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Evening Star, Issue 15914, 21 September 1915, Page 4

The prico of flour locally has been again reduced, this time by £1 per ton. the price now is £l3 per ton in 2001b bags, winch shows a decline of £4 IQs Since the maximum was reached! The leduction takes, effect as from to-day. ■ Much amusement was caused in the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington last week when a Chinese witness was giving evidence in an opium case. Witness, a resident of New Zealand for over ’35 years, listened to the questions put through the interpreter, and blandly Smiied, as only a Chinese can smile when ne js desirous of appearing the quintessence of childlike innocence. On two occasions ho was taken off his guard and answered the questions put to him in good iingJish before the interpreter had time to translate them into Chinese, but he was not to be caught a third time, and resumed his former stolid, injured took when further questions were put to

n Tr S , s .°^ lers , w ho have returned from Gallipoli say that there is always a demand at the front for cigarette papers, many of the men resorting to newspapers tor a covering for «own mode ” cigarettes. It would not be amiss if those sending parcels would include a few packets of cigarette papers. France has already made some progress with the work of findjng niches of usefulness for her blinded soldiers. A convalescent home lias been established for them at Eeuilly, where the first step is to give them a taste for life a<min by providing them with the certainty of a future not only bearable, but completely happy, in which they will have the pride fhd joy of being workers.” They are taught the Braille alphabet, and then set K ao i f™ brus hmaking, straw-plaiting, basket work, massage, mattress-making, and so on. Another convalescent home assists blind soldiers to follow their proper profession. Another society gives complementary pensions ranging up to 300 W CS X, bll ¥,. s 5 ldiers "Ho We fami- „ • ~ ,“0 blind soldier,” it is said, . P r ° vl{ lcd with his pension, and knowmg two or throe trades, can marry in all confidence, and open a shop in liis own * n „ tb e midst of his relations and friends. Homes of various kinds, indeed, have been established in many parts of France for the benefit of the brave men broken in the war. A 'special meeting of the Bay Town Boa,rd was held last night, when it was decided to give effect to the poll of the ratepayers carried on September 17, bv forwardmg a petition to the Minister ofInternal Affairs. The clerk was instructed to arrange a conference between the City Council and the board at an early date.

An Oamaru telegram says that the recent prolonged spell of dry weather was broken yesterday by a fall of rain totalling 30 points. The action of the Governmental! giving free railage of turnips for starving stock has undoubtedly saved the lives of thousands of sheep and rattle in riorth Otago, and has most decidedly been a gain more or less directly to the whole community. -A well-attended public meeting held in Wellington la.st night decided to form a league, the objects of which are “To expedite and extend the organisation of the people and resources of New Zealand, for “ e Purpose of tailing our full share in the_ defence of the Empire and the prosecution of the war, and to assist the Government in accomplishing these objects.” It was also resolved to recommend to the Government that the national register should ascertain the individual wealth of the country, and should include women on the same basis as men; also, that the ago for military service should be extended beyond 40, so long as the volunteer can pass test for fitness.”

The Prime Minister has informed Mr Nosworthy, member for Ashburton, that no information has been received from the Imperial Government that cross-bred wool could be exported to allied or neutral countries. It is not the desire of the Government (says our Parliamentary Reporter) to, in any way, embarrass the Imperial Government by asking for undue latitude in the matter of the exportation of wool. It should bo recognised that unrestricted export to neutral countries, such as the 1 United States, could not be allowed. It has been arranged, with the sanction of the Imperial Government, to permit exportation of merino and black-faced wools only to the United States Textile Alliance, or to parties approved by their representatives in New Zealand.

The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward (Minister of Finance) states that provision -s being made in the Finance Bill to exempt soldiers’ estates from death duty to a certain extent. The statute will operate as from the 4th August, 1914. On the passing of the statute the Commissioner of Stamps will refund any duty already paid. _ In the meantime circulars have been issued by the Commissioner of Stamps instructing deputy commissioners not to collect death duty on soldiers’ estates.—Parliamentary Reporter. The monthly meeting of the Publicity Committee of tho Otago Expansion League was held last evening, Mr J, Inglis Wright presiding. The General Manager of the Government Tourist and Health Resorts, Wellington, wrote advising, in reply to a suggestion made by the committee, that arrangements were being made for the issue of a colored pictorial poster of the .Southern Lakes district. A number of recommendations from other committees wore considered, and the secretary was instructed to make suggestions to tho executive for advertising in Australia the Otago district as a holiday resort during the coming season.

Tho annual police examinations qualifying members for promotion in tho service were commenced in the Law Courts buildang to-day under the supervision of Superintendent O’Donovan.

The Dunedin Fire Board met yesterday afternoon, Mr T. Chalmer occupying the chair. The General Committee reported that the financial position as at September 13 showed a credit balance of £2,946 13s after payment of accounts. The committee recommended that service bars and certificates be granted as follows : —Fireman Little, three years’ service; Fireman M. Ross, three-year certificate ; Fireman Piper, two-year silver bar. The reports was adopted. Air application from W, Penrose and Co. to connect Pearson's fire alarm installation with the Fire Station was granted. At tho Port- Chalmers Court this forenoon Charles M'Oarthy was fined 20s for drunkenness. He had been fined for a similar offence yesterday, when he was treated as a first offender. Mr A. Cable, J.P., was on the bench. Mr Paulin telephoned as follows at 1.45 p.m. to-day:—Strong N. E. wind, changing to 4J.W.: electrical rain showers in about 24 hours

Iho Wanganui Patriotic Committee's desire for another contingent is influenced by the urgent appeals for more men from Lord Kitchener, Mr Lloyd George, and others, and by the offer of-the British authorities to arm any number sent. The committee also resolved to urge the Department to issue a 'badge to men who had offered and had been rejected.—P. A. telegram.

