THE WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16302, 8 February 1915, Page 3

THE WAR

THE OTAGO PATRIOTIC FUND,

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged ... £20,282 11 8 Employees British Bye-Pro-ducts Co. (twelfth contribution) a 0 10 0 Total £20.233 1 8 a. To bo applied to tlie relief of local distress. THE GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged £896 13 3 BELGIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged £7114 2 8 "Anglo-Israelite" 0 5 0 R. S. Miller, Otanomomo (prizo money) 0 4 0 Total £7114 11 8 THE OTAGO MOTOR AMBULANCE FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged £1886 17 9 "Prize-money" 3 0 0 "P. A." (per "H. N. A.") ... 010 0 "K. ML" 0 5 0 "Anglo-Israelite" 0 5 0 Total £1890 17 9 THE Y.M.C.A, CAMP DEPOT FUND.

Wβ have received 10s from T. Beattio (Ngapuna) and 5s from " Anglo-Israelite" in aid of the above fund.

OTAGO AND RECRUITING

Dissatisfaction continues to bo felt at the slackness of the young men of Otago in offering themselves for" the reinforcements. Applications at tho present time- arc not coming in freely, and the only unit that is no.ar the full complement is the mounted rifles. - Less than half the number of info ntry required in Trentham by the 15th lias offered, and a good portion of tho field artillery, field engineers, and Army Service Corps is still wanted. In the face of the number of young men -who are to be seen about it is felt that the position of Otago is not a creditable one, more particularly as so much has been done to educate the public mind as to the urgency of tho case. Tlie matter is to be considered by the Recruiting Committee this afternoon, when, among other matters considered, will be the holding of a big open-air demonstration during tho week. It ie felt that there is no time to lose, and the moral force of every Tnan and woman is required to urge those who are eligible to go.

SOLDIER SERIOUSLY INJURED. (Peb United Pbess Association.)

WELLINGTON, February 6. Harry Dorge, of the Fifth Wellington Regiment, while on duty at Fort Kaiwarra, met with a serious accident at an early hour to-day. He was assisting to beat out a fire on the hillside near the powder magizine, when some stones crashed down the incline. One fractured his skull. His condition is somewhat serious.

VISITS TO RELATIVES. RAILWAY CONCESSIONS GRANTED. (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. The Prime Minister informed a Post reporter to-day that it had been decided by the Government that when soldiejs obtain leave from their officers to visift relatives prior to their departure from New Zealand, they shall be granted return tickets at single fares. GOING TO THE FRONT. Mornington cricketers assembled in force on Saturday night to say good-bye to Mr V. Holderness, who for several years has been prominent in junior cricket circles. In handing Mr Holdernoss a case of pipee on behalf of the hill cricketers, the chairman (Mr P. Shaw) referred to his long and brilliant service to Mornington cricket, and the high esteem in which he was held by his club mates. All joined in wishing him God-speed and a safe return. After Mr Holderness had suitably responded, a pleasant social hour was spent. Mr Ilolderness will leave for Trentham on Tuesday. 1 In the Town Hall at Port Chalmers this evening a send-off will be tendered to a further detachment of local lads who are to leave shortly for the front. The Mayor (Mr T. Scollay) will preside, and an attractive programme of songs, dances, and brief farewell speeches has been prepared. The men who are going include a number of territorials who have been on duty at tho batteries, and it is understood that since the recent recruiting rally held at Port Chalmers some 20 men have passed through the doctor's hands. Functions like that set down for this evening serve an extremely useful purpose, and are very valuable as recruiting agenoies.

eapper Maurice Heslip, of the No. 2 Company,.. Dunedin Fieid Engineers, who is leaving to join the reinforcements, was presented on Saturday by a few lady admirers with a parcel of knitted comforts. Mr C. L. Johnston, of the local branch of Huddart, Parker (Ltd.), who has obtained leave of absence to join tho reinforcements at Trentham, was made the recipient of a presentation on Saturday by the office staff. He was presentixl with a pair of field glasses, suitably inscribrd, accompanied by the good wishes of the donors. Mr Johnson, who joins the axtiller3' section, is a highlyqualified artilleryman, and was for some years a member of the Hobart Battery, one of the crack garrisons of the commonwealth. GOODS IN INTERNED VESSELS. In connection with goods in German vessels interned in Java tbe secretary of tho Chamber of Commerce (Mr P. Barr) has received the following letter from Wellington: — "Dear Sir, —I have delayed replying to yonr letters of the 27th and 28th ult. until receipt of the Sydney mail to-day. " What is proposed to be done here is to give authority to the Rotterdam Trading Company, of Soerabaya. to act for consignees in the Wismar only. Thia is in terms of Mr Martin's recommendation. A joint power or powers of attorney will apparently require to be executed in favour of thie company, and I think it is certain that a percentage of tie value of the cargo will require to be remitted to pay the preliminary expenses. "In tho case of the other steamers it is proposed to fall in wifcfi the course being adopted by the conference of consignees held in Sydney—namely, to send Mr J. M. Paxton, of Sydney, to Java, armed with the necessary authorities, to endeavour to get delivery of cargoes on behalf of Australian and New Zealand consignees. In this case a deposit of 5 per cent, of tho value of tho oargo will have to be mado to coyer Mr Paxton's expenses. In both cases it may be necessary to take action in tho Dutch courts to compel deliveries of cargoes. The present intention is that tho Rotterdam Trading Company shall act for the Wismar consignees only, and Mr Paxton for all other steamers in Java.

"I had expected by this Sydney mail to receive copies of the various documents required to be signed by consignees. Messrs Gollin and Co., of Sydney, who represented us at the conference, write me that the Sydney Chamber of Commerce was sending these by this mail, but they have not come to hand. I am hoping that they will be here certain next week. The committee of consignees here proposes to give the same authorities to the Rotterdam Trading Company as Mr Paxton is taking with him. We are, therefore, not having ;in v power of attorney drafted until we receive copies of the documents from Sydney. "So soon as I get further information I will send it on to vou.---Yours faithfully, "11. D. VICKERT, Secretary."

Dr Ivan' Wilson, formerly superintendent at the Napier Hospital, lnsfs been sinceAugust 10 in the No. 2 Central Hospital stationed at. Havre. H<\ is now on active service with the 3rd Division of Field Ambulance. Writing to a friend in Napier (says the Telegraph). Dr Wilson lays stress on the arduous times they arc going through, and .gives an instance whore he got only three hours' sleep in three days.