THE WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16594, 18 January 1916, Page 8

THE WAR

BELGIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DATET TIMES LIST. Aeriovs&y acknowledged ... £24,693 4 2 Merton Sabbath School 0 10 0 Total >„ ... - - -£24,69314 2 SERBIAN RELIEF FUNU THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged £957 IS 0 Subscribed at Temuka (per Mr D. B. Mutr) ... .- : 23 5 3 South Dunedm ... 010 0 Total £98110 3 The fallowing are -the individual contributions to a total of £23 5s 3d which has been want to us from Temuka, the roconpt of which is acknowledged above:—A. C. Watson, 10s; R. S. Muir, 10s; D. B. Muir £2; T. Gunnian, ss: "J. F. C.," 2a 6d; — Is; Sim Connolly, ss;. 7s 6d; A. Roberts, ss; "A Friend^., 10s; R. Murray, 2s 6d; Mrs Rooke, £2; Miss Rooke, 10s; Miss I. Rooke, 2s 6d; A. E. Prosser, 10s; Mra E. Kennedy, fe od.-Jonn Cooper, ss; J. G. Evans, 2s 6d; Mrs Whitehead, Is; E. South, Is; E. Walker, Is; E. Alexandria, Is; G. South, Is; W. Brown, Is; C. Fisher, 2s; Rev. C. MDonald, £1; T. Tilbrook, ss; Mrs M. Colwill, £1; J. Love, 2s 6d; P. Macauley, £1; G. Hancox, sa; C. H. Street, 10s 6d; D. M'OaJlum, 3d; Robt. Dash (Timaru), Is; Mrs R. Dash (Timaru), Is; J. Wade, jun., 4s; Mr and Mrs T. Thompson (Timaru), £1 ss; John Davey, £1; C. H. Hornbrook, 3s; '.J. 8., 2s 6d; Mrs A. Rainey, 2s 6d; — Douglas, 2a 6d; —Butler, 2s; Mrs Roache, ss; C. G. H.," Is; Gilbert Bryan, is; "Stranger, 2s 6d; "W. 8.," Is; H. Shepherd, 2s 6d; Mrs Armit, sen., 4s; J. G. Leckie, 2s_6d; Gwsn Taylor, ls>; Miss Graham, £1; Sympathiser," 2s 6d; — Epworth, 10s; J. Shernft\ss; J. T. Smart, ss; " D J. P., Ik? "H. N. G.," 2s 6d; "J. G.," Is; "A. C. 8.," s&\ Edmund James, £1; "A Particular JFnend," £2. ) PASSED AS FIT. The following men have been passed as fit' for active service:— John Charles Wilson, traveller, NorthBast Valley. John James Stevenson Miller, engineer, Port Chalmers. . . Harold Leslie Campbell, electrician, Port Chalmers. , , William John MTBae, cheese factory hand, Dunedin. Daniel Joseph M'Donnell, labourer, Duniediu. !' OFF TO TEENTHAM. The following men went forward to Trenthsm yesterday morning:— Walter Clark, Charles Hume, Benjamin Waby, William John Mlfcae, Albert Trethaway. Four additional volunteers from Group XVI (South Otago) left Milton yesterday, en route for Trentham, to make up deficiencies in Otagc-'s quote for the Eleventh Reinforcements. Their names were:— Norman A.' Jands (Menzie's Ferry). Percy D. Ryan (Waitahuna). Arthur Skeath (Gore). James A. Wilson (Mataura). At a meeting of the Waitahuna Patriotic Committee on Wednesday evening three more recruits were bidden farewell, and presented with a revolver each. The names of the men were A. J. Sutherland (sergeant), J. M'Oaw, and J. Brpderiek. Mr Whelan, the chairman, in making the presentations, laid special emphasis on the fact that Mr M*Caw was the third, and Mr J. Broderick the second, of their families to offer their services. Such patriotic families deserved every credit, and their parents had every reason to be proud of their boys. The speakers wished the men a most successful campaign and a safe return. It was decided at the meeting to continue the monthly collection' toward the Patriotic Fund, which the committee wishes to make as strong as possible, so that practical assistance may be rendered to any of the local men when they return.

