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Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 3

A cable message published in Australia states that tho Admiralty has made special transport arrangements for the crossing of the Atluntic by Mr Hughes and Mr Cook, tho Australian representatives to the Imperial Conference. As Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward axe travelling along with Mr Hughes. and Mr Cook, the arrangements will necessarily cover them as well. The Hon. Sir James Allen (Acting Prima Minister) and the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald (acting leader of the Liberal part* 7 ) have been in consultation with the members of tho National Efficiency Board with regard to the adoption of a national policy ns to the man-power of New Zealand in relation to essential work both in the dominion and overseas. The matter, it is understood, haa dipcu?sed by the Cabinet, a large amount of information having been collated for consideration by Ministers. At the-meeting of the Bruce CountyCouncil on ihe 4th a circular letter was received from the Acting Prime Minister (Sir Jamea Allen) covering a comparison between the pay and allowances granted to soldiers by Great Britain, Canada, Australia,

und New Zealand. It was proposed that the document be received; but Cr Russell objected, contending that the figures were misleading. Pie pointed out that the conditions in each of the countries mentioned were incomparable, for the reason that the economic conditions prevailing in each were not identical. A further discrepancy noted by the speaker was that the Minister included in the total amounts payable to a privato soldier and his dependents the 14s por week which was drawn by him while away from the dominion on active service. He pointed out also that the figures shown In the column specifying the total amounts paid wcro calculated to mislead the public In the direction of inducing them to believe that th/> wife of a soldier received £2 16s per week, whereas she received only £2 2s; a wife with onG child, £3 6s 6d, whereas she received £2 12s 6d, a wife with two children received only £3 3s, and tho figures sugEtod that'she had paid to her £3 17s. roughout the whole table the Minister's _ area did not explain the truo position, und in view of the increased cost of living and tho consequent reduction in tho value of money, he thought they wanted further informa,tion before receiving the Minister's circular. No further discussion took place on the subject, and the motion proposed was adopted.

Our Wellington correspondent informs us that a number of the men of the 38th Reinforcements who helped themselves to the final leave to which they considered they were entitled have not yet returned to camp. It is reported that the number still absent without leave is 200. The incident has occasioned the authorities some little concern and annoyance. If they like to pre6S the point they may charge the men with serious offences, and may have them subjected to very severe punishments.

The recent effort on the part of Roslyn residents to raise funds to donate one bed to the Military Convalescent Home at Montecillo has met with pronounced success. An energetic committee has left no stone unturned, and yesterday £4OO was handed to the Red Cross Society. Thus four cots aro to be endowcdl, two to bo named Roslyn, one Wakari, and ; ono Kaikorai.

One of the chief prizes in connection with 4ho Bank of Patriotism—the motor bicycle —has been won by Mr Langston, of South Dunodin. Mr Langston is a returned

soldier, and was at the front for over two years. The committee arranged last night for some novel features in connection with the pushing of bank draft sales during the coming fortnight. Probably the old Queen Carnival atmosphere will again appear on stated days, when the streets will be alive with processions and scores of ladies and gentlemen disposing of bank drafts.

Nominations of those members of the Otago University Council who are elected by a voting constituency closed at 5 p.m. on the 4th, and as only tho requisite number of candidates were nominated in each case, no election will be necessary. The nominees are: Professor Hewiteon and Mr T. K. Sidcy, M.P., representing the District Court of Convocation; Mr W. J. Morrell, representing teachers in secondary schools; Mr L. D. Ritchie, representing members of school committees; and Mr W. Eudey, representing teachers in the primary schools of Otago and Southland. The Southland Education Board has nominated tho Hon. T Mae Gibbon as its representative, and Mr J. C. Stephens has been appointed to represent the High Schools Boards of Otago and Southland. All these gentlemen are at present members of the council.

