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Otago Witness, Issue 3216, 3 November 1915, Page 6

A return supplied to the Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) by the Pensions Department shows that, up till October 19, 94 pensions had been granted to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and their dependents, of a total annual value of £4996, the average pension payable being £53. In addition, five allowances have been made to members. Thirteen applications from members and 20 from dependents have been declined, 14 applications have been adjourned, and at present there are 97 applications on hand, waiting to be dealt with. For the week ended October 12, 61 claims were lodged, and for the week ended October 19 the claims numbered 44. In all, 243 claims have been lodged by members and dependents. In connection with the election of trustees for the Western Taieri Drainage district, for which nominations closed at noon on Saturday, the returning orncer rethe evening mail —some few hours late —the nomination of Mr Jas. Patrick for West Taieri subdivision. Up to the time of closing of nominations none had been received for this subdivision. Word has been received by the relatives of Trooper Plcctor Stuart Robertson, of Pukchiki, Otago Peninsula,- of his death in the Wellington Military Hospital. Deceased was a member of the Otago Mounted Rifles, Seventh Reinforcements. After a few days at Trentham he contracted pneumonia, which was followed by measles, and then by cerebro-spinal meningitis, to which he succumbed after an illness of over four months. At a sitting af the Magistrate’s Court at Lawrence on Oct. 26, before Mr Acheson, G.M., a novel case was heard, in which the magistrate held that the claim could not succeed in the absence of clear proof of substantial damages. John J. Woods, county clerk of Tuapcka, sued David Finlayson, solicitor, of Lawrence, for £lO damages, the claim being made on account of the roots of Mr Finlayson’s trees penetrating into Mr Woods’s adjoining garden, in which, it was alleged, damage had been sustained to valuable narcissi which the