HOSPITAL SHIP MAHENO. HER RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND. • STATEMENT BY MR ALLEN. CPU* D»ITEB PBBBB ABSOCIATIOK.) r WELLINGTON, January 17. "The New Zealand Government did not bring back the hospital ship Maheno to New Zealand," said the Minister of Defence to-day. "We handed the vessel over unreservedly to the Army Council to be i utilised in the best interests of sick and /•wounded soldiers. The military authorities on:the spot knew what service was required and where the ship should be. We did not control the movements of the Maheno while she was in the Mediterranean. We were informed from London that the ship was coming back to New Zealand with invalided men, but the Defence Department was not responsible for bringing her back," The Minister added that the original intention of the army authorities had been to send the Maheno to New Zealand with cot cases. Finally, it had been decided • to'i;send back enteric cases, which were the cause of the embarrassment on the hospitals owing to the presence of " carriers " among them. The New Zealand Defence Department had not exercised authority at all in the matter. ■'"NEW ZEALANDERS AND COMMISSIONS. ANSWER TO A COMPLAINT. THE IMPERIAL FORCES. - (Pj» DurraD Puss Abbociatioij.) WELLINGTON, January 17. -Members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces have complained in letters written from England that they have been refused permission to accept commissions offered them in the Imperial Forces. It appears that the War Office is willing to fmd places in British regiments- for some of the young New Zealanders who were invalided Home from Gallipoli, but thejr cannot leave the New Zealand Forces without ■the consent of the officer commanding. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen), referring to this point, said that ho had been in communication with General Gpdley regarding the transfer of promising young men from the Now Zealand Forces to British regiments. General Godley did not wish to stand in the way of the promotion of men who had distinguished themselves at Gallipoli, but obviously thero were serious difficulties in tho way of allowing the free transfer of non-commissioned officers and privates from the New Zealand units, which had to be maintained at the highest possible point of efficiency. The present arrangement was to allow five or six transfers per month of New Zealanders who could secure commissions in the Imperial Army. The door could not be opened wider just now. Tho Minister mentioned that no definite decision had been reached yet concerning the suggestion that some of tho men invalided to New Zealand should be allowed on rejoining to take commissions in the reinforcements. General Godley had asked that the matter be held oyer until ho had completed tho reorganisation that he had undertaken.

COLONEL HUGHES. Colonel J. G. Hughes, D.5.0., 0.M.G., ■whoso name appeared in the honours list published on Kriday, fa a well-known member of the New Zealand Staff Corps. Ho was appointed l to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force aa assistant military secretary, and at Anzao commanded the Canterbury Infantry Battalion for some time. Ho was later invalided to London, and at latest advices was still in Wandsworth Hospital, though progressing favourably. He is a son-in-law of Mr Robert O'Connor, Wellington. LANCE-CORTL. OEMISTON. Cable advice states that Lance-corporal R. P. Ormiston, who was wounded on Christmas Day, is now convalescent. " FINE " SHOOTING. Writing to a friend in Dunedin, under date September 8, Major N. S. Falla, who has just been awarded the D.5.0., says: — " The battery's work so far has been excellent, and the artillery work was specially mentioned by General Birdwood. The men have been uniformly good, and the shooting excellent. I have had a lot of ' fine' work during tho pane few weeks—shooting lyddite to within about 10 yards of our own trenches one and a-haK miles off. A trying job, aa the least error would easily smash" our own men, but so far havo escaped that calamity. Our own 4.5 howitizors are the only ones of that kind ashore hero, and as they are tho most roliablo modern gun of the type practically oil tho ticklish firing falk on us/'

