Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17324, 25 May 1918, Page 6

A Press Association massage from Wellington states: "Regarding the list of men missing in Thursday's casualty list, the Defence Department has issued a circular to the next-of-kin stating that cabled information has been received that probably a large number havo been taken prisoner. Inquiries ore being made by cable, and relatives will bo advised of the results." An English and American mail is expected to reach Dunedin by the express on Wednesday night. The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister of Education) received deputations in Dunedin yesterday, and attended to departmental matters. This morning tho Minister will leave for Wellington. Major-general Robin and Surgeon-gene-ral Henderson arrived here from the north on Thursday night They were engaged on official business yesterday morning, and in the afternoon they inspected the Otago University Officers' Training Corps, and visited the graduation ceremony. They will remain hero over the week-end. Tho Winter Show will be opened on Tuesday by the Hon. Mr Mac Donald (Minister of Agriculture), who will give an address in which he may be expected to make reference to matters of special interest to farmers. The Brydono Hall has undergone a transformation in tho last day or two, and the authorities anticipate that everything will be in order when tho public are admitted on the opening day. The show will remain open for four days. To-day the Red Cress shop will foe open as usual, but, instead of being in charge of ladies, as has hitherto been the case, it will be controlled by members of the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association. A largo stock of new goods will be on sale, and if tho success that has followed the previous efforts of these workers is a criterion, the Red Cross funds will be augmented considerably.

About 20 business men were present at the rooms of tho Chamber of Commerce rooms on Thursday afternoon for tho purpose of hearing Messrs Maoky and Wilson, of Auckland, detail the principles of a movement which is being prosecuted through the dominion in the interests of national efficiency, with particular reference to tho abolition of the liquor trade. The two visitors disclaimed any leanings to the traits which aro said to bo affected by "wowsers," but argued that, in tho interests of business efficiency it was time some steps were taken to wipe out-the liquor trade. The lines favoured by the northern delegates were on those drawn up by the original Efficiency Board. Tho scheme put forward by the board provided that a vote of the people should be taken on the basis of immediate prohibition, accompanied by reasonable compensation to the interests affected. The compensation, as estimated 'by tho board, would amount to about £4,500,000. It was stated at the meeting that a very considerable sum of money had already been gathered or promised to enable the campaign (o be carried on and also to pay the interest on the money which the Government would have to borrow to meet tho necessary compensation, if a vote for immediate prohibition should be carried. The meeting apoeared to be much impressed by the arguments put. forward by tho visitors, and a provisional committee for Dunedin of the new Efficiency Lemgue waa then set up.

The Museum has recently received from Mr T. Harrison, of Port Chalmers, a wellpreserved example of a short Maori dug-out canoo, which ho found in a lagoon on his farm at Kai-Kai Bay. It is exhibited in tho Hockcn Hall. There are also on exhibition in the Main Hall a few interesting war trophies kindly lent by returned soldiers or their friends. They include an Austrian machine gun, a couple of gas helmets of British make, steel helmets, sliells, and a Croix de Guerre. Tho curator hopes to add otitor gifts of a like nature.

At a meeting of tJio MaungnUm Domain Board yesterday (prior to tlio Taieri County Council meeting) it waa revilved 1o call for tenders for the lease of the Maungatua Dom.nn, of 676 acrei grazing l oounfcry, after the leajo expires this year. Otir Cromwell eorrcsporsdf'nt. writes: "Tlio rpiefltion of tho Mount Pisa and the reported <lisjvis.il of an area to a private eonr;vuiy was disensse*! at tho Krrpanslon nieot.i:t;; this weolc, and steps wero taken to try to asoertain more regard rnp; tlie reporrcd nnffoti.itioai, rnomiwrs being as; tiling Iwt dear u t» tkfl actaouj yeatioe."