plaintiff grew. Mr Fletcher appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr W. C. MacGregor, K.C., for the defendant. After a lengthy hearing the magistrate gave judgment for tho defendant, •with costs. At a special meeting of the Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand on, the 26th. inst., Professor Hewitson stated that he had decided to accede to the request of the committee to go to Canton as a deputy to the Canton villages mission. In giving his reserved decision on tho 22nd ult. at Wellington, in the case in which Dani. Buckley, licensee of the Foresters’ Arms Hotel, was proceeded against for supplying liquor to a constable whilst the latter was on duty, Mr D. G. A. Cooper said (reports the Times) that he could not hold with Mr Young’s contention that the liquor was left for the constable on the understanding that it was to be removed after he finished his duty, and that no delivery took place until after such period, and consequently there was no case. His Worship said that, under “The Sale of Goods Act, 1908,” goods were in a deliverable state and passed to the buyer when the contract was made. Constable Herbert Pearce was the buyer in this instance. Authorities showed that, when a buyer was enabled to obtain custody or control, delivery was made. The liquor had therefore been supplied in contravention of the provisions of tho (Statute. Defendant would be convicted and fined £2, with costs (7s). The winning of the Victoria Cross by Corporal Bassett recalls tho fact that the decoration has been awarded for a deed of valour on New Zealand soil. In the Maori war of 1863-64, Major Charles Heaphy earned it by a deed of conspicuous bravery in a skirmish on the banks of the Mangapiko River, in the Upper Waikato. Heaphy, who was serving as a volunteer, was not a New Zealander by birth, but he had been so long in tho country—he came out from England as a surveyor for the New Zealand Company in 1839—that ho was a well-seasoned colonial, and, not being in the British regular forces, it was only with much reluctance that the Imperial authorities granted him the decoration recommended by his superior officer. In the later Native campaigns special deeds of daring were rewarded with the New Zealand Cross; not quite a score of these very rare decorations were awarded. It was not until tho Boer war that a New Zealand soldier again had an opportunity of earning tho V.C. This was a young mounted rifleman, who, until he enlisted, had plied a blacksmith’s hammer in the Petono Railway workshops. W. J. Hardham joined tho Fourth Contingent as a farrier, and won the Cross and his commission as a lieutenant for a remarkably plucky feat in tho rescue of a wounded comrade in 1901, in the fight at Nauwpoort. Now, after 14 years, Hardham is once more serving his country, and has earned promotion to tho rank of captain. Mrs C. Price, of Marybank, Wanganui, who had live brothers fighting for the cause of Empire—three in France, one at tho Dardanelles, and one in the Navy—has just received word (says the Herald) of the death of her brother Bert, who was killed on July 19 in France. A cyclone struck Goulding’s farm, Nikau, near Westport, at 3.15 a.m. a few clays ago, doing damage estimated at £3OO (says tlie Groymouth Star). A glasshouse, 50ft by 25ft, was levelled to the ground, and a verandah was swept from tho house. Tho unwelcome visitor tore up fir trees 2ft in diameter, and uprooted macrocarpa trees. A butcher’s delivery cart and spring dray were completely overturned. Glass, iron, timber, etc., -were carried over the railway line a distance of three chains and a-half. A unique sight after the cyclone passed was 20ft of wire-netting hanging to telegraph wires. A hive of bees was swept away like matchwood, and a bath filled with clothes at tho back door of Mr Goulding’s house was carried off. It was later found hanging to a post at the railway fence, some six chains away. The house itself suffered considerably, doors, windows, etc., all being strained and shifted out of place. The glasshouse, a fine structure, costing £250, was filled -with vines and tomato plants, and its demolition means a very heavy loss to Mr Goulding and his sons. Owing to tho hour at which the cyclone struck the place, something of a panic was created in the darkness, and a particularly heavy downpour of rain, with flashing lightning and pealing thunder, gave added sensation to the scene. The arrangements made for the welcome home to the returned soldiers on the 27th ult. were the very best. Only a limited time was available, and there was much it was advisable to do within two or three hours. But the plans had been so laid that, without interruption of any kind, the men were taken by motor car from tho wharf to tho drill shed in Kensington, and thence to the railway station in ample time to allow the special trains to get away without delay. Tho huge meeting at Kensington was also well managed. There was plenty of musio before business commenced and during the proceedings, and tho speeches were brief and interesting. Members of tho City Council and the Patriotic Committee lent valuable assistance in carrying out seating and other arrangements. In regard to tho war census, the Hon, G. W. Russell, speaking at a meeting of the Dunedin Orphans’ Club on the 26th ult., said that after tho registration had been completed and the names and details thoroughly examined, ho intended to send a personal letter to every man whom he considered capable of serving, urging upon him his duty to tho Empire. After the compulsory registration had been got going, ho intended to open a voluntary registra-

