JOTTINGS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 42, 6 October 1914, Page 3

JOTTINGS.

■ The Marquis of Lincolnshire (better ntjwn to Australians as Lord Carrington) has given orders (states an English paper) that no rents shall be collected during the war from any of his cottages where any adult member of the family has joined the colours or volunteered for public service. * * * •*

It .is interesting to note (says the Timaru Herald) that an elderly lady, who is now assisting with the sowing of clothes to bo sent Home .and to Belgium, also helped to sew for those rendered destitute at the time of the Crimean war. The lady referred to is Mrs Robertson.

* * * * Some idea of the preparations made and the state of public feeling in England as a result of the declaration of war is given, in a letter to Mr J. A. Barber, of Palmerston North, from his sister at Newcastl on-Tyne, Northumberland. The lettei > 'i„-d>ted August 5, and says: “We are collecting all the horses in the country for the soldiers ; a number went from here to-day; I fear the girls’.. hunters will also go. There is no flour to be got, and all provisions .are very dear. Sugar is 7s per stone to-day in Newcastle. They .are filling the churches with food for the horses, and all the people along the sea coast near i the Tyne haVc received 24 hours’ notice to leave their .houses—those houses on the sea front and in a very exposed position.”

—*» * * Speaking in the House of Representatives last night upon the question of shipping facilities, Mr Massey said he ,was able now to state that there were 13 ships available between now and ■December 31. AVith regard to the shipment of cheese, he pointed out that the Output of cheese for the season was estimated at 194,000 crates between October and December. He was pleased to say that provisioh would be nude to handle 228,800 crates. In January and February there would be 14 ships in sight, but there was a possibility of the Australian Government commandeering three. IT O was .communicating with Mr Fisher upon the subject; There was no room for anxiety.

# * * * “Daffodil Day,” held in Invercargill on Saturday, will result in a total approaching £6OO when all the amounts come in. Included in the total is a donation.of £IOO from the railway employees of Southland. Two motor processions were held, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, when the combined effect of blazing headlights, fluttering flags, the coloring of the cars, and the brilliant street lighting produced an effect unique in picturesqueness. • The street collections produced about £330, in addition to which a special donation of £SO was received late in the evening .from, Kirk and Co. A doll’s house, donated by the daughters of Dr. Hogg, was sold four times, and realised £24 10s, while.an aged and corpulent bulldog was sold five times, realising £4 15s. Other auctions produced about £lO, in addition to which .the'proceeds of two picture houses must be added. # * * *

.When the steamer Opawa left London op. August 1 she quickly became aware that’ the war cloud was bursting Oyer|the English Channel. On leaving the Thames a big flptilla of destroyers yras observed putting to spa. No jgerchant vessels were met, but every trawler seemed to be armed and had the white ensign flying. One of these armed craft rounded up the big liner and ordered ‘her into Sandown Bay to dismantle her wireless aerial while in' English waters. Several other merchantmen were anchored in the Bay. Admiralty orders were there backed up by armed authority. A . war vessel trailed a ,4.7 in. gun on .the Opawa,' and kept the latter covered until the aerials were dismantled, and then she was allowed to depart for the southern seas. The Whgkatgpe was passed before reaching Teneriffe. No, German vessels were encountered. Snatches of wireless communication were occasionally caught on the Opawa, and in the vicinity of the Cape of .Good Hope a passing message in French sent the instrument ticking.