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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16243, 28 November 1914, Page 6

In time of war a nation has need of all its stoicism. Those -whose temperament is such that the war news lifts thera on the wings of elation one day and plunges them into some cavern of despondency the next are not to be envied. They are doomed to be perpetually on the rack in these days of the Empire's trial, as the tide of conflict ebbs and flows. Such is not, however, the real British temperament. The news of the fate which has befallen H.M.S. Bulwark of! Sheerness is of the kind that testE—not too severely— the mettle of our national character. The event is deplorable in the sad loss of life involved, but as a blow to the sea-power of Great Britain it is not significant. It represents another of those losses for which we must be prepared in these stirring days,—yet it may not be a loss that is directly associated with the war. The cause of the explosion which sent the battleship and over seven hundred British seamen to the bottom in a shorter time almost than that necessary to grasp the reality of such an occurrence is more or less a mystery. The explanation offered by the First Lord of the Admiralty, that an explosion of one of the magazines occurred, seems to be borne out by details of the circumstances that surrounded the catastrophe. Explosions on battleships due to what, as distinct from belligerent, might be described as natural causes, are not by any means unheard of. There is no evidence that the loss of H.M.S. Bulwark was due to any German engine of destruction. Speculation as to the origin of the terrible explosion which took place on board the vessel can hardly, however, ignore the possibility that there may have been lurking treachery at work. Surmise can lead to no definite or satisfactory conclusion. Since the war began both the British and the German navies have suffered sufficiently serious losses, although the great fleets have met in no decisive action. When that deadly clash comes— as probably it will—happenings may be expected that will far eclipse in tragic sensation the preliminaries. Unless they make much better progress than they have done in nearly four months of war the present German naval tactics will never succeed in materially wearing down the strength of the British fleet, to say nothing of the fleets of Great Britain's Allies. More German than British vessels have been destroyed, and though the loss of British seamen has been heavy it represents a very small percentage of the total strength of" the British naval force. The fate of the Bulwark illustrates once again the suddenness with which the modern battleship, with all its strength and armour, may succumb to the very forces for the utilisation of which it is itself an instrument. But at any moment the mind may be drawn away from the consideration of a loss such as this to the contemplation of some newer, fresher tragedy of war. A brief hour only is allowed the nation for mourning the brave that are no more—"all sunk beneath the wave, fast bv their native shore."

Tiik Lyttelton Times has discovered on page 334 of tho latest Year Book a table " from which it appears that taxation has been increased by 6s 2d per head of the population since the Reformers got into power." The usual reflection follows on political parties "that promise to reduce taxation and then increase it." It is a pity that our contemporary did not investigate the figures a little more closely even at the sacrifice of an argument. The table does show that in the two years up to March 31st last, during the greater

part of which the Reform Government was in office, the revenue from taxation per head of moan population increased bj 6s 2d. But the Lvttelton Times did not deem it worth while mentioning that for the corresponding previous period during •which the party that is now in opposition ■was in office the increase of revenue from taxation per head of population was no less than IBs 4d. Thus if the comparison is worth making the Massey Government comes out of it very well indeed. Moreover, if a glance be given to an immediately preceding' table, which shows the percentage of revenue from taxation that is derived from various sources, some further instructive information may be gleaned. There has, of ccmrse, during the Reform Government's term of office been no increase in indirect taxation such as falls on the -whole community. There has been a decrease in the percentage of revenue derived from Customs and excise duties which the mass of the population pays, and there have been increases, for which the Reform Government will cheerfully accept responsibility, in respect to the proportion of revenue derived from the land tax and the income tax. But what is most significant is that the principal increase in the receipts from taxation during the administration of the Reform Government, an increase amounting to nearly per cent, of the total, has been derived from death duties. And, since the latest scale of death duties producing this result is that imposed by the Ward Government, it follows that the main responsibility for the increase of revenue from taxation during the regime of the Reform Administration to which the Lyttelton Times directs solemn attention rests .with Sir Joseph Ward and his party. This is very much like a " reductio a<l absurdum," and only illustrates ,the folly of offering, as the Opposition organ in Christchurch has done, loose deductions based on statistical tables ■which are only to bo approached with caution.

