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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17279, 3 April 1918, Page 4

The Hon. Sir James Allen (Minister of Defenoe) arrived in Dunedin from the north last night, and will remain in town to-day, returning north to-morrow. At tho West Harbour Borough Council meeting lust night, the Mayor (Mr H. E. Moller) and the town clerk (Mr D. Larnach) were appointed sinking fund commissioners in respect of tho St. Leonards lighting loan. In reply to questions yesterday, Sir Jas. Allen explained that tho inquiry which Mr Justice Chapman was holding concerning affairs at the Somes Island internment camp was occasioned by complaints which G-erman prisoners there had made through the Consular service to their Government, and which tho German Government had placed before the British authorities. Personally he thought tho prisoners were well treated, but it was considered desirable that an independent inquiry should be made so that tho Imperial Government's hands could bo strengthened in its dealings with Germany in regard to prisoners. That was why a judge of the Supreme Court, who was by virtue of his position an independent person, had been asked to hold tho inquiry. Iho Ashburton County is at prosont governed by nino road boards and a county council, and tho question of n-bolisliing the road boards and having tho county divided into four smaller counties was discussed st tho lost meeting of the Mount Hutt Road Board. Aa an outcome (says the Ashburton Guardian), the latter has invited all bodies interested to attend a meeting to bo held towards tho end of April to consider tho whole question. .At present thero is a dual control of roads and ibridges in the county, and it is held that a change as suggested would result in moro efficient and economical administration.

Two different persons claim to have soon an aeroplane on Tuesday last, flying over the sparsely populated back country of Waingarara {says tho Whakatano correspondent of the Auckland Star). In one instance tho noiso of the engines drew the observer's attention to tho machine, which, it is stated, came from the direction of White Island, and was flying in a southerly direction towards Urewera. Another observer, a mile away from tho first, also reported having seen an aeroplane at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

When the Hon. Mr Wilford (Minister of Justice) was in Dunedin recently he was waited upon by a doputation from the Licensed Victuallers' Association, which complained of a remark made by Mr J. S. Evans, S.M. (Chairman of tho First Canterbury Military Service Board), that "We don't merely look upon hotelkeepers as non-essential, but as moro or less of an evil at tho present time." A Press Association message from Christchurch states that the Minister has now received a letter in which Mr Evans says that he was misreported and that his remark had referenco to the liquor business and not to hotelkeepers personally. Advico has 'been received to the effect that deferred telegrams and messages for members of tho Expeditionary Force to tho United Kingdom are suspended via the eastern route. Tliis means that deferred traffic is suspended on both routes; and messages to members of tho Expeditionary Force can bo accepted via the Pacific routo only. At tho Pesbyterian Young Men's Bible Class greetings wero exchanged with like gatherings, and with bodies and individuals, including the Slunday School Teachers' Conference at Christchurch, conferences of other denominations, the Young Women's Union, tho members (numbering some 2000) at tho front, and Mr G. A. Troup, tho founder of the movement, and his son, who are on holiday in Sydney. Tho conference accepted and expressed appreciation of the offer by tho Rev. G. B. and Mrs Monro, of Auckland, of a bursary tenable at Knox College and intended to bo available to Bible Class members entering the ministry of tho Presbyterian Church. The gift is in memory of the son of tho donors, the lato Gunner William Robert Monro, who was a prominent Bible Class leader, and the bursary is to to known by his name. An amusing interlude in connection with the send-off to tho Fortieth Reinforcements took place yesterday, when the Southland and South Otago men wero drawn up in Anzac Square awaiting the arrival of tho men from tho Dunedin group. A man from the Southland group—Walter Heales, from Browns (Southland) —divested himself of his coat and performed quite a number of acrobatic feats, not. to speak of contributions of dancing and singing. Tlio large assemblage was intensely amused, and at the conclusion applauded him vigorously. Subsequently, assisted by two comrades, tho "hat" was taken round, and £4 was collected. This was handed to the Mayor with a request that it be given to tho Otago and Southland Women's Patriotic Association, which, as Mr Heales expressed it, " had dono so much for us boys." During tho course of his remarks, tho Mayor publicly thanked Mr Heales, and those who had contributed, and afterwards handed the money to Miss Burt. Mr H. A. Ybung, S.M., presided in tho City Police Court yesterday when one first offending inebriate, who did not appear, was lined 2fts, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, while another was fined 10s, with the alternativo of 48 hours' imprisonment. Walter James Wallace was fined 10s, or 48 hours' imprisonment for drunkenness, and for using obscene language ho was fined 10s, in default seven days' imprisonment. Yesterday being a court holiday thero was no sitting of tho Magistrate's Court Colonel Strangman and Major Flood, interviewed in London, said that tho w'olf's officers boasted of their exploits, including mine-laying at Gabo, in the Tasman Soa, and off the New Zealand coast, and at Colombo. Major Flood states that tho Matunga was captured owing to the interception of the owners' uncoded wireless to agents at Rabaul, a copy of which tho Germans exhibited as cvidenco of carelessness. Tho Wolf's captain said: "I waited a week to securo this victim."

Mr Chanter, M.11.11,, who declared that he spoko with somo insido knowledge, not held by tho public generally, stated at East Melbourne that Australia, hud esc-aped attack in tho early stages of tho war by tho merest chance. He said that when Germany obtained possession of portion of New Guinea alio established at Kabaul a base capable of accommodating 1 tho largest battleship in tho world. Sho established a wireless station, which ■was .-it tho time tho most powerful in the world, and accumulated largo stores of oil and other supplies. Everything was ready, when the gong sounded, for Australia to be seized in tlo name of Germany. When Habaul was occupied, Mr Chanter continued, documents were discovered there disclosing the whole design of tho German Empiro to annex Australia. Australia had escaped that inenaco for tho time, but she must not delude herself that, with her little naval force, and with all her manhood, sho could escape again if tho present war went against the British Army. Without tho supporting arm of tho British Navy, Australia could i\ot resist such an attack for a Upon tho victory of tho Empire in tho prssont v.ar dependod her whole future.

Harleys go from ono overwhelming victory to another. Napier meeting, Saturday, win everything. Ist, 3rd; Ist, 2nd; Ist, 3rd in three races. —Wilson, Princes street. — Advt.

The "Isobel," tho very latest novelty m ladies' shopping bags, art cretonne, silklined; price, 3s lid.—Only at Mollisons.— Advt.

Gilmour Bros., Carroll streot, for "No Rubbing" Laundry Help and "Golden Rule " Soap. Best for every home.—Advt. A. E. X Rlakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. — Advt.

Look —a whisky you can't pass by if you desire rare quality is Watson's No. 10.— Advt.

For chronic chest complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6d. 2s tjd.— Advt.

Yt e have landing and to arrive large shipments of electrio lamps—metallic filament and gas-filled (halfwatt), all jandlepowers and voltages. Place your orders now for the coming season's requirements.— Turnbull and Jones (Ltd.), electrical engineers, Dunedin.—Advt. Eyestrain [—Consult Mr Peter G. Dick, D.8.0.A., F. 1.0. (London), consulting and oculists' optician.—Peter Dick, jeweller, etc., 490 Moray place, Dunedin.—Advt.