LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 67, 17 September 1917, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"What .particularly pleased me this evening,"-said Sir Robert Stout, in pre. senting the PlunketMedal at the Victoria College Debating Club on Saturday night, "was the fact that the speech of every competitor was entirely free from the harsh 'colonial 'twang'■ which Robert Louis Stevenson satirised so' heartily. If Victoria College does nothing but teach its student's to speak without thi.s very common defect "it will be perform-" ing its''rightful function.: Another thing I noticed was the individuality of each of the speakers. Every competitor had his own separate and distinct style, and it say a much for the tuition at. the College that this individuality should' be fostered and encouraged."

At the temperance rally in the Town] Hall last night, Bishop Sprott, who pre- ! sided, suggested to the. large .audience that, "if powible," applause should not be indulged in. This request was subsequently endorsed by the Rev. Dr Gibb, but it was no use. Throughout the meeting the speakers were frequently interrupted by loud bursts of hand-clap-ping and other marks of appreciation. The Commercial Travelers' Club, on Saturday night, tendered a smoke concert to "Our Boys in Khaki " who are members of the Wellington and kindred associations. The attendance was large, and an admirable programme wae provided by the newly-formed musical society, assisted by some of the leading artists 1 of the city. The Savage Qlub Orchestra, with Mr. Elliott as cornet soloist, contributed a few items." Mr. Eugene Ossipoff, who was in splendid voice, got a good reception. Most enjoyable songs and recitations were given by Messrs. Crawford, M'Kenzie,'N. Aitken, and Arthur Allen, while Mr. H. F. Wood received a double encore. Messrs. Thompson and M'Donald played, a duet for two flutes, and the male voice choir rendered several items' under the batonof. Mr. Peek: The toast of "Our. Guests," coupled with the boys in khaki and brae,., together with those who have returned, was proposed by the president; Mr. F, W. Manton, and musically honoured. .''■■'.;; „-"

"Look at the head lines on.this paper," writes a New Zealand soldier from an Australian Red Cross station in France; "New Zealand funds are doing nothing for us. At any rate, we never see anything. Why is it?" Iv relation to the Australian Medical Corpa, he writes: "1 just want to let you know what eort of fellows these Medical Corps men «r«. They are running round after you all day with books, drinks, and smokes. They are jolly fin« fellow*." •

It is considered by the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute that teachers should be granted a'Dominion scale of sick pay similar to that in force in the Public Service. The matter, came before the Wellington branch last week, when the local body was aeked to support a resolution to the effect that the teachers should petition Parliament. It was decided to bring up a. remit for the approval of the branch. .

One of the recipients of .the Order of the British Empire Medal is Mr. Thos. Harper, an Australian, who was awarded the medal for " his great devotion to duty,'" under circumstances described as follows:—Although he was 74 years of age, and had retired owing to old age, and had gone to Australia when the war started, he wrote and offered his services to his old firm. He came to England at hia own. expense, and for over two years put in an average of 54 horn's a week. He has actually done.the work of. two men. Sometimes he has fainted at his work, and has then refused to go home, stating he could not rest while he thought his country wanted shells. ■

Sir James Wilson, chairman of the Manawatu Hospital Board, stated at the board meeting on Thursday-that 30ca6es of tuberculosis were expected to return to New Zealand in a few days.

"In my opinion," said Councillor Appleton at Saturday night's meeting of the Onslow Borough Council, "the Railway Department is excessively staffed. This is only natural, as the Government has reduced the train service by nearly half."

Writing to his parents from a -pott of call, a Dunedin marine engineer thus refers to a standardised-built steamer : "I had a look over one of the standardised ships, of which you have probably heard. She was built entirely in Japan, with the exception of her feed water heater and pumps, in 80 days, and, considering that, fact, she looked all right, though the chief engineer -did not seem to like her too well."

Home Service men applying to the Financial Assistance Board for special relief nave had their applications refused. A Trentham Camp Order now states: "It is notified for general information that any officer, non-commissioned officer, or man employed on home service in connection with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force or other purposes, i 6 not entitled to receive financial assistance. In any cases in. which such individuals apply for this, assistance will not be entertained." ■ . ■'''„

At the'annual meeting of inejnbers ot' the' Wellington Trotting Club on Saturday night a hearty welcome was accorded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Samuel (who presided). Colonel Samuel was afcsent for two years, during which time he was serving with the. forces, in EgyptAnother prominent official of the club, Mr H. J. Palmer, at present at Sling Camp, in England, was not forgotten. Reference was made to his absence by Mr. R. A. Armstrong, and, cheers were given for "Harry" Palmer, one of the most popular of the club members.