While the "very laudatory references ■which were made at the official opening of the Municipal Swimming Baths in this city as to their super-excellence in comparison with, other institutions of the kind in the dominion must have struck a good many observers at the time as rather farfetched, the discussion on the subject at the last meeting of the City Council* provided reading that was more illuminating than satisfactory. Anybody can judge that the baths structure is not an architectural triumph. That might not matter much if the cost of over £12,000 were represented by a building which in finish, internal arrangement, and equipment, was all that it should be. Now, however, complaints are being made in the Council which imply that these requirements have not been satisfled. If the complaints mean that there is to be a continual call for additional expenditure to remedy this and that defect as it is discovered a very unsatisfactory state of affairs "will have been revealed. Hardly were the baths fairly in use before the omission to provide necessary arrangements for filtering the water was pointedly and painfully brought under public notice. The Turkish Baths have been a most expensive item, and if what is stated be correct the final cost in their connection is by no means yet in sight. It is exceedingly unfortunate that the Council has not succeeded in carrying out undertakings of this kind in such a "way as would prevent criticism. The St. Clair Pavilion is an illustration in point of recent and rather sorrowful memory. Now if the criticisms respecting the municipal baths can be justified, the ratepayers, when they bear the expenditure in mind, have distinct cause for being exasperated. The examples of municipal ineptitude within the past year or two are really not calculated to inspire a feeling of confidence in the capacity of the Council to spend the money of the ratepayers to the best advantage. It is a pity that councillors cannot bring to municipal undertakings as much care and ability as they might he expected to manifest in relation to their own personal business affairs.

The matter of the taking of -vessels with refrigerated space as troopships has provided material for discussion and complaint since the early days of the war. Some endeavour has been made to secure political capital out of the subject at the expense of the Government. The Opposition candidate for Chalmers has implied that the Government was to blame for acting in this relation detrimentally to the interests of the country. As a matter of fact, the Government lias given every attention to the protest against the utilisation of these frozen-meat ships—a step which was adopted only because of the necessity for the speedy transport of the Expeditionary Force—and has taken measures to secure that the requirements of the producers of the dominion will not be overlooked. The quarrel of the critics is really with the action of the Admiralty. The report that was brought down by a parliamentary committee which -ftas set up to look into the matter stated that the ships available could be made to meet all probable demanda up to the end of January and that the total shipping available, if employed to its full capacity as refrigerated shipping, and that only, should provide a surplus of several vessels which might be retained for the months of February and March, thus materially reducing the risk of a shortage of space in those months. The report went on to show that it might be reasonably expected that by the time the ships so delayed were despatched the "commandeered" vessels would Have returned and be able to take up their ordinary Tunning. The committee did not, it will be seen, find the situation such as to convict the Prime Minister of undue optimism in his utterances on the question, and the reply which the Government has received from the High Commissioner, in answer to a cabled communication beaming on the action of the Admiralty in its selection of troopships, seems to afford satisfactory confirmation of Mr Massey's belief that there will be a sufficiency of refrigerated vessels to carry the produce of the dominion. The High Commissioner states that the Admiralty fully recognises the importance of the frozen-meat trade, that it is not now requisitioning vessels fitted with refrigerated space, and that those at present being employed by it will be released as goon as practicable. The information is conveyed that thirty-five vessels now carrying troops from Australasia will be released in 'January and February. This appears to offer quite a good prospect that any fears that facilities will not be available for the shipment Home ,of tho produce of the dominion will prove groundless. It is just as important to the Mother Country as it is to the producers of the dominion that the transport of these food supplies should not be interfered with.

The Railway Department advises that a train advertised to -leave Dunedin for Christchurch at 9 o'clock to-night will run as advertised. ,

Amongst thoso who will assist with tlie Hospital Saturday collcction to-dav will bo Miss Carrie Moore, the well-known actress, who is favourably known for her good ■work in assisting worthv objects. She will bo on a lorry, on which will be a piano. This lady has been presented with a fine littlo French poodle dog, which she intends to sell on behalf of tho funds. In addition a rather interesting sect'on of her activities in tho city this morning will be a sale of " kisses," a delicacy for which she -will charge a fee of one guinea. Recently in Auckland. Miss Moore's kisses •were in such keen demand that she raised the sum of £92.

His Honor Mr Justice Sim will leave on Monday for Invercargill to hold a sitting of the Supreme Court. Tt is prcfeafeEa the business will occucy man than a week.

A puncture in one of the connections of the Westinghouse brake between two of tho carriages of the slow train from Palmers ton, arriving in Dunedin hort.ly after 8 o'clock last night, resulted,, in a stoppage in the tunnel on the Dunedin side of Sawyers' Bay. The train pulled out, howovor, arid stopped again clear of tho tunnel. A sparo connection was put in, enabling tho train to proceed.

