THE OTAGO BIPLANE FUND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 53

THE OTAGO BIPLANE FUND.

GIFT TO THE IMPERIAL AUTHORITIES. It is proposed to present, m the name of the people of Otago, a modern aeroplane to the Imperial air flotilla. The cost of a 100 h.p. Gnome-Vickers gun-mounted biplane, which is a super.or type of machine, is £2250; and this is the sum which it is hoped to raise. Subscriptions to the fund may be sent to the oliiee of this paper, and an acknowledgment of the sums received will be made through our columns. The following subscriptions have been received :

BELGIAN RELIEF FUND THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST

SERBIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged £1579 19 6 Mrs W. A. M'Naught 0 5 0 "M. O. E." 10 0 «A W." 0 2 0 Mrs "E. W. 5.," Crookston ... 50 0 0 Miss Cowburne 0 2 6 Total £1631 9 0 PATRIOTIC FUNDS. DONATIONS BY FORBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB. At a meeting of the Forbuvy Park Trotting Club on the 3rd it was decided to make donations totalling £2CO to the patriotic funds— : £loo to the Sailors' Dependents' Fund, £SO to the Rod Cross Society, and £SO to the Otago Women's Patriotic Association. The donations made', by the club for patriotic purposes now total £660. NORTH OTAGO JOCKEY CLUB'S DONATIONS. OAMARU, June 28. The North Otago Jockey Club to-day handed the trustees of the North Otago Soldiers' Fund a cheque for £l2O. making the club's contribution for patriotic purposes lo date £IOOO. A. THOUGHTFUL ACT. A very pleasant evening was spent in the Wakari Hall on Friday, when the Kaikorai Quadrille Society held an auction benefit social and waltzing' competition, the proceeds being devoted in aid of the wounded soldiers in the Du'nedin Hospital. There was a largo attendance, close on 100 couples being on the floor at one time. The'music was supplied by Messrs Wise and Henderson. The waltzing competition, for which thnre were 10 entries, commenced at 10 o'clock. The -contest was a keen one, sincl the danc-'ng good. The judge;* (Messrs Carton, Davidson, and Fox) had difficulty "i " awarding the prizes. The recipients. Miss Smith and Mr Findlay, wore handed by Mr M. Eraser (inquiry officer of ill-,' Hospital) with a hand: -tie gold brooch and a gold medal. Mr Trotter then received from the ladies quite a number of basket* containing refreshments of all kinds, and. in a very happy manner, he soon had thorn nil sold.,' and £7 10s was realised. The gentlemen who purchased them donated them to the committee, and soon the supper table was liberally supplied with the good things. Dancing was commenced again, and was kept up until early morn-