tion for women with the object of ascertaining what women in Now Zealand were prepared, should necessity arise, to fill the places of men who had gone to the front. Thus, when women wore found able and willing to do this there would bo no ©xcuse on that score for certain men. Ho would say to these men: “Here’s a woman who can take on your job. Now, off you go to the front,” The Government has accepted the services of Mr A. Schmitt, provincial secretary of the Farmers’ Union, ns a recruiting officer for the Auckland district (says the Star). In the early days of the - war the offices of the Farmers’ Union were instrumental in securing a largo number of volunteers for various branches of the military service. Mr Schmitt then offered to do what he could in a purely honorary capacity to assist recruiting in the course of his organising tours in the provinces cn behalf of the Farmers’ Union. In writing to state that the Defence Department had decided to utilise his services, the Hon. Mr Allen stated that Mr Schmitt’s earlier assistance in obtaining recruits has been greatly appreciated. A Press Association telegram from Christchurch states that at a meeting of the Citizen’s Defence Corps, a member said there was no disguising the fact that the example of some leading citizens in encouraging young men to take part in sport every Saturday was retarding recruiting. It was natural for young men to enjoy themselves, but while older people encouraged them they could not be blamed. They should face the music. The meeting decided to arrange a conference between the employers and the Defence Minister in order to discuss the matter. On February 11, 1865, the corner stone of All Saint’s Church was laid by the Bishop of Christchurch (Dr Harper), of which diocese the province of Otago was then a part. The building was completed in July, and the Rev. E. PI. Granger was the first incumbent. As the present year is the jubilee of the church, an interesting “record” has been published, giving an outline of the history of the church for the 50 years. The Rev. E. PI. Granger was succeeded in 1872 by the Rev. R. L. Stanford, and in 1879 the present vicar (Dean Fitchett) was appointed. The “record” is necessarily merely an outline of the work of the church, and its adjunct organisations, but it contains many names honoured in the church, whose possessor's have “gone to rest,” but have left the mark of their influence upon the parish. The brochure, which is neatly printed and got up, contains numerous photographs of incumbents, curates, office-bearers, and workers connected with the church, and altogether forms an historical memento well worth keeping. The police have received information that an elderly man named William Jones has been missing from his home at Broughton street, South Dunedin, since the 26th ult. The missing boy, Samuel Stephen White, has returned to his home at Caversham. A Press Association message from Wellington states that at a special meeting of the Wellington Bookbinders’ Society it was decided to invest £3OO of its funds in war loan debentures. In the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston on the 26th ult. a case of alleged trespass by a ram was heard by Mr Widdowson, S.M. The plaintiffl (D. Ross) stated that he found a stray Border Leicester ram among his stud Corriedale ewes, and claimed £lO9, which _ represented the difference between the values of 52 purebred lambs and the same number of crossbred. The defendant (A. Graham) denied the ownership of the ram. The plaintiff said that a few clays after he found the ram, the defendant went over to his place looking for a Border Leicester ram which had strayed. In the meantime the plaintiff had handed over the stray ram with some others to a third person (W. M'Elweo). A few clays later defendant went to M'Elwee asking about the ram ho had taken from the plaimiff. M'Elwee told him that it was on the place, and he could take it away any Lime he liked to go for it, but he could not say if the defendant ever took it. The witnesses for the plaintiff did not agree as to the position of the brand on the ram, leaving the indentification of the animal uncertain. The magistrate held that the ownership of the ram had not been satisfactorily proved, and he gave judgment in favour cf the defendant, with costs. Mr W. O. Arkle appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr A. C. Hanlon for the defendant. So many applications from nurses anxious to go on active service were already in hand before the War Office asked us to supply the additional 100 nurses mentioned recently that it is highly improbable that any other nurses applying now can be accepted (says the Dominion). The hospital authorities say that there will be no shortage of nurses in the dominion. The halfyearly examinations will soon be held, and in normal times it is customary for 150 to be added to the list of qualified nurses every year. At the end of this year, however, wo shall have sent some 300 nurses from New Zealand on war service. Mr B. Spiro, a fishmonger at Wanganui, who claims Greece as his fatherland, is confident (says the Chronicle) that Greece will ultimately do the right thing and take her stand on the side of the Allies. “I cannot believe,” ho said, “ that Greece is anxious to commit national suicide, yet she would most certainly do so were she to side with the Austro-Gormans or the Bulgarians.” In reply to a suggestion that the Queen’s influence might turn the scale the wrong way, Mr Spiro said, “ It is for the people, not for the Queen, to tfcciclo. ■The history of Greece shows that it is not

wise for the King to run counter to the sentiments of the nation., lam sure that if Greece fights she will fight for the Allies. Twenty-four hours after Rumania comes in —if she does come in—the Greeks will be at war with the Bulgarians; but were Rumania to join the Austro-Gormans Greece might have to remain neutral, simply because she would not be strong enough to meet the forces that would bo opposed to her. Greece has permitted the landing of Allied forces at Salonika, one of her most important ports, and in the face of that fact it is impossible to believe that she has any leanings towards the Prussian. My sympathies are unreservedly with the Allies, and I earnestly hope and honestly believe that Gregco will do the right thing. If she docs the wrong thing she will assuredly perish, and surely her statesmen, her people, and her soldiers will not let her do that.”

