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Evening Star, Issue 16547, 5 October 1917, Page 4

. There are seven returned soldiers now m Anzac House at Karitane. and the reports from this convalescent home are satisfactory, most of the men visibly improving in health and spirits. The saddest reports as to our returned men are from the mental hospitals, but they are not so numerous as might be expected.

Hie Yew Zealand Y.M.G.A. are opening up three new centres of activity with the New Zealand troops in the Old Land. A cable message has been received from the association’s supervising secretary (Mr G. W. W. B. Hughes), stating that these centres are being started with the Engineers at Boscombo, with the Rifle Brigade at Brocton, and with the Artillery at Ewshot.

Private Roy James Lambess was tried by court martial in Dunedin on the 17th of last month amT found guilty of deserting from the 11th Reinforcements, and tho sentence, now promulgated, is detention for six months.

Since the New Zealand troops left their winter quarters in France, tho Y.M.G.A. had opened 50 of their centres with them two months ago. Where possible, a number of these huts or shelters have been removed to the present New Zealand area. Some have had to be evacuated, and others have been handed, over to tho British Y.M.O.A. Mr J. L. Hay, tho senior field secretary there, reports that there is no limit to the possibilities of extension of the association’s work, but, although this is desirable, it is not always practicable with the present staff. Tho Dunedin Horticultural Society’s narcissi show was fairly well attended yesterday. Mr R. Hanning, the secretary, reports that about £2B was taken at the doors for the two days, as against nearly £24 for the one day last vear. Expert growers were delighted with the opportunity of seeing each others’ bulbs and comparing (maybo exchangeable’ coveting) the results of cultivation. Money talks in narcissi growing. Quite apart from Mr H. Hart’s unequalled collection, the display of competing narcissi at this show must have been the result of an outlay of hundreds of pounds. Importations run to a lot of money, and sometimes mean disappointment. Last year a consignment of bulbs from the Old Country, valued at perhaps an average of £5 apiece, were condemned on landing at Dunedin because of their being infected with tho narcissi fly. In the Legislative Council yesterday the Hon. W. Earnshaw asked whether it was true that teachers of denominational schools were granted free passes on tho Government railways, and if so, when was the privilege granted and by whom, and further, was the privilege granted to teachers of public schools who travelled by vail to reach their school, and, if not, why not? Sir Francis Bell said there were a few special cases—now only three in number, and all on the West Coast of tho South Island—in which free railway passes had been granted to teachers oi Catholic schools to enable them to travel. The concession was originally granted in 1907 by direction of the then Minister of Education. The present Minister of Education -was unable to state definitely the former Minister’s reasons for his decision, but apparently according' to the report.it was regarded as more economical in certain cases to carry the teacher to the children than to pay railway fares for carrying the children—a concession which had already' been granted. Public school teacners had not been granted a similar concession, the reason being that the cases which were before the department were not parallel.

3li - -. Paulin’s forecast :—Strong N.E. winds, changing to S.W.; rain in about 24 hours; electrical indications. At a meeting of the committee of tho Dunedin Competitions Society held this week the secretary (Mr TL. S. Wilson) submitted a statement as to the estimated receipts and expenditure for the year. Tliis showed that the society started the year, with a debit of £52 and wound up with a credit of £7O. It was mentioned that the bandmasters of the various school hands intended to meet shortly to arrange about the music for the 1918 festival. The letter from Mr H. Warwick Braithwaito (already published in the ‘Star’) was read, and it was resolved to write to Mr Braithwaite and thank him for his suggestions. Tlie letter was referred to the Music Committee for favorable consideration. Mr G. W. MTntosh presided at-the meeting. Following up the discussion in our columns as to the origin of tho National Anthem, the following appeared in the London ‘Daily Telegraph’ of April 21: Recently the London County Council asked Dr F. S. Boas to make researches as to the literary origin of the National Anthem. In an able report he 'stated that there is no evidence of the existence of the song before the Restoration, and that, it has grown, like a folk ballad, out of orders to the Fleet, tags from religious services, and even prayers in the theatre. The following letter, written by Dr F. C. Burney (the father of Fanny Burney) in 1806, is an interesting piece of hearsay evidence:—“ Old Mrs Arne,. . . assured me at the time (1746) that ‘ God Save tho King ’ was written and sung for King James in 1688, when the Prince of Orange was hovering over the coast. She said she had heard it sung, not only at the playhouse, but in the street. Her son, Mr Arno, composer to Drury Lane Theatre, at the desire of Mr Fleetwood, the patentee, harmonised this loyal song for the stage. . . . There are many conjectures concerning the source of this loyal production, are mere conjectures. ... I pretend not to swear

