THE EMPIRE’S CALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 52

THE EMPIRE’S CALL.

OTAGO QUOTA EXCEEDED. SEVENTH REINFORCEMENT OYERSUPPLIED.

VERY SATISFACTORY POSITION,

The people of Otago may now congratulate themselves on the fact that, whatever deficiency there may have been in recruiting in the province in the past, the returns for the Seventh Reinforcement showtiiat the quota for the Seventh Reinforcement is not only filled, but largely over--supplied, the result being that a large number of men will have to wait over for the Eighth. For the first time in Otago a selection will have to bo made, and tlie men picked to go will bo notified that they are to proceed to Trentham by the special train leaving Dunedin on Saturday next at 11.45 a.m. A few extra men will also bo asked to parade to take the places of any of the picked men who should fail to turn up, but such emergencies will be men who will not be inconvenienced, and who will bo. able to return to their work should no vacancies occur. The following statement shows trio number of men who have been passed as lit, and arc available for service : Mounted' Rifles. Dunedin 54 Invercargill 37 Oainam 42 Milton 25 Infantry. Dunedin 141 Invercargill 124 Oamaru ... 83 Milton 39 The following will leave for Trentham on Saturday:— Mounted Rifles. Dunedin 20 Invercargill 25 Oamaru 35 Milton 25 • Infantry. Dunedin 74 Invercargill 100 Oamaru 80 Milton 39 Altogether, the quota appears to have been exceeded by about 150 men. Dunedin heads the list, a very large number having joined the colours during Show Week, but there have also been largo enrolments at Oamaru and Invercargill. The men who are selected to leave with the Seventh Reinforcement will be notified at once. Passed as Fit. The following is the latest list of men who have passed at the local medical examination : Louis Tinner, motor mechanic, Maori Hill. Andrew Jamieson, ploughman, Kcw." Walter Lcaper, carter, Cavcrsham. Jack Kerr, labourer, Mornington Charley B.rt, farm labourer, St. Kilda. Richard Olsen, seaman, Dunedin. George Michael Costello, cook, Dunedin. Alexander Rennie, carpenter, Musselburgh. Alexander Hampden, chemist, Dunedin. Sydney David Herbert, clerk, Dunedin. William Allan Seaton, painter. Caversham. James Wellington M'Zvlurray, farm labourer, Dunedin. Leonard Green, farmer’s machinist, Mount Cargill, Thomas Meek, labourer, Dunedin. Walter Willis, labourer, South Dunedin. Alfred Paine, labourer, Dunedin. Frank Remvick Weir, motor engineer, Dunedin. Frank Louis Mueller, railway surfaceman, Dunedin. Christopher Mackay M'Hugh, ploughman, Lake Wakatipu. Frederick William Arbuckle, dentist, Dunedin. Thomas Buchanan, blacksmith, Caversham. Francis John Robinson, warehouseman, Dunedin. Yictor O. C. Johnston, compositor, St. Kilda. Arthur Little, farm hand, Outram. Albert Stephen Davis, motor mechanic, St. Kilda. John Alex. Hogg, stationer, Maori Hill. Hugh M'Donalcl, telegraph linesman, Dunedin. Maurice Thomas Timings, railway cadet, Dunedin. Charles Dossier Layton, draper, Dunedin. James Colin Craigie, mercantile elcrk_ Dunedin. Arthur Weldon Easther, clerk, Dunedin. Farquhar M. Sutherland, wool classer, Dunedin. John M‘Lcan, jockey, Mornington. Alexander Noil Steel, traveller, St. Kilda. The following are the names of those who have enrolled at the Dunedin Recruiting Offices since mid-day on Friday:— William Henry Clack, farm labourer, South Dunedin. Hugh Dunlop, bricklayer, ScaclilF. George Errington Whitfield, plumber, Mornington. Henry John Cameron, coal miner. Roslyn. Arthur James Stewart, bank clerk. Dunedin. Leonard James Robertson, sailor, Dunedin Allan Anderson, farmer, Dunedin. Alfred Frederick Bcssicl, butter maker, Roslyn. Alfred Leonard Ilibbs, sheep farmer, Manuka Creek. Robert Barr, choesemakor, Owaka. Henry Neill Sligo, carpenter, Dunedin. John Dunn, railway fireman. Lawrence. William Tail, labourer, South Dunedin. Robert Weir, railway fireman. Mornington. John Craig, engine driver, Waitahuna. Frank Douglas Reid, farmer, Wood-side. Robert Hislop Muir, carter, Waitati. John Robert Douglas, baker, Dunedin. William Henry Hayward, baker. Caversham. Ronald Henderson, farm labourer, Mornington. Lieutenanbcolonel Stnneham (chairman of the Recruiting Committee) expressed great satisfaction with the position of recruiting in Otago as revealed by the latest returns, and expressed the opinion to an Otago Daily Times reporter that it was largely the result of the efforts of the Recruiting Committee during the past few months. A remarkable feature of the position, he said, was the