At a meeting of the Professorial Board of the University on the 28th ult. Mr J. G. Anderson was unanimously recommended as the Otago candidate for the Rhodes Scholarship for this year. Mr Anderson is 21 years of age, and is a Southland boy who was dux of Southland Boys’ High School. He has been attending the University for /our years, and has the degree of B.Sc. " He will sit in November for honours in chemistry and magnetism, and electricity. Pie has been editing the University Review, which under his guidance has come to bo classed as one of the best college magazines extant.

The committee of the Patients’ and Prisoners’ Aid Society mot in the Bible Depot on the 28th ult; present—Messrs Geo. Fenwick (chairman), E. R. Smith (hon. treasurer), N. L. Logie (hon. secretary), P. Barr, G. L. Denniston, W. Gow, F. Z. Moore, W. Bull, H. H. Driver, Rl Gilkison, and the agent (Mr F. G. Gumming). Correspondence was read, accounts passed for payment, and finance reported on. The report on finance showed the public to he mindful of the extra demand made upon the society’s resources, and that more support was still necessary. The chaplain and agent’s report showed that ho was kept very busy in his excellently practical work among “ the patients, the prisoner, and the poor.” Between July 29 and October 28, with assistance, 56 services had been conducted in Hospital, Gaol, Mental Hospital, Sanatorium, and Waitati, and 142 personal visits had been made to these institutions by Mr Gumming. The report of Mr Oumming’s work in connection with the Patriotic and Welfare Committee, in providing for the needy dependents of wounded soldiers, gave evidence of a large amount of careful work, calling for much tact and painstaking efforts.

At a meeting of the Professorial Board of the University (Dr Malcolm presiding), the following motion, proposed by Dr Gilray, and seconded by Professor Park, was unanimously adopted:—“That members of the Professorial Board cordially congratulate their colleague, Professor Waters, on his appointment, on probation, as captain of the Tunnelling Corps for active service abroad. They rejoice that Professor Waters’s patriotism has led him to place his valuable services at the disposal of the British Empire at this crisis in the world’s history, and wish him a pleasant journey, great success in his important work, and a safe return to New Zealand.” At the same meeting Dr Champtaloup resigned his position on the Board of Studies, and Dr Gilray was unanimously appointed in his stead. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the population of the dominion on September 30 was estimated at 1,102,303, comprising 567,122 males and 535,181 females. In addition, the Maori population was 49,844, and the Cook and other Islanders 12,598, making the aggregate population for the dominion and dependencies 1,164,745.

The Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, in the course of a brief chat with a representative of the Christchurch press on the 26th ult., stated that until the flotation of the loan was accomplished it might bo necessary to slacken off public works somewhat. However, the approaching harvest would absorb a great deal of the labour temporarily dispensed with.

A Wellington Press Association telegram received last week stated that a Gazette Extraordinary declares notes to bo legal tender for a further period to February 6. ■ While Mr Palmer was motoring from Waikouaiti to Edievale on Friday his car suddenly took fire near Merton, and, before anything could be done to put out the flames, the car was absolutely destroyed. The car, which was valued at £250, was insured in the State office for £175. wnly the iron work and one wheel remained of the vehicle.

The Hospital Saturday Association has decided, owing to the universal Saturday half-holiday, to take up the annual street collection on Friday, November 26. The association has decided to include in the beneficiaries the Highland and Islands of Scotland.

In the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch on Friday (says a Press Association telegram) Mr Bishop, S.M., in fining John Sadler £2O and costs for soiling milk with 32 per cent, addition of water, said: “ This is the' meanest form of dishonesty I know of —to sell people milk containing one-third water. In these days of increased cost c/ living it is simply contemptible.” At the meeting of the Waikouaiti County Council in September a letter was received from a Dunedin clergyman protesting against tho action of an old man at Warrington in cutting clown some beautiful bush there. At Friday’s meeting of the council a letter was received from the man referred to, who denied having cut any

busli. He stated that he was cutting only some scrub. While ho was thus engaged the clergyman came along and forcibly took the axe out of his hand and throw it away into the bush. He also alleged that the clergyman had fenced in a portion of the Bay county road for his own use. This letter was received.

