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Otago Witness, Issue 3205, 18 August 1915, Page 48

A Press Association message from Westport states that the coal shipments last week wore as follow: —Westport Coal Co., 15,199 tons 7cwt; coke, 35 tons 15cwt; Wcstport-Siockton Co., 1979 tons 13cwt. A severe earthquake shock was experienced at Westport at five minutes to 9 on Saturday night, followed by lesser shocks during the evening and on Sunday (says a Press Association telegram). The direction of all the shocks v. r as from west to cast. The English mail which was despatched from Dunedin, via Auckland and Vancouver on June 12, and which arrived at Vancouver on July 2 (ono day late), reached London on July 17 (two days late). Truly the bump of patriotism requires developing in some people. The latest example of bucolic munificence comes from the Martoa district (says the New Zealand Times). A prominent farmer in that locality, whose business is grain-growing, cleared a profit of £27 10s per acre last season off his 190 acres, which works out at an aggregate of £5225. Scenting a good donation to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund, a patriotic resident, who is keenly interested in the welfare of the boys at the front, approached the lucky landowner and timidly hinted that now was an opportune time for a display of generosity and an indication of patriotism. Imagine his delight when, after duly setting forth the duty of all citizens in this hour of the Empire's trial, the munificent - sum of £1 was reluctantly handed over to him. News received by the last English mail stated that the well-known Federal-Shire steamer Surrey was once again safe in port at London. The Surrey, it will bo recalled, was damaged by a mine on February 26, and, as there- was every probability of her sinking, she was beached at North Deal. An examination was made of her, and so adverse were the reports that the vessel was considered to bo a total loss. Nothing was done beyond salving the cargo, for some time, then a further examination was made, and as a result it was decided to make an attempt to refloat her. Preparations began at once, and on May 28 the vessel was once again afloat. Four tug boats took her safely to London, where she was put into dock. After a retirement of half an hour yesterday afternoon the jury found John Bell M'Clymont not guilty of stealing £2l 7s, canteen moneys of the 14th (South Otago) Regiment. His Honor Miv Justice Sim, in summing up, expressed the opinion that accused had been extremely fortunate in being acquitted on a previous charge, and also expressed himself strongly as to iho position accused would occupy in the eyes of the community. This was the last charge against APClymont, who was discharged from custody, llis Honor, in sentencing John Robert Henderson on five . >r six charges of stealing the funds of the 14 th Regiment, expressed regret. that accused’s career had boon wrecked. He sentenced accused to 12 months’ imprisonment, with hard- labour, on each charge.

