NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 41

NEWS IN BRIEF.

It is anticipated the first ballot of the Second Division will be taken in November. There are _ 100,000 members of the Division, but it is not expected more than 20,000 will be available for active service. Some anxiety is felt in Wellington as to the supply of coal. The output of New Zealand coal is not sufficient to meet the demand, and the strike in Sydney has stopped supplies from New South Wales for the present. Reginald Raymond Smith, a bootmaker, aged 23 years, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment at Christchureh for failing to register under the Military Service Act. The police said the man was a persistent shirker. The last half-mile of bottom heading in the Otira tunnel was entered on lust week. I: the rate of progress is maintained the bill is expected to be pierced in 10| months from now. Progress at the Bealey end is Blow on account of water. A paper laid on the table of the House of Representatives last week states that the officers and rank and file of the New Zealand Dental Corps on active service up to August were: 1 major, 34 captains, and 65 non-commissioned officers and men. At Napier, Geo. Fallows, a seaman, was found guilty of the theft of a pair of boots from the cargo of a Homo liner, and sentenced to two months' hard labour. John Moriarty pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing bicycles and bicycle parts, and was sentenced to two years' reformative treatment. An outbreak of fire occurred in about 200 tons of kauri gum dust at Lichtenstein and Arnoldson's store, Auckland, consider able damage was done, but was confined to the dust, which was valued at £2OOO. The total stock in the store, which was valued at £25.003. is insured in the South British for £7OOO or £BOOO. The steamer Opouro ran ashore while trying to enter the port of Greymouth. and is now high and dry. In crossing the liar the steering gear failcrl to act. and she was carried on to the northern breakwater into a small bight between the two walls. All the crow wor- '■• VI. There is a hole in the engine Hones are entertained that she ca ! - • , ted. The case of an apr ■■ ; Syrian engaged the attention of tli • Military Service Board last week. Mr Hanlon. for appellant, said his clioni considered that the f;ict of Syrians fighting for the Allies, on its becoming known in Tin key. would lead 1o a massacre of -Syrians in Lebanon, whore relatives of appellant reside. Captain Free contended that Syrians were only technically Turkish subjects. The board decided to dismiss the aopeal with the recommendation that ' serious consideration be given to the reservist being a Syrian, and that a« a question of policy it might not be wise to send a member of that race abroad.