ing. Mr A. G. Brown, the energetic secretary, looked after everyone, and made everyone comfortable, and handed to Mr Fraser, before lie left, the sum of £l2 towards the deserving object. FAREWELLS AT WAIKAKA. On Friday night; a public meeting was held at Waikaka to discuss the nature of the farewell to be accorded future recruits, as some of the residents objected to dancing during the present crisis. The meeting was largely attended. Mr A. G. Thomson, who was voted to the chair, explained the object of the meeting. The Rev. Mr Evans moved —" That this meeting does not agree with the present method of farcwolling recruits." Mr Evans said he was convinced that the present committee had work very creditably. The- dancing part of the programme appeared to him to be frivolous in this timo of trouble and strife l , when we were hearing daily of the deaths of those on the battlefield. Mr D. Cameron expressed the opinion that the farewells should be continued a.s at present. He did not think one should fret and grieve. Mr Burton said that at this time of horror and strife dancing should be sacrificed. The chairman proceeded to put the motion, but Mr Gardyne proposed that no one under 21 years of age should be allowed to vote. This was seconded by Mr S. MTntosh. Mr Cameron said that a's we were, sending away recruits from 18 years upwards, they should have a vote. This was seconded by Mr Rue. The amendment wiis- carried, and Mr Evans's motion defeated. At the conclusion a collection was taken up in aid of the general war fund. THE OVERSEAS CLUB Workers were busy on Monday making up comforts for the Belgians. As a large rally of workers attends the- ciub room on working days, plenty of material is required to keep them busy, and the committee will be glad of donations of material or money to purchase material to make up for the soldiers and for the distressed ones' overseas. People sending parcels from the country are requested to put on the label " For the Belgians" or "For the Serbians." The room is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., and. on Wednesday and Friday from 7 p.m. till 9 p.m. N.E. VALLEY WOMEN'S PATRiOTIC ASSOCIATION. Notwithstanding the heavy rain on Thursday, the attendance of workers of the N.E.V. branch was very good, both at the afternoon and evening sessions. The amount of work put through each week makes a big drain on the material purchased with the voluntary donations of money, and as the workers are anxious to provide all our soldiers with the necessary comforts, the association again invites cash donations to be left with any members of committee or at the institute on Thursdays. MIDDLEMARCH'S EFFORTS. Three mouths have elapsed since the Middlcmarcn Women's Patriotic Committee was funned, and in that tune a very creditable amount of work lias been done, as was shown by the well-filled box that was sent away on Thursday. This box is the product of the joint efforts of the "Anzac Girls' Club" under Mrs Wise, and the main branch. The box contains the following articles: —Pillow cases 126, service bags 52, tea towels 20, binders U, manytailed bandages 10, wringers 2, hand towels 7, balaclavas 24, duster bags 1, hot water bag covers 6, bed socks 51 pairs, face cloths 64. caffs 17 pairs, mittens 5 pairs, milk-jug covers 51, pillows 2, quilt 1, cushion 1, eoap cakes 16, flannel shirts 7, socks 36 pairs, flannel underpants 2, pyjania suits 20. .-liirts 1, swabs 567. eye bandages 7, rolled bandages 4, girdles 12. A parcel containing 5 holdalls, 29 kits, 4 pairs braces, and 6 button bags was also forwarded to the secretary of the General Patriotic and Welfare Committee. In addition to the above £5 12s 6d has been sent for the Dominion Parcel Fund, £2 2s to the Biplane Fund, and £1 to the Catering Committee for the show. The Middlemarch "Anzac" branch, held its fortnightly meeting <_w usual, when the following work- was received :—Mrs Nottage (24 swabs), 3" - Fryer (1 pair bed socks), Misses:. M'Ph. (pyjamas). Atkinson (pyjamas), V Gamble (pyjamas), Q. Burnet (pvjamns), A. MTlnrdy (2 baby petticoats), Robertson (socks), B. Patterson (9 kits), K Patterson (1 girdle,'. The following from the school children :■—Ren ie (1 pair bed socks, 1 pair cuffs), May (2 girdles); Jessie M' (1 girdle), Rachel (8 bed bags). Clarissa (6 bed bags, 1 girdle), P.P. (2 pairs cuffs), Molh'e- (1 bed socks, 1 cuffs). Mamie (1 bed socks, Chrissie (1 girdle). Naneie (1 girdle and cuffe). Dope (6 bags, 2 girdles). Fanny (8 bags), Rachel (4 pairs cuffs). The foil-ow-ing donations were received :—A.B.C. 2s 6d, M M'Hardv 3s. Miss M'Phec (2 pair bed socks), V. Gamble 2s. WORK AT POET CHALMERS. Enthusiastic workers turned out in good numbers to the, weekly meeting, although tae weather was unpropitious. Mrs «J. Smith, Mount street, Mrs J. Moir, and Miss Bott lent sewing machines, enabling members to overtake a quantity of work. Knitters are rallying round the workers, who are now hopeful of being able to supply seeks for th - dominion parcels. ino combined sale of work held on Saturday was very successful. The sum of £lB was received at the different stalls for the dependents of the sailors. The stallholders were as follow : —Fancy stall: Miss Maysia 'iavior and Mrs Taylor: produce stall —Mrs W. J. Mitchell and Miss Buckley; dainty disii stall, Mrs John Morgan; sweets stall— Misses Jean and Margaret Mitchell ami Thclma Johnston; refreshments — Mrs _W. Morgan and .Mrs Brown, assisted by Misses ».. Dodds, Rita Bvebner, and Ella Fraser. The Women's Patriotic Association also had a stall, which resulted in £lO 4s 7d for the Dominion Parcel Fund, besides donations of lCs for parcels and £'J for material for sewing. The following ladies assisted: Mesdames Cunning hame, Booth, Dn Costa, Isbistor, nnd ThoViSon. We are grateful to MSfcsrs Morgan (2) and W. J. Wilson for their assistance, and-also to the school children. The pupils of the cookery clnss donated and lollies, etc., while several dozen of eggs wove received by the one-e<_-g process. Maggie MacDonakl handed in the sun: of £U lis, the result of the recent concert'given bv her for comforts fer our boys. Miss Mar-Donald lias been always ready to help us ever since we commenced work.

