with the training of the men. The staff officers are under a disability in connection -with the training of the Niue Islanders in not having non-commissioned officers who understand both the native language and English. It is state that when the draft arrived only one nativ«i could speak English. The Niue Islanders are good workers, and when they grasp -what is required of them they spring to it like trained Europeans. By dint of patience and tact, and by the use of illustrations, the staff officers have taught the Islanders the meaning of the words of command. The men axe willing, and show a keenness for the work which is really admirable. It was amusing to see a squad of men, after a spell, endeavouring to pick out their respective rifles by comparing the numbers of the rifles with corresponding figures written on pieces of paper and kept in their caps. The excellent progress the Islanders have made during the three weeks they have been in camp [onus a striking tribute to the zeal of the men and the ability of their officers. The Rarotongans and Maoris, who are drilled in another section of the camp, are also doing well. Tho Maoris have token to the Rarotongans as to their own peoule but the feeling between the Maoris and Niue Islanders is not so cordial. This is due to the difference in language and temperament. It is expected that when they have been associated tocether for a further length of time they will fraternise more freely than they have yet done.

Another charge of Sunday trading was brought against Neil Austin in the Magistrate's Court to-day. Defendant did not appear. "This man has often been fined, ' commented his Worship, but that does not seem to have any efiect. He is again fined £1, with 7s costo.

A cheque for £150 has been received by the Mayor from Miss R. 11. Joseph, to be divided as follows : Belgian Belief, £50; Mayor's Patriotic Fund, £50; Wounded Soldiers Fund, £50.

A sum of £500 is being given by the Huddart-Parker Company, Ltd., to the New Zealand Wounded Soldiers Funds. In the absence of any national scheme, Mr. C. W. Jones, New Zealand manager for the company, has decided • that the money be divided equally among the five districts—Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Southland, and Otago.

Capt. C. Holm, who arrived in Wellington yesterday, in charge of the Japanese cargo steamer Kwanto Maru, is the only European on board the vessel, all his officers and crew being Japanese. For twenty-five years Capt. Holm was engaged in the Inland Sea,, Japan, where at one time twelve European pilots were employed. Now there are only four, the places of the others having been taken by Japanese.

Prom a platform in the cattle pavilion at the Palmerston Show yesterday, Mr. D. M'Laren (of Wellington), on behalf of the Wellington Patriotic Society, addressed aii appeal to assembled farmers for recruits. Around him, tethered in their stalk, were some of the finest specimens of cattle in the Dominion, many of them beef aristocrats with pedigrees dating back centuries, progeny of imported sires and dams, which "had wandered proudly over the pastures of Great Britain. Warming to his work in an excellent speech, Mr. M'Laren cried at length to his audience:—" You realise what it means to the British Empire, to the world, if the Germans win. Shall we Britishers let them win? Shall we?" \A thupderous roar from a ponderous Shorthorn' bull, a magnificent representative of the great famous beef strain of Old England, was the convincing reply to the challenge, and it shook the rafters of the pavilion.

The progress and work of the Auckland district of the National Reserve were commented on by Capt. A. W. Baragwanath at the annual meeting o£ the delegates of the Auckland district this week (states the Herald). .He said that their 400 members had increased to something like 4300 members. About 300 members went away with the Main Expeditionary Force, and up to three months ago it was estimated that another 300 men had enlisted, and since then members had been joining the Reiriforcemente. Dp to a few weeks ago, members of the Garrison Artillery were not allowed to go to the front, as they were required for the forts. Members of the National Reserve, however, had become so efficient that they had been allowed to replace twenty men who were released for active service. That spoke well for the work done by the Reserve. There were some 500 members of the Reserve who were prepared to devote evenings to the manufacture of munitions. That number included many members of the ladies' branch of the Reserve.

More men are needed, and for the first time during the progress of the recruiting campaigns recruiting posters are in order (writes the Wellington correspondent of the Railway Officers' Advocate, published by the Railway Officers' Institute). This proves that the falling away of the voluntary system is being felt, and with the advent, of national registration we venture to predict that conscription is not far distant. Up to the present we may state-, that the Railway Service, in comparisor with its numbers, has sent more men than any other State service. .We are proud of the fact, and yet we must be prepared to release many more. In the Motherland, and in al' the nations engaged in the conflict, we find female labour taking the place of male, and we think we must be prepared to have the same in our service. Though the Department, and also the institute, has always been opposed to the introduction of female labour, the circumstances surrounding us at present necessitate, or will, if the present rate of enlistment continues th° same state as exists at Home 'i'iii* service is the only one without, female labour, and though its introduction would be anything but satisfactory, yet we must be prepared for it. , Miramar Municipal Electors' Association is apparently disquieted over the boroughs tramway scheme. Formerly the borough purchased the electric current from the city, but it instituted a sewerage pumping system, and as it had to have power for that, it decided to supply the electric trams when in its own territory with the necessary current. The association referred to, through its secretary (Mr. W. E. TomJin), wrote "asking the council to furnish us, with information as to the difference in the cost of running the trams now and before the council took over the expense of running them; also what profit the council has gained by doing so." The letter came before the council meeting yesterday, when the Mayor (Mr. F. Townsend) said the association ~ would find out all it wanted to know 'in the balance-sheet. It was resolved to reply accordingly. With regard, to the occasional demands made upon the City Council's electric power by the Miramar Borough lines, it is understood that the city is unable to at present consider any further heavy demands, either for power or lighting, until the Constable-street extension is finished, and even then, with increased services, there may not be sufficient current to spare for Miramar.

L.-Cpl. Roland T. Robertson, of the Ist Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, eldest son of Mr. George Robertson, of the Government Life Insurance Department, writes on 24th September last, apparently on the eve of the Battle of Loos, that the British were then heavily bombarding the German lines, preparatory to an advance. He also says : As I write this we are bombarding the German trenches, and the noise is deafening. We got shelled out of the farm we are now in last Sunday week, and I am expecting every minute to hear shells coming our way again. One thing about all this is that you get perfectly callous to danger, and never think of the awful risks you are running day and night. I was sent wivh a message, at 1 o'clock the other morning, and it was very eerip biking along a road full of shell holes and the Germans only 300 yds away Certain corners of the road are marker! by German snipers, who sight their rifles on the spot in the daytime and then fire them, and spit out shot aft-er shot all night, in the hope of catching some poor beggar who is passing T know all those spots, and therefore lay>* low on the handlebars of the machine find went past them like . A. goon number 'of chaps have been caught in this way, hot you've got. to take yo"v chance the same as anyone else.

Summer is just about here, and with it Geo. Fowlds. Ltd., are right ready with smnrt-cut suits in the latest in greys. 60s, 70s. 80s.—Advt.

Choose carefully. Mistakes may be costly. If you want parcels sent, furniture moved, baggage checked, you find us ever reliable. The N.Z. Express Co.. Ltd., S7-91, Customhouse-quay.—Advt.

Although Switzerland is composed maiuly of forest-clad and snow-capped mountains, with many famous glaciers, suggesting a. natinslly chill? climate, l!io chief manufaciiues axe silk spinning, clock and watcsli ms.!;i"n<r, ar;< j tj, e mos t familiar to this count ry is embroidery. It strikes one as a little strange that our daintiest summer fahrics should come from a snowy land away there in Central Europe. Be that as it may the greatest assortment of real Swiss "Embroideries in Wellington to-day can be seen at C. Smith's, "The Drapers," Cuba-slreer. —Advt.