LOCAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15948, 19 June 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP.

Et MERCUTIO. arts of real self-sacrifice have bceri b raight to light in connection with the Healu Hospital Ship Fund. Altogether abnit 1820 contributions have been receded to date, representing 6omo 300 C pffsons. The poor of Auckland have been aa eager as the rich to help their wounded beys at the front, many coming forward and willingly giving all they possess. One rir}" this week a woman brought half-a-crown to the Herald Office. "I am only a poor working woman,'' she said. " I b»ve managed to save threepence a week for ten necks and have brought my conbillion." No donation could have been np;e welcome than this one, and none, however large, will he more highly appreciate! by Now Zealand's wounded soldiers.

The children of Auckland have also jisen to the occasion and helped in a subitantial wav towards the success which the Hospital Ship campaign has achieved. By ciretully saving a portion of his pocket money for two years one small boy had amassed the sum of 18s IOJd. He had doubtless often planned how he would spend his "fortune," but thp appeal for the wounded came: He was proud to be able to help and brought the whole of his savings to tho Herald Office. A little girl brought her money box which, when opened, was found to contain T44 halfpennies. Another girl sent a guinea which was subscribed by her friends for the purchase of presents on her birthday. A third sent money which her parents would have spent on her birthday party. Many other instances of a similar nature could be quoted, all showing self-sacrifice on the part oi tho children of the province. \

New? from home is eagerly awaited by the Dominion's .'soldiers who have left these shore;, to fight the Empire's battles. A letter has just come to "hand from a member of the Expeditionary Force, who wrote from Egypt just prior to his departure for the Dardanelles. He says : *' Greetings from Egypt. I hope that whatever we lose we can still get our ArcKLAND Weekly News. Somehow our friends in New Zealand do not realise bow much we appreciate their letters. If von who can spare the time would Cll lv write a few cheery linos we would welcome their letters. I will answer a letter from any schoolboy who will write to me, and I know that a boy's letter will be realli a cenuine one. We want something New "Zealand. Never mmd the comforts. give us a cheery word or two. We are well, and what is better, we are keen."

Now that the election is over, where are we? Just where wo were when all the December pollings had been counted and checked. The talk, the wrangling, and the bitterness of the past five months have led to nothing. There was supposed to be a technical defect in Mr. Statham 8 election for Dunedin Central. He resigned and was elected again. Bay of Islands refused to change its verdict, and Taumarunui would not budge. About a hundred laggards were pulled to the poll in the latter constituency, but the gains were about equal and the result not distinguishable from the last. One could imagine having it all over again, from the North Cape to the Bluff, and being still "as you were" It would be veryinteresting ' and exciting were there not more engrossing happenings to absorb our attention. When the war is over the oountrv will be thankful- for a little excitement. It will then be the turn of the politician. Till that time arrives we should have unbroken political peace, for to-day is the day of the soldier, and pollticians must be satisfied with' the crumbs of' attention that Jail from the tables of the' great. Their only alternative is to get into khaki. .f'J

Already two of our legislators have de- . cided to leave talking to the baldheads and to go where things are being don*. ; Mr. " Tom ; Seddon, '. M.P. for "Westland, i and Mr. Downie Stewart, M.P. for Dunedin West,', are gettinginto khaki. Both had distinguished and' patriotic • fathers. ' Every New Zealander will be - glad to hear of a Seddon with the New Zealand.force; Otagans everywhere will be proud that a Downie Stewart is marching to the front. The two legislatorsoldisrs are opponents in ; . politics, but comrades in arms. It : is. the ' happiest "pair" ever arranged in the New Zealand Parliament. f ~,' • ' ' 1 '

One of the- hardest trials borne by New Zealanders during the last month has been the suspense regarding the casualties sustained bv the Expeditionary Force in the first landing at the : Dardanelles. Without doubt there are many contributing factors to the delay and difficulties which have bean experienced in the transmission Of /these lists, but the fact that the worst sufferers, the New Zealand Infantry Brigade, lost their staff-captain, .Captain A. B. Morton,' at. >an early stage, is undoubtedly responsible in somq measure fir-' the confusion and delay. ' Captain Morton was reported, missing early in. May. The position of staff-captain to the Infantry Brigade, consisting of the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago Battalions, carried with it many and, varied duties, for which experience and special training were essential. Chief among these duties, at the time of the Dardanelles landing, would be the direction of matters concerning casualties and invaliding, burying of the dead, postal service, transport and supplies. The duties of staff ; captain to the Infantry Brigade are as follows '.—Questions relating to supply of military personnel, casualties and invaliding, medical service in regard to sanitation, burying parties and places, discipline, disposal of prisoners of war, police measures, personal services, pav, promotions and appointments, honours and rewards, routine duties, spiritual welfare, postal services, distribution of quarters in detail, transport, supplies, ammunition, equipment, clothing and stores of all kinds, remounts, veterinary services, and registry.

Mr. C. C. Allen sends the following extracts from offers he lias received of assistance in munition-making. Apart from tho munitions question, they are interesting as an indication of the reserve service available for organisation into any patriotic channel: —C.N.T. : " Having had nearly 20 years' practical experience in the steel business and shell-making. I have been trying to get shell-making started here; have the working drawings of shell-making plant. I shall be glad to help in the production of shells." E.M. : "I would be willing to place tho whole of my time at your disposal in any capacity whatever." (.Miss) HHP. : "1 am writing to offer mv services in the making of munitions. I am ready to go anywhere in New Zealand to help." J.W.: " I wish to offer my services as a practical sheet-metal and brass, copperworker, etc. I can spare, say. four hours per day: free of any payment.'' J.T. : "An live part in this campaign is denied me owing to an infirmity that was the cause of my resigning from Royal •Artilh-rv a few years ago. Having spent somo tune at Ordnance College, Woolwich. besides serving with howitzer battery during my service, it is possible that I mav he of use in many ways. My time is my own ; I am at your command." W.S. : " I am willing to go anywhere I would be required."

A correspondent protests against the ''cheap patriotism"' of the people who •were ready to buy German goods before the war and now up in arms against the firms who have stocks of such goods. It is true that there is a great deal too much of this. People should remember that NewZealand firms could not now buy German goods if thev would. What we should demand oi them ji that tjiey .won't when $ey can.