The Otago Harbour Board’s revenue for September was £7390, as against £7138 for the corresponding month of the previous year. For the January-Soptember period this year the revenue was £65,124, as against £74,247 for the January-September period last year. The expenditure for September was £8347, or £240 less than in September, 1914. The expenditure for the JanuarySeptember period of 1915 was £79,867, and for the January-September period of 1914 it was £76,131. The chairman (Mr Dickson, M.P.), at last week’s meeting, quoted the following imports and exports for the January-September period of the undermentioned years:—l9l2, 349,035 tons; 1913, 333,848 tons; 1914, 320,401 tons; 1915, 359,254 tons. It would be seen, he added, that for the nine months of the present year the imports and exports had exceeded those of the three preceding years. Members expressed their satisfaction with the chairman’s statement.

At Kaitangata on Friday, before Messrs William Wilson and G. Clark, J.P.’s, David Waddingham was fined 10s, and 14s costs, for failing to send bis boy regularly to school. John Wells was fined 7s 6d, and 7s costs, for a similar offence.

“New Zealand is committed to the expenditure of 12 millions of money by Juno 1 next,” declared the Minister of Internal Affairs in the north, when referring to the difficult position in which New Zealand has been placed on account of the war. The country, he added, had been taxed to the extent of two millions per year, and the people were standing the new taxation with magnificent patriotism. In January a very severe hurricane visited the Cook Islands, and the Hon. Dr Pomare, who has just returned from there, states (says the Wellington Post) that there has been a shortage of foodstuffs sine© then. Very little fruit and cocoanuts have been exported, and it has taken all the ingenuity of the natives to carry on. One result of the recruiting of 200 islanders will be to relievo the demand for food somewhat; while the money which the men will get in camp, and most of which they, send home, will be of great assistance to the people on the islands.

A member of the reinforcements at present in Maymorn camp, near Trentham, writes home saying (says the Lyttelton Times) that it is terribly muddy up there, and that the medical staff is having a very busy time. There is an epidemic of measles, and the men are examined twice daily for sore throats and chests. He says that the Government will have as big a scandal as over Trentham if all care is not taken. In addition to seas of mud, it blows so hard that the tents will not stand it. The other morning they were all roused out about 5.30 to dig trenches to lot the water off. He also mentions that there were several cases in the isolation hospital.

Mr Joseph Bremner,of Milton, has invented an adjustable crutch, and the patent has been provisionally protected by the Patents and Trades Marks Agency. Briefly stated, the adjustable crutch, as its name implies, dispenses with the present system of stocking various sizes of these necessary articles for persons suffering from broken legs, or injuries to their pedal extremities. The invention consists of one wooden prop, instead of the ordinary forked branch, and attached to this is an adjustable handle, to suit the height of the invalid. The crutch may also bo lengthened or shortened at will, by an ingenious contrivance of a notched brass ferrule, which fits in to the main portion of the wooden crutch. Members of the medical fraternity highly praise the invention.

The revenue of the Postal Department for the September quarter shows a net increase of £IB,OOO. A Wellington Association telegram states that, although the new rates came into force only last week, the quarter’s postage showed an increase of over £14,000, and telegrams of £3OOO. There was a decrease in the number of press telegrame, but an increase in revenue. There was a marked increase in money order commission and in the number of postal notes issued. Savings bank deposits amounted to £3,611,506, and exceeded the withdrawals by £60,614.

