Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 16663, 20 February 1918, Page 4

In continuation of the announcement made a few clays ago that, owing to not sufficient boys offering, the Post and Telegraph Department was employing girls for the purpose of delivering telegrams in Wellington, Sir Joseph Ward, Post-master-General, states that the girls are carrying out their work most satisfactor- "}'• T " e y will be equipped with a suitable uniform, somewhat on the lines of that worn by the girls and women engaged in similar duties in England. The uniform will take the form of a dark grey coat and skirt with red facings, and a_ hat to match. Each girl will be provided also with a waterproof coat for protection against the" rain, and with a suitable handbag for the safe custody and convenient earning of the telegrams. The outfit will present a very neat appearance. At present nearly 20 girls are engaged in the city telegram delivery, and it is possible that several more will be required. The employment of girls is for the present confined to Wellington. It may, however, bo necessary, on account of the shortage of boys, to employ girls also at other places throughout the Dominion. Under the will of William D. Sutherland, of Ngaipu Station, Hinakura, Wairarapa, sheep farmer, who was killed in the fighting at Bellvue Spur in October last, a sum of £9OO was bequeathed to such -fund or funds for the relief of wounded soldier's as- the trustees of the will should think fit. The trustees, Messrs D. Sutherland and Alexander j Dunn, have now decided to allocate the money to the Y.M.C.A., the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army in equal shares. The Rev. Father Doyle, of Remuera, who has returned after two vears' active service as a chaplain in Egypt and on the western front, speaking at a welcome home a few days ago, paid a warm tribute to the religion of the French people, whom he held to be pre-eminent in bravery and all the warlike virtues. After the French, there were none better than the New Zealanders. He had travelled much with them through France and Flanders, and he could wish for no better companions for the journey through life. There were good and bad amongst them, as was natural, but as a whole tiiey were, loyal and kind, and his impression of'" them was that in their breasts thev wished to do only what was right, just, and good, and to help everyone who needed help. tfici rvv\ estlmate<J tnat is about ilol.OOO worth of cheese an the Patea grading store at the present time. At the Ofcaki 'Police Court on Fridav last three Territorials were fined for smoking and; laughing while on parade, ine ringleader was fined 20s, with costs TJ? the ° tller W ° 5S > With COsts 7s - Phases of the problems relating to the settlement of returned soldiers on the land were discussed at a conference held in Wellington between the Board of Agriculture and the National Efficiency Board. Included in the subjects considered were the opening up of Crown and Native lanes, the cutting up of private estates, the best tenure for leasehold lands, and the purchase and subdivision of suitable land for the settlement of returned soldiers. The question of how to meet the case of returned soldiers who prefer to live in the country and who were willing to take up some light farm work hut were unable for health reasons to undertake very heavy work, was also careiully considered. Various suggestions as to the best methods of helping men of this type were .put forward, and it was finally decided to make a strong appeal to the fanners through the National Efficiency Board of Trustees and the various committees of advice throughout the Dominion to take returned soldiers..without rarmmg experience and enable them to gain a knowledge of general work. " & Workmen in the employ of the Public Works Department are starting to build the cottages at the Cromwell station. ihough the rails are laid to Cromwell, the Gorge section of the line is by no means finished. Several bridges have yet to be built across the mouths of watercourses that as yet are spanned bv only temporary structures

tT, TI H I ? efel l co Department is erecting on the Harbor Boards' property at Port Chalmers a sterilising plant for the treatment 01 blankets, mattresses, etc., after use on transports. The cost is not heavy, onlv about £2OO, and the expenditure will be quickly made up in a saving of time and in getting the articles thoroughly cleansed without injuring the fibre of the" material. Possibly—although wo do not know that this consideration was taken into account—the plant may be retained as an adjunct to the shipping arrangements at Port Chal- ? eI L a i ter the war - Liners w °uld no doubt find it convenient to make use of such a plant. The steam for the sterilising is to come from the dock.

Some time ago the Defence Department, which now Has taken over from the Health Department the control of Quarantine Island, prepared plans for alterations to the buddings on the island, in the way of putting up bathrooms, new lavatories, etc., and so reconstructing the caretaker's house as to make it suitable as a residence for the officer in charge. Love Bros, have secured the contract for the work, and it is to be carried through without delay. The police are inquiring'for the whereabouts of a.Government servant, aged 58, who has been missing from his home, in Dunedin since Sunday last. He is subject to absence of memory. In appearance he is of medium, height, is clean-shaven, and has very fair hair. When he left home to visit St. Clair he was wearing a dark suit, a brown overcoat, and a soft grey felt hat. The elections of licensing committees for the City 'and Dunedin South take placs next month. Nominations close on Saturday week. The ' Cromwell Argus' states that the Canadian and Cape Barren grese, recently liberated on Messrs Taylor Bros.' property at the head of Lake Hawea are reported to be doing well and multiplying. The rainbow trout are evidently steadily increasing in the waters of Lake Hawea, and the streams discharging therein. Some large rainbow were recently seen fully six miles up the Dingle Stream, while others have -been seen 14 miles up the Hunter River. In the former case the fish had to negotiate spme very rough water-to reach the spot mentioned.