Working in co-operation with the Hospital Saturday Association, tho ladies of tho Overseas Club collected £26 at the Tahuna. Park Show Grounds on Thursday afternoon. Their efforts would have been still more successful but for the rain. With the amount they collected on the first day of tho A. and P. Show, tho total is £40 7s. The ladies, dressed in Belgian costumes, will havo charge of to-day's Hospital Saturday stand at the Grand Hotel corner.

At tho meeting of tho \Vaikouaiti County Council yesterday it was resolved that the council considered that if the train now timed to Icavo Palmerston at 6.30 a.m. instead of 7 o'clock, as previously, be continued through the winter months at that hour a great deal of inconvenicnce would be caused to tho ratepayers in the northern end of tho county. It was also resolved that a copy of the resolution be sent to tho traffic manager.

Though the weather was boisterous yesterday afternoon, there was a good attendance at Mrs Don's prohibition lecture at Anderson Bay. Mrs Don, in her characteristically earnest and forceful way, made her points clear and convincing. To emphasise her points, tho lecturer made use of a diagram showing, by comparison, the enormous amount spent in intoxicants compared with tho amounts spent in many of the necessaries of life. Tho collection taken up at the conclusion of the lecture was a very gratifying one.

A few days ago, while fishing in the Rangitata. (telegraphs cur Christchurch correspondent), Mr Harold Curtis, of Ashburton, caught two trout—one weighing llld and one 161b The 111b fish had a disc attached to it with the number 951 on it, showing that the fish had been captured in the Sehvyn five months ago and released, and since that time it had increased 21b in weight and had travelled from the Sehvyn to the Rangitata.

In a recent issue we stated that wo wore informed thnt a man who fell off tho Port train last Saturday night, and who was fortunately uninjured, was the same man who fell into the dock recently. Wo find that our informant was mistaken. The latter has/ it appears, been confined to his house since tho accident.

The following telegram has been forwarded by tho Otago Harbour Board to tho Hon. J. A. Millar: —"On the eve of your retirement from politics, on behalf of the Otago Harbour Board, I desire to express our very sincero regret that the city and the Otago Harbour Board are to lose tho benefit of your exceptional ability and unstinted energy and resourcefulness. Your practical application to the interests of my board have laid us under a special debt of gratitude to yourself. We trust that your retirement into private life will onable you to enjoy a well-earned rest, though, to be quito candid, "we hope the dominion will soon have tho benefit of your matured experience in tho Legislative Council. Heartily and specially wishing you good health and happiness in tho future." The telegram is signed by Mr Moller, chairman.

Tho junior department of the Young Men's Christian Association has communicated with 17 of tho primary schools in and around Dunedin to ascertain the number of boys who will be leaving school at the end of the year. The head masters Jiavo co-operated with the association, witli the result that it has been discovered that over 200 boys will be seeking a livelihood within tho next month or two. The association is at present in correspondence with nearly 120 firms with the object of finding out tho number of positions which will bo available for boys. Efforts will be made to secure for them positions in businesses for which they have a natural aptitude or liking. The scheme is securing cordial support from a considerable number of business firms.

At the monthly meeting of the Moray PJace School Committee Mr Andrew M'Gill occupied the chair and all the members were present. A number of accounts were passed for payment, and a quantity of correspondence was dealt with. It was decided to distribute the usual number of prizes at the break up this year. Mr A. M'Cleary was appointed a member of the committee to fill a vacancy caused by a member removing from the district. The Head Master reported that there were now 348 pupils on the roll, and that the attendance wus keeping up very well. Through the assistance of a number of kind citizens the band boys have got into uniform, and are making good progress under Bandmaster Lake. The Visiting Committee reported having visited the school and found the work going on satisfactorily. Mr Swann and Mr Gregg were appointed a Visiting Committee for the month. As the school is required for a polling booth on election day it was resolved to give the children a holiday on that date. The Dunedin Atheneeum Committee wrote offering a prize of a member's ticket for general knowledge in history and literature.

Shearing is now becoming general in the Cromwell district, and already (says our correspondent) several consignments of wool have gone forward, growers evidently being anxious to catch the opening sale.

