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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16663, 7 April 1916, Page 92

A Press Association message fom Wellington states that tho Government has decided to observe a half-holiday on April 25 to commemorate Anzac Day. It appeals to "the churches to hold' spceial religious services that day, and, while sports or other entertainments are deprecated, tho pooplo are invited to display flags wherever possible. Tho New Zealand Ensign will be flown on public buiktmgtk.

Tho Minister of Dcfenco (tho Hon. Jas. Allen) arrived in Dunedin yesterday morning from a visit to his electorate, and will remain here till Saturday. Ho left Dunedin by train on Tuesday morninu, and motored to Lawrence, visiting, en route, tho parents of peoplo who had lost sons in the war. In the afternoon ho went to Beaumont on tho same considcrato errand, and returned, delivering an address in Lawrcnco and presenting a Distinguished Servico Modal gained by Privato M'Lcod, of Tuapeka Mouth. Tho following day ho proceeded by way of tl(j) "Corkscrew 1 " to Tuapeka Mouth, and theiice through Greenfield and over tho hills to Stirling, again conveying personal condolences to tho parents of fallen : heroes. Ho next visited Kaitangata, and from thoro went to Milton, where ho spoke in the evening. At several places ho was met by settlers and residents in conferenco on recruiting and other matters. Ho is confident tliat liis trip will result in the spurring of interest and energy in tho district in tho forwarding of tho scheme instituted under tho Recruiting JJoard, tho success of whioh he has greatly at heart.

At the rccent ballot at Oamaru for tho Benmoro runs a married soldier on active service drew the secpnd marble for one of tho sections, the successful applicant being a man who had been married shortly befcro the ballot. We are now informed that it is likely that, at its next meeting, the Otago Land Board will allot the section to the soldier.

In connection with the relations between the friendly societies aiid their medical officers, we. learn that-" a friendly conferenco between representatives of tho two bodies in Dunedin was held last night, and that a tentative arrangement, satisfactory to both bodies, was unanimously agreed to.

The entrance of a man, accompanied by a draught horse and a bulldog, throiigh the doorway of the Oddfellows' Hall during the progress of a patriotic entertainment to the departing recruits at Baiclutha on Monday evening made it appear at a first glance as if an enthusiastic recruit for the artillery branch had , been obtained, and that ho was prepared to back up his claims by supplying his own horse and taking his dog as a mascot. It, however, appears that the intruder is not enlisting just yet, probably because he has dependents—the horse and tho dog. Tho sequel will probably be heard at the next sitting of the local court. In an address at a patriotic concert on Monday evening Mr D., Stewart (Mayor of

Baiclutha) said he had been taken severely to task by somo papers for venturing to assert that tlie war would soon be over.

He had been told that his statement would discourage recruiting, and he had. been asked, what was the good of recruiting if the war was to be over so soon ? Tho speaker said that he thought that any newspaper man of intelligence should have recognised that it was just when victory was in sight that we should do our utmost to impress the enemy. „ Every' man that we

could get should be sent to the front, in

order that the enemy might not be en/cou raged by any' slackness of ours to continue a vain resistance. The nearer peace was, tho greater the need for; an overwhelming display, of force, and that force must be maintained until peace was actually signed' and scaled.

The Rev. A. Gow, o£ St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, who, a fortnight ago, was contradicted at the close of the morning servico by Sergeant-major Purdom, after reading extracts from 'The Way of Martha and Mary," by Stephen Graham, describing ,the, .life, of tho . New .Zealand Main Expeditionary Force at Cairo, announced at Sunday morning's servico that he had forwarded his resignation to tho presbytery, to take effect from the end of

the month. He added (says the New Zealand Herald) that this was neither the time nor tho placo to go into reasons for the step, but these had been given to the session, and would b© placed before the, congregation in duo course.

Ii) conversation with a North Otago Times representative on Wednesday, tho Hon, J. T. Paid stated, in reference to the charges recently made by him in connection with tho Otekaike School, that he had asked the Prime Minister to set up a public inquiry into tho matter. A reply had been received to the effect that the matter was in tho hands of the Minister of Education.