Mr Edward Towsey, who liad portion of one of his legs amputated about a fortnight ago in oonsequcnce of injuries received through being knock od down in Princes street, two months ago, was reported by tho Hospital authorities yesterday to be in a low condition. Last night a slight improvement was noticeable. A hat and coat, which have been identified as belonging to tho returned soldier John Mowbray Rodgers, who disappeared on tho 11th inst., havo been found near tho E shed, on the wharf. Tho police will commence to drag the harbour in the neighbourhood tiiis niOTniiig. Lignt of tho sections offered for lease on Thursday on behalf of tho Otago liarbour Board were disposed of by auction, and sinco then applications for two more sections have been rooeived by tho board. A perusal of recent numbers of Australian nowspapors reveals a ridiculous situation witii regard to the press oensorship over shipping announcements to prevent news of any value reaching the enemy over tho seas or in our midst. While tho New Zealand press is strictly forbidden to refer to the movements of any vessels other than those employed solely on tho New Zealand coast, some Australian papers announce the sailings and arrivals of intercolonial, island, and oversoas steamers, giving names and dates in all cases. A Vancouver mail boat is included, and also the numerous sailors engaged between America and Australasia. Tho futility of the strict New Zealand regulations while such latitude is allowed in Australia must be apparent to everybody. A few interesting notes on the food situation in Scotland in February aro contained in a letter, the writer of which says: " 1 wonder if you have ibegun to be rationed as we are. Wo get l£oz of tea, Is 3d worth of meat, £lb of sugar, and lib of margarine eaoh a week, but wo srot on all right, and none of us has begun to get thin yet. Potatoes are plentiful, and only lid a stone, and bread is 9jd the 41b loaf. It is quito eatable, but very dark—liko tho brownest of brown bread. We never see butter, bacon, or eggs, but it is just wonderful how well we get on without them. Wc oan get herrings—fresh, salt, and kippers." The same writer said her " maid," a woman of 43 years, was getting £21 a year, "the highest wage I have ever paid a servant." An example of tho fine spirit with which the privations of war aro being met in England is related in the letter of a New Zealand soldier who was taken by another soldier, a native Englishman who had been farming in the Wairarapa, to visit his home in Essex. The father had owned a good manufacturing business, which he ran with tho help of some of his six sons. Now, however, the six, sons are all serving their oountry, some in the army and some in the navy, the factory is standing silent and idle, and it only lacks the calling up of the father under tho new Man Power Act to complete the desolation which war has worked in a typical peaceful English home. It was all taken as a matter about which complaint was impossible—just a sacrifice which must be made if England were to be saved from a strong and dangerous enemy. At the request of tho Master Printers' Association, Mr .Hagger (Conciliation Commissioner) "has adjourned the hearing of the dispute for terms for female workers in the printing and allied trades till June 22. The case was originally fixed to come before tho commissioner on Monday. The Ashburton Guardian states that the local Second Division League executive is now receiving support from an unexpected quarter in regard to obtaining information for the Appeal Board upon sine die men who, it is alleged, should be in camp. Heads of several families who are well represented by sons in the firing line have taken the matter *up, and are collecting information to send in private reports to the authorities in regard to alleged wheatgrowers in their respective districts, and about men who have obtained exemptions for specific purposes, but are making very poor use of their time in helping to keep Up the production of the country. A New Zealand military officer, who was in England during tho German offensive, says that the spirit, of the British people during that timo was absolutely splendid. The 'bus-drivers were just going on strike, and there were very serious difficulties with the Society of Amalgamated Engineers, but tho German offensive settled til! differences, and closed up the ranks. It was felt that tho situation was very grave; but the courage and determination of the people seemed to rise higher than over. TTiere was a solid determination that even if Germany succeeded m getting to Paris and the Channel ports, and England was left to fight alone until American help was forthcoming in some strength, she should fight on, sure of victory in the end. In tho Port Chalmers Court yesterday botore Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M. Archibald M'Kay was fined 20s, with costs' (7s), in default seven days' imprisonment, for a breach of a prohibition order. J. J Mulligan, who was charged with failing to attend the annual Territorial camp, did not appear but stated in writing that he had been working on a mill, and had not known that the camp was being hold. Sergeant-major Boult said the defendant had been notified in tho usual way. He was fined 40s and costs (7s) In the case, Stevenson v. Gilray, in which Charles Stevenson (contractor) sued F Gilray (engineer) for £4 10s, the amount of an account rendered, judgment by default was g'ven for tho amount olaimed, with costs Advico has reached banks and stockbrokers . dealing with war loan scrip that after May ol no application for this stock is to be accepted, unless it is made direct to tho Ireasury by the investor himself. Tho penal rate of interest only will be allowed on stock purchased after that date, so that, instead of getting 4£, per cent., as at present, investors will receive only 3 per cent. It is possible, therefore, that there will shortly f "'Pu lnt ° foTCO thc c °<npulsory clauses k- u: ° manc ? Act, 1918," a provision of which » that where " tho Commissioner of laxes has reason to believe that any person has not subscribed in proportion to his means, ho may call upon that person to sutoenbe up to six times the vearly average of the land tax and income tax (exclusive of excess profits duty) paid or payable bv him for the three years ending- March 31, 1918. The working of the amusement tax has caused a good deal of discussion at various times regarding tho class of functions to which it applies (says the Eltliam Ar-us) It will interest many to learn that the°tax does not apply to dances. In connection with a dance held by the Territorials and Cadots, Mr D. Clement dulypaid the tax, but subscfuently anplicd for a refund on the ground that a dance did not como within the meaning of the Act, as those attending the function took an activo part m it, and could not .he described as spec tators or an audience. The application was forwarded to Wellinarton, and word has now ' been received that this contention has been upheld, and that the tax collected at the dance referred to will bo refunded in duo course. Tins deoision will Drove of interest to a very large number of people, for the popular danef* ,s undoubtedly tho most freouentlv adopted form of amusement in country districts, and tho tax has many times been condemned a* a nuisance. particularly as the amount collected by this means did not appear to justify the trouble involved. Mr -J. A. Frostiok, National Efficiency Commissioner in Canterbury, has recei,cd many applications for petrol. There is an impression abroad, apparently, that the Efficiency Board ought to supply definite information as to how petrol may be obtained • but Mr Frostick stated on "Wednesday (says tho Lyttclton Times) that tho board had no powers in respect to supplies of petrol and no control over them. Consequently ho regretted that ho was unable to give satisfactory replies to inquiries and complaints The commissioner added that the board had made a full report to the Government, with suggestions for regulating supplies, as far .back as December last, when there were amplo stocks in the country. It was at that timo that the trade should" havo been regulated. Ho was not aible to say why tho steps suggested were not taken. There might have been an idea that peace would como soon and that control would not be necessary. There wore other commodities which lie thought should be controlled in the public interest, but it might not be advisable just now to enumerate them. He believed that there was plenty of petrol in New Zealand, judging by tho importations last year and the previous year, but the stocks were not >n the hands of persons who usually distributed petrol. He believed that the companies wero doing th<nr best lo make n fair distribution of supplies they possewd t but tho position to-day was very rmsutisfactorj.