that (i.e.. the words) were expressly written for James, but am most certain that they were sung for him at the time abovementioned.” Yacht and boat owners have been subjected to considerable annoyance for some time past by boys interfering with craft in the harbor. In the Juvenile Court this morning, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., two hoys were jointly charged with and pleaded guilty to committing mischief by wilfully casting awav a mooring valued at £3, the property of Gordon Miller, and, further, with damaging a panel cabin door valued at £l, the property of Charles Jenkins. It appeared that on October 1 the two boys took a boat from its moorings in the Upper Harbor and proceeded in it to Port Chalmers. Here they committed mischief by pushing three, dinghys out into the water and leaving them, to drift. Tliey theri boarded a launch and tried to get the machinery to work, but were unsuccessful, and got out and into another launch, where they kicked in the cabin door. Had there been any wind the launch they had abandoned (wliich was worth about £2oo)' would have probably drifted on to the rocks and smashed. The elder boy (who was over 16 years of ago, and who had appeared before the court twice previously and been the subject of two birchings) was formally sentenced to ono month’s imprisonment, the Governor-General to be asked to have him transferred to Wereroa. Tho other boy was formally committed to the Caversham Industrial School, the guardianship to ho transferred to Mr Sureties (probation officer). On - Parliamentary Reporter wires: The alteration of boundaries in Central Otago has had a marked effect on trade. Tho inclusion of a large portion of Central Otago in Tuapeka, which is a “ dry ” area, will have the result of placing seven or eight hotels in a No-license district. There are, for example, two at Middlemarch, one at Clarks, one at the Beaumont, one at Rue’s Junction, and two at Outram. That appears to be the position at present; hut in view - of the fact that tho new electorate of Tuapeka is a composite area there will probably be a keen demand for revision.

Sunday next is tho day set apart for universal prayer and intercession in connection with the war. It is anticipated that all the churches will mako this day one to be remembered. A united intercessory service is to be held in the Octagon Hall in the afternoon, and one is to he held at St. Kilda in the evening.

"I misrht mention,” said counsel at the Third Military Service Board at Wellington on Tuesday, “ that appellant has only one eye. Hi s left eye is glass.” ‘That would not matter,” remarked Mr H. J. Beswick. _ “As long as one eye is sound the Medical Board will probably pass him.”

The executive of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association have decided to request all returned men to attend a. parade to welcome Miss Ada Reeve on her arrival in the City. Soldiers who have visited England recognise the splendid work that she has'done for the Australasian soldiers in maintaining the Anzac Buffet and in entertaining the wounded men in the hospitals. Arrangements are being made to secure the services of the 4th Regimental Band for the parade. The time and location of the parade will be announced in our advertising columns.