NURSES FOE SERVICE. A number of the members of the local i ceutro of the. St John Ambulance Association assembled at the railway station yesterday morning to bid forowdi to Nurse Barclay, who for tho last 10 years has been acting district nurse for tho association. Nnraea Arnold, Campbell, Don, and Mercer, who received thoir training at tho Dunedin Hospital, and Nurse Eagle, aleo went north, and Nurse Hamann, matron of tlie Picton Hospital, "who has received •word to join the hospital ship Mahono. SERBIAN RELIEF FUND. The chairman of the Public Appeal Committee of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association informs us that tho effort that was to have been made at tho Dunedin wool sale on Wednesday for the Serbian Relief Fund is now postponed until such time as it is possiblo to resume wool soiling in New Zealand. As soon as tho present difficulty about freight has been overcome, sales will again tako place, Dunedin being the first contro at which thoy will bo held. In connection with tho appeal that has been made to the wool-growers of Otago to assist in raising a few thousand pounds for tho relief of distress in Serbia, wo are pleased to loam that somo sheep farmers who found they would bo unablo to be in Dunedin this week havo sent in their contribution to the fund to the chairman of the Public Appeal Committee. One widow woman up country has set a fine example to the sheep men of Otago. Her wool clip amounts to 14 bales, and out of it she has requested that the proceeds of one bale bo given to the fund. In comparison with the circumstances of this generous woman, it is questionable if there is a finer record in tho dominion of a genuine sense of what is duo by us to those who, like the Belgians, have given their all, even thoir lives, to help to win this great conflict for freedom m which the British Empire and its Allies are now engaged.

