AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS.

Evening Star, Issue 16090, 15 April 1916, Page 5

AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS.

OVER £SO TO THE RED CROSS FUND.

The annual insurance picnic will not bo held this year, tho clerks having decided instead to vote tho collection usually made lor tho purpose of defraying the expense of tho outing to the Red Cross fund. This decision has been arrived at unanimously, and as a result the Rod Cross fund will benefit to the extent of £sl 2s 6d. This sum represents tho contributions of tho clerks and companies—lire, marine, and life. 'Hie picnic has always been -looked forward to as an enjoyable outing, Vmt in view of the war it was considered only Ticht to sacrifice pleasure in order that a patriotic fund might benefit.

OUR MEN AT MALTA

Tho Australian Hall, Pembroke, Malta, which has Leon built at tho expense of the Commonwealth of Australia, was the scene of a n>eraorable church parade service in connection with All Saints' Convalescent Camp on Sun-day, January 50, 1916. His Excellency tho Governor of Malta, (Lord Atethucn), accompanied by the Honorable Seymour Methucn and Loid Windsor, ;ictended the service. Gathered here were hundreds of officers and n.c.o.s, representing many and diverse units of the Empire's Army, who joined lust-ilv in singing such well-known hymns as 'All People that on Earth Do Dwell,' 'Onward, Christian Soldiers,' and 'When I Survey tho Wondrous Cross.' Tho 91st Psalm (which during the war has become known -as the Soldiers' Psairn) was read as the lesson by the commanding officer, Major Burton Mabin, of Wellington, NewZealand. An impressive address was given by tho Church of England chaplain, tho Lev. Fredk. Yates, based on the three parables of our Lord—'Tho Lost Sheep,' ''!'!)•> Lost Coin,' and 'The Lost Son' (St, Luke xv).

A GALLANT MAORI D3ES

On February 4 another brave member of tho N.Z.M.C., Private Paetaha Paora (16-201), died in St, Andrew's Hospital, Pembroke, Malta. He was admitted into hospital from the peninsula on September 18, 1915, suffering from a gunshot wound in his left hand. Enteric developed, which was followed by acute pulmonary tuberculosis. He was a great favorite with the sisters and with Ins fellow-patients, who, though hailing from many different parts of the. Empire, yet felt the touch of brotherhood which, makes thewholo world kin.

He was visited by the Church of England chaplain, the' Rev. F. Yates, who administered the holy communion to him a day or two befoTe ho died. It was an impresiivo service, 17 of his feliow-paticnts (most of whom knelt noax Ms bedside) joining with him in this his last communion. He gavo evidence of a simplicity of faith" in the fact of Christ as bis personal Saviour and _ friend. The interment took place at Pieta Cemetery, Malta, with military honors, on Saturday, February 5, at 4 p.m.

DID THE RIGHT THING

The following letter, which appeared in a recent issue of the London ' Times,' spc.-'-'- i'.>r itself : Sir, —On the eve of our departure l'i' >vii. ':;i.::d. we feci wo cannot leave without thanking tho people, especially me ,v.i;ih'n. of ihidand, Scotland, and Ireland for tho spontaneous hospitality extended to us. W elanded on these shores, sick and wounded, without friends or relations, after months of perhaps the most terrible lighting the world has ever seen. We were strangers in a strange land. It made no difference—all classes doing their utmost to

make us happy and comfortable both in and out of hospital. Wo New Zealanders have always called England "Home," and a home it has been for us in everv sense.. We are also in-

debted to that line body of men, the London police, whom we have always found true friends and advisers.— Yours, etc., A l"i',w Gkathful New Zkalasdkrs. New Zealand Base Depot.

WAR PENSIONS

[Special to the ' Star.'] WELLINGTON, April 15.

Tensions and allowances granted by the War Pensions Board up to tho present time represent an annual liability of about £60,000. Applications from soldiers and dependents are being received at the rate of over 100 per week, but the board are keeping well abreast of the work by dint of long and frequent sittings. Last week 95 cases were dealt with. The board up to April 8 had considered 886 applications from soldiers and 702 applications from dependents; total, 1.588 cases.

Tho decisions of the board are summarised as follows:—Soldiers: 504 pensions. 387 allowances, 92 declined, 21 adjourned, 82 in band. Dependents: 591 pensions, 11 allowances, 52 declined, 6 adjourned, 42 in band. The pensions authorised by the board represent an annual charge o£ £40,770, made up as follows :

Annual AverNo. Amount, ape. Soldiers 504 £I6.CC4 £52 Wives, with children 118 10,576 89 Other dependents ... 475 14,119 50

The total number of allowance:; authorised up to Saturday last were 598. These are payable for various periods, according to present needs of the applicants, and in many cases they will bo converted into pensions subsequently when final medical reports are received. The allowances represent an actual liability of £9,855, at the rate approximately of £2,CO : J per year.

The total number of claims lodged with the board up to 'Thursday was 1,781, comprising 1.047 from soldiers and 754 from dependents. An interesting feature of these figures is the rapid growth of the numbor of claims from soldiers. The board bad received 518 claims from soldiers and 558 claims from dependents at the beginning of February, but since that time the relumed men have been approaching the board in very largo numbers.