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Otago Daily Times, Volume 17149, Issue 17149, 31 October 1917, Page 4

Ever since tho. recent fighting in Flandors, in which tho Now Zealanders were rojKjrtod to have lost heavily, casually lists have boon coming- through to Now Zeu-huid. Mr W. It. Field itskcd tho Defence Ministoi yesterday whether these lists were, now completed or whether there were- more to oomo. Sir James Allen said that he could not give a dolinito reply. All tho J'sts were dated ,andl ho believed they v-'ero complete up to the latest of those dates. lie was unable to say whether there Ij.'ml been casualties since then. It did happen that for reasons unknown to him cablegrams containing casualties were delayed, and it might, be that messages earlier than some received regard-ing this battle were held up. As far as he knew tho casualty lists wero up to date.

The question whether the City Corporation should carry its own risk against fire will come before tho City Council at its meeting this evening. Tlie corporation is now carrying its own risk against accident, and the feeling amongst a number of councillors indicates that the council will tonight decide also to hold its fii'O insurance risk.

The lad who was reported to the police as missing since last Thursday evening has been discovered at Wanganui. In a spirit of adventure, presumably, he signed on tho Storm as cook's cabin boy, and mado the voyage to the northern port.

Speaking to a Wellington Post reporter with regard to measures for combating venereal diseases, tho Minister of Internal Alfairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell) said it was intended to exercise at once all tho powers given in tho existing law, and to have the regulations drawn up that are provided for in the Act with a view of setting (he whole scheme in operation. The Pharmacy Board will be requested to advise with regard to the sale of drugs and medicines, and hospital boards will bo communicated with concerning tho work that is expected of them..

The Supplementary Estimates wero t6 liav'o been presented to the- House of Representatives lost night, but after a delay of tliroo hours, the Prime Minister announced at 10.35 that the printing office could not have them printed till 11.30 p.m. at the earliest. Tho Houso then decided to adjourn till 9.30 a.m. to-day.

Our Wellington correspondent states that a bonus will bo granted to tho Public Servico again this year. It will bo a continuation of last year's bonus, but with certain modifications. The bonus to tho members of tho railway servico will be increased. It is considered necessary to do this in order to prevent men from leaving the department, some 3ODO resignations having been handed in during tho last year.

Messrs Bray Bros, have requested us to publish tho following:—"A statement was made by the Minister of Defence in the Houso of Parliament that some bad butter had been supplied to a transport by us in Wellington. Ho stated that the matter had been referred to the Crown Law Office in Wellington, and they have reported that there is no ground for any action. We may mention that no butter was ordered from us for a transport, but some 'crew' butter was ordered by a shipping company at a reduced price on the market value, and was so supplied by us. We have written that we welcome any inquiry in regard to the matter, as wo do not see why "we should be treated l as tho scapegoat. It is, however, almost impossible to get any satisfaction ' by seeking a public inquiry, although we are prepared to meet any such which may arise."

A Press Association message from Wellington states that a stono monument 20ft high is being erected at the Featherston Cemetery in memory of soldiers who liave died at Fcatherston Camp. At present 16 names aro engraved on tho stone.

At the conclusion of a short speech by Mr M'Combs in the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr T. W. Rhodes said the member for Lyttelton had referred to him, saying, "Take no notice of it; it is only a question from a rat." Mr M'Combs stated that what he said was what had been similarly said of Mr Rhodes—that he was a political rat. The Speaker said this was a' most unparliamentary statement to make, and he requested Mr M'Combs to withdraw it at once. Mr M'Combs stated that in view of the Speaker's ruling he would withdraw tho remark and express regret.

In answer to a question by Mr Glover in tho House of Representatives yesterday, Mr Pomare said ho had succeeded in securing a medical officer for the Cook Islands. Tho new doctor had been to the front, and ha-d "done his bit." Owing to health reasons he could not stay in New Zealand.

Mr H. A. Young, S.M., hold a short sitting of the Juvenile Court yesterday, when a young lad was charged with not being under proper parental control. Sub-inspec-tor Mathicson informed tho court that the lad had been sleeping out, while the whereabouts of his parents were unknown. For some time he had been residing with an cldgrly lady who was anxious to look after him. With tho object of giving tho lad another trial, the case was adjourned for, three months, on the suggestion of the probation officer (Mr A. Sureties) and Mr Ryan (truant officer).

In connection with tho movement to secuxo an alteration qf the school boundaries of the Mosgiei and East laieri School districts, the iollowiug letter from tho latter school eomrnitteo was read at tho monthly meeting of the Mosgiei District High School Committee last evening:—"After careful consideration by this committee, the following statement was adopted: When Mosgiei School was opened East laieri parted with a considerable section of its district. The School Commissioners drew the line as nearly as possible exactly midway between the two schools—the most natural and fairest measure of division. Since then in tho Mosgiei School district the population has increased! so greatly that it now far outnumbers that of East Taieri. This committee considers that the causes which at present militate against the attendance of certain children from Mosgiei at East Taieri School are of a temporary nature and that in the near future the children will be found attending the school of their own district. In these circumstances this committee, while sympathising with the wishes of Mosgiei, believes that it would bo prejudicial to tho interests of East Taieri School to part with any considerable portion of its district to Mosgiei, and that any such slight modification of the dividing liife to which it might agree would be of little or no value to Mosgiei." Tho letter was received. On the same matter a petition was presented to the committee signed by 13 parents or guardians who had children at the school, asking that those blocks which are situated between the present boundary of tho Mosgiei School district and Bruce street should be included in tho said school district, and setting forth a number of reasons why the boundaries should bo so altered as to bring about this result. Mr Walsh said that all who had signed tho petition had children at tho school, and a deputation would have accompanied the petition had not illness prevented it from attending. It was resolved to pass the petition on to the board, and that representatives from tho committee appear before tho board.

