LATEST WAR NEWS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 266, 26 October 1916, Page 6

LATEST WAR NEWS

ELIGIBLES FOR THE FIRING LINE. (REUTER’S TELEGRAMS-] (Received 26, 2.40 p.m.) London, Oct. 25. Mr. Runciman (President of the Board of Trade) announces that a complete scheme for the replacement of eligible munition and other workers has been arranged and will probably operate on Monday.

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.

(Received 26, 2.40 p.m.) London, Oct. 25. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil, Blockade Minister, announced that after careful consideration the Government have decided that it is undesirable to conclude an AngloGerm an agreement similar to the Franco-German agreement providing for the temporary remission of grave punishment of war prisoners, and the return to Germany of British prisoners working in Poland. WAR CONTRACT CASE. THE CHARGES AGAINST SCOULLAR COMPANY. Wellington, Oct. 26. Mr. Reid, S.M., is to-day hearing the charge against the Scoullar Company, Limited, of a breach of the war regulations in allegedly supplying flax mattresses and pillows of a quality not in accord with the terms of the contract. The case for the Crown alleged that the average weight of a number of mattresses supplied was 141 lbs, and should have been 18 lbs; further, that many were filled with sour flax, jrope ends, dust, and sweepings off the floor, rendering them unfit and insanitary for use by the troops. The saying effected by supplying lightweight mattresses was from 4.\d to 6d each.

Mr. Weston, for the defence, said it was admitted that owing to circumstances for which the management was not responsible, some of the mattresses were light iveight. The Crown had to prove that it was done wilfully. Mr. Macassey, appearing for the Crown, said there could be no suggestion that the directors of Messrs. Scoularr and Co., who were leading men in the town, had any knowledge or suspicion that the contract was not being strictly performed. The case is proceeding.