NEW ZEALAND’S RESPONSE.

shortness of the space of time in which the quota had been pulled from a decided shortage into a superabundance. A few days ago tliore appeared to be, in the ordinary course of events, a great likelihood that the Otago quota for the 7th Reinforcements would be sent an ay short. That the young I men of the province only required awaken- : ing to a sense of their responsibility was ! shown by the fact that- when the likelihood of a deficiency had been pointed out in the newspapers they -at once volunteered in such large numbers that they more than supplied the want. It was probable that the special effort made a fortnight ago throughout Otago to obtain recruits for the new unit had stimulated recruits for the later contingent. But for that special effort ho thought that the quota for the new unit would have been shorter by far more than 50, as it was. In view of the latest position, ho thought that Otago could now bo claimed to i)o doing more than her share on a population basis. 'lhe committee would go on with its efforts to obtain recruits, and ho boned that the present satisfactory state of affairs would continue, and that the - Otago quota for future contingents would not again lapse into a shortage.

UNION COMPANY"S OFFICERS AT THE FRONT

| Almost immediately after war was declared 1 members of the Union ."itcara Ship Com- | I>any s floating staff began enlisting for I active service, and at the present time no j fewer than 45 out of a total of about 250 officers, have joined the Allied forces in various i capacities, both ashore and afloat, FoiiowI ing are the names of officers who have proceeded to the United Kingdom in order to I join his Majesty’s navy:—Captain A. E. ! Cain, R.N.R., Captain F. Watchlin, R.N.R., j S. Ferguson, J. C. Barnett. R. Breen, A. J. R. Barr, E. Doolin. W. H. Watt, R.N.R., F. A. C. ilislop, W. W. Fish Following are the names of officers. who I have joined his Majesty’s military New Zealand Forces for the war: —E. F. Watson, R.N.11. (serving with the navy), J. E. Seaton, E. O. Sarginson (reported wounded at Dardanelles), O. M. Campbell (reported wounded ;it Dardanelles), A. Cool: (reported wounded at Dardanelles), G. A. Herbert (reported wounded at Dardanelles), Cantain FI. W. D. Bold, D. O’Hara. L. W. Bell. A. C. Parker, C. j. T. Hatfield, R, G. Johnston, F. A. Clarke, A. B. Sizer, A. D. Chrisp, V. J. Hay. J. Scrivener, A. H. Scales, D". W. Nicholas. L. D. Clark, J. 11. Miller, J. F. J aim ay, C. M'Kood. J. W. Cameron. The following are the names of officers \vno have joined his Majesty’.*? Australian forces for the war:—G. B. Morgan. J. Jickell, C. J. Hackworth, K. A. Ditcharn, IT. J. Clare, W A. Beaslev. P. S. Macdonald, M. J. Siopen, M. M.' Johnstone, N. Campbell, M. C. Langdalo. WEST COASTERS FOR THE FRONT. (From Odr Own Correspondent.) GREYMOUTH, June 7. The West Coast quota for the Seventh Reinforcements has now been selected. The number, which is smaller than usual, will consist of about 23 men, 14 from this district, and nine from 'Westport. The men will assemble in Greymouth on Friday morning, and will leave the following day for Christchurch, catching the Wahi.ie from Lyttelton for Wellington on Saturday night. Already _a large number of volunteers have handed in then- names to the local Defence office, for inclusion in the Eighth Reinforcements, duo to leave about the middle of August, The exact number of men required for the Eighth Reinforcements from the West Coast has not been officially notified to the local authorities, but, judging from the number of names already sent hi, there should be* no lack of men offering. THE WOUNDED MEN. STATEMENT BY THE HON. MR BELL. WELLINGTON, June 1. Speaking at a meeting of sports representatives in connection with the local carnival queen festival, the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. 11. D. Boll) made an important statement relative to the Government's intentions regarding the pensions scheme for wounded soldiers and the dependents of those killed in battle. A good deal had been said about it being the duty of the country to take care of the wounded in future and of the dependents of those men who died on the field of battle. “That is so,” said the Minister. “You may ask, then, why bother about a Patriotic Fund? Everyone has to pay out of the country’s funds. Whatever the Government does it does uniformly. When the law • is laid down we cannot discriminate between the poor and the better-off. We have the experience of past military pensions to go upon. The pensioners fought hard in the past, and the case is a precedent for the future. They bitterly resented tiio obligation in the old days and until quite recently to show need of a pension. They should not bo asked to show need or to pauperise themselves for the sake of a pension. The pensions will be quite uniform.” Mr Bell said the Patriotic Fund could be utilised to supplement the pensions. which, after all, must be kept within certain limits. A BIG QUESTION. WELLINGTON, Juno 2. When mentioning some matters connected with the wounded New Zealanders to-night the Minister of Defence informed a reporter that certain points had still to bo considered. Normally a man who returned from the front unfit for further service would be given his discharge at once, but the Defence Department realised that this system might entail hardship in.certain cases, since the war fpansions would not become payable until the Pensions Board had had time to deal with the individual cases. “ The general instruction to the officers commanding at the front,” said the Minister, “is that if a wounded man is unfit for further service, or likely to be unfit, ho is to bo returned to the dominion as soon as ho is well enough to travel or a convenient opportunity offcrs._ If, on the other hand, the wounded man is likely to recover within a reasonable time and become available for further service, he is to bo kept at the hes-