"We have a school but no children," said a member of a deputation from the residents of the Shannon district, which waited on the Taieri County Council yesterday. The speaker had been drawing a picture of tho parlous plight of many of tho residents who were cut off from any swift communication with the outside world, so that, upon a member of the council suggesting that, of course, there would bo no such luxury as a school in tho district, some surprise was caused by the announcement of the Shannon resident, who explained that the school had been closed through lack of pupils.

A memorial service to the late Surgeonlieutenant Ernest Webb will be held in St. Andrew's Church on Sunday, at 6.30 p.m. Tho executive of the Otago University Students' Association would liko as many students as possible to attend this service to honour the memory of their late comrade. Seats will be reserved for students.

A special meeting of the Otago Land Board was held yesterday forenoon at the request of the members in order that the Omarania Run question might be considered. The proceedings were conducted in committee, the present position of the Omarama Run being discussed. It was eventually decided that further consideration of the matter be held over until December 16.

A war intercession service is announced bv the Council of Churches for next Friday evening in the Moray Place Congregational Church. The one word that continues to reach us from the Homeland is that a new note of seriousness marks the people. Deplorable as the war undoubtedly is, it is giving the churches a magnificent opportunity to rcsuond to the claim which the masses are making upon it for direc-t-ion. Never were the churches so full. The intercession services already held at St. Paul s ami Wcstir.msfor Abbey have been thronged by all sorts and conditions of men, who feel that It is a critical hour in our national life. The Free Church Council gatherings have been marked by a like earnestness, and great crowds have joined in seeking the face of God, Here it is expected that a full church will -wish to remember our bravo men in tho field and in the fleet, and to implore on their behalf protection and victory.

At the A. and P. Society's Show 24 entries were received for the wool classing competition, which was open to members of classes in the education districts of Otago and Southland, ami entries were received from Oumaru to Winton and lnvereargill. Mr J. M'Cregor. in making the awards, stated that the work done was easily tho best of any competition he had yet conducted. The success of the city man showed tlmt the classing of wool, when taught under a definite system, could be acquired at least, sufficiently to enable one to class and prepare one's own clip for market to the best advantage. Jhe following are the results George Smart (Dunedin), 1; R. H. Stokes (Dunedin), 2; !•". Wagner (Clinton), 3.

Tho Dunedin branch of the Social Democratic Party, in dealing with an application from George S. Thomson for membership of the party, decided to accept him as a member on condition that he placed his candidature for the Chalmers electorate in the hands of tho branch.

Mr A. Kaye. a well-known Christchurch business man, returned on Tuesday from a visit to New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. In the course of a brief conversation with a Dominion reporter, Mr Kaye stated that the drought was being rather severely felt in certain parts of the country, and there would be a big shortage in the grain crops. Whilst the western districts had suffered severely there were extensive belts of country which had experienced good rains, and tho result was there was an abundance of feed. This was the ease round Young, Moss "V ale, and Junee, where it was said that one could not seo tho oattlo when they laid down owing to tho length of the grasp. This, of course, was generally beneficial, as stock from tho dry districts could be entrained to those districts that were rich in feed. Very dry weather had been experienced in Victoria and Tasmania, and a poor season generally must bo registered in those States.

At the Invercargill Police Court on Wednesday, before Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., Ernest Olaf Williams was charged with obtaining by means of a valueless cheque for £5 tho sum of £4 5s from G. W. Woods and Co., and with obtaining from Victor Coleman by means of valueless cheques for £2 each tho sums of £1 7s and £1 10s. Accused pleaded guilty. The evidence for the prosecution (says the Southland News) was that accused arrived on the 17th inst,., and had stayed at tho Club Hotel. 110 had gone to Mr Coleman on two occasions and paid him with valueless cheques on the bank at Timaru, receiving change each time. Accused had attempted to puss oft another cheque on tho manager for G. W. Woods and Co., and this had been refused. Inspector Norwood said that accused had not been before the court previously. His Worship: "But he seems to have gone about things very systematically when ho did start." Mr 11. M. Macdonald, for the defence, stated that accused had been in Dunedin Hospital for 16 weeks some time ago, suffering from neuritis. On coming to Jimrcargill he had indulged rather freely in drink, to which his lapse was attributed. It was urged that as accused had never previously committed a criminal offence, he should be dealt with as leniently as possible. Accused was remanded till the following day, when he was admitted to probation for six months and ordered to pay the amounts of £4- and 15s of which he had defrauded Victor Coleman and G. W. Woods and Co. Ho was also prohibited from liquor for 12 months.

