LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 165, 10 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Packages of newspapers may bo sent to the United Kingdom by parcel, wi'eghing no more than) 71bs. Packets containing not more than ten newspapers or not exceeding 51bs in weight, may now be despatched to the United Kingdom by newspaper post, without .(license. In every case- postage of j Id on each copy is to be prepaid.

"The democratic ideal is, as it were, passing through the furnace," saddl the Bishop of Wellington, addressing the Wellington Synod. "It i© one of tho issues of the 'war. It may be proved that the democratic ideal cannot survive in this worid. If this is shown to be so, then no sensible society wishing to be permanent will retrain that principle. If, as> we hope, the democrat},principle prevails that is another matter." Bishop Sprott was- not speaking ugaiiicit the democratic ideal.

Girls' Raincoats 8s 6d and. 10s 6d Tweed 1 'Coats 12s- 6d' upwards.— Mc Kays' Sale.*

(One of the surprises of the war has been the enormous military consumption of timber, and the scarcity of shipping for its transportation. The reconstruction committee advises l Britain to plant 1,770,000 acres and assist individuals and private bodies to plant all they can. Britons axe just awaking to the faot that from >a national or private point of view forestry i® one of the best .possible investments'. .Plant your waste lands in pinus insagnisV* the premier timber tree. Further particu'iars, Kingsland, Appleby.* We can't continue it long at. this rate. Don't delav but come soon to McKays* Winter 'Sale.* NO RUBBING Laundry Help ■ t\v lights every houspwifo. Is 3d packet sufficient "for seven weekly family washings.—T. Pettit

The epidemic of diphtheria which has been prevailing in the Auckland province for several weeks, shows a slight diminution (says the Herald). Fivo cases were reported on. Wednesday—two from the country, one from the city area, and two from suburban districts Only one of the nntients was of school ago. Of the cases notified on Tuesday only two patients were of school age. The disease continues to be of a mild form, and the public health officer is of opinion that, with a spell of dry weather, the epidemic will abate altogether.

"I fervently hope before we meet here again that the .troublous times of war will be over. 'Meanwhile it is incumbent on each of us individually and as a component, part of any organisation or body to which we belong—either patriot*?, business, or pleasure—to make all the sacrifices in our power to prevent a German victory and invasion by a ruthless foe."—So said Mr J. Rowe iin the course of his annual p,dd'ress to the New Zealand Trotting Conference nt Wellington yesterday.

Nowhere docs chivalry survive more strongly (writes the editor of the Aeroplane) "than in i.ie fighting squadrons of the belligerent air services. Not Very long ago a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps gave a dinner in celebration of the award of the D.S.O-. to one of its most able officers. When called on for a speech the guest 01 tlio evening, after returning thanks briefly, gave the health of Baron von Richthofen {the German crack airman, now dead), and the squadron duly honoured the toast. The act illustraltes the feeling "of the corps to wards the man who has killed more of its niem'bers than has any other German, but who has fought cleanly.

Dealing with the appointment of stipend iarv stewards, the President of the New Zealand Trotting Conference (Mr John Rowe) spoke as follows at yesterday's meeting at Wellington, says the Post: "During the course of my address to you a year ago I commented favourably upon the work of the gentlemen selected by your committee to oot as stipendiary" stewards. The general excellence of their efforts during the past two years has clearly justified the sanguine expectations of those who advocated their appointment, and I feel confident that I am voicing the opinion of my fellow delegates when I say that the work of our stipendiaries has materially assifeted the great advancement which trottiftg has undoubtedily made during the period named. Racing officials alfl over the '.Dbmiiiioni have (repeatedly eulogised the conduct of our officials, and cheerfully recognised the value of their presence at race meetings. 'Owners, trainers, and drivers undoubtedly appreciate the innovation-, whilst they and the people who supply the sinews of war recognise that they will all get a 'squaro deal' from _ your representatives. ''

Speaking at the Wellington S.hool Committee's Association meeting, says tlie Post, the Horn. J. A. Hanan (said that it was the concern) of alll that the training of school children should be in the hands of those possessing the best- brains and personality. Whatever else they might, juit up with in the way of inefficient craftsmanship, they ought ito insist on the recogmit-imi of their childi-eon/s right to be taught only by men and women professionally trained and capable of doing (the work well. (Applause.) What was the chaotic condition "of affains 1 in Russia largely due to where there was a lack of independent thinking and sense of personal responsibility ? The Minister empatically declared that if they had had in that country the benefits of a good State 'system of education, \ with equality of opportunity. the upheavals, disorganisation', and internal troubles now maai'ifesting themselves there, and which unfortunately have been to the detriment of Britain and her AHlies, would not have occurred.