pital in Egypt or elsewhere. Many of the New Zealand wounded arc recovering quickly. Some of them have returned to the front already, and others will be going there shortly. Sooner or later there will bo wounded men returning to the dominion, and provision for them will have to be made.”

The Minister mentioned that, under the arrangement already announced, the dependents of a soldier who died at the front would continue to draw the allowance ho had made them from his pay until the pensions or allowances had been lixed, though actually the pay would cease with the man’s death. As yet there was no provision for continuing a man’s pay after ho had returned to New Zealand unfit for further service. The question was a big one. Many of the men had billets waiting for them —billets which they had left temporarily in order to join the forces—and the fact that a man had become unfit in a military sense did not moan necessarily that ho could not resume his civilian occupation. The patriotic committees could render very valuable service by finding employment for returned men. and he had no doubt that a good deal would bo done in that direction, but the ease of the incapacitated soldier would have to bo met. The Government hael under consideration the general question of finding employment for the discharged soldiers at the close of the war. It had boon stated already that certain lands would he set aside for the men who had served at the front, and the Prime Minister had mentioned a scheme for placing some, of the soldiers on fruit farms in the Auckland district. The Government realised that arrangements must be made in advance for the return of the troops at the close of the war, and their redistribution into civilian employment. The patriotic committees could undertake no more important work than that of assisting the soldiers to secure suitable positions at the close of the war cv of their terms of service.

CARE OF THE WOUNDED

COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS. VVJii.LLjNUM.OiN, June 7

“The position in regard to wounded New Zealanders at the Iront,” said tno Hon. Janies Alien to-day:, “is that, if men arc likely to recover in time to lie wanted at Gallipoli again, they will go to Malta or Egypt. If they cannot bo dealt with there they are cent to England. The only men who are sent to England are those who will eventually go back to the front.”

Those who would not bo fit to return to the front, added the Minister, were to be brought back to New Zealand when they became convalescent. The Government had no definite information yet as to when they would be able to be sent back. If the arrangements with the existing hospitals were insufficient .when the men got here, the Hon. Mr Rhodes, into whose charge tiiis matter had been given, would select places from those under offer and equip them for the care of the wounded. Every arrangement had been made by the Public Health Department and Mr Rhodes in regard to the existing hospitals, and there was a good deal of room available at these institutions. They were obviously the best places to which to send the men. They were more convenient and comfortable, and the cost would be less.

