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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17423, 18 September 1918, Page 4

It is a melancholy announcement that the of Defence has had to make concerning the effects of an outbreak of influenza, accompanied by pneumonia and acute bronchitis, in the troopship carrying the Fortieth Reinforcements. The severity of the visitation is indicated in the record of sixty-five deaths at sea and nine aftei disembarkation. It is sad that men should be cut off in the prime of life in the firing line, and the present activity on the western front in which the New Zealanders have borne their share has been reflected in casualty lists that have brought sorrow to many a home. But at least those who there nuule the supreme sacrifice died facing the enemy and struck an effective blow for the great cause to which they had dedicated themselves. Those members of the 40th Reinforcements who have succumbed to a serious epidemic on the troopship—where the conditions must have rendered it unusually difficult to cope with the danger— have been cut off prematurely, before ever they reached the scene of their intended usefulness. Not theirs has been the chance to throw in' their lot with the comrades -who in their thousands had gone overseas before them to play a part in ridding the world of the greatest menace to liberty that ever reared its head. Not for • them have been the arduous experiences of campaign in the wa,r-devastated zone. Not to them have been vouchsafed glorious and unforgettable moments amid the din and danger of battle. To think of the soldier who sets forth, in no spirit of adventure, but with calm, resolve to do his duty, whatever it may demand of him, by the side of his New Zealand comrades wherever he may be needed, only to die at sea, struck down by an insidious and invisible foe, is to contemplate an event that has necessarily a peculiar sadness. It seems to speak of the futility of human effort. But is is ever to be remembered that those men of the 40th Reinforcements died for their country and for the Empire as surely as any man that has left these shores. That is their imperishable claim to honour. To those to whom the untoward tidings announced bring pain and sorrow most closely home the sympathy of the whole community must go out.

His Excellency the Governor-General will hold an investiture in Dunedin of the Order of the British Empire on Tuesday afternoon n , ext '„ .. oeromon y will be held in the Art Gallery.

A list of reservists in Class C of the Second Division, together with accretions, called up under the Military Service Act will be pub-ri-l,- 1 " our ' £SUe fc<> - in orrow morning Ihe list will comprise the reservists in Class C who' were not called up in the preceding ballots of members of the nla^ The next American mail is due from San Francisco this week-end, and should arrive in Dunedin about Monday.

A correspondent, writing to us from a country district, expressed tho opinion that the railway charges on consignments ot goods for the Rod Cross have the effect of discouraging settlers from making regular contributions. It is not by aay means generally known that goods and parcels addressed to tho secretary. Red Cross Societv Dunedin, and marked "Gift Goods," are carried free on the railway from any station. We are pleased, therefore, to be able to state that this is the fact.

Yesterday morning Colonel Gibbon (Chief of the General Staff) inspected the High School Cadets at Tahuna Park, and afterwards visited the Central Battery. In the afternoon he went to Milton, where a number of departmental matters occupied his attention. To-day he will visit the forts at Otago Heads.

Mary Jane Moody, who was remanded until to-day on a charge of the attempted murder of her husband, will be further remanded,. her husband being still confined to tne Hospital.

In the City Police Court yesterday, before Mr H. A. Young, S.M., John Lumsden Robb, a rabbiter from Kuri Bush, was charged with threatening to murder Jeanie Leitch. Mr D. C-ooke appeared for tho accused. A remand was granted till next Tuesday, the accused to ho medically examined before then.

A man named Alexander Valentine Walquist was arrested at Ranfurly yesterday by Constable Bandy on a charge of failing to parade for medical examination at Waganui on May 31. Ho was brought into town in the evening, and handed over to tho military authorities.

The Cabinet has decided upon an extension of the policy under which it recommended Military Service Boards last year that all third-year medical students should bo retained in tho dominion in order that they might complcto their studies and qualify as medical practitioners. The Government has now come to tho conclusion, with a view to still further safeguarding the supply of qualified doctors in the future, that the students who have passed the intermediate medical examination should bo retained in the dominion to complete their studies. It is understood that iij pursuance of this decision medical students now at the front who have passed the intermediate examination are to bo recalled to New Zealand.