The public 1 are not generally aware that the Imperial service badge, the circular badge now being largely worn by returned soldiers, is not issued solely to returned men. It is available, among others, for officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who have served in New Zealand for a period of not less than six months, and have been discharged. It will, therefore, bo seen that this badge is not a distinctive one for retui'ned soldiers. This matter was mentioned at last night's meeting of the committee of the Returned Soldiers' Association, and it was decided to make the fact as well known as possible among returned soldiers. One member, a delegate to the recent conference, stated that in Auckland the returned soldiers were wearing both the Imperial and the association badges on their coat lapels. At the meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery on the 4th, Professor D. B. Waters introduced a deputation of laymen to present the constitution of the Presbyterian Laymen's League and to explain its objects. The league was intended, said Professor Waters, to rally the men of the various congregations to the work of the Church, and to create amongst them a spirit of

fellowship and mutual interest. Tile league has appointed Mr Magnus W. Johnson as secretary and the Rov. W. Scorgie as organising agent. In addressing the Presbytery, Mr Scorgie emphas'sed the need for such a league to quicken the men of the Church into a deeper and keener interest in all its undertakings. They should organise as the Roman Catholic Church was organising, and interest themselves more in the political, social, educational, and religious work of this dominion. The Presbyterian Church had been living too long on the memory of past achievements and not enough had been done to keep it in the forefront, and he hoped that thig new league would instil fresh vitality into all its branches. After a brief discussion, in which the objects of the league were favourably commented upon by several speakers, a motion was carried on the motion of the Rev. G. H. Balfour expressing the gratification of the< Presbytery at the formation of the league, promising it sympathy and support,' and commending its aims and objects to the various congregations in this district. A Press Association telegram states that the Timaru Presbytery, by 10 votes to 3, has adopted an overture to the General Assembly in favour of an inquiry into the feasibility of union with other churches. It has also agreed to purchase a house property for £3OOO to establish a Presbyterian orphanage in Timaru.

The question of standardising butter boxes and cheese crates was raised at a conference of the North Auckland dairy companies. The Director of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture stated that the Government had already decided to standardise butter boxes, and that he had been instructed to prepare particulars for putting the idea into operation. It appeared to him that the department might well accept either the standard butter crate in use in Auckland or that of Taranaki without inconvenience to the sawmilling companies. There was no present intention of standardising cheese crates. A largo fish measuring about 12ft in length and 18in in width has been washed ashore on the beach at Fall Creek, Wangaloa. The stranger has a peculiar crest, above the head, and also has a tuft of hairy substance under the jaws. It is of the finlcss tribe, and the skin is of a bright silvery colour. A silvery coating is left on the fingers when they are rubbed on the fish's skin.

A Press Association message from Gore states that the metalling of the PukerauWaipahi road was completed on the 4th. The blinding will be done in the spring This is the only bad piece of road between Christchurch and Invercargill, and the work will prove a boon to motorists Previously it was frequently impassable in the winter months. A Waipahi resident writes suggesting that, as muoh of the road was soft when it was metalled, motorists should avoid all running in one track and thus getting through the metal. It was reported to a meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association on Tuesday, 4th inst., that Sergeant J. S. Skinner, a former treasurer and vice-president of the association (a Main Body man who re-enlisted with the 28th Reinforcements) was now a prisoner of war in Germany. The hope was expressed that he would come successfully through the life in the German prison camps, and in of the large number of New Zealanders who have recently been captured by the enemy, the committee decided to send a sum of £5 to the High Commissioner for the purpose of sending parcels to the Otago prisoners of war. A. Press Association telegram states that the Waimate Borough Council has resolved to challenge the Waimate County Council to a contest in laying pennies along the kerbstones of Queen street, with the object of raising £4OO for the prisoners of war fund, the county to take one side of the street and the borough the other, the furthest up the street when £4OO is reached to bo the winner The Red Cross Committee has already voted £IOO to this fund.