“The public,” added the Minster, “must not think that the men were coming back to go into hospitals in any largo numbers. They would go to their homes if they had sufficiently recovered. For instance, the wife of a wounded man had already written to ask that her husband should bo sent home, so that she could nurse him, and it was obviously the kindest and best thing to do to allow men to go to their homes and be cared for.”

The Minister also added that the bulk of the mounted men of the Main Expeditionary 7 Force were fighting on Gallipoli Peninsula as dismounted troops, and there might bo some of the Second Reinforcements there. The mounted men volunteered for this service.

MEDICAL REJECTS

REPORT TO DEFENCE DEPARTMENT. WELLINGTON, Juno 2.

The Minister of Defence has received from the Defence Department a preliminary report upon the apparent disparity in the various military districts in the percentage of men rejected as medically unfit. The report stated that conclusions previously come to had been misleading. For instance, as a •result of investigation in the records, it had boon found that on one night six doctors in Wellington examined 135 men. and declared over 60 per cent, unfit. Two nights later the .same six doctors examined another 115 men, and rejected only 2 per cent, as unfit. It was therefore impossible to take specific examinations and on them base whole statistics. Any criticism must be based on a series of examinations, and not limited. A number of examinations undertaken since the beginning of the war np to now showed a real difference between districts. They showed about 25 per cent, rejected in various districts. As far as this examination of recruits was concerned, there was one standard set of regulations, and, stated the Minister, it was reported to him that these had been fairly evenly observed by the doctors in all the centres. And there was proof of this. The report also dealt with the question of men rejected for wearing glasses. It was stated that men wore not always rejected because they had to assist their eyesight with glasses. For instance, many men could now be seen in camp wearing glasses, hut it was laid down by the British War Office that eye-test regulations must be obeyed in all cases, and no relaxation must be permitted. The tost adopted was sot not for men entering into a long army career, but was set down in 1911 for the Territorial army. Tt was not as severe a tost as was demanded for the regular army. It also was not as severe as Canada and Australia demanded; and Australia, said the Minister, he had been informed, had found that her test had not been stringent enough, and was acting accordingly. The department discussed also in its report the question of taking into the Ambulance and Army Service Corps or clerical staff? men who might ho otherwise rejected, but they said that these departments of military work imposed a more arduous strain and longer hours. Men who performed these tasks had to he fitter physically, if anything, rather than the reverse. If anything, the regulations were not stringent enough for these services, and steps were being taken to make them more so.

The department, said the Minister, also mentioned what ho himself had been endeavouring from the very first to impress

upon them, and that was the cost to the country of taking into camp any men who might have to be medically rejected later on u 'lhe department now said that any man who was turned out of the ranks for medical reasons on the way to the front cost the country a good deal of money. In the ease of one contingent of reinforcements 15 men had to ho sent back from one port en route to Egypt because they had broken down from disabilities. This cost could have been saved, and that of their training, etc., if they had been rejected at the preliminary examination. DEBARRED BY AGE LIMIT, FARMER’S GENEROUS OFFER. (From Oua Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, Juno 3. There are quite a number of “ young ” old men who are desirous of getting to the front despite their ago. One man went to the Defence Office and gave in his age at 39. The registration form was duly filled in and accepted, and the applicant for enlistment passed on to the examining doctor. The form came back with the inscription “Apparently 49” opposite the “ago” line, and was duly remitted to district headquarters. It was returned with instructions to make further inquiries a,s to the age of the applicant, and those inquiries ended in the discovery that the man’s age was. actually 55. He was accordingly rejected, and there is not a more disappointed man in anganui to-day than this volunteer. Another authentic story of a young farmer’s practical patriotism is recorded in the district. The young follow, who had by thrift and prudence placed himself in a sound financial position, conceived it to bo his duty to go to the front. Ho offered his services, and was duly accepted. In the same locality there were a. number of other young men, mates of the one who had enlistee), and all eligible for service. He suggested that they ought to follow his example, but, while professing to bo desirous of doing eo, they all gave reasons which made it difficult for them to do so. Pressed to state the nature of their reasons, they were for the most part unable to state any more serious obstacle to their enrolling than the fact that they owed money to certain people, and were reluctant to go away in debt. They must have been surprised when their patriotic comrade rejoined : “ Well, boj’s, don’t let that stop you from doing your duty. Give me your bills, and I will settle them for you; and, what’s more. I’ll give you each a fiver on top of it.” And now the settlers of tho district arc waiting with no little curiosity to sec whether tins generous offer will bo accepted. FREE RAILWAY PASSES. WELLINGTON, June 3. Frco railway passes are to be issued to members of the reinforcement drafts and the new units at Trentham when they are granted tiieir usual leave to visit their relatives. Hitherto the soldiers have been allowed to travel at excursion rates. The men yesterday completed the laying of pipes for the camp water supply scheme.

