Palmerston Doings.

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 792, 3 September 1915, Page 7

Palmerston Doings.

Dear Chimsta:be:l 3 —

PRIVATE Walter 0. Falconer was killed in action in the last big engagement at the Dardanelles. "Walter Falconer was the real Emden hero. He was wireless onerator on the -transport Arawa, and was the only one •out of the 42 ships which composed the transport fleet andi convoy to pick up the Gocos Island call for help. But for' his keenness, alertness, and attention to duty, the German pirate might have continued on her voyages of destruction, and many good ships and brave men have "been sent to their doom before slhe was captured or sunk. To Private Falconer, then, in' the first place, is due the credit for her early retirement from active operations, and her rusting hull on a rocky coast will be a lasting monument to his faithful service. That he did not receive some offi•cial recognition of his action has caused a little comment, but perhaps it was not to the credit of the flagship that, he she failed. Hence no •promotion or decoration was awarded.

Private Falconer was a member of the telegraph, staff at Eltham when he enlisted in the Wellington Infantry Relgiment. Built on generous lines, young Falconer was always placid and amiable and he could always muster a cheerful smile at the end of a ten-mile route march, his unfailing good humour making Mm a welcome companion in either drair weather or storm.

Mr. Lionel Abraham has received a -cable from London informing him that his son, Martin Abraham, has been married to Miss Phyllis Birkett. Lieutenant Abraham has a commission in the Artillery, and leaves for the front immediately. Prior to enlisting, Lieutenant Abraham was studying at Cambridge, where he had obtained his B.A. degree.

On Tuesday night Mr. John Clegg :gave a lecture in the Opera House, the proceeds of which went to the Patriotic Mr.. Clegg, who was in England when war broke out, was a passenger by a steamer which was captured by "the Kronprinz Wilhelim, on which he "was made a prisoner for some weeks. He had some exciting experiences before being landed at Rio and eventually arrived safely in New Zealand.

Another Campbell-street school boy Is added to the fast increasing Roll of Honour. This is Trooper James Walkley. Jim Walkley was a well-known boy here, where he had spent most of Ids 30 odd years. He was a keen sport, and a great hockey player. Though rather reserved, he has a large circle of iriends, who heard with deep regret of his death at the Dardanelles.

Private A. F. Robbie, another prominent in hoeke-" circles, is- also among the honoured dead. He was a clever student, and, while at the High School, won the Civil Service Scholarship. He was a son of Mr. Wm. Robbie, of Fea--fcherston-street.

I see that Mr. "Pat'' Fitzherbert, a one-time Feilding solicitor, and speaker on Socialistic matters, has received a commission in the Black Watch.

Among the Pahnerston boys wounded are Quartermaster-Sergeant Harry McCrea, only son of Mr. J. A. McCrea, of Alexander-street. Sergeant McCrea was on the staff of the Bank of Australasia in Wairoa when the first call came for men, and he enlisted with the Hawke's Bay section of the Wellington Mounted Regiment.

Gunner Alexis Strang, eldest son of Mr. Jack Strang, is also reported wounded in the arm. Gunner Strang is attached to the machine eun section of the "Wellington Mounted Regiment.

The Gas Company, one of the best dividend-producing concerns in town, has passed out of the hands of private shareholders into the Boroutrh's safe keeping, from whence we hope to -participate ill its profits by way of reduced rates for gas, etc. _ To celebrate the transition from a private concern to a municipal affair, the company gave a banquet in its upstair rooms. Here toasts were honoured, and champagne and speeches flowed simultaneously; even the chilliest of mortals thaw when corps are popping. The Borough Solicitor, with a smile, bemoaned the fact that an amicable settlement had. # been arrived at between the parties, without giving their respective lawyers a chance to tangle matters for them. There was a good year's litigation in the ancient agreement, he was confident, if only they had been allowed to get their fingers in the pie. However, legal expenses being saved, the company was able to give a banquet to its staff and friends.

as well as a bonus all round, the manager, Mr. M. J. Kennedy, receiving a nice little cheque for £%P0 in recognition of long and faithful service. * * * *

Last week the A. and P. Association farewelled one of its most energetic members. Mr. Jack Slack, who is leaving for England to enlist for active service. Mr. E. Shortt, president, handed Mr. Slack a cheque with which to purchase a first-class pair of binoculars as a mark of appreciation of his untiring efforts on behalf of the Association.

