Plamerston Doings.

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 815, 11 February 1916, Page 17

Plamerston Doings.

Dear Christ abet,, — ON Monday niglit the first official function was held- at the Anzac Club, when a number of returned soldiers, together with the recruits for the 13th Reinforcement, who were leaving the following camp, were entertained. The Mayor had very short notice of the opportumtv, but quickly availed himself oi it, and together with Mr. C. A. Loughnan and other Anzac Club enthusiasts, they welcomed the men. A batch of talent was hurriedly dug out from the Ambulance Camp, where music much abounds, and with supper and, £ little speeches, things went merrilyAn Irishwoman nursing in Engla.nd says that all the colonials have a birthmark —they are born with a wiis Jetwatch' on. The prevalence of these time-pieces among all classes and ianks of our soldiers is a matter of wonder at Home, as in the English regiments it is mainly the. officers who wear them. Referring to the rapid promotions of men at Gallipoli, one soldier remarks m •his letter, "You- see, promotions are pretty sudden over her, and high rank is merely a matter of keeping alive, and incidentally refraining from, sleeping with your knees up." ' Further on he refers to his own squadron (.Queen Alexandra's Own), and he says, "There are only fifteen of the original crowd left, and not a single officer; in fact, at the time of- writing, the only Main Body officers with the Wellington' Mounteds are Colonel Meldrum and Captain Davis (Jack Davis, of Wellington). All the others are' promoted non-coms, and reinforcements. Most of these birds are 6th and 7th Reinforctments, and are full of fight—at present; No doubt their ambition will be realised in due course, because I've ..never yet known a "person w'ho looked for trouble here and •failed to find accommodation."

• A peculiar accident Happened to Mr. Arthur Sutherland, one of the wealthy ' land owners. He was motoring home last week just before sunset in his. big Sunbeam car, facing _ due west, and driving right into the eye of. the setting sun, which probably accounts for the fact that he suddenly swerved and crashed into the bridge over the Man,gaone Stream on Boundary-road.- The car turned turtle into the bed of the stream, and_the front portion ignited, with Mr. Sutherland pinned under it in an unconscious condition. Fortunately the accident was witnessed by a resident, and he was quickly released and taken to a private hospital, .where _he remains in a badly-damaged condition, but making some little progress. It is presumed that the rays of the setting arm flashed on one of the several glasshouses in the vicinity, momentarily dazzling Mr. Sutherland, and causing him to swerve.

Chaplain-Captain J. R. Sullivan, Methodist chaplain, who has been with the Rifle Brigade at Rangiotu for some time, has been transferred to the 10th Reinforcement. Captain Sullivan was very popular in camp, and was responsible for many of the entertainments

organised. He was wounded at the landing in Gallipoli, and it may be necessary to have a further operation upon his throat before he can leave for the front again. * * # & The staff of Messrs. Collinson and Cun,n inghame entertained two of its members in the lounge attached to the tea rooms on Friday night, prior to their departure to . camp. Messrs. Hooker and Cousins were each presented with something suitable for a soldier, the former receiving a rug and the latter a wristlet-watch. A concert programme was contributed by the members of the staff, and a very "jolly evening spent. * On Thursday the 4th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade left Rangiotu and journeyed to Auckland by two special trains. A large crowd greeted them / at the Palmerston station, where final farewells were said, and there was much cheering and singing as the train steamed out. Crowds also flanked the railway line through the Square, and at the crossings • and we saw the last of this battalion fade into- a trail' of smoke and dust as the Main Trunk vanished at Terrace End. *• The 3rd Battalion, which left in the early, hours of Saturday morning T was not favoured with such perfect weather for its departure. A storm which had been brewing for some days, burst on Friday evening and raged with great fury for several hours. Tents and marquees were blown down, and the soldiers found shelter wherever they could until the storm subsided about midnight. The addition of heavy rain, though it cleared the over-heated atmosphere, made things very damp and unpleasant for the breaking of campand subsequent entraining for Wellington. However, the men took it quite philosophically, but were glad to see the day break clear and fine, which facilitated the work of getting the men and their gear away to time. # The town picket has been very busy the iast few days rounding up stragglers- It is truly marvellous what an odd assortment of "souvenirs" the men take back to camp after their final night's leave.. Heading train-wards the other night was one soldier, with a box of ancient vegetables; while another carried a signboard, bearing the joyous tidings, "Meals,at all hours," which he intended erecting in camp. ■a » 6 *■ The annual meeting of the Patriotic Society on Friday night gave rise to some plain talking. The usual flattering references were made to the people who do all the work. This always follows the reading of the balance-sheet. But the bogey of class, distinction has crept in. . It was stated that the meeting was held in the afternoon at 4.30 p.m. in order to suit .the convenience of the leisured and professional classes, and to the exclusion of trade and labour representatives. This is no time for such petty squabbling, and it will take the united efforts of all classes to deal with the big problems ahead and cope with the enormous demands that are being made on the Society's energies and funds: The Mayor took a firm