Searching inquiries are now made of the motor trade by a large firm of petrol importers as to what, supplies of the spirit required arc to be used for (says the Wellington Post). Supplies will be furnished to actual users, plus what is required for current trade, though in limited quantities. The new system of distribution is in ao cordanco with the desire of the Board of Trade to conserve supplies. All orders will, however, bo invoiced to distributors, through whom the quantities of petrol required by actual users will pass, but they are asked to see that as far as possible retail purchasers exercise economy. The following list of petrol users is attached to the instructions, the classification being that of the National Efficiency Board : —Schedule A : Most essential—Agriculturists, farmers,

dairymen, coal mining, creameries, cheese factories, dairy factories, doctors, electric hydro power stations, engineering (marine), fishermen (deep sea), flour mills, freezing works, iron rolling mills, railways, shipping, ship repairs, thrashing mills. Schedule B: Essential —Agricultural implements, analytical chemistry, bakeries, butchering, chaffcutt:ng, fellmongering, fruit-growing, gardening (commercial), lightering, mail contractors, milk distribution, newspaper distribution, poultry-farming, seed dressing, shearing machines, shipbuilding, tanning, well-boring, woollen mills, wool-scouring. Schedule C: Partially essential—Commercial carriers, Baxmilling, printing, tramways, sawmilling, storekeepers, garages, taxi proprietors, quarrying, dyeing and cleaning, laundries.

The handsome Government buildings at the corner of Cathedral square and Worcester street, Christchurch, are threatened with trouble (says, the Press). When the excavation work for the foundations was begun some years ago an extensive quicksand bed was discovered. To overcome this difficulty, piles were sunk, and after many months of work the foundations were considered sufficiently stable to justify the election of the building. Lately a serious crack has been discovered in the brick and stone work, almost in the centre of that part of the building facing Worcester street, which gives rise to the belief that some of the foundations are sinking. Unless prompt steps are taken to remedy this, matters mav becon>> serious. x

In certain districts in different parts of the dominion diphtheria has been rather prevalent during the past, three months. In the Wellington Health District (which extends to New Plymouth on the West Coast and East Cape on the other coast, and includes Wairau, Picton, and Nelson) the following case? were reported during April: Cook 15, Wairoa 1, Rawke/s Bay 54, Waipawa 24, Taranaki 41, Stratford 6, Hawera 57, Patea 4, Wanganui 45, Palmcrston North 26, Wellington 57, Wairarapa 19, Wairau 2, Picton 1, Nelson 49. The total number of cases notified in the Wellington Health District for April was 401, as compared with 255 for the preceding month. The disease, reports the District Health Officer, is extremely widespread, every hospital district except Waiapu contributing cases. The two districts which are most affected' by the epidemic are Hawera and Nelson. In both those districts the children attending the schools are being treated with Chloramine T. Thirty-one cases were reported in the Southland district, as compared with 26 for the preceding month. Referring to the 11 cases notified in the Wallace district, the Health Officer states that they have been of a severer type than usual.

Captain T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., for Westland, writing from England on the eve of his departure for America, about the middle of April, says: "After my term was up on the staff with General Russell, I went back to the Ist Canterbury Company, 2nd Battalion, as second-in-command. We were in training, and then were hurried away to near Amiens. After marching all night from near Albert our boys went into the fray, and held the line. The officer commanding was slightly wQundfd, so I went in and took over the company. When our stunt was finished I brought them out to reserve, and then got word to proceed to Headquarters, and thence to London on duty. It was a very pleasant surprise. I was told then that I was to represent the division in propaganda work in the United States. It will be splendid work, and gives me a great opportunity. How long it will last I don't know. The Attorney-general from South Australia has gone on the same mission.