Mr Paulin telephoned at 1.30 p.m. : S.E. to N.E. winds; fine for 24 hours.

A collision occurred near the tram terminus, North-east Valley, between 10 and 11 last night, when a motor car, presumed to belong to a country resident, crashed into one of the centre poles carrying the electric cables. The car was damaged extensively, the front axle being pushed right back to the wind shield, which would indicate that the impact was a very severe one. The accident occurred just ■past Mr P. C. NeilJ's residence. The packing at the base of the pole was loosened. The damaged car was still lying on the side of the road up to noon to-day. The subject of afforestation in Otago is beginning to receive a little more of that attention which it so worthily merits. The weak being dono by. the State Forest branch is a great deal more extensive than is generally supposed. During the present season no less-than 2,700,000 young trees were planted into lines, a number considerably greater than that usually operated with. Of the foregoing 1,210,000 were at Ranfurly and 1.490,000 at the Tapanui State Nursery. ■ Excellent work is being dono under the direction of Mr E. G. Robinson.

There was a good attendance at the Mornington Miniature Rifle Club meeting last evening. Six targets were in and a match, President v. Vice-president, was fired off, 28 tofting part, the president's side being declared the winners toy,* few points.

Next Saturday • afternoon the Otago Motor Club intend to give an outing for wounded soldiers, who are to be the guests of the Waitati ladies. At the present time there are more wounded men available for the outing than is usually the case, and so far there are not sufficient cars a-vail-'able. Should plenty of car owners come forward, the club intend to take out some of the out-patients as well. The run starts from the Hospital at 2 p.m. Car owners willing bo aid in this patriotic work may communicate with the O.M.C. secretary, Mr P. H. Power.

Five more pupils of the Canterburv Aviation School passed their flying tests yesterday, among them being "Messrs C. A. Fyfe (Dunedin) and Frank. Hazlett (Invercargill). All the candidates flow well, but (wires our Christchurch correspondent) Hazlett's performance was especially striking, as he had only undergone a littlo over a fortnight's training. At a meeting of the Dunedin Fire Board yesterday afternoon a letter was read from Superintendent A. G. Napier requesting that the board make an effort to get the city engineer to have a thorough inspection made of the fire plugs in the City. It was pointed out that many of the plugs were in a rather bad condition, some beinntoo low, and others choked or otherwise unavailable. The superintendent also urged that the indicating pegs be repainted, in order that the plugs might be more readily located. It was pointed out that this was a most serious matter, and the board decided that a copv of the letter be forwarded to the Town Clerk with a request that the action asked for bo taken with as little delay as possible. A first, offender who a week ago was remanded for curative treatment pleaded guilty of dmnkenness when brought before Mr N. Dodds, J.P., at the Port Chalmers Court this morning. He was convicted and ordered to pav expenses amounting to £2 6s 6d. Referring to the report of the charge against a boatswain for the theft of rope, which appeared in our Tuesdav's issue, it should be mentioned as an addition to our report, and in justice to the New Zealand Paper Mills, that the company were rot represented in court. Thev therefore had _no opportunity to explain to the Magistrate the actual circumstances'undcr which the company's representative purchased the rope, and which, from the facts put before us by Mr C. F. Mitchell, manager of the company, would appear to exonerate the company from anv improper conduct in the matter. The shopkeeper who was fined in the Police Court this morning for Sunday trading- and w h° did not appear, wrote to the -Magistrate, pleading guilty, and statin" that if he did not keep open on Sunday it would take him all his time tovexist as his wife was an invalid, and he was under heavy expense. "I am sorry," he added, to keep on Sunday work."' The offence was selling soft drinks and ices. Two young ladies, visitors to the West Egmont Mountain House, at Kahui road put up a good performance the other day' walking to the North Egmont house and back in the day, a distance of 27 miles bv a track that is certainly not the best''fo\feats of pedestrianism.

hew seasons photographic tooda; excellent etoc* now arriving. Cameras from 6s b«nd your order early to H. J. Gill, 11 and lo Frederick street, Dunedin. 'Phone i 144 —[Advt.J ' You can rely on "Watson's No. 10 belli* fAI 4 1 a worlcl " wide reputation.— Ladies, economy in dress is assured bv wearing a good tailor-made costume; but f\dvbi e St ~° ne from Ansell i Octagon.— Watson's No. 10 whisky is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money —{Advt.J J ' Eyestrain!—Consult Mr Peter G. Dick D.8.0.A., P. 1.0. (London), consulting and ocuhsus optician.—Peter Dick, ieweller etc 490 Moray place, Dunedin.—fJAdvt.J ' '■'