hand, in the matter, and peace was restored. It has been decided to change the hour for meeting during the next three months, and see if it will revive interest, and remove the class grievance. -»• * * *- Dr. and Mrs. Gilmore, of Wellington, have been staying at the Grand Hotel. . * * *• * The motor cycling sports,, which were postponed from Anniversary Day on account of the weather, were held on Wednesday last. The road, hogs had a day out, and many hundreds from town spent the day at Awapuni. I am afraid I 'have not much sympathy with these noisy, smelly abominations, which, in spite of by-laws, tear around in a reckless manner with exhaust open, leaving _ noise _ and dust and shattered nerves in their wake. * / » *' ■ * - On Saturday night an elderly man, Mr. Richard Lloyd, of Stoneycreek, was knocked down by a motor cyclist, when he was returning home on a push bike. Mr. Lloyd was brought in to town to a private hospital, where he was sewn up and put in splints. The motor cyclist, though slightly damaged, escaped- from serious hurt. The National Reserve farewelled Captain Charlie Warden on Friday night before he goes to Feilding to take charge- of . the: Lytton-street School. Captain ; R; A. Fuller presided, and on behalf of the members, gave Captain Warden a. case of pipes, and said all the nice things that usually are said about a man, only when he dies or goes away. Though you . may have thought them for twenty years previous, they never find utterance until such occasions. ■» * * On special military occasions, such as departure _ of reei-uits, etc., Captain Warden lined up his little squad of home defenders and put them through their paces in fine style. lam not yet very clear as to what the exact function • of the National Reserve is in this great scheme of -things, but it sounds impressive even if it does not look it. ■ :* * '*■ Mr. Jack Strang, who has arrived in England:, has been looking up the New Zealand boys, particularly the boys from here. He saw Messrs.. Hal and _Jack Loughnan. who are. now in good health, but Jack Loughnan is still very lame. His son. Alex Strapg, is also in good health, but may_ have to undergo another operation to his wounded hand. He also saw Colonel "Jackie" Hughes, in hospital. He is in a very low state of health, though unwounded. Mr. Strang also visited a social club, and saw Warren and Williams (son of Bishop Williams), wiho evidently look after the club. asked him to thank the Palmerston ladies for their gift of flannel shirts. Mr. {Strang said the weather was very bad —hail - , rain, and snow. * » ■» "There are not many men who : are still in harness when they turn their 82nd furrow. Mr. E. J. Armstrong, who has for long years been associated with nublie affairs of Palmerston North and the district, where he acted as engineer 'and secretary to several Drainage Boards, and also had a seat on the Borough Council, is well into his 82nd year, and he has just retired from- the active existence he has lead up to the present. On Thursday last, accompanied by his daughter. Miss- Minnie Armstrong, _he left for Gishorne on a ©prolonged visit to his son. Mr. Edward Armstrong, having "handed over the v«ins to a younger generation. Mr Armstrong was a fine old man. and we hope he has manv years ahead in which to enjoy his leisure. Your friend. Awapttni.