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Evening Star, Issue 16515, 29 August 1917, Page 4

The Prime Minister made a noteworthy statement on Friday last to members of an Auckland deputation. He said he had recently received information from a very high authority in London to the effect that the war was going to ■end sooner than most people expected. Mr Massey added that his informant know as much about this matter as any man in Britain*. The following is a selection from the hooks added to the lending department of the Public Library during the week ended Saturday last: —Phillipps (Lisle M.), 'Europe Unbound'; bouth (Richard), ' The Butterflies of the British Isles'; Bainbrigge (M. 9.) 'A Walk into Other Worlds with Dante'; Bowles (E. S.), 'My Garden in Autumn and Winter' ; Luckes (Eva C. E.), 'General Nursing'; T. Reece and W. G. Clifford, 'Billiards'; Kernahan (Coulson), 'ln Good Company'; Stofanason (Jon). 'Denmark and Sweden'; Shaw (Thomas),''' Management arid Feeding of Sheep' ; Brunei (George). ' Fun with Magic'; Bates (A.), 'Motor and Carriage Painting'; Grew (E. S.), 'Field-marshal Lord Kitchener' (3 vols). The Minister of Internal Affairs stated yesterday that in accordance with requests received Cabinet had determined that Sunday, October 7, should be set apart as a day for national prayer in connection with the war. The various churches are being asked to make arrangements for the proper observance of the day, the mayors of all cities and boroughs to arrange, if possible, for united services in thTafternoon.

A mass meeting of women at Christchurch yesterday Tesolved—"That this meeting "desire to place on record their appreciation of the recommendations of the National Efficiency Board in regard to the liquor traffic, holding that such recommendations are marked by sound sense, clear judgment, and true patriotism ; and that the "meeting express their admiration and thanks for the courage which the members of the board have shown in dealing with this matter after their long and painstaking investigations," and earnestly hopd tit© country will have the advantage of their valuable services in this time of need."

Keas are still all too plentiful in the Mackenzie Country. On one station recently 50 of these birds were killed in three days. Their heads are purchased at 2s each.

It is evident that after the war there will ho a .great change made in New Zealand's Territorial x defence system. In the House yesterday Mr Buick asked the Minister of Defence if ho •could arrange for boys employed on dairv farms being exempted from territorial drill on Saturday afternoons. Sir James Allen replied that if the boys were required in any industry they could gain exemption from drill if"their employers applied to district officers for it. He "never had believed in evening drill*, and he hoped the time would come when evening drills would be afbolished and a more continuous system of training substituted. He desired _to mention f.hat so that members could think over it.

A story with a Gelbertiari flavor was told at a meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. One. member said he had sent a consignment of oat 3 to a buyer at Port Ahuriri.and the grower was paid according to the- weight on the railway weighbridge at Palmerston North. The buyer, however, insisted on paying according to the weight on the railway weighbridge at Port Ahuriri, and, as events turned out, there was a big discrepancy in his favor. The seller appealed to the Railway Department, and asked which weighbridge was accurate. After a considerable lapse of time he got the bewildering reply that both were correct.

" I have been called upon to deal with •many cases brought under the Food and Drug Act, and v have found that there were two factors present—constant and inconstant. 'The constant factor was the lightness of bread or some other deficiency in Food offered for sale, and the inconstant factor was the excuses that were always brought forward," said Sir S. E. M'Cartbv, SfM., in a milk adulteration case at Wellington on Friday. "I am tired of hearing these excuses. The public are being victimised all the time, and I pay very iittle attention to the excuses." Of the 80 Otago.and Southland soldiers who returned this" week, 13 are clarified as cot.cases, two have gone to the Anzac Convalescent Home at Puketerakii one to Quarantine Island, two to the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium, six to Hanmer, three to Rotorua, two are in-patients at the Durledin Hospital, 10 go into the Dunediii Hospital after seven days, six are discharged, and 35 are .out-patients, on sick leave.