LAWEENCE ENLISTMENTS. FOUR SONS OUT OF FIVE. Among tho latest ex-pupils of the Lawrence District High School to answer their country's call are Messrs Albert J. Craig, Hugh Wesley Craig, and Herbert Craig, all sons of Mr R. Craig, who (says tho Tuapeka. Times), up to the introduction of the motor oar service on the Lawrence-Roxburgh road, was one of Craig and Co.'s popular "whips. An elder brother, Frank, went with the Main Body, and shortly after the landing at Anzao was reported missing. Mr Craig s eldest son, Murray, has also mode several attempte to get away, but on each occasion failed to pass the medical test. However, to have four sons out of five doing their "bit" for their King and country is a record of which Mr and Mrs Craig have every reason, to be proud. IN MEMORIAM. As a tribute to tho memory of the late Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, who had for 12 years represented the Crookston Riding, the chair which he usually occupied at the Tuapeka County Council -was draped at Friday's meeting (says the Times). Affixed to the back of the chair was a card showing the Union Jack rod the New Zealand flag, and bearing the following inscription:—" In meinoriam. Lieutenant-colonel George H. Stewart, who died the death of a soldier hero at Mudros, Lemnos Island, on November 20, 1915. 'Greater love hath no man than this, that he layeth down his life -for his friends.' ' Life every man holds dear, but the brave man holds honour far more preoious—dearer thin life.' " Before taking up the business of the council, the chairman said he had a very sorrowful duty to perform—viz., to refer to the death of Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, who, for the past 12 years, had represented Crookston Riding in the council. He moved: " That the council tender its heartfelt sympathy and condolence to the wife and relatives of the late Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, and deeply deplores the sad and irreparable loss of so brave and gallant a soldier and worthy citizen. He gave his life for the noble cause of Empire and suffering humanity, while his patriotio action as a soldier -will help to keep the old flag flying until final victory is achieved. Truly may it be said: 'He has gone, but will never be forgotten.' " The motion was carried by the members standing in silence for a few moments. The chairman, Cra Cotton, Simpson, M*Lennan, M'lnerney, Rose, M'Donald, and Sim, and Messrs Bdie (engineer) and Woods (clerk), spoke in eulogistic terms of the many admirable qualities of the deceased as a councillor, as a citizen, and as a soldier. A motion of sympathy was also passed to Mr and Mrs Sharpe, Rongahere, in cornection with the death of their two tons —one at the front and tho other while undergoing training for active service. JOTTINGS. x A Bluff Territorial (says tho Press), who enlisted for tie Twelfth Reinforcements, pulled out after the Patriotic Committee had spent nine guineas on him for a complete set of teeth and ho had passed through the medical inspection. The Wairarapa Patriotio Executivo had a credit balance of £52,968 8s 8d in the Wounded Soldiers' Fund on December 31 (says the Tim's). Cash grants amounting to £464 17a lOd had been made to returned wounded soldiers up tfll that date. The Rev. Father Doyle, of Remuera, Auckland, who is going to the front as a chaplain, was presented by his parishioners with a purse of sovereigns, and by the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Children of Mary, and tho ladies of the parish with a chalice and vestments. The members of tho Anzac Soldiers' Club have asked us to be the medium for the expression of thanks to the members of the St. Kilda Band for playing at tho funeral of the late Private H. Braithwarte on Sunday last, and for their courtesy in forgoing a previous engagement. Mr H. de C. Brown, the traffio manager of the Christchureh Tramways, in conversation with a reporter, stated (says the Press) that there wera some 10 members of the staff now at the front, with whom he was in constant correspondence. Of 12 inspectors, four had gone —two were now at tho front, and two were in training at Trentham. Messrs Dalgety and Co.'s New Zealand staff has contributed 101 men to active service (says tho Wellington Post). Of these four have died in action, 10 have been wounded, four are missing, six have been invalided to England, and three are sick and in the hospital. From tho bessinning of tho war the rank and file have received half-pay. Men holding commissions have previously been paid half salary, but the firm is now making up the difference be tween military pay and ordinary pay in their case. Most of the oargo by tho Wisroar, tho German-Australi-in Steamship Company's vessel, which put into a Java port soon after the declaration of war, has been distributed to consignees in New Zealand, and Mr G. Van der Veldon, Deputy-Consul in Christchureh for tho Netherlands, has been informed that final settlements may be expected soon (says tho Lyttelton Times). The Wismar was two days' sail from Bluff when she received a wireless message stating that war between Germany and Great Britain had been declared. She had a- large quantity of New Zealand cargo, and immediately went to Java, where she was interned. The Auckland Hospital Board's proposal to provide employment for wounded convalescent soldiers at the Epsom Convalescent Homo is being kept in view (says tho New Zealand Herald). Captain E. J. Thomas, house manager of the hospital, states that lie is waiting for Lieutenant-colonel Hope Lewis to return to Auckland to decide how the -workshop shall be equipped. A building which oan bo adapted as a workshop has been secured. No difficulty has been experienced in regard to financing the scheme, and Captain Thomas states that he has received o promise from one Auckland resident of a donation of £50.

—It is impossible to class Birmingham's Lord Mayor-elect with the idle rich. If there is one motto more than another that ho has nailed to his mast, or rather, pinned to his desk, it is most certainly, "Let us then be up and doing:" If we were a&ked to state "his creed he would probably answer: "I believe in work. I believe in a constant striving after those ideals which make for the happiness and contentment of all. and not only of the select few._ I believe in getting things done. I believe in being iust, bnfc nothing more, to those whose selfish interests often stand in the way of better Irving conditions for working people, ;md more equitable laws." Mr Neville Chamberlain easily wins a medal for versatilitv. You may find him at this industrial board meeting or at that. But you drc much more likely to find him at a Central Control (of liquor traffic) meeting, or at a Council of the General Hospital, of which he has been chairman; presiding at the Housing Inquiry Committee; at the University Council; or at the headquarters of the Warwickshire Territorial Association, where he nre= ided for some years over the Ranges Committee. But in addition to all this "all-round" work, we think he would agree that ho has specialised in one most important subject—town-planning. Ho is following in the footsteps of his famous frfiror in the matter of uooial reform.