A popular attraction in Berlin for soino timo has beon a " U-boat Pillar" in thu Museum of Oceanography. It is a foursiiltxl column, on ono side of wliich is a graphio representation, nation by nation, of tho world's merchant inarino in July, 1914. On the next side is a, tabulation, month by month, of tho amount of tonnago which tho German submarino commanders claim to have destroyod. 'I'ho third sido bears a sot of figures showing the proportion of allied tonnago lost, aftor allowing far now construction. Tho fourth sido has a comparison of fcho present tonnage o"f Germany, the Entente, and neutral Static, purporting to show that tho Central Powers aro going to bo in a very advantageous position after the war. As a graphio illustration of what tho destruction of 1000 tons of ship's cargo moans, tho 'bass of tho pillar shows three miniature railway freight trains of 50 cars each, piled high with make-beliovo freight— representing 1000 tons in all. Mr Justico Petorseu, in tho Chancery Division, on .March 21, dismissed, with costs, the petition of right by do Kcyscr's Hotel (Ltd.J, fchallerigmg tho power of tho Imperial Government to oomnuuidcer hotels without paying rent for tho uso and occupation of tiio premises. Sir Arthur Durrant, Controller of Supplies to the Office of Works, Mid tho practico was to try to agree to a figure for tho rental of premises required, and tho practico was followed in this oase. Tho stun demanded was £19,000 per annum, which ho thought very much too high. Before tho negotiations could proceed further he was informed by tho \V ar Olfico that tho premises were urgently required for the Royal Flying Corps, and he advised that tho hotel should bo requisitioned. Mr Justice Petersen said the point ho had to determino was whether the Crown was bound to pay compensation as a legal right, or whether compensation was payable ex gratia. He found it impossible, on tho. evidence, to comc to the conclusion that possession of the hotel was voluntarily delivered, and ho further held that tho occupation was necessary for the purpose of securing public safety and tho defence of the realm. Ihat left only tho question of law as to whether the Crown could take the property without the petitioners having any lt?gal right to compensation. The appointment of an official of the Railway Department to the position of Assistant Dirctor of Recruiting was criticised by a deputation from the Auckland Returned Soldiers which waited upon tho Minister of Defence at Auckland. Mr F. Andrews, secretary of the association, said that his executive had passed a resolution to the effect that in view of the fact that there were about 20,000 returned soldiers in the country, and that the Railway Department had not been able to release all the reservists in its service who had been drawn in the ballot, this position might have boen filled by an efficient returned soldier. His executive felt that such a man might havo been found, and that the appointment was not in accordance with the policy of giving preference to returned men. Sir James Allen said that tho position was a very difficult one, and tho Railway Department had not been over-willing to allow tho officer in question to take it. It was ono requiring office and departmental experience. It had been filled by the railway officer in tho interests of efficiency, and they had tried to selcct tho best man available. Mr J. Moiling asked if there was not a great shortage of men in the Railway Department. The Minister replied that this department was cutting down its services, and, therefore, had more men to spare. Once again tho members of tho D Battery Reservo and Otago Old Boys' Association paraded in Wellington on Monday night to hear the requiem of a fallen comrade, Sergeant K. M. Cole, M.M. There was a largo muster, under Captain G. N. Goldie, and the D Battery also paraded under Lieutenant Cameron. Colonel G. F. C. Campbell (Coast Defcnce Commander), Major Sandlo, Major Petherick, and Lieutenant Petersen were also present, together with a largo number of the public, including tho employees of Messrs Begg and Co., whero Sergeant Cole was employed when he enlisted. The Minister of Defence OSir James Allen) and Captain Guy Johnston sent apologies for unavoidable absence. Deceased's former comrades now in camp wero represented by Gunner P. L. Salmon, who obtained special leave for the occasion. The others, who number about 16, wero unable to get away. "Always a good, clean-living lad, a general favourite with the Battery,' a splendid gunner, who knew his job. Last year he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery while under fire. He was wounded, but went back into it still smiiing. Our late comrade, Sergeant Ken Cole, killed somewhere in I< ranee. Ihat was Captain Goldie's terse but eloquent funeral oration, the bugler sounded tho ' Last Post, and the ceremony -was over. There was a clean sheet at tho City Police Court yesterday.