It is reported in a cable message published in the Melbourne Herald that Miss Johanna Redmond, daughter of the late Nationalist leader, in a letter to the press, appeals for the whole-hearted, proud acceptance throughout Ireland of a British alliance and the sinking of grievances. "We are with England in the cause of humanity," she writes, "and with the large, unbigoted heart of Ireland at its •warmest, it is our duty to learn to be tolerant and sympathetic of all that is bravo and admirable In the English character." The control of enemy aliens was one of the subjects which came before the Returned Soldiers' Conference at Auckland las* week. It was decided to suggest to the Government that these people should be disfranchised for life, and that they should be compelled to work for the public benefit at a soldier's rate of pay. It was also decided strongly to urge the Government to bring down legislation to prevent the sons of enemy aliens not eligible for active service on account of nationality adding to their present holdings of land or making purchases of land for the duration of the

war and for five years thereafter. It was stated that while some men of fticmy parentage had gone to the front and fought for the Empire, there wore numbers in New Zealand who were not loyal and who were not sent to the front.

Owing to the delayed departure from the Old Country of the vessel that was taking the glass for the windows of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Cathedral Board has come to an arrangement with a Christchurch firm having the contract for tho glazing work to use the glass it has in stock, and the work will be proceeded with immediately. The Christchurch Press states that the C.D.C. haa received word from Wellington that cabled advice from England states it is useless for fit men to apply to be returned on furlough to New Zealand. A returned Dunedin soldier pays a high tribute to the bravery of Sergeant " Dick " Travis, an Invercargill soldier who went away with the Main Body. The returned man says that when ho heard the stories of the many deeds said to have been done by Sergeant Travis he had some doubt as to their truth. When, however, he saw Travis creep out amongst the shell hoies in No Man's Land in broad daylight to search the bodies of some dead German soldiers for anything that might prove of use to his intelligence department —his officer had asked him to go out at night—' the returned man was quite convinced. Travis, on this occasion, was not fired on by the enemy, but failed to discover anything on the bodies except some revolvers. The dead Germans were evidently members of a special raiding party, and did not wear identification discs. Later, when a German raid took place, Travis and another sergeant stood up on the parapet, and throw bombs. The Southlander has an abiding faith that he will not be shot, and doe's not even wear a steel helmet. He has a roving commission, and is most highly thought of and trusted by his officers. Travis has been awarded the D.O.M. and the M.M.

The next Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union will be held on July 30 and the following days at the Dominion Farmers' Institute, Wellington. The Otago Provincial Council will be represented by its president (Mr W. S. D. Trotter) and vice-president (Mr J. Christie, of Warepa). Scarlet fever and diphtheria seem to be on the increase in the Otago and Southland district. During May 203 cases of infectious disease were reported, which is an increase of 34 cases on the figures for April, and an increase of 84 on those for March. Of the total number of cases mentioned for May 99 were scarlet fever, and 73 of these occurred in the Otago hospital district. Most of these were in or about Dunedin. Three four were of a malignant type, but very few deaths resulted. Twenty of the scarlet fever cases notified belong to the Southland hospital district, seven being in the neighbourhood of Queenstown and four in Invercargill. Seventy-eight cases of diphtheria were notified for May, which is an increase of 14 on the number for April. The disease seems to have made its strongest appearance in Southland, where 57 notifications were received in the hospital district. A large number of carriers recently discovered there have been removed to the isolation hospital at Kew, near Invercargiii. A bacteriologist has been placed on duty by the Health Department in this district whilst th > outbreak continues. The treatmnt of carriers with chloramine-T has been commenced, but the results cannot yet be judged. No diphtheria cases were notified during the month from the "Wallace hospital district, though some severe cases were reported in April. Nine of the diphtheria cases belong to the Waitafci Hospital district. Tuberculosis is causing _ the . medical men some anxiety, the notifications of this trouble numbering 23, which is an increase of 14 as compared with April. Nine were notified by the Medical Boards. The schools in the Dunedin district do hot appear to have been badly affected by the epidemic. So far as Dunedin is concerned the Macandrcw Road School closed down a trifle early for the midwinter holidays, bv.b the cases of illness were very few. iSo far as the country schools go two or three only are closed at the present time. The Hampden School, which was closed three weeks ago, is still closed.