; At a well-attended meeting' of the ,Executive of the Duiiedin City Mission, held this weejc (Mr, G. M. lliomson presiding), a hearty welcome was given to Mr W. T. Talßoys,' who was at last annual meeting ,elected to office in place of the late Mr King. Cordial thanks were recorded to tho Mayor for the uso of the Town Hn.ll for the annual gathering, and for his presence and practical 'sympathy; to Mr Hugh Mitchell (hon. auditor); to Mr RSsevear (hon. treasurer); and to tho manager of the Bible Depot "for tho free use of their board room for monthly meetings of committee. Beforo the meeting closed the hon. treasurer reported a satisfactory credit balance, and donations amounting to fully £34. The missionary (Mr Duncan Wright) and his co-workers have had an excellent year, and go forward in good hope. Tho Musselburgh School Committee held its monthly meeting on Wednesday night, when Mr Cameron prcsidocl The present roll, number is 611, with an average for last month of 571. Miss Ethel M'Keliar resigned her position as teacher, and the comVnitteo expressed regret at the loss of such an efficient and popular teacher. It was reported that £67 -was now in hand towards the new uniform fund for the band, but none of the mills could accept an order, at present, being too busy on war material. The Ladies' Committee was heartily thanked for its splendid work on behalf of this fund. Tho committee recommended that an attempt be mado to have at least £100 in hand before purchasing new uniforms. The school roll of honour is now being prepared, and contains 37 names of ex-pupils. It was decjded to unveil the roll at the annual householders' meeting, the Rev. R. Scott" "Allan to officiate. An afternoon ceremony will'also be held on the same day in tho school grounds. The head master thanked the committee' for loyal assistance given during the year. Tho annual report for submission to the householders' meeting was road and adopted. • A special sitting of the Oity Police Court was held yesterday afternoon, when a youth named Frederick James Baggarly, 17 years of age, was brought up on a charge of having stolen an oilskin, valued at 355, the property of George Calvis. He pleaded

"Guilty" to the charge. Detective Bishop stated that the : accused was a sailor on board the Aurora, and had shipped at London. He belonged to the Old Country, and his people were there. He had stolen the coat on the arrival of the vessel hore. The stolen property belonged to a sailor on board tho boat. /I ho coat had been recovered, and tho police now had it in their possession. The Magistrate, to accused: How came you to do this ?—Tho Accused: I did it to sell it to £et money.—Deteotivo Bishop: He has £3 15s coming to him for wages. Replying to tho magistrate, tho detective said tho police did not know anything of tho previous oareer of tho, youth. He wanted to leave the boat, and tho police could find employment for him here, but ho (the dctective) did not know whether the captain wanted to part with the youth. Accused was eonviotod and ordered to como up for sentence when called upon.

A section of those who assembled at the railway station yesterday to witness tho departure of the Fifteenth Reinforcements derived considerable amusement from a discussion by two la/dies, whoso knowledge of the identity of tho speakers was somewhat deficient. While the Rev. W. Gray Dixos t , who was wearing a naval uniform, w f as addressing the assembly, one of tho ladies asked the other who the speaker was. Without hesitation, came the reply: "That is tho inspector of polios."

Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., presided over a short sitting- of tho City Police Court yesterday, when ono first offender was fined 5s or 24 hours' imprisonment for drunkenness, and four others, who did not appear, wero each lined 10s or 43 hours' imprisonment. Rodger Kir by, who did not appear, was fined 10s or 24 hours' imprisonment, and Charles Henry Porteous, who liad beon remanded for mcdlioal treatment, was ordered to pay £1 16s professional expenses, in default seven days' imprisonment. A prohibition order was granted against a man on tho application of his wife. "When is a man 45?" was a question whioh occupied tho attention of tho Timaru Presbytery on Tuesday, when it was announced that a member of tho Presbytery (tho Rov. \V. F. Evans) had offered his sorviees as a chaplain with the New Zea- , land Forces, and had been refused because ho was over the ago limit of 45. Mr Evans said ho was only two or three days over 45. Ho had offered his services' when tho war first broke out, and hq,d been trying to get away over since. Ho had had a great deal of correspondence with the authorities in Wellington, but could get no further, forward, because they said he was over tho ago limit. He contended that this was not so, and that ho could remain of military ago until he turned 46. His application had been in before that of another member of the Timaru Presbytery—Chaplain-captain King—who had been to the front for more than a year, and was now back among them again. He considered that ho was not being quito fairly treated, and that, as Chaplain-captain King was now finally discharged, he (the speaker) ought to be taken in his place. The Presbytery sympathised with the Rev. Mr Evans in his zeal for war scrvice, and unanimously decided strongly to urge the Dcfenco Department to allow him to fill the vacancy caused by tho return of Chaplain-captain King. The regular meeting of the Port Chalmers School Committee was held last night, there being present: Mr J. M'Lachian (chairman), the Rev. W. M. Grant, and Messrs A. R. Sutherland, J. Mill, W. Thompson, J. Osborn, R. D. Jack, and' I. C. Isbister. Mr J. Gray, the first assistant, wrote thanking the committee for ■ its kind expressions of sympathy extended to him in his illness. The janitor wrote that the whole of the school andi outbuildings were being fumigated every week and 1 then closed up for 24 hours. The committee decided to pay its annual "visit for divine service to the Congregational Church on Sunday, 16th inst. The rector reported that the average roll for the school for the past five weeks was 584, and the average attendance 458. The average attendance for the quarter was 461. The attendance shield was won twice by Standard I, with 100 per cent, and 98 per cent.; twice by Standard V, with 99 per cent, and 97 per cent.; and once by Standard 11, with 97 per cent. The i attendance at present is very good, there being but little sickness among the scholars. The Visiting Committee for the month is Messrs R. D. Jack and I. C. Isbister.

