NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 457, 28 July 1915, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, in the House yesterday, the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. 11. HDrries) stated that the Railways Statement would bo brought down at the earliest possible moment. The .letterpress was now ready, and was awaiting the printing of tho statistical section. Australian medical men at the front are putting up a record equal to that of the military. News has arrived in Sydney of one of the finest triumphs • of modern surgery performed during the present war. Dr Roger Cope, of Bellevue Hill and Macquarie Street, successfully substituted a sheep's bone in place of the hopelessly shattered forearm of a wounded soldier at a hospital in St. Malo.

At a sitting of the Juvenile Courff this morning, presided over by Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., three small boys were charged with throwing stones at a passing tram at Papanui. The evidence showed that the boys had been playing at "Dardanelles." Tho Magistrate pointed out the- serious consequence that might result from throwing stones, and dismissed the youngsters. The St. Albans Literary Society last evening discussed the contests of the "Journal," which had been prepared by Mrs W. Hindle. Several interesting matters were freely discussed. Mr E. Johnson contributed two vocal solos in excellent style. The editress was heartly thanked for her capable services. Arrangements were made for a lecture on "The Australian Blacks," by the Rev. P. W. Fairclough.

"After several months' training in Egypt," writes Lance-Corporal Maurice Roderique to friends in the south, "we began to sride ourselves upon our drill, but the Maoris, when they came over, knocked all the conceit out of us. We simply weren't in it with them. To see them as they marched past one would think that the Maoris had spent all their lives at the game." Tho special committee set up by the Education Board at its last meeting, to investigate the question of a site for the proposed new Manual Training College at Christchurch East, recommended, at to-day's meeting of the board, that the school should be built on the site now occupied by the caretaker's garden, a site just as suitable as the corner site, which had the disadvantage that the erection of a high building would shut out the sun from the main Infant School, and would throw a considerable portion of the playground into shadow. The report was adopted. Appreciation of the attention bestowed upon his wife and children by the New Zealand Government and the local relief organisations is expressed in a letter received from Private E. J. Bacon, of the Cameronians, says an Auckland paper. Private Bacon, who is a reservist, and is serving in France, came to Auckland in 1912, and his wife and children followed him a little over a year later. He was wounded in the right leg at La Bassee. A fellow-reserv-ist, with whom Private Bacon left New Zealand, Private Wallnick, was killed in action at Neuve Chapclle. The children attending the Native schools have shown great interest in the war. The annual report of the Native School Department states that upwards of £2OO has been subscribed by the children towards various patriotic funds. One tribe gave a large block of land for the purpose. Useful gifts and comforts for the soldiers were sent in considerable quantities, while the Maori Expeditionary Forco consists very largely of old scholars of Native schools. '"'There can be no doubt," says the report, "that the Native schools have played an important part in creating feelings of patriotism and loyalty in the young Maoris.'' Private Yeoman, about whose reported death there is such mystery at present, in writing to his parents under date May 31, states that the men of his company had lost all their equipment, and he had nothing but what he stood up in. It appears that when the troops lauded on the peninsula they discarded their heavy kit to facilitate their climbing. They dug themselves in, and after experiencing their first night in the trenches, they decided that they could do with their overcoats, which had also been left on the beach. Some of the men volunteered to go back for them, but when they arrived they found the kits ransacked and everything of value taken. The New Zealanders attribute this raid to a certain British regiment. Private Yeoman later collected some overcoats, but fell into a hole caused by a shell explosion, and lost run of the coats, which would have proved very welcome to his comrades. The demand for motor drivers in England for service in France still continues, and when the last mail left, the authorities were calling for 12,000 thoroughly skilled drivers, says the "New Zealand Times." It is difficult at this distance from the scene of operations to realise how so many motor drivers can be utilised, when the firing line is practically stationary, whilst trench warfare continues. At present many thousands of motor vehicles are being utilised in transport, etc., and whilst tho wastage of machines must be fairly heavy, the losses-of drivers would be comparatively nil, for they are out of the firing zone. This being so, says a correspondent, it look 3 as though the English authorities are now making preparations for the time when a rapid continuous movement of the front begins, which would call for a regular army of motor vehicles and, of course, drivers. In this connection it is interesting to note that the Australian Motor Transport Service, which left many months back for England, has now left for France.

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The General Red Cross Fund now amounts to £7522 14/11. In the report of the Hospital Committee, presented at this moring's meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, it was stated that arrangements at the. hospital are completed for dealing with such sick and, wounded soldiers as have returned from the front. If necessary, the whole of the isolation block can be utilised for their accommodation, temporary arrangements having been made for dealing with infectious cases elsewhere. At this morning's meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Mr S. Andrew reported that the Kaikoura County Council had agreed to give a £ for £ subsidy, up to £250, for the establishment of a maternity ward at the Kaikoura Hospital. The board decided that when official notification of the grant is received from the Kaikoura County Council the Hospital Committee should proceed with the matter.

A well-known English war correspondent pays a rare tribute to the value of the bicycle. He writes: —"It is, I suppose, quite against the rules of the game to follow military operations on a bicycle. But probably the game of war correspondent can hardly ever be played again in the grand manner, with full credentials, a baggage train, and a team of horses. Times and conditions have changed. After my experience with the Belgium Army, I give a reliable bicycle the palm over horses or motor cars, as an aid to getting about country in war time. It can go everywhere where there is a vestige of road or a track. It is not difficult to carry over fences and through fields to get into the actual line. It asks for no food except an ounce of oil every 100 miles. It excites the least attention from friend and enemy. I have been within smell of the Uhlans repeatedly on a bicycle, and have been accepted as a civilian inhabitant of the country without challenge. In the motor car I should have to stop for examination or face the chances of a volley." In a letter from the British Admiral in the North Sea to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir John Jellicoe says, inter a li a: —<<i feel it a great honour to write to you as representing New Zealand, as the recent work of the New Zealanders in the Gallipoli Peninsula, and their magnificent courage and tenacity, has filled us with feelings of the deepest admiration. You may be interested to learn that Captain Halsey, of the New Zealand, is about to join my staff.' I feel I am depriving the 'gift ship' of a most valuable officer, but I hope and believe that his successor will maintain the high standard of efficiency on the ship." Tel. 1989. —A New Photograph Every Birthday. One worthy the occasion by Steffano Webb, 152 High Street. Highclass work at moderate prices. .342