Very little is known in Australia (says the ‘ Melbourne Argus ’) of tho activities of the various patriotic leagues in South Africa, whose hospitality to Australian soldiers increases as the war drags on. They have been the subject of enthiastic comment by almost every officer in command of troops who has touched there. Tho, Minister of Defence (Senator Pearce) has directed attention to a letter that had been received from an officer commanding a transport, relating his experience at a South African port. On one day considerably more than 1,000 free meals' were provided for the Australians, on the following day about 2,000, and on the third day about 700 were entertained in the same way. Tho various institutions were run by public subscription, and the generous support extended them was a convincing expression of their good feeling towards Australia. Tho officer concluded by remarking : “ I am certain little of this is known in Australia, or a more general acknowledgment of the public’s appreciation would be made.” The Minister has himself written expressing tho thanks of tho Commonwealth for the work that was being done for the men. The ‘Frankfort Gazette’s’ special correspondent in Flanders, reporting tho arrival of British prisoners on August 8, says: “ The clothing, equipment, and food 'appeared to be everywhere excellent with them. Some refused to admit that there was any qustion of food difficulties at home, dr that the submarine campaign hud had any effect. Apparently tho English Government have succeeded in dissipating the anxiety which in the spring had affected even the Army. Tho men are convinced that the submarine danger no longer exists. One declared that England produces so much herself that corn is even being stored. They were equally convinced that England is conducting this war from purely unselfish motives—only for freedom and- the rights of other peoples.” Considerable excitement was caused amongst tho various narcissi growers, and was a fitting conclusion to the recent Dunodin Horticultural Society’s spring show, when it became known that Air Reilly (of Messrs Reilly. Gill, and Co.) had sold to Mrs G. R. Storey, of Caversham (who exhibited some very fine blooms at the late show), the Incompavabilis champion seedling bulb grown by Mr A. Miller, of Mornington, at tho record price of 40 guineas. We understand it is the intention of Mrs Story to have this flower placed in filtered water and then frozen and sent Home to compete at the Royal Horticultural Society’s show, which will be held in April next. Mr Miller is to bo commended on raising a seedling such as this, which is able to command, it is understood, the highest pice ever paid for a seedling narcissi grown in New Zealand, and Mrs Story is to be congratulated on her enterprise and enthusiasm.

An action for alleged defamation of character against a local police constable will shortly come before the Court. The action, which is for £IOO damages, arises out of the result of a raid for sly grogselling (which did not end in a prosecution) in a country township south of Dunedin,

The Hon. A. T, -Maginnity;.M.X,.C., yesterday asked if the Government would cause greater, care to be exercised in regard to the .inspection of all cargo before shipment, and have cargo critically examined before being placed on lioard any oversea vessel. Sir Francis Bell - replied that, the matter was receiving the careful consideration of the Government.

According to the present prospects the Otago and Southland draft of the 35th Reinforcements will be numerically above the average. “ I am exceedinlgy disappointed that the report of Professor Prince on the. New Zealand fisheries has not yet come to hand,’’ said the Minister of Marine (the Hon. G. W. Russell) in the House of Representatives on Monday night. “That gentleman visited New Zealand four years ago to report on our fisheries, and was paid a very large sum of money for his services. Ho supplied an interim report, but his main report has not yet come to hand. I cabled him before the session, asking him to send his report in time for presentation to Parliament, but beyond a cablegram promising that ho would endeavor to supply the report in time nothing has come from him.’’

Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most .whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.]

Ask grocers for tho original and genuine “No Rubbing ” Laundry Help every time; washes clothes clean without rubbing or injury.—[Advt.] The place to spend an enjoyable afternoon to-morrow is the Caledonian Ground. No charge for admission. The junior members of the harrier clubs and -the boys of the High School and Waitaki are holding a sports meeting under the control of the Otago Centre, N.Z.A.A.A. St. Kilda Band in attendance.

Akaroa in the spring is at her loveliest, with green hills and jubilant native birds. Still reduced tariffs. Cats from Broadway’s, Christchurch, also Little River. —[Advt.] Tho aim of the Otago School of Military Training is to enable men entering camp to rise rapidly to positions of command by a speoially-thought-out scheme of adequate training, covering the complete curriculum of training ns carried out at the military camps. A reservist is thus 'enabled, by devoting an intensive study at the school, to enter camp with a knowledge that ho can with confidence aspire to higher things.

Try J. Hendry and Sons, 52 George street, for genuine tailor-made suits. Blues guaranteed.—[Advt.] Millionaires cannot buy better than Watson's No. 10. Little dearer, infinitely superior.—[Advt.]