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Evening Star, Issue 16675, 6 March 1918, Page 4

Mr Sadd (Chief Commissioner) and the two other members of the Otago Land Board, Messrs Munro and Livingstone, are visiting/ the Wanaka district on -classification, business in connection with runs tho leases of which are about'to expire. These gentlemen will he back in Dunedin in time for the board's meeting next Wednesday. It was announced at the Methodist Conference session this morning that a cheque for £IOO had been received from C.W.O. (understood to be a Dunedin donor), £SO to go to the Homo Mission funds, and £SO to the Foreign Mission funds. A smaller donation, a 10-pound note, was passed up in an envelope last night, and after some discussion this mornirig as to its proper bestowal, it was, amidst laughter, taken possession of by the treasurer of the Home Missions.

Mr Paulin advised at 2 p.m. : strong N.E-. to S.E. "winds; fine for 24-hours; electrical indications.

During the last few months there have been a greater number of resignations from the Locomotive Running Department than during any similar period of the railways' existence (states the 'New Zealand Loco. Engineers' Journal'). The cause of this is the lack of promotion and greater inducements outside of the Railway Service. Another factor which is causing the acting men to resign is the latest decree, which is preventing men eligible for superannuation from retiring. For every man who could retire on superannuation, and who is held back hy the department, there are at least two men who resign, and who are discontented with such action by the Minister of Railways. This means that there is a policy adopted of penny wise and pound foolish. The older men who are retained cannot continue working much longer than a year or so, and when they retire, and affairs become normal again, the service will be full of untrained men, and the consequence of this is quite apparent to anyone who understands the responsibility of running trains. It would be far bettor for the service if the acting men could be 'promoted to a permanent position, and the men entitled to retire be given the position in the service which would be looked upon as of a temporary nature, and not held on the-D3 lists. It is estimated that there is about £161,000 worth of cheese in the Patea grading store at present.

Messrs M'Donald Bros., contractors of this City, who have been working in the North Island for some time now, have recently secured the contract for erection of the largo business premises for the D.C.A., Danncvirke. The building; will be constructed entirely of reinforced concrete, and will be fitted out in a very up-to-date, manner. Mr Edmund Anscomhe, also, of this Cjtv, is architect for the building. ' As showing that the Otago lads are keen on doing their duty to their country, it may be.'mentioned ' that of the 80 ' who went away yesterday with the 39th Reinforcements, 46 voluntarily enlisted. A sidelight on domestic economy in England is furnished by a letter from a young married Victorian girl resident in London. The letter is dated December 14. and one extract may be found interesting:—" My husband took-Monday evening off. and we had dinner in town and went to see Oscar Asche and Lily Brayton in 'Chin Chin Chow.' On the way upstairs we saw each window was heavily sand-bagged. On account of the thickness of the walls and_ concrete roofing, they were considered safe" in an air raid, even in case of a direct hit.' so we felt we were secure. We had a little dinner before we went. It consisted of hors d'oeuvres, fish, nearly half a grilled chicken each, an ice and coffee, and thev only charged 4s 3d each. New arrangements ace coming in over the milk. We aro only going to have one delivery evenday (there used to be three), as there is such a shortage. Our sugar rationing begins next Monday, and other things seem likely to be rationed, too—butter, tea. margarine, etc. It will be much fairer, and stop queues. Our turkey weighed 151b, and cost 30s. Our ham we "had cooked the day before, so it was all ready. We had made mince pies, too. plum pudding, and a banana custard. Twelve soldiers camp in after dinner. Wc gave them tea and cake, and then we Christmas tree, with a little present for each. After the tree, we had games, also the gramophone, and then we ga,ve them tea, a plate of ham, salad, trifle, jelly, and chocolate blanc-mangc, cakes, coffee, and .crackers. After that I went to the piano, and they all sang 'A Perf*:t- Day' and 'llv Little Grey Home in the West,' these being the two favorites."

Dr Wood Hutchinson reccntlv mado some- very interestinc; statements regarding trie _ health of the British Armv in France during the present war. He" said that under the vilest and sickliest weather ksfc winter the British forces in Flanders and -brance, in open trenches, had less sickness and fewer deaths from disease than it used to have in barracks in peace time, and far less than that general civil population at Home. He also stated that the mental damage of the horrors and (strain of tins -war had been less than 1 per I.COO of the armies in the field, and less than half of the ordinary insanitv rate in men of nnltary age in times "of peace. Among the steadiest, -staunchest, and most shellproof of all stood the highly " citified " and " neurotic" Cockney. With regard to typhoid, Dr Wood Hutchinson said that if the old ratio of disease had held in this war, there would have been 300,000 cases of that disease, with 75,000 deaths, in the British Army in France alone. As a matter of fact, there -were barely 2,000 cases.' with less than 200 deaths, i