In connection with the nature and proper treatment of tuberculosis, it is deemed important to emphasise the fact that to comply with applications to hare patients who are seriously ill or apparently approaching death, shifted from a hospital to a sanatorium would be flying in the face of all knowledge and experience. The sanatorium is regarded primarily as a olaoe for patients who, with proper treatment, have a reasonable' prospect of recovering. Should the condition of a patient be so serious that death is threatened it is regarded as highly reprehensible to remove nim to such an institution. The hospital is considered the proper place for such patients. It may be mentioned ' that tuberculosis notifications have increased from 14 to 23 during this month.

A circular has been issued to branches of the New Zealand Locomotive Engineers' Association by the Wellington branch regarding the demand made upon locomotive men for working at night and the injustice of receiving no remuneration for such work above their ordinary rate of pay. Commenting on the matter, the journal of tho association says the circular "will have the effect at least of awakening the pubho of New Zealand to a state of affairs in our working conditions which must inevitable result in a breach of that harmonious relationship which has existed for a number of years between the locomotive men and the travelling public. Wo have nearly exhausted ail our legitimate means of redress, and tho circular issued may be the mfians of some other action being taken beyond what has already been done by the executive body. The resignations which have taken place during tho last 10 years show conclusively that our conditions of work are most unjust, and especially so in face of the great strides made in the improvement of conditions for all workers outside

of State employ. The Executive Council has firmly held to the opinion that this improvement, or correctly speaking, this injustice, would have been seriously con- . sidered by our responsible officers long ago, but as time goes on this opinion is slowly giving way to another opinion which may strike the people of New Zealand in the neck at a most inopportune time." The attention of the Acting Minister of Finance has been drawn to criticisms that have appeared recently in a number of newspapers regarding the compulsory subscription to the war loan. The Minister stated yesterday (says our Wellington correspondent) that he again desired to point out that the" persons liable to contribute to the war loan were those who paid land-or income tax or both combined. In assessing the amount contributed under the provisions of the Act due regard would be given to the circumstances of each case. It might bo taken for granted that if a man Was asked to contribute according to his means no more would be taken from him than would leave sufficient to carry on his business. Looking at the matter in this way it would be impossible to ruin a man, as had been suggested by some correspondents in the newspapers. Even if, in fixing the contribution, the Commissioner of . Taxes were to take an unreasonable view the taxpayer was safeguarded by the rights of appeal given to him. In replying to statements that the legislation was hastily rushed through the House, Mr Myers expressed the opinion that any further consideration given to the Bill would not have resulted in any great improvement of the provisions, and that any further elaboration of the. present provisions would have reduced their elasticity. It was doubtful, also, if the interests of the taxpayers could have been more perfectly safeguarded than they wore now by the rights of appeal given. After several conferences with interested parties, the proposed new regulations

governing the heating, ventilation, and sanitary arrangements in factories, have been redrafted, and before being gazetted will be submitted to the Crown Law Offic. Expert assistance has been obtained by the Labour Department in the drafting of the regulations (says the Wellington Post), and it is expected that they will be found satisfactory to both employers and employees. They include many new provisions for the comfort and convenience of workers, particularly in regard to heating, a problem ■which has presented many difficulties.

The expenses of beekeeping have gone up in England during the war, but so have the profits. A correspondent writes to the London Times: —The increase in prices has affected ■• beekeepers, and colonies of bees, swarms, and honey cost far more than before the war, when a strong colony of bees could commonly be bought for 30s or £2, and a swarm for about 3s a pound. A strong colony now easily fetches £5, and later will probably be worth £6 or £7; while swarms, so far as can be> judged, will fetch from 7s to 8s a pound, this season. Honey costs two or three times as much as before the war. Very little English honey can now bo obtained, but a ready market is found for extracted honey at 2s 6d per lb jar, and for comb honey at 3s per lb section. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the next ballot of 10,000 names from class 0 (men with two children) will be taken this week. The names are to be gazetted about the 18th inst. A large number are being drawn, to facilitate medical examination and appeals. Some reservists will thus receive more than the promised three months' leave after the medical examination.