MOMONA RED CROSS SOCIETY". A concert in aid of the above was hold in the Momona Hall, the capacity ot which was severely taxed. The programme was entirely in' the hands of '"'J he Magpies." a concert company from St. Leonards, wliich gave a programme of music that doi lighted tile audience. Through their efforts the fund has benefited to the extend of £io. HAMPDEN SEWING GUILD FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS. A most successful bazaar was held at Hampden on the 15th and 16th insc. in aid of the above fund. Hampden was assisted by Waianakarua, Moeraki, and Kartigi districts, and all vied with each other to make the bazaar the great success it was. The bazaar was opened by the Rev. Mr Davis, who made an appropriate speech, and handed in a donation of £2 from his church. The sales were very brisk during the afternoon and evening. The hall was crowded to excess, showing that all the district wa3 in sympathy with the effort put express on the 29th for Trentham, where ho forth to help the sick and wounded. Tho amount made at tho bazaar was:—Hampden. Moeraki, and Kartigi, £171; Waianakarua, £s9;—total. £230. WAIKOUAITI SOLDIERS' CONVALESCENT HOME. The Otago Soldiers and Dependents-' Welfare Committee has received tho following report from Miss Lai.ng:—"l took charge; of the homo from June 8 till Juno 29, assisted by Miss iv. Glendining and M ; ss E. Gibbs. There were about nine, men in residence, Sergeant Horrocks being in charge, and we found all the men most considerate and obliging. Captain Fleming and Dr Lyth visited the home weekly. Tho \m:n were entertained by kind friends at frequent intervals. Donations were received from the following:—Dr Truby King. Professor Dickie, Messrs Le Fevre, Napier, Malloch, Hallett, Mesdara.es Sutherland. Beckett. Goodall, Napier, Carson, Burnside, Toomey, M'Gill, Neale, Galland, Kerr, Gairncy, Heckler, Orbell, Edmond, Townscnd, Bannantyne, Squire, Bray, Birtles, the Ladies' Patriotic Guild, and the Presbyterian Church Choir." JOTTINGS. One of the most recent enlistments in Auckland was that of Mr David Gallaher, who is best remembered as having been captain of the famous All Blaok football team that toured the Old Country. At tho moment of his enlistment Mr Gallaher had just received news that his youngest brother was killed in the fighting line in France, and it was his intention to take his place. Mr Gallaher has had previous military experience, having served in the Boer war and having returned with the rank of ser-geant-major. News of his enlistment will be of interest to Rugby footballers throughcut New Zealand. At one timo it waif suggested that a Rugby Battalion should be sent to the front, and it is interesting to remark that at tho present moment nearly -every Rugby footballer of note ia already on active service. A cablegram has been received from Mr J S. Sinclair, of Dun- din, stating that so far he has been rejected for military service, but that he is hopeful of being yet accepted. Private A. T. White, of the sth Reinforcements, who recently returned from th« front by the Willochra, left by the second express yesterday for Trentham, where he is returning for duty. He is a brother of Sergeant W. A. White, lately wounded in France. Tho death is reported from France of Private Gladstone Farquharson, second eldest son of Mr Harry Farquharson, of Stirling. The deceased was well known at Stirling, where ho had resided alibis life. Mr Farquharson has another son fighting for the Empire. We are asked to mention that the small gift parcels handed to the members of tho Eighteenth Reinforcements on _ Thursday were not from tho Women's Patriotic Association, but from private donors. According to tho Sydney Morning Herald, a Japanese officer, Commander Chusuko Shimomira, was one of those aboard the Queen Man- who perished in the recent naval battle"in the North Sea. Mr Amau, Vice-consul for Japan in Sydney, referring to the fact recently, said that Commander Shimomira was regarded as a man who was destined for a brilliant future. _ He had been secretary to the Japanese Minister for the Navy, and had been selected as one of the Japanese, attaches to the British Naval Forces. Lieutenant-colonel Hutchen, mentioned in despatches last week, is a son of Mr James Hutchen, a director of tne Stewart Timber and Hardware Company, Wellington. Prior to tho war he was accountant to the United InsuTanco Company. He kit Now Zealand with the Main Body as captain attached to the Army Pay Department. His wars .u Egypt in the organisation conrected w;ta this branch of the service soon ■ \ffit deserved recognition and rapid pi action. Enormous contracts for steel to be used in the manufacture of war mumi ■•■.■ i are pending in the United Star, mn ru-ua cover 1,500,000 tons of billets, bs.r», -., ; u.rjr;nTs for France, Great Britain. •:■ • ■ ■ ; jj-dv. France has closed c iti 'tf for 950 090 tons of bars, for ship; t'-nt n 1916 and the first quarter of 1917. 1 1: t;,.. ]irt . Of.oel Products Company .:••.■ obtained an ord-r for 30,000 tons of plain ■''' £< ; " export . , ~ , T • j \dvvc has been rooen-ed that Lieutenants Max Ju••Jm, of the "King's- Own." who whs reported missing in France en May 22 last is a prisoner in Germany, and is well. Lieutenant Jur'ss was formerly sengeantinstructor in the Defence Department :n w'elHrirton. H'S mother is a resident _ of Spreydon, and his wif*» resides at Hataitai (Wellington). After leaving the Defence Department Lieutenant Juris* conducted a physical training school in Wsllmcton. but more recently underlet:!,- othor work. Being unable to obtain a commission in the local forces, he paid his own fare to England, i where lie was given a commission. ! The death of Cantain Eric B. Alley, at I t'j.n French front, is confirmed. Captain c TVM ■ ,'i'HS f 'i--?i SO . O: Mr F J Alif:'<:, i h"ftri master of the Lover Riccsrton School, i OhrGtohureh, and a nephew of Mrs J. A. Locl'iore - . of Oamaru. Captain Allev left I New Zealand w : th the Main Hotly of tho i Expeditionary Force in the Southland secj tio'ti as a lieut-nant. He was severely I wounded at Gdlipo'i, and spent some months in .Eiiirhmd. Ho received his ea*v-