The wedding took place on April 30, at All Saints' Church, _ Thorn eyhillv near Cihristchurch, of Brigadier-General Arthur M. As quirt h, D.5.0., and the Hon. Betty Constance Manners, of Avon Tyrrell. Christohnrch. BrigadierGeneral AsquLth was 'recently appoint-, ed Controller of the French Warfare department of the Mindstry.

Herr von Behr-Pintnow, Chamberlain and Private Secretary to the German Empress, sweated a. personal profit of £260,000 out of the soldiers' wives whom he employed' to matke sandbags. When prosecuted for this mean crime, he had the audacity <to offer £25,000 as "conscience money." What hiis judges thought of this is not known, for at the moment when- they were about to sentence him the Empress' intervened and secured his acquittal. The wages of 5d paid to the women was not for making one sandbag, but for ten, and even fi-om the amount the charge for sewing cotton was deduotod 1 .

Mr Winston Churchill, addresiing the American trade union delegate.* in London! on April 22, said! that during the whole period of nine months for which he had* been responsible, labour disputes among the two and a half million workers had been responsible for the loss of considerably 'leas than one day in 1000. By the loyal and steady effort of labour Great* Britain had an immense weekly output of munitions, sufficient to meet all* probable needs and strains. Not only had no difficulty been experienced in making good the *econt heavy losses, but Britain.' also had the means to facilitate the* equtnu.eiifc' and arming of the ■Ameritouu.divisions as they- arrived. Mr Church'" 1 ! mention*" 1 that nine-tenths of the shell manufacture was done by women.

Few pieces only, Cretonne, usually 1» 9d now Is yard at McKays' ,Sak?.*

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Mary and Prince' Ifenry, and attended by the Earl of Cromer and. 1 I»ady Katheinne Coke, motored' to the Erith district, on April 7, to visit the gun works of the Vickers Company. The Queen was curious to know whether any special provision had been made protection of woi'kers in the event of aircraft attack, and the/Royal visitors were at once conducted to a unique dug-out, excavated in tho base of a solid sand cliff. They traversed some of its principal passages, and Her Majesty expressed the opinion that the idea was excellent and: that per feet shelter was afforded.

Men's underwear in hard-wearing quality 3s lid*' and. 4s 6d.—McKays' Sale.*"

It is' not generally known that under the War Regulations the consent of the Finance Minister must be obtained before a Company can increase its capital and sell shares. We have obtained the necessary permission to. place a limited number of our shares, and wish, to point out that in order''to secure the benefits accruing to shareholders in tins successful co-operative "company early application is necessary to secure -shares, as once the number fixed by the Minister is reach-ed.it is doubtful whether any '*mor-e/-will Ibe available for'some time. If you cannot call, write, or "phone 631.—The Cash Drapery and General Importing Coy., Ltd.,- Bridge, street, Nelson.* "Wear like leather.*' Roys;' buckskin shorts. 6s lid, 6s 6d,: 7s' 3d.—McKays' Sale.* " . -.-,-

It is stated by tho Auckland Star that the total amount received by the Witamera Relief Fund Committee is £1134 15s 6d, including £IOOO donated ; by the HJudd&rt-Parker Company, own- : ers of the lost steamer. At a meeting jof the committee it was stated that ' Auckland's response to 'the appeal—a sum of £134 was disappointing, and had not been sufficient to relieve tlio actual distress.

Six bags of parcel mails were stolen from a steamer which arrived at Sydney recently. It is believed that the theft was committed before tho vessel left San Francisco, although they were not missed until the boat arrived at Sydney. An American manufacturing firm sent a consignment of felt hats, valued at about £250, by parcel post to Sydney.--This method was adopted in view of the shortage of cargo space. Each mailbag contained a box enclosing 24 hats, so that a gross is missing. Recently a quantity of gold fountain pen nibs, valued at about £9O, disappeared from the parcels mail which arrived bv another vessel.