An award was filed recently in the Arbitration Court in the Oamam private hotel workers' case. An application has now been made to the Conciliation Council for a now award on the ground that all the employers were not consulted prior to the case going before tho court. »

There are 16 patients in the'fever hospital at Lake Logan. The annexe which was erected for smallpox patients, and which has been unused for some time, has been fitted up for use, and will accommodate probably half a dozen cases.

Writing from London to her father (Mr Powell, of Port Chalmers), Mrs Smith, the wife of Captain A. Smith, of the Otaki, states that she had been to see a sailor who was on the vessel when she was sunk by tho Moewe. This sailor was taken to Germany as a prisoner, but was released because he was very ill and well over military age. He said that in tho action the Otaki's gun killed 40 Germans, and that the fight went on for two hours. Captain Smith

dressed the ship with flags, after the crow had taken to the boats. He was good and calm all through, and the sailor was about the last to speak to his captain. He asked him where a lifebelt could bo found, and Captain Smith told him where to get one. The Germans would not believe that the Otaki had. only one gun, and in the German papers it was given out that the MoeVe fought the auxiliary cruiser Otaki and sank her. The sailor stated that nothing could bo braver than his captain's conduct. Mrs Smith goes pn to say that she had seen another of the sailors on the Otaki. He gave a vivifying account of the gallant action. He told Mrs Smith that at the last, when they were all told to get into tho boats, and when it was known that the captain meant going down with his ship, hi 3 stepson (Alfie) ran up on to the bridge and said: "I will go down with you, dad." Captain Smith replied: "No, my boy, we can't both go." He then told the crew to put the boy—who is now a prisoner in Germany —in the boat.

Ihe printed price list issued by the Queensland State Butchery provides interesting reading. Here is the price list for beef. The head shop is in lioma street, Brisbane. The branches throughout the suburbs are also given: —Roast, prime rib, 4£d; roast, sirloin, 63d; roast, chuck rib, steak fillet, Bd. -steak, rump, stqak, beef, s£d; topside, in piece, sd; corned round, s£d; corned brisket, 3£d; corned ox tongues, 6d; gravy meat, s&d; sausages, sd; mince, 4d; shin beef, 4d; ox skirts, 4d; ox cheeks, 3d; suet, 6d; ox kidneys, each, sd; ox tails, each, lOd; ox hearts, each, 6d. No booking. No delivery. Cash at .counter.

During the racing season at Ellerslie, which was closed this week, the Auckland Racing Club held eight days' racing, comprising 62 events, as compared with 11 days and 85 races during the previous season. The amount, invested on the totalisator on the eight days was £516,843, a reduction of £51,558 only, as compared with the investments on the 11 days of the previous season. During the season just closed each day's racing produced an increase in the amount of totalisator investments, as compared with the corresponding day of the previous season.

" The dairying industry is on top of the wave," said Mr J. Grigg, of Longbeach, in proposing the toast of "The Dairying Industry" at a dinner tendered to the South Island Dairy Association delegates in Christchurch on Wednesday by the dairy factories of Canterbury. Some farmers were making up to £2O a year per cow. «Mr Grigg advised them to make all they could and so clear all the mortgages off farm lands. The whole country would benefit. By exercising efficiency in the way of introducing the better class of cows and food and in preventing waste —for there was waste in the production of milk—the output would bo increased, and the day would come when the dairying industry in this country would displace wool and take the lead in dominion products.

The Sanatorium Committee of the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid*Board paid a visit to the institution at Pleasant Valley on Thursday. -There are 45 patients receiving treatment. Two rooms recently added to tho nurses' quarters arc almost ready, and the new room in the administrative block will be finished shortly. The work of treeplanting progresses apace. Many thousands of pine trees will, in tho course of a year or two, roar" their heads on the hill and other parts of the ground where, until lately, the gorse had a firm hold.