taincy on going to Franco with the Anzacs. Captain Alley was 24 years of age. Word has been received in Wellington that Commander B. C. Freyberg, D. 5.0.. of the Royal Naval Division, has been wounded again, this time in tho right arm. Tho message states that the arm is fractured. Commander Freyberg has been wounded several times previously. Mr Reuben Price, postmaster at Takaka, has received intimation that his sister (Sister Frances) has been mentioned in despatches. Prior to tho outbreak of war. Sister Price was on tho staff of the Wellington Hospital. She is now in charge of one of the wards at the Font do Koubbeh New Zealand General Hospital. News has been received locally that Private S. M'Skimming, well known in football and athletic circles, has died in France of wounds received in action. He has two sisters residing in Gisborno. His parents are domiciled in Queenstown. Dr S. G. Trail (Fairlic), who was appointed to a lieutenancy in the R.A.M.C. in June, 1915, has just relinquished his commission. lie returned from France early this year, suffering from shrapnel wounds in the leg and injury sustained from a crushing by his horse, which was killed at the same time. Even if unfit for foreign service, Dr Trail hopes to continue in some form of army work until the end of the ■war. ALIEN GUMDIGGEES. June 28. At a meeting of the Kaipara Chamber of Commerce, presided over by Mr A. E. Harding, ex-M.P., a motion was passed asking the Government to submit proposals in regard to the removal of unnaturalisod single alien gumdiggers to the Parenga district to tho chamber before enforcement. In an interview, Mr Harding said tho Government had been hoodwinked by gum sharks, and tho whole business had been worked further to enhance tho fortunes of a wealthy absentee syndicate. The interning of Austriiins would decrease the product of the gumfields by two-thirds. The agitators for internment little knew tho disastrous effects that would follow in many country settlements. PRO-GERMAN DEMONSTRATIONS. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SWISS. WELLINGTON, June 28. In reply to a question by Mr Wilkinson in tho House of Representatives, tho Prime Minister said he had not seen any reference in the public press to pro-German demonstrations in Taranaki by people of Swiss nationality. He had, however, heard of it privately, and he would have an inquiry made by the police. It went without saying that the Government would not tolerate any anti-British demonstrations by people of any nationality in this dominion. INCORRECT AND MISCHIEVOUS REPORTS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Being one of the workers of tho Waitati Patriotic Association, I am writing to ask a few questions I would like made plain. We have been working regularly now for over a- year on behalf of our soldiers, •also Belgian and Serbian Relief Funds, and have made many garments for the poor. On my rounds collecting last month I called on a few people I had not collected from before; most gave willingly, but I was told we should _ see into things before going further, as it was no use spending time and money for nothing. One young fellow wrote home saying they had taken his flannel from him and gave him a thin singlet, and this boy had been used to wearing flannels all his days. Another wrote saying they even took his razor from him. Also, I was told, the garments we sent away for the poor Belgians had been sold in London, and that the sellers kept the money. Now these are the stories as I got them, and I was told they were quite true, as the boys themselves wrote home to_ their parents telling them, and it was no idle gossip, and these people won't give a copper towards war funds. Now will you please answer this through the columns of tho Witness, as some of us are giving more than we can really afford, as it costs so much for living now, and if our work is all in vain, why need wo givo when wo are in need ourselves. Wo have been carrying on this work with tho hope of doing good for a good cause, and I still hope it is, and that the. authorities aro not trying to rob the people for what they can get out of them.—l am, etc , Mount Cargjli.. July 1, 1916. [We placed your communication before the Otago Women's Patriotic Association, and we have the assurance of the responsible members of that body that not only do the goods sent from Otago reach the proper quarters—be it the New Zealand soldiers, or_ Belgium and Slerbian Relief—but ample evidence is available in the numerous letters of thanks received from individuals that the goods are deeply appreciated. The story that garments sent for tho Belgian poor had been sold in London, and that the sellers kept the money, is not credited by tho Otago Association, which had a communication from Sir Thomas Mackenzie, who madeinquiry in London concerning a similar oharge. and had his explanation and assurance that articles reached their destination. As to tho oaso of the soldier who alleges he had the flannel taken from him, we would like to see the letter, so as to be able to give the facts of the case. The military authorities do not interfere in any way except to j.ce that tho number of articles do not exceed the regulation number. It is absolutely necessary to limit the weight of a soldier's kit to prevent his falling out from fatigue when on the march. When tho Main_ Body was in Egypt it wu not a of_ securing heavy underwear, but to get it light, enoujrh. The probable explanation is that if the writer of tho letter was going to Upper Egypt, he was strongly recommended to leave his heavy flannel and take with him a lighter singlet. Every officer worth his salt is always anxious to keep evcrv man fit and well when on active service.—Ed. 0.W.1