A sensational incident, in which some remarkably clever horsemanship and presence of niind wero displayed, was witnessed at the Wavcrley racecourse on Monday week. The horses had just passed the- post when Madam Ristori's saddle slipped as R. Hatch (the rider) straightened himself up to pull up his mount, which had won by a narrow margin from Humorist, on which Claude Brown had the mount. Hatch rolled, and the mare stumbled, with the result that her rider was thrown out of the saddle, and would have fallen right in front of sevoral horses which were coming on at top speed just behind. Quick as a flash Brown leant over in the saddle and grabbed Hatch, whose feet stuck in tho irons momentarily, but Brown held the suspended rider up until Hatch got his foot free, ancj then lifted him on to his own horse's neck, where he (Hatch) clung until Brown had pulled Humorist up to a walk, and Hatch dropped to the ground uninjured. Had it not been for Brown's prompt "circus" act the probabilities are (li;it Hatch would have been badly hurt, and the crowd gave quite an ovation as ho returned to tho paddock.

Mr Brown asked tho Prime Minister in tho Houso of Representatives yesterday whether it was tho intention of the Government to alter the regulations to increase tile separation allowances to bo paid to tho wives of members on service. ?.lr Aliissey said tho matter had been settled by the House, and there would be ro alteration.

A Press Association message states that in tho Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday morning a boy of nine years was remanded! on sovexal charges of breaking -and entering and of theft at various business premises at I'etone. It is also alleged that he endeavoured to set lire to ono establishment. Mr A. 11. Jlindmarsh, M.P., called attention in Parliament a few days ago to the case of Donald M'Alister, a married man. lie eiilistod on February .2, but his wife went to tho Defence Department and got a letter stating that he was to stand down till tho Second Division was called up. Tho man, however, had cnlistodi again, and was now in the 31st Reinforcements. Ho was in Dunedin on his final leave recently when a policeman arrested him. Ho showed the constable his final leave card, but tho officer said that ho had nothing to do with that; his orders were to arrest him. Ho took tho man in charge to one drill hall, then to tho police station, and finally to a second drill hall, where he was let go. There was far too much of that kind of thing, declared tho hon. member, somebody ought to be punished, and the man ought to be compensated. If a man were wrongfully arrested in civil life he was often able to get £400 to £500 damages, but in military lifo it was very different. Sir James Allen said that he would have inquiries made. He knew nothing of the oase. . • .

It is stated in cablo messages in the Australian papers that three bombs, dropped in tho course of the Zeppelin raid on October 19, caused all the material damage that was done in London. Tho first did damage to the extent of £3000, the second £7000, and tho third, which fell in a poor quarter, £2500, making a total of £12,500. Some trouble was caused by the bursting of a gas main, which led to a fire. Altogether 40 houses were wrecked in the district, and many moro were damaged. Some of the wrecked houses looked as if a huge steam roller had passed over them. A woman and two men were shockingly mangled as a result of being hurled from an upstairs room. Tho bodies were wedged into the ground floor. A torpedo killed eight children in ono London family. The mother of tho eight was saved, as sho had gone out to seo if all was clear after notice was given. It took nine hours of continuous digging to get the bodies out. Another cliild, a boy, five years old, was deeply buried in the debris, but suffered only a few bruises. The rescuers were able to pass down hot beef tea hours before the child was released. When asked where he was, he replied, "On my back." another child, a baby, escaped owing to the devotion of its mother, who threw herself across tho child). She was killed, tjut the choid was unhurt.

We have sold five Harleys for forward delivery. Shipment arriving in a few days. Place your order ' now. —W. Stuart Wilson and Co., Dunedin.—Advt.

S Matthew,'s Church, Stafford street.— War intercession service, to-night, 7.45. All invited.—Advt.

Seven days' sale of superb table linen at Mollisons now in progress. High grade linens at half-price. See advt. over leader.— Advt.

A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859.— Advt.

"Sure, I'll have some of that Watson's No. 10. It's what I call a whisky."—Advt.

To Users of Electricity and Others.—We invite you to call and inspect the very complete range of heating _ and cooking apparatus, etc, displayed in our show rooms. —Turnbull and Jones (Limited), electrical engineers, Lower Stuart street, Dulledin.—Advt.

Eyestrain !—Consult Mr Peter G. Dick, D.8.0.A., Jp.1.0. (London), consulting and oculists' optician.—Peter' Dick, jeweller, etc., 490 Moray place, Dunedin.—Advt.