THE TBENTHAM CAMP, SOLDIERS’ SPORTS. A SUCCESSFUL MEETING. WELLINGTON, June 3. The Trcntham racecourse presented quit® an unusual aspect to-day, it being the scene not of a race meeting, but of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force championship sports gathering—a meeting, by the' way, unique m the annals of New Zealand atnletics. Instead of the customary throng of civilians, some 6000 uniformed soldiers lined the fences and filled the stands to their utmost seating capacity. And a very happy lot the soldiers proved. Unlike the more sober civilian gathering, the men at camp, making the most of their relaxation from drill, derived the maximum amount of enjoyment out of each item. There was plenty of good-natured . barracking and well-meant advice tendered gratuitously to the soldier aspirants for athletic honours. All the various events provided exciting contests, and there were some fast times recorded in the field events. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Liverpool and the Hon. Jas. Allen (Minister of Defence) were present during the course of the afternoon. Mr A. A. Marry at fc (of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association Council) and Mr A. C. Kitto (of Wellington centre) also attended. There was as well a fair sprinkling of the soldiers’ friends, including many ladies, whoso costumes struck a welcome note of colour among the drab khaki. In the various field competitions there were seen many faces familiar in the New Zealand athletic arena, including Batestone, who made good in the ICO, 200, and 440 Yards events at tho New Zealand championship meeting; K. and G. Strack, well known on the local athletic fields; Sutherland, the New Zealand hop, step, and jump champion; A. B. Sievwright, the New Zealand mile and three-mile champion; La Roche, the well-known Wairarapa runner; and C. C. Francis, the crack Auckland distance runner. Perhaps the events that proved most popular with tho soldier spectators were the essentially military items, such as the drill and rifle exercises, tho bayonet fighting exhibition, and tho tent pitching competition. The precision with which the men went through the various exercises was a revelation, and frequently aroused the spectators to enthusiastic applause. The principal events resulted as follows:—

100 Yards Championship. —First heat: B. Bakestone (C. Company 6th Reinforcements), 1! Mathias (C .Squad sth), 2. Second heat: G. S. Struck (7th Infantry), 1; F.- Proctor (D Company 6th), 2. Third heat: T. Fox (B Company 6th), 1; A. Abrahams .N.Z.E.), 2. Final; Batestone 1, Mathias 2, Strack 3.

Shot Putting. —P. Munro (Stationary Hospital) 1, R. H. Rose (C Company, 6th) 2. Tout Pitching Competition.—A Company, 6th Reinforcements 1, B. Company, 6th 2. Inter Unit Relay Race. —New Zealand En-

ginecvs 1, C Company, 6th Reinforcements 2, C Company. sth 3. d'4o Y&l’fls Championship.—Quartermaster Mann (A Squad, 6th) 1, F. Proctor (D. Squad, 6th) 2, C. La Roche (7th Mounted) 3

Drill and Rifle Exorcises. Mounted 4 Squad, 6th Reinforcements 1, C Squad, 6th 2; D Squad. 6th. 3; B. Squad, 6th, 4. Foot; B Company, 6th, 1; A Company and I). Company, 6th (equal), 2; C. Company, 6th, 3. • 830 Yards Championship.—A. Parkinson (B Company, sth) 1, Gollins (C Company.