Previously .acknowledged ... . .. £1458 7 8 Mrs C. Wood 1 1 0 W. 0. Wood 1 1 0 A. M‘Kunion 1 0 0 Pupils of Kaihiku iScliool 1 0 0 Mrs U. A. Cameron, Ivjkom.ai 1 0 0 Pupils of Roxburgh School 0 13 10 Per Mrs Mace 0 10 3 “ Mao” 0 10 0 M. G. Martin. Island Block 0 10 0 Pupils of (Saddle Hill School 0 7 0 Pupils of Otokaike School 0 5 0 Fmlay Bros., Dunrobm 2 0 0 Duncan M'Lennan. Dunrohin 1 1 0 Angus Houston, Wairuna 1 0 0 C. G. White 0 10 6 Geo. Spencer, Edievale 0 10 0 Total ... £1471 7 3

Previously acknowledged ... £26.169 18 1 W. Robertson, Middlemarch ... 2 7 9 E. G 1 0 0 J. M. G., Kveburn 0 2 6 Employees of Sargood, Son, and Ewen's clothing factory 4 0 0 Employees of Drapery Supply Association, fortnightly contribution 2 17 0 “ W. B.,” monthly contribution 1 0 0 “Friend” (per N.Z. Tablet) 1 0 0 “ 1). W ” 0 10 0 “ J. H.” 0 5 0 T. G. Secular io0 0 “ P. and B.” 2 2 0 Mrs Wood. Rattray street (per the Belgian Consul) ... 2 0 0 “Public Servant” 1 0 0 F. Taylor “W. W.” 1 0 0 0 10 0 Employees of Smith and Smith, Ltd. (16th monthly contribution) £2 0 0 Smith and Smith, Ltd. (subsidy on above) 2 0 0 N. Oram 10 0 Miss Cowburne 5 0 0 2 0 6 Total £28,204 14 10