Owing to its storage ca.pae.ity of 200,000 cai-cases being fully occupied', the Whakatane Freezing Company has had to stop killiiug. The local settlers have suggested that in -view of the shortage of shipping space it would be advisable to send -all prime beef away boned, as is done at present with inferior grades. It is argued that this would mean a saving in shipping space of fi-om 25 to 30 per cent, while it is also urged that the retention of the bones in New Zealand isi greatly aieeded for the manufacture of manures and for meat extract (purposes.

Speaking at the Diocesan Synod at "Wellington last week, the Rev. ,A. M. Johnson drew attention to the fact that about forty chaplains belonging to the Province of New Zealand of the Church of England had gone to the front. It was, he added, wonderful to think that but of those forty, four of them had won the -'Military Cross. He doubted whether there was any other 'unit, except, perhaps, the medical unit, that had such a percentage as that. One of those chaplains, the 'Rev. Clement Houchon, was severely wounded, and would bear for the rest of his life the scars of battle. The Rev. 'Stephen Parr, of the Ghristchurch Diocese, the ißev. C. B. W. iSeton, and tho Rev. Matthew Mullineaux had.' also won the distinction. He thought it was well for members of the -Synod to .remember how well our chaplains had done. Those whose names he had mentioned had done valuable work, which was seen, but all knew that every one of our chaplains had done meritorious work which was not seen.

Henare always lias been noted for his' originality, and one' warrior from tliese islands- has distinguished himself in this respect. While the Maori, who had been wounded' in" the head, was standing before the doctor at medical ciassifi caption, the following dialogue took place:—Maori: "My head 'always werry bad. .Always" ■ I hear te funny music, like te 'band, and it always play te same tune, "Some, Sweet Home,' te whole time." Medical officer: "That is strange." Maori: "Yes. I, tink it mean something." Medical officer: "Perhaps. Just let me listen (puts his ear to the Maori's" head). Ah no, ehoa•-"(friend-, you have mistaken the t'-'i». It's the 'Marseillaise.' " So Henare, who had had visions of homo and kuinaras,' was sent back t.-j tie rcgi.'is of bullets and 'b'illv-bee f . '

Some tittle-tattle of a sensational character relating to war matters has again been current in the city this week (says, Thursday's Auckland Herald.) Persons who have helped in circulating such idle rumours evidently are not aware that their action renders them liable to severe punishment under the War Regulations. A regulation gazetted on July 19th, 1915, prescribes that "no person shall publish -or cause or permit to be published/. . . any false reports relative to the present war and likely to cause alarm." The term publish means "to maike known either to individuals or the public at large." The penalty for any breach of the War ißegulations may.-be a fine not exceeding £IOO ,01* imprisonment up to a maximum of 12 months. * ■■'

The opening cut in the bank of the hot lake at Frying-,pan Flat. Wai-ma-ngu, in order to let out the -increasing volume of water has ■ increased in width to 80ft. 'Some danger was attached to the making of this outlet (says the Auckland) Herald), owing to the pressure of the accumulated water, which was only llim ; from the top of the bank. A'charge of dynamite was comparatively ineffective owing to the want of. .->" solidity of the material, and a small outlet was made by shovel work. In a few minutes this was several feet in width, and 1 " a large volume of water was rushing through it. The water from the flat is emptying itself into Lake ißotomahana, -the level of which has been raided 2Aim The level of the Frying-nan Dake.-has cone down 40 ft, and all fear of a sudden break through has been, removed. The bank holding in the waiter, ds From 10ft to 12ft in thickness. The : twin geysers which broke out repently ijit the flat are still active, and are throwing large * columns of Water and debris into the air to a height varying from 50ft to 150 ft.