Six more pupils of the Canterbury Aviation Company took their tickets on Thursday, these being 11. B. Reynolds (Duncdin), A. 11. Keene (Wellington)! G. Carter (Kaitangata), G. Hume (Featherston), V. G. Coull (Duncdin), and H. A*. Stark (Christchurch). The men performed to the satisfaction of the examiners, Colonel R. A. Chaffey and Major W. C Morrison. Eightyeight pupils have now qualified from Sockburn, and tho hundredth is in training.

Speaking at a dinner to tho delegates attending tho South Island Dairy Association's meeting, Mr W. M. Singleton, Assistant Director of the Dairy Produce Division, gavo some reasons why he thought that butter producers need not fear tho competition of margarine. He believed it would only requiro an educational campaign to show the public the necessity of butter as a food for the growing child. Chemists had contended that butter was equal to any other fat only ns far a» its food value was concerned. During the past two years, howover, Dr M'Calmm, formerly of Wisconsin University, but now of tho John Hopkins University, had proved conclusively by experiments that

butter-fat contains some substance that is necessary for the growth of young animals, and this was being accepted in the United States as one of the strongest arguments in favour of the superiority of butter over margarine as a food. Another factor which led him to believe that there would be a continued demand for dairy products was the fact that so many cattle, and milch cows especially, had been destroyed since the war started.

A l-ecenr- visitor to the various sawmills in Southland (says the News) was struck by tho heaps of sawdust lying about, and the question arose in his mind whether it could not be converted into wood pulp for use in tho manufacture of news paper. As far as he can learn, in the countries which supply printing paper soft woods are utilised, and he suggests that the Forestry Department might with advantage put to a test the sawdust from the white pine which is being cut in such large quantities in New Zealand for butter boxes and cheese crates. Were this timber found suitable for the purpose, he cannot see any obstacle in the way of its utilisation, and New Zealand would be less dependent on outside supplies of news paper. At present, he points out, the branches of the white pine trees are now thrown to one side, and ultimately burned when the ground is being prepared for settlement, and these would supply an enormous quantity of material. Should conditions in regard to the 'supply of printing paper remain as at present, of course such an industry would be a highly profitable one, and he foresees that with the return of normal times the competition by outside manufacturers would be strong; but, in his opinion, adequate protection should be afforded the local industry, at least until it was established on a sound footing. Sir Charles Mackellar, speaking at the half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of New South Wales in Sydney, said that the Empire and her Allies had responded wonderfully to the enormous strain, and could still do so. He added that th) resources of Australasia were sufficiently large to enable the people to bear their share too, but it was certain that the calls for the war would continue to increase until a settlement wag reached. It was therefore more necessary than ever that the national resources, individual and public, should be economised in every possible manner.

' "The Health Officer wants half the hotels in the city closed just because the bars do not open on to the street," declared Mr Iloban at Thursday's annual meeting of the Christchurch Licensing Committee. " There are a number of the finest buildings in the world which could not do as the Health Officer desires." Certain objections »as to the ventilation, etc., of various hotels were (says the Press) made on behalf of the Health Officer. In one specific instance it was stated on behalf of the licensee' that some two or three years ago alterations had .been made to comply with all the wishes of' the Health Officer. One of tho Health Department's officers appeared in court and stated that tho alterations, as referred to, had been made, but these ideas had been more in the nature of an experiment than anything else, an assertion to which vigorous exception was taken by counsel, Mr Hoban in one instance expressing his disapprobation in no uncertain terms, and asking where such experiments would end. Tho chairman, Mr T. A. B. Bailey. S.M., intimated that he could not allow such comment by counsel. Anyone, lie pointed out, had the right to lay objections against licensed houses. Eventually, practically all the cases in which recommendations of siich a sort were made were adjourned for three months