. Mr Paulin advises: Squally S.W. to N.W. winds: fine for 24 hours; barometer fall. . -

In the latest German papers (Juno 7, 8, and 9) lamentations over the paper shortage are lengthy and loud. The ' Lokal -An»eiger' and the ' Tageblatt' say that conditions are rapidly .becoming "intolerable," and criticism -of the Government's " tyrannical restrictions" is becoming more bitter from day to day. The ' Lokal Anzeiger' apologises to advertisers and readers for omitting from -its morning issue of Juno 7 three entire pages from an edition which should normally have been eix pages. German newspapers, with few exceptions, are printed on pages of the size of the penny London evening papers. An old resident of the EketahAa district, of Swedish extraction, who died lit his 90th year, could not speak a word of English, although he has lived in New Zealand for over 40 years (says the Wairarapa 'Age'). His wif#, who predeceased him about five years, was also unable to master the words of the English language, and had the distinction of never having ridden in a railway train. Amongst other cargo recently discharged at Dunedin from an oversea steamer, were vorious cases containing motor cars,_ two of winch were landed in a very unsatisfactory condition. The cases containing the cars were of the ordinary kind, and were stowed across the ships tunnel. The cargo on either side of\ the tunnel, which would support the end of the cases of cars, had evidently shifted in some way, with the result that the cases were broken right in the centre. The 4 by 4 planks which are placed lengthwise in motor car packing cases to protect the contents were even broken. It could be plainly seen where the cars had been hanging over the tunnel, and, with the weight of the Cargo stowed above, the pressure was evidently enormous. The cars were badly crushed. It is estimated that the damage done to the cars is in the vicinity of about £2OO each.

At Saturday's meeting of the Clutha branch of the Farmers' Union the chairman (Mr J. Christie) said it would surprise most people to learn that a, senior Magistrate received £BOO per year from the Government for his ordinary work. Several of them occupied positions as chairmen of the Military Appeal Boards, and for this another £3OO was received. Then there were liberal travelling allowances, running into £3OO or £350. They really received more than a Supreme Court Judge. Such a state of 'affairs was the cause of industrial unrest. Things were too good for the men who remained at home and too hard for those who went to the front. Mr Johnston: " Will they receive the war"bonus?" (Laughter.) Members expressed their surprise at the large amount of money netted by the Magistrates.

Only two young men presented, themselves voluntarily for medical examination at the Kensington Drill Hall last night. The doctors found one fit and the other unfit. The Territorials and- Senior Cadets of the North Otago district will be. paraded in the precincts of the Oamaru railway station in readiness for the arrival of the Governor-General to-morrow, and His Excellency will make three presentations—the Military Cross to the relatives of .Lieutenant E. H. KLibblewhite; the Russian medal of St. George (third class) to the relatives of Private Alexander Kennedy, who previously won the Military Medal; and the* Victoria Cross to the relatives of Serjeant Donald Forester Brown, son of Mr Robert Brown, draper,'now of Oamaru, formerly of George street, Dunedin. Sergeant Brown belonged to the No. 10 North Otago the act by which he earned the much-coveted honor " for valor" was rushing a machine gun in the battle of the Somme. These three fearless men are dead, hence the presentations to their representatives. Brown was educated at the Waitaki High School. At the Port Chalmers Court this morning, before Mr N. Dodds, J.P., Alfred Peterson, laxindryman, was fined 20s or three -days for usinj obscene language in AucMand" on tho 22nd inst.

Watson's No. 10 is* a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.l The "Thinker's" Note Book given free with every la packet of "No Rubbing" Laundry Help ia greatly appreciated by housewives. It's so handy! J. Peterson and Co., George street and Walker street. — [Advt.] A glass of Speight'B beet at lunch and nipper is better than all the tea in China.— [Advt,] The traveller's friend. On cold journeys a flask of Watson's No. 10 is real comfort.— [Advt.] Ansell's costumes are well- and favorably known throughout New Zealand, combining good taste, gracefulness, and durability.— [Advt.] New season's photographic xoods; excellent stock now arriving. Cameras from 9s. Send your order early to H. J. Gill, 11 and 13 Frederick street, Dunedin. 'Phone 1,144. —[Advt. i Who is Peter Dick? The most. reliable watchmaker, jeweller, and qualified London optician, 490 Moray place (just off Prince* street). Charges reasonable. —[Advt.j