Stobio (C Coni'

2nd Trcnthain) 2. C. Vv pany, 6th) 3. Inter-unit Cross-country Run. —A Squad ron, sth Reinforcements, 1; Now Zealand Engineers, 2; N.Z.F.A., 3. This race was from a peak of a hill over rough country, and had a tolling effect upon the competitors, one man of whom had to be assisted to the tape. High Jump.—W. T. Andrews (A Company, 6th) 1, J. E. Colquhoun (A Company, sth) 2. Wrestling.—Cumberland style : E. Norman (B Company, 2nd Trcnthain) 1, G. Norman (p Company, sth) 2._ One-mile Walk Championship.—Lieutenant A. B. Siovwright 1, R. H. Rose 2, Withe'll 3.

Officers’ 100 Yards Championship.—Lieutenant S. Ellis 1, Lieutenant Turnbull 2, Lieutenant Burn 3.

220 Yards Championship. —B. Batestone 1, R. E. W, Fordarn 2, Andrews 3. Hop, Step, and Jump.—Sutherland 1, MTveown 2, Captain Bogle 3. ‘ Bandsmen’s Race. —Stone 1, S. Hodges 2, Jones 3. This was the most popular race of the day. It was participated in by yelping dogs, who led the “ field ” from start to finish, winning easily amid uproarious merriment.

Inter-unit Tug-of-war. —Final: B Company, sth Regiment, 1; C Company, sth, 2; B Company, 6th, 3. One-mile Championship. —Parkinson (B Company, sth) 1, Scott (B Company, Ist Trontham) 2, Cameron (A Company, 6»h) 3. A feature of the programme, and one that proved most interesting, was a bayonet-fight-ing exhibition by a squad of men under Sergeant-major Geary. The art in this style of fighting was demonstrated: very skilfullj', with, of course, such protective measures as buttoned bayonets and masks.

MEASLES AT TIIENTHAM

A SERIOUS OUTBREAK. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, June 6. A rather serious outbreak of measles at the Trentham Camp has been embarrassing the authorities for some time. It has been the more difficult for them to deal with it owing to the shortage of hospital accommodation available to the military, but this difficulty has now been overcome. The sick men have been accommodated in a part of the general! hospital known as the “D.T’s Ward,” and in the Plague Hospital, an isolated establishment which is not used ordinarily for even infectious diseases. At this latter place there has been more or less of overcrowding, and the Defence authorities have arranged to have the use of other wards at the General 1 lospital. The sick men will go there for treatment. When they are convalescent they will bo moved to the Plague Hosiptal, and they will complete their period of rest at Trentham before going to work again. Although conditions have not been as comfortable as might bo, the patients do not s: complain, and there has not been a case of pneumonia supervening. A considerable number of men contacts and convalescents are kept in isolated quarters provided for the purpose at the camp. These epidemics arc the banc of all long-established training camps. This particular outbreak is believed to have originated with some men from Christchurch. At Home the authorities do not know where to turn for hospital accommodation in the training centres. There they have not only measles, but mumps among the soldiers. June 7. The Defence Department has been making some new arrangements during the last day or two for handling the outbreak of measles at the Trentham camp. The more serious cases are going to bo treated at the public hospital, where room is being made for them by the removal of the present occupants of the female chronic patients’ ward. The mild cases will be dealt with at the other hospitals now at the disposal of the military authorities. The Minister of Defence stated to-night that he believed the now arrangements ■were fully adequate to meet the needs of the situation. The men would receive all the attention they required during the period of illness and convalescence, and the Defence authorities would take all proper steps to check the spread of infection at Trentham.

VISITORS TO CAMP. fSTnoii Odb Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, June 7