Mr A. Glover, Opposition candidate for tho Auckland Central seat, at his meeting criticising all and sundry of the works of tho Massey Government, was remarkably frank concerning his reason for being opposed to the Public Service Bill. In his opinion, he said, every public servant should havo tho right to approach the member for his electorate if he had a legitimate grievance. He understood that any member of Parliament who tried to help a civil servant was liable to a fine of £50 or to imprisonment. "I believe I owe the country about £1300 already,' added Mr Glover. It has been reported to tho Health Department (says the Auckland Herald) that a complaint, the name of which has not so far been ascertained, has broken out in Onehunga, and a few cases have been heard of from different suburbs. Tho Department is at present conducting an inquiry into the facts. * One suggestion is that the complaint is English cholera, but the authorities declare that it is not like what is called cholera in England. Nothing of any seriousness is anticipated.

It has been decided to hold a public meeting ui the Garrison Hall on iuesday to give parliamentary candidates for the city electorates an opportunity ot stating the.r position in regard to no-hcenso and national prohibition.

At the Y'.M.C.A. rooms to-night the Mission Study ijircio will continue its study in the text book Hie Evangelisation ol tne Yyorld.'' To-morrow the general secretary s Bible class audi strangers' social tea will be held.

'ihe .Rev. J 1,. Robinson, c f First Church, will speak, at the after-church rally in tile 'lown Hall, North-Last Valley, 011 Sunday. The Railway Department advises that, on arid after December 1, tho train leaving Dunedin for Oamaru at 3.13 p.m. will stop at Fort Chalmers Upper to pick up or set down passengers.

The Women's Christian Temperance Union will hold a .Sunday afternoon demonstration in connection -,vith the nolicense campaign in the Octagon Hall tomorrow. 'illroe presidents will take partMrs Gilberta Klliut, for North-East Valley; Mrs R. H. Driver, lor Dunedin; and Mrs W. It. Don, for the dominion.

In the local centre examinations held at St. Dominic's Priory by the Koyal Academy of Music Mavis Sandys secured 123 marks in the higher division (piano). To-morrow and after the services of St. Paul's Cathedral will be held in St. Paul's Schoolroom. The church hitherto in use is about to be taken down to make way for the new Cathedral.

In connrction with tho Christchureh Domain kmc carnival, to bo held 011 Saturday, December 12, permission to conduct an art union has been granted. Those who desire to participate in tho drawing on December 31 should forward Is in stamps to tho secretary.

Tho Secretary of the Monov Club reports that applications lor loans to the amount of £600 were received at this 'week's meeting of trusters.

At the meeting of the South Island Poultry Association 011 Wednesday the following championships were allotted: — 'lapanui, whito Wyandott.es and working homers; Kaitangata, white Ijfghorns and game.

Notices for the following Sunday scrviccs will bo found in our advertising columns: — Anglican—St. Paul's, All Saints', St. Matthew's. Presbyteviun—First. Russell Street, Knox, Stuart Hull, St. Andrew's, Kensington, Roslyn, North-liast Valley, Opoho,. Caversham, South Duntdin. MethodistTrinity, Woodhaugh, Central 'Mission. Oargill Road, Benevolent, Kow, Fairfield, Abbotsford, Dundus Street, North-East Valley, Ruvensbourne. Congregational—Moray Place, St. Clair Baptist—Hanover . Street. Church of Christ—'Tabernacle, Roslvn. Salvation Army. Theosophical Society. Unitarian Christian .Science. Spiritual Science—South Duncdin Gospel Hall.

Signal Hill, Saturday. Class 3, M'Dougall (Triumph and side-car) Ist. Novices' event, Strain (Douglas) Ist. Class 1 (Douglases), 2nd, 3rd, 4th. —Wilson, Dunedin. —Advt.

You buy wisely when von buy from Williamson's, t.lio quality jewellers, Princcs st. Their Weldcn lever watch is 20e.—Advt.

Mollisons are offering this week 600 ladies' and giris' holiday and seaside hats at one shilling—worth 3s 6d. —Advt.

Mr Ernest Boot, surgeon and mechanical dentist, 63 Princes street, Duncdin.—Advt.

A. E. J. Blakelcy, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Kattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telcphono 1559.— Advt.

Off colour? Take a nip of Watson's No. 10. It is a 6plendid pick-me-up.—Advt.

Who is Peter Dick?—Tho most reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Consulting Optician, 490 Moray place (off Princea street), Duncdin. Charges moderate.—Advt.

Watson's No 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— Advt