A Sensational story of a child, barely three- years of age, who was found alive, after being lost in the bush for three days, cornea from Leina, a small township on the Kiver Mersey in North-west Tasmania. The child's name is Thelma Shaw. Her parents, who are settlers, missed her about 5 in the afternoon. A party went out and searched the bush in the vicinity all night without success. Next day a larger party scoured the country without finding any trace of the youngster. The following day's search was similarly abortive, although 100 people participated in it, including a police superintendent., three troopers, and a detective. As the third day's search wore on many were inclined to give up hope; but the mother persisted in believing that her child was alive. Within half-an-hour of her utterance the child was found standing on a log spanning a miniature ravine, waving tiny hands and calling her rescuers. This was about a mile from home. Bare-footed, lightly clad, and without food, she had been in the bush 70 hours, inclusive of three

cold, frosty nights. How she endured so long is a marvel. She looked pale and tired, but otherwise unharmed. It seems that on her first night out she saw men walking about with lights not far from where she was, but she was too frightened to call to them.

Mr J. B. Mason, who occupied the position of resident engineer of the Otago Harbour Board for many years, and who latterly has acted as the board's consulting engineer, has given six months' notice, as, from July 1, of his intention to terminate his engagement with the board. It is understood that Mr Mason has received, a five years' lucrative engagement with a North Island public body, and that the fact that he has no extended security of his position with the board has been one of the dominating influences which has resulted in his decision to leave Dunedin, the city of his birth. Tho report of tho Defence Expenditure Commission has been forwarded to the Governor-general. It will probably be available for publication this week. One of the recommendations of the commission is sure to be the separation of the administrative branch of the Defence Department from the purely military branch Tho commission hcldi the view that the business side of defence activities should be wholly under the control of a business head, leaving training and matters appertaining thereto to be dealt with by the expert soldiers. One of tho weak points in the present organisation is that the administrative duties are done in the district by men who are not under the control of the chief administrative officers at General Headquarters. For instance, the stores branch has to rely upon getting work done by men who are not appointed by the director ki charge of the branch and who may not be dismissed by the director if they are found to be unsatisfactory. There is no doubt that this arrangement has led to lack of efficiency in the past, and to many of tho misunderstandings that have arisen on administrative details between headquarters and the district offices. The business and the military sides of defence work are not really related in any way. The chairman said on more than one occasion, when the commission was sitting, that soldiers were very rarely good business men, and he thought that they should bo relieved of responsibility for th© business side of the department. ~ Mr J. A. Frostiek (Commissioner of the National Efficiency Board in Canterbury) has been sitting in conference with trade union representatives, chiefly regarding the systems of training at present received by children from the elementary school until they take up their vocation in life. It is now considered that evidence should be procured from representatives of the various trade groups, particularly as regards apprenticeship and how it affects a particular trade.

According to the London Daily Graphic of March 21, Captain Pelham F Wanner — or "Plum," as he was popularly known — has been compelled to relinquish his commission owing to ill-health. The services of the famous cricketer on the staff at tho War Office have, however, been recognised by tho grant of the honorary rank of captain upon his retirement. The Rugby, Oxford, Middlesex, and England captain was attached to tho Inns of Court O.T.C. soon after war broke out, and later was seconded to the gciu nil staff at the W«*>.r Office.

Notwithstanding that, next-of-kin are not now issued free railway passes (states a District Order), wives returning to New Zealand with invalided soldiers will be granted travelling warrant from port of disembarkation to their homes, provided the contract ticket with the shipping company does not include this. Wives returning with their husbands from overseas sKall be allowed to travel in special troop trains with their husbands. Any wives resident in New Zealand who have gone to meet their husbands at port of arrival are to" be permitted to travel in the special troop train, paying the usual railway fare; but this is to be strictly confined to wives, and not to bo available to other next-of-kin. Sounds of breaking glass attracted a small crowd in Cashel street, Christchureh, on Tuesday afternoon, where it was found that one of the large plate-glass windows in Messrs J, Ballantyno and Company's establishment had been broken through a peculiar accident (reports the Lyttelton Times) A customer on leaving the shop had entered her motor car, but aa the Tnachine was starting, one wheel struck a small stone, which flew off at an angle and smashed the window.