The United Me'thodist memorial service to the late Chaplain Allen will be hold in ™ Octagon Hall to-morrow afternoon. Chaplain Hay will give the address. The services at the Dowling Street Citadel will be conducted to-morrow by the recently-appointed divisional commander (Staff Captain Gunn), assisted by Mrs Gunn. Adjutant Bear (divisional secretary) wili take part in the proceedings. Mr Lind will epeak to-morrow night in tho Y.M.C.A., his subject being " Saved from the Gates of Death." Tho United S'tarr-Bowkctt Building Society invites members, and advertises £1000 for disposal. The annual* meeting of the Otago Farmers' Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association and the annual confcrence of tho New Zealand .Farmers' Union (Otago Provincial Council) will be held on May 30. Notices for the following Sunday services will be found in our advertising columnsAnglican—St. Matthew's, St Paul's, All Saints'. Preebyterian—First, Russell Street, Knox, Stuart Hall, St. Anddrew's, Caversham, Chalmers, Bible School Hall, Kensington, Roslyn, North East" Valley, Maori Hill, Opoho. Methodist—Trinity, Central Mission, Dundas Street, llavensbourne, Cargill Road, Benevolent, Caversham, Woodhaugh, Glenaven, Abbotsford, Fairfield. Congregational—St. Clair, Moray Place. _ Baptist—Hanover Street. Church of Christ—Tabernacle. Salvation Army, Dowling street. SpiritualistsHanover street. Theosophical Hall, Dowling istrec-t. Albany street. Miss Boniwoll, the organising secretary for New Zealand of the Sudan United Mission, will deliver a lecture on " The Sudan: Its Peoples, Problems, and Possibilities next week. The mission she represents has for its object the stemming of the advance of tho Mohammedan religion among the Sudanese tribes by tho organisation of Christian mission stations. M. Paul Saldaigno (whose pupil. Miss Corrie Aslin. was a successful vocalist at the recent Christchurch competitions) will resume instruction on Monday. Mme. Siltlaigne will resume teaching French and •elocution on the same date. Stuart Wilson for motor cycles.—Advt. Men's Ceylon shirts, 10s 6d quality for 5s lid (sixe 16j only), on sale to-day at MolUsons May Bargain Fair.—Advt. Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the moncv — Advt. Ladies, lighten the labour in your homes by using a "Hotpoint" Electric Radiant Grill for all light cooking. Users state ■'As indispensable as an electric iron, and so inexpensive." Call and inspect.—Turnbull and Jones (Ltd.), electrical engineers.— Advt. For children's hackine cough at night Wood's Groat Peppermint Cure. Is bd 2s 6d. —Advt. Akaroa's autumn-wintor climate, similar to south of France. Roses bloom the year round, 'and orange trees grow to perfection. Motor fare Chrictchurch return 25s — Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray street.(next Telegraph Office). Telephone i 859.Advt. The supply of Golden Rule soap and candles is not equal to the demand at present. The dema I for "No Rubbing " laundry help is also running strong.—Advt. Eyestrain !—Consult Mr Peter G. Dick D.11.0.A.. F. 1.0. (London), consulting and oculists' optician.—Peter D:ck jeweller, otc 490 Moray place, Dunedin —Advt.