According to Mr E. Clifton, who returned to Auokland from America in the Niagara (says the New Zealand Herald), tho Panama Canal will be re-opened for the passage of ships in tho course of a few months. He said that it is claimed' by those connected with the canal work that, when the* waterway is once re-opened, it will give no further trouble in regard to landslips.

'Wow York is crowded with people, the hotels aro filled to overflowing, and the city is, together with the laigo manufacturing centres of the east, enjoying one of the most prosperous period's during its history," .said Mr E. Clifton, who arrived in Auckland from America in the Niagara (says the New Zealand Herald). He went on to say that the output of all produce was limited solely by the amount of labour available. The cause of the Allies was popular with the majority of people in America. "They -will tell you they aro neutral," said Mr Clifton, "and at the same tima they say they don't care r which one of the I Allies, beats the Kaiser, so long as one does it. Apart from the German population, the great heart of America is strongly pro-British." , Returns of actual thrashings received by the Government Statistician to March 16 from thrashing mill owners show that during January and February 2,386,126 bushels of wheat and 1,069,800 bushels of oats were , thrashed out. The average yields per aero in cases where particular areas were furnished work out at 20.13 bushels for wheat and 26.95 bushels for oats. If the average ■ yield of wheat shown'above (20.13 bushels) be applied over the whole dominion, says Mr Fraser, in the March Abstract of Statistics, the total yield of wheat for the season would to be approximately six and three-quarter million bushels, or just slightly in excess of last season'n total.

Something of a record) in quick work was established at the Chrisfcchurch recruiting office on Wednesday (says the Lyttelton Times). Three brothers came in shortly after midday, and first one and then another enlisted, after thinking it over. They said the third v brother could not enlist, because they had a fish cart and a horse which he would have to look after. However, after a sort consultation,. they rushed out, and in about 10 minutes were back again, and the third brother signed on. They did not vouch any information on the subject of the cart and horse, but they had evidently disposed of them satisfaotorily. They were soon under the medical examiner, all three passed, and all three put in an appearance at the barracks at night, and left for camp. That is surely a day's reoord for one family. * ■

" They have a police union in some parts of Australia, and they are going to have a police union in New Zealand soon," said one of the speakers (reports tho New Zealand Times) at an open-air gathering in Wellington Post Offioe square on Sunday afternoon. "A rule of the union will bo that no policeman will ever go on duty against strikers." Tho speaker added that in tho good days to come no newspaper reporter would allow his notes to bo used in court proceedings arising < from trade union disputes.

Thero is a possibility that, in addition to filling large contracts for New Zealand troops in camp and on transports, the dominion's leading jam manufacturers may bo aeked to, contract for supplies to the British army (says tho New Zealand Herald). It is said that the War Office has already placed extensive orders in Australia for jam for the use of the army, these orders having been for about 20 to 50 million pounds weight. The conditions of theso contracts are not available, but representations concerning the mattef have aJready been made to leading Auckland and New Zealand jam boilers, to ascertain whethesr factories are in a position to accept such orders in the event of the War Office desiring to place them., The question was referred to the manager of one tho dominion's largest factories on Tuesday, and ho stated that . over a year ago he had ' approached the director of army contracts, London, on the matter, and had been informed' that all representations must bo made through tho New Zealand Government. This course was accordingly taken, but the War Office did not take tile matter up with any enthusiasm, indicating, moreover, that only 16in tins could be accepted. Tho tins made in the dominion are all Kin, but even in the event of the War Office reconsidering its former decision tho increasing difficulty of obtaining tin plates would probably provo a bar to New Zealand factories accepting contracts on so large a ecale.

The Imperial Government Ims just placed an order for 5000 Harley-Davidsons. The "Silent Grey Fellow" has proved his worth. —W. Stuart Wilson, Dunedin.—Advt. Just issued, 1916 winter edition " Homo Dressmaking Mado Easy," fully illustrated; -posted free. —Mollisons Ltd.; Dunedin.—Advt. Granville H. Sharpe says: "Watson's No. 10 is genuine, well-motored whisky, of high quaiity,"—Advt,

A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859.— Advt. Who is Peter Dick, —The most reliablo Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Consulting Optician, 490 Moray place (off Princes street), Dunedin. Charges moderate.—Advt.