Last Sunday was a record ,n respect of the crowds visiting Trontham camp. Entrains alone 3000 civilians and 1000 so'diers •went out. The scenes at Lambton Station about 2 o’clock were rather extraordinary. Hundreds wore shut off the 1.55 tram and many olf the 2.15, but these got away later. The camp now contains 7000 men, and the visitors came from various parts of New Zealand. THE OTAGO WOXJHDED. DANCERS AND PIPERS’ ASSOCIATION. On the 3rd the Otago branch of the New Zealand Dancers and Pipers’ Association made a big effort to assist the fund for returned Otago wounded soldiers, and the popular meeting held in the Triangle, despite many counter attractions, drew a largo attendance of spectators, who, by hearty applause throughout, signified their appreciation. The been, frosty weather made the conditions somewhat unpleasant underfoot, but the skirl of the bagpipes and the entertaining qualities of the openair concert and competitions provided a groat deal of enjoyment to all who helped such a worthy object. Mr 11. Bills, an ex-champion, who judged the dancing, said that the performances were very creditable, and ho had some difficulty in separating the prize winners. The pointing, carriage, etc., were good, but some of the competitors neglected the proper hand position. The girls’ performances were particularly meritorious. Over £22 was collected during the evening, and it is guaranteed that £SO will bo handed over to the fund for Otago wounded at the war as the result of the proceedings. CONCERT AT PORT CHALMERS. A very fine procession and concert were held at Port Chalmers on the Ist to raise funds wherewith to provide for the soldiers at the Dardanelles. The Kaikorai Band and the local school band participated in the procession, in which the fire brigade and friendly societies figured. The procession terminated at the Garrison Hall, in which a splendid programme was submitted

SALE AT WINTER SHOW

At the Winter Show on Thursday morning: Messrs Donald Reid and Co. (Ltd.) offered for sale on account of the above fund a fat lamb, presented by a farmer. It was bought by Mr Walter Murray for £l, and was handed in for resale. It was then bought at 10s by each of the following; Messrs Arthur Bolwcll, Barton and Trcngrove, James Henderson, J. W. Thomas, Robert M’Kinnon, F. Freeman, John Murray, James Bain, Thomas Harrison, James Wright, William Cunningham, Moynihan, William Duke, Alexander Scott, jun., Arthur Sheriff, Robert E. Matheson, John M‘Arthur, H. Price, James Wyber, Crosby Morris, Arthur Johnson, Henry Allan, Charles Samson, Barry Miller, Geo. Livingstone, and John Kirkpatrick. It was then finally sold to the Christchurch Meat Company for £1 10s. The fund will therefore benefit to the extent of £ls 10s.

MILBURX, CLAREXDOX. AND CIRCLE HILL DISTRICTS.

A splendid response has been made to the appeal for the Wounled Soldiers’ Fund in the Milburn, Clarendon, and Circle Hill districts. A gift auction was held, which was successfully conducted by Mr R. M‘Kinnon, of Messrs Donald, Reid, and Co. The not result, including the cash handed in, was the splendid sum of £222 Is 6d. Following is the list of donors; —W. Grey, £25; 'Ewing Phosphate Company, £lO 10s; T. H. Russell, £10; A. P. Grey, £10; P. Williamson and Sons, £10; Milburn Lime Company’s employees, £8 6s 6d; Driver family, £5; J. Somerville, £5; Brabyn family, £5; A. Wisely, jun., £5; Ewing Phosphate Company’s employees, £4 7s; Mr Strothers, £3 3s; G. S. Tomkinson, £3 3s; Jas. Wisely, £3 3s; J. Strain, £3; I. Young, £3; Muir Bros., £3: D. Manson, £3; W. Hare, £2 2s; Jas. Paul, £2 2s; T. Muir, sen., £2 2s; Jas. Grey, £2 2s; Jones, £2 2s; John Finch, £2; George Grey, £2; M. Finch, £1 Is; J. IT. Jaffray, £1 Is; Guy Lindsay, £1 Is; Jas. M‘Lood, £1 Is; J. Stangor, £1 Is; A. Leslie, £1; R. Henderson, £1; A. Anicich, £1; Jas. Farra, £1; W. Young, £1; Miss Lonoy, £1; FT. Carlow, £1; C. Matthews, £1; A. Carr, £1; A. Andrews, £1; Jas. Craig, £1; P. Riddell, £1; J. S. Inglis, £1; D. Thomson, £1; D. Drinnan, £1; A. Thomson, £1; A. Wisely, sen.. £1; J. Cowio, £1; E. Pilling, £1; F. Wright, £1; H. Farrell, £1; Jas. M‘Noil, £1; T. Craigie, £1; A. Baungard, £1; John Riddell, £1; G. Wilcocks, £1; R. M‘Kay, £1; A. Bringans, £1; T. Yorston, £1; Dominion Lime Co.’s employees, £1; Mrs M'Donald, 10s; Andorton, 10s; W. T. Dick, 10s; H. M'Ncil, jun., 10s; D. Marshall, 10s; R. Gardyne, 10s; Mrs Main, 10s; M. Kilgariff, 10s; A. Bruce, 10s; Mrs W. Strain, 10s; F. Hare, 10s; A. Campbell, 10s; A. Knight, 10s; F. Hanke, 10s; Jas. MTntosh, 10s; H. Struthers, 10s; John Blair, 10s; W. Grey, jun., 10s; C; Grey, 10s; R. Browlio, 10s; A. Rodman, 10s; Jas. Taylor, 10s; H. M'Noil, son., 8s; John Hagen, 7s 6d; J. Atkin, ss; H. Fitzsimmons, ss; G. Buchanan, ss; Harle, ss; D. Finch, ss; J. Troy, ss; Mrs A. Leslie, ss; E. Foster, ss; G. Cowic, ss; G. Leslie, ss; John Carr, jun., ss; R. Hare, ss; A. Carr, 3s; D. Shanks, 2s 6d; Jas. Duncan, 2s 6d; J. T. Brown, 2s 6d; “Friend,” Is 6d; “Friend,” Is.