Tho judges of tho original poem at the competitions awarded the prizes to Misses Muriel Eager and M. Murias, who were bracketed first.

When an appeal by tho D.I.C. on behalf of the company's secretary was before the Otago Military Service Board yesterday, Mr Crow (the manager) stated that tho company had a capital of £250,000. Mr Bell (a of the board); "But most of your shareholders are in Germany, ore they not?" Mr Crow: "None of our shareholders are in Germany." Mr Bell: "But, I have soen pages of their names in the New Zealand Gazette." Mr Brasch (who appeared for the appellants): "Comparatively speaking, only a few shares." Mr Bell: "It was over 100,000." Mr Crow: Somo of our shareholders had lived in Dunedin and had later lived in Germany. These shares had been taken possession of by tho Public Trustee and disposed of by him to Britshers according to statute law." Mr Boll: "I see. I take it you are glad of the opportunity of making this statement, anyway." Mr Crow: "Yes, very glad."

Sir James Allen states that the first volume of tho "Sold'ers' History of the War will be published before Christmas. This volume (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) will deal with the story of Gallipoli. Base Records have received over 1000 letters, diaries, photographs, and sketches. The Government intends to prepare -a similar history of other campaigns, and will welcome loan letters oi other material which mieht prove interest ing and 'useful.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that a message has been received from Mr Pirani, one of tho press delegates visiting Britain at the invitation of tho Imperial authorities. Mr Pirani states that the mission returned to London on September 13 after an extensive tour of Prance and Flanders. The New Zealand delegates, and indeed, the whole party of overseas editors; have been greatly impressed by what they were privileged to seo and to learn on and behind the historic western front. They have seen the great war maeliine working at high pressure—a marvel of stupendous and complicated organisation running with seeming miraculous smoothness and precision. They have seen our splendid men at work, talked with them about their experiences, listened with delight to their eagerly told tales of some other fellow's dauntless valour—never by any chance do they enthuse about what they themselves have done—and discovered renewed inspiration in their cheerful optimism. Here ana there in the semiconfidential privacy of mess room or billet one heard whispers of sins of omission and commission—stories of somebody's alleged blunders.—but these are matters which if they do not lack foundation in fact, must be left to be washed up after the war. In the meantime they are but incidents, more or less inevitable happenings in the world-redeeming enterprise to I which wo have set our hands. The message sent to New Zealand is: "Carry on: all will be well."

A Press Association telegram from Christchurch states that the Council of Churches passed a resolution that, while deprecating the introduction of literature which is wantonly aggressive at a time of national crisis, it viewed with regret and alarm the prohibition, by an irresponsible Minister of a State report bearing the signature of President Wilson and of books carrying the imprimatur of the King and Prince Minister of Italy. It added that such absurd attempts to shelter a particular Church wai in the council's opinion inimical to the welfare of the country. The council also resolved to protest against the introduction of gambling methods in raising funds for patriotic purposes, the executive being instructed to formulate a comprehensive series of motions on the whole question of gambling.

The annual Home Missions meeting of the Mornington Methodist Church, held last night, was well attended. The Rev. W. Greenslade presided. J.he Rev. W. J. Oxbrow (Dundas Street Methodist Church) delivered an interesting and informative address on home mission experiences in Australia. Trinity choir rendered a programme of music, and the anthems, solos, and duets were greatly appreciated. The financial report was read, and it is anticipated that the church will raise its assessment towards the Home Missions Fund.

The United Starr-Bowkett Society advertises its annual meeting, when £3500 will be disposed of. There are 226 shares unallotted in the No. 4 group. The Harley ; Davidson motor cycle is a distinct type originated by the Harby-David-son organisation. " The master motor cycle."—Wilson, Dunedin.—Advt.

New Goods now showing in all departments. Inspection respectfully invited. Mollisons L : mited.—Advt.

"No Rubbing" Laundry Help does the washing while you rest; Is 3d large packet sufficient for seven weekly family wash insrs.—Allan and Smith.—Advt

Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— Advt.

For children's hacking cough at night Woods' Great Peppermint Cure 1q a,i 2s 6d.—Advt. ~ ou

Ladies, lighten the labour in your homes by using a Hotpomt" 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.

A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattrav strppf-s (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859 — Advt.

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