“There is a very strong feeling among large sections of the American people that it is a disgrace to the United States that things should have been allowed to get into the state they now are in Mexico,” said Archbishop O’Shea, who has returned to Wellington from a four-months’ trip to America (says the Post). “America made a show of interfering in the beginning, but the plain truth is that she is not even yet prepared to intervene seriously. She has no soldiers. She is utterly unprepared for war, even with Mexico. Of course, in time America could boat Mexico, but it might take two or three years, and the sacrifice might bo very heavy. That is tho real reason why the Americans backed out of tho business. They have been trying by diplomatic moans to bring about a settlement, and they have called in tho help of tho Sloutli American Republics. The other day I read a cablegram which stated that tho Pan-American Congress had agreed to recognise Carranza. That seemed to mo altogether an unlikely possibility when I was there, because the general opinion was that neither Carranza nor Villa was fit to rule any decent country. The aim of tho congress was to have elections conducted in a constitutional way,

in order that a president might bo elected who would keep some sort of order. The mistake America made was to allow arms and munitions to go into Mexico to the different rebel leaders. If America stopped this, as they seemed to be on the point of doing when I left, the troubles in Mexico would fizzle out. But as long as America allows arms to go into Mexico for any scoundrel who gets up against the Government there will bo trouble. Until this trade in arms is stopped no Government can rule in Mexico.”

It appears that the British authorities in Egypt are now enforcing stricter measures for the, control of visitors to that country. The Hon. G. W. Russell on the 30th sent the following message on the subject to the Prime Minister in Wellington;—“l have received a telegram from his Excellency notifying mo that persons landing in Egypt will require passports. I presume that you will give publicity to this information.”

The Minister of Internal Affaire announced on the 31st that Mr John Roberts, of this city, has been appointed a memberof the National War Funds Council, which is being established in terms -of the War Funds Act. The Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) had previously accepted appointment to the council.

Our Wellington correspondent reports that the Prime Minister is still unable to say anything definite about his probable visit to England. “The Home Government,” said Mr Massey referring to the subject on the 30th ult., “have made it clear to mo that they will be glad to confer with the Now Zealand Prime Minister and Defence Minister on matters connected with the war. I presume that the same instruction has been sent to every other dominion Government. It is not intended, however, that the proposed meeting should be in the nature of an Imperial Conference. I have already stated that there are a number of things to be dealt with and settled here before wo can think of leaving New Zealand. I can tell you no more than that.” The Right Rev. Dr Verdon conducted confirmation services at Allanton and Mosgiel on the 31st. Large congregations attended at both centres, where a good number of candidates were presented and confirmed. At each service his Lordship gave a short, instructive address to the children.

The vital statistics for the past month disclose that 135 births have been registered, that there have been 75 deaths, and 55 marriages. For October last year the figures were: —Births 178, deaths 70, and marriages 46.

The Customs returns for the month of October show that the net Customs have been £24,380 5s lOd, duty (a new tax introduced in consequence of the war) £IO3B 14s 7d, and beer duty £1544 12s lid. The gold exported was 15.8040 z, valued at £64,733. For October, 1914, the net Customs were £27,214 17s lOd, and the beer duty £3387 7s sd. No gold was exported during this month.

Tlio local police have received information that a man named Edward Hippsley, a retired farmer, aged 75, died suddenly at Palmerston at noon on the 30th nit. Dr Barraclough, who liacl been attending deceased, was able to give a certificate that death was due to chronic Bright’s disease, and therefore an inquest will not bo necessary. A Wellington Association telegram states that 'the commercial travellers there raised £3OO for the Shilling Christmas Gift Fund for the men at Gallipoli.

The annual report of the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company, to be presented at the meeting to be held this month, states that the operations for the pact year have been satisfactory. Two water-tube boilers had been installed at the mill, and were giving entire satisfaction. The profit and loss account, after writing off £SOOO as depreciation, shows a profit available for appropriation of £9918 13s sd. The directors recommend that a dividend of 7 per cent, bo paid to shareholders, absorbing £5842 Os fid, leaving £4076 12s lid to bo carried forward.

