OTAGO WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16601, 26 January 1916, Page 8

OTAGO WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

ST. CLAIR BRANCH. The weekly meetings of the St. Clair Branch of the Women's Association were held yesterday afternoon and evening in tho Congregational Ilall. There was a lair attendance of workers, but still more help is needed; so the cornmitteo hopes that now tho holidays aro over tho ladies of tho district will realise that it is their privilege, as well as their duty, to work for tho bravo boys who arc defending our country. The committeo acknowledges its thanks to tho following ladies for donations: — Mrs Isaacs (one pair socks), Mrs Hancock (one pair socks), Mrs Wakefield Ilolmcs (ono pair socks), Mrs 11. Smith (face cloth). A concert in aid of tho funds of tho branch will bo held in tho Presbyterian Church Hall on Thursday evening, at 8 o'clock. Tho tickets aro Is each, children half-price. It is hoped that there will bo a large attendance. The contributors to the programme will bo all well-known performers. Some of the returned men will also give items, and this should bo sufficient inducement for everyone to attend.

ARABIC FOR OFFICERS

MAJOR WOOD

CORPORAL WOOLLATT.

LANCE-CORPORAL L. L CHRISTIE.

JOTTINGS

Miss E. Bellamy, of 312 High street, Dunedin, has forwarded to tho Defence Department an offer to give instruction in Arabic to officers volunteering for tho Expeditionary Forces likely to bo proceeding to Arabicspeaking countries.

Major F. A. Wood, N.Z.S.C., who left with tho Main Expeditionary Force as adjutant of tho Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment, and who was wounded in the arm at (iallipoli, is in the Endsleigh Palace Hospital for officers in London. Major Wood recently had an attaok-'oi erysipelas, which leit him dangerously ill. He gradually recovered from this attack, and, although his wound received a setback, ho was well on the road to recovery when his last letters left England. Major Wood was recently awarded the Military Cross. His wife and daughter reside in Mount Eden road, Auckland.

Corporal Archibald Woollatt, who fell on Christmas Day in tho first fight of the New Zealand Ilifle Brigade at Mutrah, was known in various parts of Now Zealand. He was employed at Messrs Smith and Caughey's, Auckland. Going into training with the Ist Battalion of the Earl of Liverpool's Own, he was early promoted corporal, and he gave every prdmise of making an unusually efficient soldier. Corporal Woollatt was a native of Otago, but lie received his education in England. After leaving school ho went to Burmah. where he resided for about six years. Then he entered business in Colombo, but finally returned to his native land. After living in Feilding for a few years he went to Auckland. Corporal Woollatt was well known in athletic circles, and was especially fond of walking.

The news of the death on Gallipoli Peninsula of Lance-corporal Lindsay L.' Christie was received with much regret in -Mosgiol and the Saddle Hill district, where ho was well and favourably known. He was a son of Mr W. 1l Christie, of Saddle Hill, and joined the main body. He was a member of many clubs and societies in Mosgiel and the Taieri, and was a familiar figure at social functions. As a mark «f respect to his memory, flags wero flown. in Mosycl on receipt of the news.

The Cabinet has approved of the recommendation of the Minister of Education that teachers who are married after they enlist should have thoir military pay augmented to an equivalent of ono and a-quarter times their salary when they obtain commissions (says the Dominion). Previously, this has only been done in the case of teachers who are married when they, enlist and obtain commissions. Mr Ovenden, of Gisborne, has received a letter frpm his son, Private F. E. Ovenden, of the (Sixth Reinforcements, explaining how he oamo to' get wounded, and it will bo seen that the Gisborne young man had a wonderful escape from moro serious consequences (says tho Poverty Bay Herald). Private Ovenden and his mate, Private W. A. Russell, of Patutahi, wero out after Turkish snipers at tho Apex. They spotted a Turk surveying the surroundings through a telescope, and Private Ovenden turned his head to direct his mate where to firo. His head was turned for only a few seconds, but when he raised his telescope again he found the Turk had covered him with his rifle, and before ho lowered his telescope a bullet came down the instrument and burst through the barrel about 3in n,lx>ve tho oyc-piece, spattering lead over Private Ovenden's face. The bullet was evidently turned downwards, for it struck Ovenden on the shoulder. The wound bled profusely, and tho wounded man was sent to Egypt. He mentioned 'in tho letter that he expected to be sent to the convalescent hospital any tirno. "They did not get all their own way," he added, referring to the snipers, "for I got ono of them, also."