A shooting affair occurred at Lynchford, Tasmania, on February 16. icsulting in the death of John Degan, single, aged 36 jears son of Mr W. Deeiran, dairy farmor, Lynchford, and the arrest of another son. Charles, aged about 33 on a, charge of attempted murder It appears lha| shortly before 6 p.m. John Deegan returned home, and a quarrel started between the two brothers. This, it is stated, led to blows being exchanged in a cowshed, and both men lost control of themselves and indulged in threats of shooting Charles Deegan, it is alleged, rushed into the house, and, tak.ng a loaded gun, went out on the verandah, while almost simultaneously John Deegan appeared at the- door or the shed with a loaded rifle in his hands. The two men were onlv about 16 yards apart when they fired at each other, but while the rifle shot fired by John Deegan went wide of its mark, the shot from Charles Deegan's gun struck John Deegan on the left side of the face and head inflicting terrible injuries, and he fell, exclaiming. " God, I'm killed." The whole affair occurred within half an hour, and a sad feature connected with it is that both the father and mother of the two men witnessed it all.

As showing the bountiful harvest of fruit and vegetables gathered this season, the harvest thanksgiving sen-ices at tho North-east Valley Baptist Church were a great success. Sermons appropriate to the occasion were preached both morning and evening by the pastor. Rev. S. Morris, the morning text being l Corinthians, 3-6, and the evening address.was based on "Then cometh tho harvest.'' Suitable anthems were sung by the choir, under Madame Von Look. A sale of produce, etc. 'was held on Monday evening, which proved satisfactory from a financial point of view. • At 3.58 p.m. yesterday the Citv Fire Brigade received a call' from the' alarm bix at tho corner of High and Grant streets, but their services were not required, as the alarm proved to be a false one. The brigade were on thtir way back to headquarters when a second alarm was rtcoivecl at 4.12 p.m., this time from Elm rcw. On thejr ariival it was found that a fire had broken out in a house occupied by Mr L. Tily. The fire was confined to tho cellar, and although the house was filled with smoke very little damage was done, only a few boards being charred. There was no one in the house at the time of the outbreak. The fire was evidently caused through a tin containing hot ashes being placed against the woodwork. The South Dunedir. brigade also turned out in response to the rjaim. Tho Taieri Pipe Band held their annual meeting last evening at Mosgiel, Tho balance-sheet showed an improved position on last year. A strong -committee was elected for the ensuing year, with Mr G. Gordon as president and Mr F. A. Cheyne secretary. The band played during the past year at many public and patriotic functions, and their services had been appreciated at all times. The retiring office-bearers were thanked for their services, and thanks were also accorded to those who had in any way assisted the band throughout the past year. The Rev. W. H. Roberts, who is at present in charge of the parochial district of Mosgiel and Green Island, has been appointed vicar of tho parish of Bluff in succession to the Rev. Canon Swinburn, who retired recently owing to ill-health. The Rev. H. S. Bishop, of Kurow, who takes charge of the parochial district of Port Chalmers, is expected to commence his miiustry there during the first week of April. A first offending seafarer, from a ship about to sail, was brought before Mr N. Podds, J.P., at the Port Chalmers Court last night. He was fined 10s for drunkenness. -

At the meeting of the Mosgiel Borough Council last evening permission tb use tho Keoreatioti Ground for the ensuing season was granted to the Taieri Hockey Ctjib. An application for the use of tho same ground was granted for a small sports gathering at Easter in connection with the Bible class camp. The council decided to support the- resolution of the Manawatu County Council asking the Government to resume race special trains, as the present policy was detrimental to the roads, owing to tho extra use made of them by motor traffic. The South Dnnedin Licensing Committee to-day granted a transfer of the Fitzroy Hotel licenso to Emma Ellen Ash Hewitt, on the understanding that the barman who was really responsible for the recent drunkenness on the premises was no longer employed. New aeaaon's photographic ifoods; exaellent stock now arriving. Cameras from 6s Send your order early" to H. J. Gill, 11 and 13 Frederick street, Dunedin. 'Phone 1144 —[Advt.| The programme for the musical recital in connection with the Methodist Conference is advertised in this issue, and should guarantee to nil who attend an> excellent entertainment. A body of 150 vocalists have been for some time rehearsing tho chorus music, under Mr T. Holgatc, and sonic excellent singing will bo heard. This recital will b-3 held 10-mor-row evening in the Octagon Hall. Seats can be reserved at The Bristol Piano Company's. You can rely on Watson's No. 10 being good. It has a world-wide reputation.— [Advt.] Tho Rev., C. H. Garland (of Auckland), principal of the Methodist College, will be the speaker at a patriotic war service to be held in the Octagon Hall next Sunday afternoon. A collection will be taken up on behalf of military camp funds. The run is on "No Rubbing" Laundry Help and "Golden Rule" Soap. Wardell Bros, and Co. will supply you.—[Adv-fc:]-With the prospect of colder weather, you need a tailor-made costume. Order yours now from Ansell, Octagon. You'll get the best.—[Advt.T_ Watson's !No. 10 whisky is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the monev -[Advt.] J