the sentences to be concurrent. Douglas Ferguson was sentenced to detention lor a period not exceeding three years for reformative treatment on charges of breaking and entering. One of the Christchurch men who left with the First Expeditionary Force writes to his parents of an incident that ho witnessed on board one ol the transports between Malta and Alexandria. There was a shortage- of food, the daily ration consisting almost solely of a largo hard biscuit. The climax came one night when the Maoris, who were on their way to tjie front, kicked over the traces, and there was “a terrible row.” The result was that the officer commanding sent ashore for fresh broad and moat. At an inquiry next day it was ascertained that the stewards had boon making sandwiches from bread and meat belonging to the men, and had been selling them at threepence each among the troops. “I might add,” mys the writer, “that the stewards cannot bo found, or they would get a pretty rough time.” Advice has been received (e-ays the Lyttelton Times) that six chrysanthemums grown by Mr W. Busch, of Amberlcy, and forwarded to the Panama Exhibition in ice, have been awarded a gold medal. The blooms, which are claimed to have established a world’s record for size, attracted a groat deal of attention at the exhibition. The chrysanthemums were of the William Turner variety, and gained first and second prizes at the Dunedin and Christchurch Horticultural Societies’ shows in 1914. in addition to winning the Blythe Memorial and the Rhodes Cups. At Amberlcy in the same year, the chrysanthemums were awarded the prize for premier blooms at the show. At 4 p.m. on Saturday the final results were announced in connection with the Kaitangata Queen Carnival. The proceeds (£2393 Os lid) exceeded all expectations, and showed that the district had done wonderfully well. The final rally took place in the Domain Grounds, and, after the results wore made known, the queens thanked their respective supporters for assistance and receptions accorded them. The following arc the results:—Farmers’ Queen (Miss L. Wilson), £733 (175,920 votes); Retailers’ Queen (Miss J. Sounoss), £667 8s 5d (160,181 votes); School and Miners’ Queen (Miss E. Fraser), £520 2s (124,824 votes); Sports Queen (Miss L. Cornish), £472 10s 6d (113,406 votes). Fifteen years ago on Monday (August 16, 1900) the Fourth New Zealand Contingentreceived its baptism of fire at Ottoshoop, near Mafeking. Captain J. Harvey was killed, Captain Fulton (now lieutenantcolonel, commanding the Trentham Regiment) was wounded. Lieutenant R. W. G. Collins, of the Wellington Lands and Survey Office, was severely, wounded, and Sergeant D. Hickey (now major in the Defence Office at Dunedin) was severely wounded. Lieutenant-colonel Bauchop, whoso death was reported on Saturday, was under fire for the first time ns a lieutenant, and Major A. M. Samuel (in command of the sixth reinforcements) made his debut in the firing lino, on that occasion as a trooper in the Fourth Contingent. The Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, arrived in Dunedin from the north by the first express on Monday afternoon. He will return to Wellington by the second express on Wednesday. Questioned in connection with the movement to send additional machine- guns to the New Zealand forces, Mr Allen said that ho had twice cabled to England to ask if they had any machine guns available for the Now Zealand forces, but had so. far received no answer. He presumed that the British War Office was getting these guns manufactured as hard as it could for its own forces. A rumour has been current that a wharf labourer died at the Dunedin Hospital last week from oorcbro-epinal meningitis. We find on inquiry that this is not correct. Apparently the foundation for the rumour lay in the fact that a carrier was admitted to the Hospital suffering from blood poisoning, which developed from a scratch on a linger. A post mortem examination revealed the presence of the germ of cerebrospinal meningitis in the man’s throat, but it is stated authoritatively that he did not succumb to this disease. Not every member of small borough councils has a very exalted idea of the dignity of the position he occupies, and this was abundantly evident in several amusing passages that occurred at the Port Chalmers Borough Council table on the 16th. Early in the proceedings it became informally known that Cr Anderson had a petition which he desired to bring before the council, and he attempted to bring ; t up while the Finance Committee’s report was under consideration. Ho keenly resented being ruled out of order on this point. “ I have often boon put down before in this council,” ho said, addressing the chairman (Cr Maws on). “ but I am going to stand on my dignity to-night. I know the standing orders, and 1 am going to enforce them.” The chairman, who wished to have something to say himself, twice asked Cr Anderson to take his seat. “ No,” said Cr Anderson, “I won’t take my scat. I want an explicit opinion, because if this report is carried I will have no opportunity of bringing' the petition up again.” “I bone,” said Cr Mawson, “you will remember your position and not bo disrespectful to the chair. I Will take no impertinence from you or any other councillor.” Cr Anderson rose again, and volubly asserted that he had not been impertinent. As the motion for the adoption of the Finance Committee’s report was being put bo shuffled his chair on the floor, and exclaimed dramatically, “ Take notice that I withdraw my chair from the table J” At

a later stage, when the chairman asked him if he wished to present the petition that night, his only reply was that he had boon ruled out of order, and had no thing more to say. As a matter of fact, however, lie was allowed to present the petition at the close of the regular business of the council, and it was discussed at some length. Mr J. L. Stewart Wright, secretary of the Otago Expansion League, is in receipt of a letter from Mr M. O’Brien, Assistant New Zealand Commissioner at the PanamaPacific International Exposition, San Francisco, dated July 14, 1915, .and also some booklets illustrating what the Californian business people are doing to advertise their respective districts. Mr O'Brien says: “The illustrated matter concerning Dunedin. and the Cold Lakes districts which was supplied has been greatly appreciated and was distributed to the best advantage. As a result a great many inquiries have already been received regarding not only the tourist attractions of Otago, but also its possibilities fiom the viewpoint of die business man and settler. It is regrettable that, with flic exception of North Auckland, none of the other districts took die opportunity of advertising their splendid lands and commercial opportunities.”