In addition, goods were donated as follows;—Raitt Bros., 3 sacks wheat, 2 sacks oats, 1 bag potatoes; Muir Bros., 1 ton straw chaff; George Grey, 3 sacks fowl wheat, 3 sacks potatoes; Brabyn family, half a ton sheaf chaff and goods; Milburn Lime and Cement Co,, 3 tons crushed lime; Mr J. W. Lawrence, 1 swinglo-trce, pair steel shares, 2 sets shoos; Mr Manson, 1 sack wheat, 1 sack oats; 11. Struthers, 6 sacks potatoes, 2 pairs ducks; J. M'Grouther,, 2 sacks oats; J. Morriss, 3 sacks potatoes; P. Knight, 1 sack potatoes, 1 sack chaff; J. Gibson, 1 sack oats; A. Campbell, 1 sack potatoes; Sutherland, 2 pet lambs; G. S. Tomkinson, 1 pet lamb; G. Buchanan, 1 sack potatoes; J. W. Johnstone, 1 sack potatoes; W. Smith, 8 buckets; Mrs Rutherford, 1 pair ducks, 1 bag cabbage, 1 bag pears; Mrs Jas. Grey, 2 bags apples; Mrs Pilling, badge; Mrs Duncan, rooster; Mrs Atkins, faneywork; Miss Potts, faneywork; Miss Fitzsimmons, faneywork; Misses Grey, faneywork. A GENEROUS GIFT. About 50 oil and water colour paintings of English, Continental, and Now Zealand scenes, the work of Miss M. A. Park, were recently given by her as a contribution towards the Sick and Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. Yesterday afternoon these paintings (untrained) were disposed of by public auction at Messrs A. Harris and Co.’s rooms. There were only about 50 present, and the response was far from worthy of the artistic merit of the pictures, and still less worthy of the generosity of the gift. Prices ranged from a few shillings up to 225, and the total realised, which is being given free from all deductions for expenses, is in the neighbourhood of £25. FISH DAY AT RAYENSBOURNE. On Empire Day several Ravensbourne boats’ crews made good hauls of fish, which were cleaned and smoked by Messrs J. Bain, W. Blackie, J. M’Phorson, P. Young, and other willing helpers, and on Saturday they were sold by Miss Harridge, Mr J. Blackie, and Mr J. M‘Phcrson to the purchasers of fish tickets and others. The result was a total gain of about £lO, which will bo expended by the Ravensbourne Boating Club in procuring comforts to send away to the members of the club now fighting at the Dardanelles. It is also the intention of the club to send gifts monthly during the duration of the war. DONATION BY MINING COMPANY. At the meeting of the shareholders in the Nokomai Sluicing Company on the 4th it was decided, on the motion of Mr Ritchie, to donate £25 to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The Chairman explained that some months ago the directors had voted £25 to the Patriotic Fund. SOCIAL AT BRIGHTON. A very successful social evening was held at Brighton on Friday evening, the proceeds going to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund, which will benefit to the amount of £5 11s 7d. It is the intention of the committee to hold a fancy dress ball shortly for the same object.