On the 29th, at Balclutha, at the instance of the Clutha County Council, farmers of the county met and decided to form a Committee of Agriculture, on the lines suggested by the Agricultural Board. The meeting was representative of all parte of the district, and it was decided to form a committee of seven members, with power to add. Representatives were appointed as follows on the committee : —Gatlins, Mr Maginness; Clydevale, Mr Snushall; Clinton-Waipahi, Mr J. Clarke; Waiwera, Mr James Taylor; Glenkenich, Mr A. MTntyre; Clutha and Matau A. and P. Society, Mr J. Rendall; South Molyne ux-R ichardson, Mr W. S'. Thomson (president of the Clutha branch of the N.Z.F.U.). The chairman said that, as far as he understood, these appointments were permanent. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr J. Clark was appointed chairman, and Mr W. S. Thomson secretary. It was resolved to hold meetings in Balclutha,

By sheer grit, a West Australian farmer has won a place in the ranks of the Australian Imperial Force (states tho Argus). Many weeks ago ho sold his small farm in the back-blocks of West Australia and went to Perth to enlist. He had, however, contracted sandy blight, which so affected his eyesight that the medical officer refused to pass him. After making one or two further unsuccessful efforts ho went to Melbourne, and again offered himself as a volunteer. Ho had by this time travelled fully 3000 miles in order to win an opportunity to fight for his country; but he met with no better success at the \ ictoria Barracks. With but a slight ray of hope left, ho declared that ho would seek work, to maintain himself while under medical treat-

racnt, and a- paragraph was inserted in tho Argus stating his case. Employment was given him, and the young farmer placed himself under the care of an eyo specialist. His reward has now come, for ho is in training at one of tho military camps near Melbourne,

There are at present about 20 wounded and sick soldiers at the Planmer health resort, making a slow, but satisfactory, recovery. The Hon. Dr M‘Nab (Minister in Charge of Health and Tourist Resorts), who has recently been in Planmer, and who arrived in Auckland on the 25th, told a New Zealand Herald reporter that the treatment these men had received had already benefited them in a remarkable way. Tho Minister added that a careful examination of these cases had clearly shown that the men who went straight to tlio institutions from the troopships made a quicker and more satisfactory recovery than tho men who were allowed to go to their homes and afterwards submitted themselves for treatment. Tho excitement of their return home, and other influences, w T ere generally unfavourable to their health. Dr M'Nab added that it was very gratifying to find that a considerable proportion of the men invalided back to New Zealand—and they were sent all tho way back here because they were considered to have no further military value—were making so satisfactory a recovery that they were able to rc-enlist and return to the front.

Several farmers in the Mayfield-Anama districts have recently made quite modest fortunes in land transactions (states the Ashburton correspondent of the Lyttelton Times). During the past few weeks farms have changed hands in the districts named, the prices representing an increase, as compared with values current less than four years ago, of approximately £4 an acre. One farm sold recently was purchased about 20 years ago at a third of the money paid for it by the present owner. It is not many years ago since the land comprising the upper districts of the Rangitata Plains was thickly covered with tussocks and other valueless native growth, requiring many acres to depasture one sheep, but now, thanks to closer settlement, to the establishment and expansion of the frozen meat export industry, to local body enterprise in the artificial distribution of water, and to the dogged determination and grit of the men who broke up the country from its virgin state and sowed it down in approved grasses and forage plants, the land will carry almost two sheep to the acre. More than 50,000 Chinese were drowned.

and many thousands were left homeless and -without food, as a result of the flood which swept the suburbs of Canton in the latter part of July. “ The flood was tho worst that ever struck China,” says Mrs Graves, a missionary. •' To add to tho terror caused by the flood, a fire started, which burned more than 1000 houses. It is the first time in the history of China that both the north and west rivers overflowed together. The waters rushed over their banks in torrents, and swept everything before them. The bamboo and more substantial houses in tho suburbs of Canton were knocked down like houses of cards. The sampans and junks were carried on tho crest of the torrent for miles, and smashed to kindling wood.” According to Mrs Graves, the firo was started by the Chinese cooking on the roofs of the houses. As tho water flooded the lower floors o’ the houses, the people would move to th® roofs for safety, and there cook their meals with charcoal fires. Fires started simultaneously in several places, and the fire departments could not reach them on account of the water.