TKe returned discharged woldier as not 'liable for military' service under the present law. • He is not a- member of the Expeditionary Force Reserve, and therefore cannot be drawn in a ballot. But the law in thi s respect may have to bo reviewed after the exhaustion of the Second' Division. The point has been raised by returned soldiero, who have asked if they have any further obligations, says the Dominion. All soldiers enlist for the period of the war and six months thereafter. It is not the custom'of the Imperial authorities to discharge a sick or wounded soldier untess he is suffei-i'ng from some permanent disability, andf as a matter of fact over 70 per cent of the British wounded find theiir, way back,/ t<x the front. But the New Zealand Defence Department has discharge**, the great majority of the returned' mem, thus relinquishing all hold upon them. "Every man once before any man twice" has been the rule here as far as the compulsory clauses of the 'Military Service Act are concerned.

The officers of the Imperial War Museum, which is to bo established in London, are making a collection of "war countries," and they have asked for the assistance of His Majestv's Trade •Commissioner in "New* Zealand (Mr R. W. Dalton). They want posters and advertisements, official arid commercial, dealing .with wa;r measures and conditions. "Our purpose is to give, as far as possible, a complete history of tho war in advertisement, as well as to record the great part played by advertising in the war," explains the director". "It is hoped that this colle'-lion of international war publicity, which will be personally available far inspection, will help advertise* in this country to get a. better knowledge of the kind of appeal that is most effective in each country. It is therefore possible that this collection will be of great use in the' extension of trade between foreign countries, the colonies, and this .country." Special reductions! on Ladits.' T\v*ed Coats 20s upwards at McKays' Sale.-^

A deputation from the Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid -Board # wi 1 leave for Wellington by this■ evening steamer and will -interview the Hon. G W Russell to-morrow regarding a. change of site of the hospital in view ot the large amount involved m the rebuilding.

An interesting "message from _ the sea" has been forwarded to Tho Mail by Mr L. Snook, of D'Urville Islandl, French Pass. It is being forwarded on to a Nelson resident to whom the message is addressed'. It was contained) '• an a bottle which Mr Snook picked up on Catherine Cove beach.

Suggestions for the settlement of si,'.diers on the land., to be made by tihe provincial branches of the Farmers' Union, to the forthcoming Dominion Conference, says the New Zealand Herald, include v tho adoption of the 'block'. sj-*tem' in respect to unimproved country, and' the appointment _of farmers' boards to report on suitable land fov .settlement of the large areas of unoccupied land in • the Auckland province is also, urged. The granting o land f ree to returned soldiers "instead of placing them on high-priced land, I where it is practically' impossible fov , them to make a livelihood," is recommended by the Pelorous branch. The purchase by the Government of some of the 'be3t quality land close to gbb<l trwns, for cutting up into areas of from 10 to 20 acres for returned soldiers, is suggested by tho Wellington and Southland' branches. In addition, the general principle is affirmed that every encouragement and Assistance' should.,.;be given to returned men to settle ...on., the land'.

Last, -week's telegram from Grey - mouth left a doubt for an reader as to .the grounds on which (ho Grey .seat might. pass from. Mr. Hflland torMr Cbates ('Says tho Welling!/'!! "Post'-'). . The position is that on Iho official recount (taken soon after .the first count) Mr 'Holland had a majority of 148. votes. The allegation how" is that'."..certain persons, not entitled to vote,..'had', their names placed on tho roll and voted illegally. The ; vote."'.-of such -suspected persons are being challenged, and a Judge of the Supremo Court will have power to break tho seals-of i votes to ascertain for whom such "persons "voted. Such an illegal vote is from the number: previously inscribed to a candidate. .Assuming that the present totaljfor' JS\v Coates remains the same, Mr. ,Holland s majority of 148 has to be countered .by 149 deductions (challenged votes declared to be illegal) before the'seat can be transferred to Mr Coates.

The 'half-yearly summoned 'meeting of the Loyal Nelson Lodge, JV'-L';> I OOF. -will 'be held in. the lodge room this' evening. Fines will be levied' for non-attendance. ". ■.

■See that you get the "Mark .'Down inset circulated with' this issue re »uwjal Bargains at McKays' -Winter; bale.

'Striped Wincey Is 6d yard; Winter Blousinps 10£ d yard. One piece LfJlular white shirting Is yard.—McKays. Sale.*.. ♦ ■"• ;. .''\ ''■"