An Auckland Press Association message states that the fishing party of six policemen, reported to be missing yesterday, were found by a motor launch sheltering on Raja no Island, and returned to town last night.

In common with all other previous drafts, , the Eighth Reinforcements did not forget to procure a mascot, and while the troop train was waiting at one of the stations a canine sympathiser was beckoned and encouraged into a carriage. He was promptly commandeered and named Abdul Hamid." In regard to the guessing competition organised by the Queen of the Dardanelles section of the Queen’s Carnival, the delay in announcing the result is due to the fact that the organisers consider it|, inexpedient to give the final figures which will determine the result until the auditors have handed, ip, their report. A return of students attending Otago University in 1915, with a comparison of tile figures with those of 1914, was submitted to the council to-day by tho RegisiMi' Chapman). The grand total was 574 (073 men and 201 women), as against 642 in 1914. In the arts course only, women outnumber men students, the figures being respectively 124 to 90. As the totals indicate, the difference of 68 between the attendance of 1915 and that of 1914 is largely accounted for in the major faculties of arts and medicine, in which tho figures are: Arts 214 (1915), 245 (1914); medicine 141 (1915), 155 (1914). Cases of drunkenness comprised the business in the City Police Court this morning. A first offender, for whom Mr C. N. Scurr appeared, was convicted and (discharged; Joseph William Georgeson and Richard Richmond, both of whom had been once previously convicted within the past six months, were each fined 20s, m default three days’ imprisonment! while John Rendall, who had three convictions against him for the past six months, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labor.

Drafts of men for tho -9th Reinforcements and tho Trentham Rifle Brigade will leave Dunedin on October 12 and°October 19.

“ There are certain directors in Auckland who have declared, on being appealed to for contributions to the Patriotic and War Relief Association’s fund, that they have no power to give away the money of the shareholders,” said the chairman of the executive of the local association, Mr George Elliot, in addressing a meeting at the Auckland Town Hall in connection with the proposed Queen Carnival. “ I will guarantee, and the executive of the association will guarantee, to give back to any shareholder his proportion of any money that a company gives to the fund if he objects to it having been given And ” added Mr Elliot, “ I should like to be the chairman of the meeting when that shareholder appeared to make his objection. (Laughter and applause.) The recent floods are responsible for the formation of some quicksands on the beach, states the Waitara correspondent of the Taranaki Herald.’ A resident had an exciting experience last week, when he found that his team of three horses and a dray were sinking. In spite of the frantic straggles of the animals they were unable to extricate themselves, and the driver decided to go for assistance, expecting on his return to find that the horses and the dray had vanished. Pinally a man with three horses managed to get the horses and dray on to firm ground, alter they had been in the quicksand for fully an horn-. Quite recently a horse and rider got into difficulties at the same spot. According to the ‘American Wool and Cotton Reporter,’ the problem of ensuring a supply of winter uniforms for- the army is causing Germany far more anxiety than the alleged shortage of foodstuffs. Not only 1S Germany cut off from her usual sources of wool, but she cannot even obtain carpet wool from Turkey or her former supply of American “ rags and clips,” with which she was accustomed to eke out the material used in the manufacture of cheaper kinds of cloth. American experts predict that if the war lasts until the winter Germany will experience tremendous difficulty in furnishing the soldiers with warm clothing. IVhat our fellows would appreciate veiy much in Gallipoli would be woollen underclothing,” declared one of our returned soldiers yesterday. He had noticed the effort that was being made to raise funds to provide leather waistcoats lor our soldiers abroad. What the men really needed, he said, was warm underclothing. When they left Hew Zealand they were equipped with woollen underclothing, but in Egypt these were discarded, and cotton garments wore issued. Low the men are in Gallipoli, which has a climate vefry much like our own, and they are Wearing clothing suitable for Egypt-

Ladies recommend Martin’s Apiol and Steel rnls. bold by all chemists and stores. ?»* you get the genuine.—[Advi.l

annual meeting of the Carisbrook Cncicet Club m-iII be held in Mr E. S. Wilson s rooms, Empire Buildings, on Thursday, A noliro to ihe members of the Cnveraham Bowling Club appears in this issue. Watson s No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money [Advfc.l J '

It is expected that Mr Bedford’s lecture in the Bums Hall to-morrow evening will attract a very largo audience. The subject is ‘War, Money, Economy.’ There will be no charge for admission.

Speight's ale and stout are acknowledged by the Dominion public to be the beet on the market.—[Advt.]

Mr J. F. Gray’s meeting in tho South Dunedin Gospel Hall on Sunday evening last was attended by a large audience, and the. words of the speaker followed with the closest interest and attention. The address was based upon the. “law of the leper,” as set forth in the 14 th chapter of Leviticus. It wilL bo seen from our advertising columns that Mr Gray is continuing his meetings this week until Thursday evening. Don’t drink immature spirits. Watson’s No, 10 whisky is fully matured and verv mellow) —[Advt.]