GENERAL ITEMS.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2575, 5 March 1915, Page 3

GENERAL ITEMS.

BISMARCK ISLANDERS. Copenhagen, March_ 4. Ono lmutlved and twenty German Bismarck Islanders, including the Governor, hare arrived at Christiania. SENT BACK FROM EGYPT. Fremantle, March 4. A hospital ship has arrived from Egypt , conveying a large number of troops sneering from certain diseases, also many discharged for insubordination. GERMAN WILES IN CONTRABAND. Rome, March 4. The Messagero states that the headquarters of German contrabandists is at Barcelona., whence merchandise is shipped to Amsterdam via Genoa, as cargoes leaving a neutral maritime station for another neutral port are' immune from capture. German emissaries in Genoa despatch the goods to Amsterdam via Switzerland. 'When wie trains reach Germany the goods are taken out. The firm at Amsterdam never complains of non-arrival. WHEAT FOR IMPERIAL USE. ' Sydney, March 4. The Government has fixed the prices of mutton for Imperial uses and Imperial sanction thereto has been received. The prices apply to over 143,000 carcases taken over on Wednesday, and hold good for all purchases during March, after which readjustment is possible. Sheep—First and second qualities, 4£d; third quality, -ijd; ewes, 4fd; thirds. 4d; lamb, s:id; thirds, 5 |d. Beef prices have not been settled. IDLE SHIPS MAY BE USED. The Hon. Mr Flowers, Home Secretary for New South Wales, stated that negotiations are proceeding with the Federal Government to secure several idle steamers in which to" convey meat to England. If the Meat Board succeeds in obtaining the loan ol" the ships, it wilt possibly despatch 100,000 carcases within the next few days. Tlig Board is also enquiring whether any prize ships are available. JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE. London, March 4. Prior to engaging the German war. •ships off the Falkland Islands, Admiral Sturdee wirelessed to his ships "God Save the King." The signal was repeated by every ship in the fleet. .STEAMER ESCAPES BOMBS. Two German aeroplanes dropped three bombs, which did no harm, near tho Glasgow steamer Dalblair, off the Essex coast. A CURE FOR STRIKES. Tho Times, in a leader, suggests curing strikes by taking employers and employees to France to view the ravages and the urgent war needs, smd ".shame them for squabbling over farthings. KING'S MESSAGE TO THE FLEET. The King sent the following message to Admiral'Jellicoe after his visit to the North Sea Fleet: I am much impressed by the efficiency • of tho Grand Fleet and the splendid spirit of the officers and men. I have not tho slightest doubt my navy will uphold its great traditions." • ALIENS IN 'BRITAIN. Mr "W. Joynson Hicks (Unionist), in the House of Commons, moved a resolution expressing the desirableness of concentrating the administration in connection with the enemy 'aliens in tho hands of one Minister, who would be responsible to the House. He stated that there were 70,000 aliens in the country, and 20,000 in London, of whom 16,000 were of military age. He complained that the treatment was too lenient. The reuponsibility for their internment .should be divided between the Home and the War Offices.

Lord Charles Beresford said it was ii. singular coincidence that ships which sailed without "proper escorts were those hlown xvp- by the German submarines. It could not he denied that the blowing up of the Formidable was due to the fact that her departure was known to spies. Mr H. J. Tennant, Under-tfecre-tary for "War, said that every alien enemy was under constant police e>\\v-

TO-DAY'S WAR NEWS.

veillance, and it was unnecessary to create a special department.

TENDING THE WOUNDED

Auckland March 4. Several references to the work which is being done in the military hospitals in France by Miss 13. E. Dormer Maunder have already been published. Further letters have been received by her sister, who is resident in Auckland. Miss Maunder is a daughter of the late Mr George Maunder; formerly of Rangitikei. Early in October Miss Maunder organised a refuge for Belgjans in Ostend, and subsequently undertook the preparation of a hospital for wounded soldiers. When Ostencl was threatened by the Germans tho hospital had to be abondoned, but on Chris Unas morning Miss Maunder opened a hospital in Rouen. She states that the Mayor and town of Rouen have given splendid assistance. A large school was placed at her disposal, and it is now thoroughly equipped and known as the King Albert Hospital, the work being xinder the direction of the College of Ambulance Humanitarian Corps. "Of all the difficulties I cannot now write," said Miss Maunder, in a letter dated January 5. "I never have a moment's relaxation, nor wish to until all is done that I can do. We have SO wounded here now, with a staff of 20. Another 100 beds are being got -ready, and we shall have 200 in a week or two.- I have received all the Belgian officials this morning. The military officials have also just been in on their daily rounds." "We are now sending out some of those who came in on Christmas Day/ Miss Maunder continues. "It is awful to he just making them strong and well to go out again to he shot down, yet they are so brave and uncomplaining."