BELGIANS IN DISTRESS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 35, 28 September 1914, Page 3

BELGIANS IN DISTRESS.

In Stratford and throughout the eastern districts, considerable - interest is being manifested in the patriotic concert to bo held in Toko on Thursday night. The cause affords a splendid opportunity to all classes to display their sympathy with the people of Belgium. In variety and talent the concert programme excels anything yet presented to a Toko audience, and should ensure a crowded house. Captain Allen will render Eudyard Kipling’s famous poem “The Absent Minded Beggar.” Added to this is a Highland Fling in Costume, which will doubtless appeal to many present. The vocal items comprise the best talent procurable in Stratford and surroundings district. The Committee’s decision to auction a Belgian Flag during the interval should result in a considerable increase in the proceeds of the function. A cake-guessing competititon will also be held. The entertainment will be brought to a. close by a dance, the music for which will be supplied bj Rogers’ Orchestra. ’ibis will Probably be the last dance of thd season. JOTTINGS. I ft may not be generally known that provision was originally made /in the Rhodes Scholarships for the selection of 15 young Germans, to be selected by the Kaiser, and to be educated

with other Rhodes scholars at Oxford. On Wednesday evening Mr Lewis (Brydone), who for the past month has had a small Union Jack Hying from a flagpole attached to his house, hoard a couple of shots fired, and in the morning was astonished to find holes through the flag, which also showed a small rent (says the Mataura Ensign), The flagpole also showed marks of shot. The police have been making injuiries, and the residents are very indignant .over the affair.

The principal northern suburb o Melbourne has hitherto borne the German name of Brunswick. After keei discussion, the Municipal Council resolved, by eight votes to seven, that steps be taken to attach some othei name to their borough. Portion of tin territory adjoining Brunswick (whose new- name has not yet been ,decider upon) is called Coburg, and the Coburp Council will be asked, at its next meeting, to send the German name out tc the rubbish tip, and adopt the name oi Dudley, in memory of a former Gover-nor-General of Australia.

The Dunedin Star says that the following incident is vouched for as having happened in one of the Dunedin schools this week :—Teacher: “Draw a map of Germany.” The pupils (unanimously): “No.” Teacher: “Will you draw a map of Russia? ■’ Pupils (gleefully): “Yes.” When the master pointed out that it was right to become acquainted with the enemy’s country, one bright-eyed lad responded: “Please, sir, when the inspectors’ examinations came round we don’t think such a map (Germany) would be of any service.”

In an address at St. Peter’s Church, Temuka, on Sunday, Bishop Julius (says the Press) referred to the way in which Britons “lost their heads” when news of victory was received during the South African war. He described “Mafeking Day” as one of the blackest spots in British history. The hour of victory was not a time for excesses, but for calmness and sobriety. “Don’t,” he said, referring to the present war, “be too greatly depressed nor too greatly elated, and for God’s sake—don’t ho had his way he would crucify half of the reporters who wrote about British pluck.

Seaman Thomas Riordan (not Reardon, as cabled), who was a member of the crew of the missing Australian 'submarine, was a native of Kaikoura, and about 23 years of ago (says the Christchurch Press). He followed the sea all his life, and was one of the first draft of Now Zea-

land boys on H.M.S. Pioneer. Only two or three months ago he barely escaped being drowned in Sydney Harbor through a tug running down and sinking a pinnace of the Pioneer, in which he and some other seamen wee returning v t° their ship. He was practically the solo support of his widowed mother.

The finest rifle in Europe is the one that Belgium has been using so effectively against the Germans. It is the latest typo of automatic, and is the quickest weapon in the work], being capable of firing between thirty and forty rounds a minute. Also, the muzzle velocity of the bullet is much higher than that of the Lee Enfield or the Mauser. The weapon is known merely as the Belgian Army rifle. The point that this Dominion should note is that Belgium doesn’t import this rifle. It is made locally in a Government factory.