While on the subject of the A. and P., I see that Mr. E. Shortt, president, Mr. W. T. Penny, secretary, and two members of committee are invading Wellington this week with a view to impressing the citizens of the Windy City with the importance of keeping our show in its premier position, and, after you have been talked to by these four worthies for an hour or two, if you don't hand over a big, fat cheque hy way of donation, it will be a fearful shock to them. What they don't know ~about sheep, cattle and shows is hardly worth bothering about, and if you only have the time, the- will tell you all about it, and, as I have said, incidentally collect your cheque.

Among the latest recruits are Messrs. Kenneth Eglinton and R. Harkness, both prominent footballers, and ManaAvatu rep. players. Mr. Eglinton is a member of the staff of Messrs. Rutherford and Cohnell, where the affairs of the Kairanga County are dealt with, and his courteous manner when he relieves you' of your rates (not an easy matter with the gentleman off the mangold wuftzel) has made hiim very popular. Mr. Harkness is with the firm -of Barraud and Abraham, and he will be greatly missed from the "Back Office."

On Wednesday night a Scotch concert was organised by the Caledonian Society to help liquidate the debt on the Trentham Band instruments. There were pipes and kilts, and Scotch songs and stories; in fact, there was a strong Highland flavour throughout both concert and audience. An Egyptian £1 note, which had been sent to her by the late Captain Harry Palmer, was given by Mrs. Palmer to be auctioned for the Patriotic Fund. In this instance the Scotchmen did' not live up to their "cannie" reputation, but bid generously, and the youthful auctioneer, Roy Pratt, a small fair-haired youngster of nine, set the pace for many an older auctioneer, and he got £50 before the note was finally knocked down and handed back to Mrs. Palmer. This small boy is taking the part of _ Petite Pierre an the operatic production of "Paul Jones," now under rehearsal by the' Amateur Society.

The following is an exact copy of a letter received on Eg-vnt by one of our New Zealand officers from hi® washerman. I only regret I cannot reproduce

■Ie writing, too: it is quite on. a par with the composition : —

"Dear Sir Captain H

I am your special serevant Yani Demetri the washerman now I beg your pardon to allow me to take the clothes of your pattalion with unless the other man take and I am your serevant and every thing you need it about washing ■in short thank you for your kindness Yani Demetri, Egypt."

Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Moore have gone to Wellington for a few days.

Lieutenant Charles Gascoigne, of the Earl of Liverpool's Own (who was married in Wellington last Saturday, was in town with his bride for the week-end, but went on to Hawera on Monday for

the remainder of his brief honeymoon, as he is due back in camp at Rangiotu on Fridav.

The Manawatu Racing Club, with its usual generosity, has decided .to devote all its profits this year to the War Funds. Already they have given many hundreds to the various urgent calls, and an appeal to the Racing Club never falls on deaf ears. Not only have they given in cash, but their beautiful racecourse is always at the disposal of the military authorities for camp and training purposes, and, individually,. its members are the mainstay of the Patriotic Society.

On Friday afternoon Mrs. W. Coombs is giving - a big bridge afternoon, at which all! our sporting women will be able to indulge m their favourite game, and yet not feel that they are • wasting time, as it will eost ! them a modest halfcrown for the privilege of playing. The sum goes towards the Sheepskin Waistcoat Fund. Non-players can look on for the same fee, and Mrs. Coombs will see they all get afternoon tea and have opportunities for talking while they knit, without disturbing the bridge players, who always take Kfe so seriously.

Messrs. Hope and' Ivan Johnston, sons of Mr. J. M. Johnston, left for Trentham on Wednesday, where they join the Bth Reinforcements.

Miss Hilda Smythe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Smythe, of Palmerston North, was married last week to Mr. J. D. Aiken, schoolmaster, of Foxton. The bride wore a sown of ivory charmeuse and laoe, and 1 a hridal wreath and' veil, and' Miss Violet Smythe was bridesmaid, >'ber frock being of white ninon, Avith a wide belt of Rose du Barry velvetj with a black and white hat.

Mr. Walter Rutherford's two sons have enlisted for service. The elder, Mr. Wm. Rutherford, of the legal firm of Messrs. Cooper and Rutherford, goes into camp in October, but the younger son Walter will probably go in sooner.

Mrs. J. Cotter is staying with Miss M. Armstrong. Broad-street.

Your friend, Awapttni,