Mrs! Jane Greenhill Suckling, wife of Mr. John Ssickling, waa found dead, in her residence in Christchurch a few days ago. Mr. Suckling stated at the inquest that oft returning home he found the house locked up. He gained: admittance, and then found the bathrppm locked.' With the assistance of Constable Porteous they broke into the bathroom. There was a heavy smell of gas in the room. The deceased was lying on a rug on the floor with a pillow under her head. His wife had lately been depressed. A verdict was returned that deceased died from the effects of gas-poisoning,, the result of her own act while in a state of unsound mind.

The latest sphere to be invaded by young ladies is behind the grocery counter. An advertiser who had been for some time vainly inserting an advertisement,' "Wanted, a man for grocery trade," had, when seen a day or two ago, a- smile on his face. He said : "Look, there is the solution of my problem," and behind one of > the counters was a business-like young lady quickly and 1 efficiently attending to the needs of the customers. " I have," said the proprietor, "in prospect the loss of three more of my hands when called in tha ballot, and I intend replacing them with girls. So long as I have one man left for the heavy work I consider that girls will be just as efficient as men for the ordinary work behind the counter."

An enjoyable concert programme was given by the Featherston Camp Trumpet Band in the Wellington Hospital grounds yesterday afternoon. There was a big gathering of the public for the occasion, arid a collection taken up resulted in £13 3s 6d being banded in. The band was under Trumpet-Major F. C; Chsgwin. Among the special numbers given were:—Grand arch, "The Chief," J. Winter; Grand Selection, "Marionettes," F. C. Chegwin; Drum Tattoo, "Symphony,!' T: Atkinson; March, "Lensi-. dern.'-'J. Winter; Waltz, "Rosy Mom," F. C. Chegwin; March, "Blighty," H. Goinn'; Schottiche, "The Cricketers," F. C. Chegwin; Drum March, "Bob Boy," Camp Drummers; ; Waltz, "Pippin," F. C. Chogwin; Marcb, "Caledonia,"" J. Winter. ...■■.

An interesting description of Chinese domestic customs is given in a letter recently received from a New Zealand missionary now in Pekin, particular reference being made to i the, city "criee." The writer gays:—"The. strangeness of our surroundings helped to keep away fileep. the first night, and also the fact that ai regular; .'intervals someone passed* our place shouting something in Chinese. We thought'it must be a night-watchman, but we could hear others in the distance, and sometimes the call would be different. We discovered next morning that salesmen come', around until 2 o'clock in the morning with all kinds of wares for sale, and the "songs of the night" came from; these gentlemen. Some of the calle are very weird, and worse than all the "fishohs," "wild rabbits,'' and ."morning papers"/that, ever were" heard in the homeland 1".'.'.:

The two" sons of Mrs. R. Smith, Gillstreet, New Plymbuth, who go into camp on the 19th inst. to join the 34ths, will make a total of five of one family on active service (says the Taranaki Herald). Bandsman J.- Smith, Ist Wellington Battalion, went away with the 10th Reinforcements, and has been twice wounded and once buried alive. He was acting deputy-bandmaster to the New Plymouth Salvation Army Band for some time. Rfimn. W. Smith, also' a Salvationist,, left with the 16ths, and is in the trenches. Pte. R. Smith departed with the 25ths, and ?t present is stationed at Sling Camp. Of the two now going, Smith enlisted some months ago at Pihama, but could not get away before on account of his work, whilst BandSergt. R. Smith, of the Salvation Army Band, has just reached 20 years of age, and is therefore no laggard. ,

People living in Onslow who are engaged in business in the city have been greatly inconvenienced by the reduced train service. With a view to remedying this Councillor Appleton moved at Saturday's meeting of the Onslow Borough Council, that the council' wait upon the General Manager of Railways in regard" to an evening train service on the Manawatn line; and that if' necessary the council pay a subsidy fox.the use of the motor train. He explained that his idea' was that the motor trai» should run in and out twice nightly, anci that a special fare be charged. It would be safe to guarantee that the required revenue would be obtained. Councillor Tucker, who seconded the motion pro forma, suggested to the mover that he should delete all the words in his motion after the words " Manawatu line." This Councillor Appleton would not agree to. Councillor Hobbs moved Councillor Tucker's suggestion as an amendment. This was seconded by Councillor Palmer. However, the amendment, on being submitted, was lost and the original motion carried.