THE COLONIST. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1918. SUMMARY NOTES.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14665, 20 March 1918, Page 4

THE COLONIST. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1918. SUMMARY NOTES.

Third War Loan,

Another War Loan, the amount asked for being £9,500,000, has now beea placed on the market. This issue was authorised by the war borrowing legislation of last year, -under which a twelve million loan was offered for subscription last August with a result that spoke volumes for the financial strength, confidence, and determination |of the Dominion, the loan being,, oversubscribed by more than four millions lin the brief time allowed for application. It is hardly enough to say that a similarly satisfactory response is hoped for on this occasion—it is a foregono conclusion that the loan will be r eagerly taken up. The present issue is similar in terms to that of last year, and ample facilities are provided for small as well as large investors.

Order of the British Empire.

The list of appointments in New Zealand to the Order of the British Empire was announced on Saturday. It constitutes the first recognition hy the King of services rendered in a- civil capacity during the war by women as well as men, and.the list is headed by the name of Her Excellency Lady Liverpool, -upon whom the first class of the Order has been conferred. The majority of those whose names appear in the list havft been actively connected with various organisations which have been engaged in patriotic work throughout the Dominion since the commencement of the war. The list contains, in addition, the names of certain ladies and I gentlemen who have been prominently | associated with the activities of the New Zealand War Contingent Association, whose headquarters are in London. The making of such a selection was a matter of very evident difficulty when the number of those who have given of their best to patriotic work is legion. It may be said of the one appointment which has come to Nelson, however, that no selection could have 'commanded more general. and coi dial approval on the part of the public. It is^ that of the Mayor of the city, Mr W. W. Snodgrass, whose ardent and unselfish labours in connection with ■war activities, and especially in the interests of-soldiers and their dependents, have been worthily recognised by' inclusion in the memberships of the Order.

Flood and Fire.

The floods which have during the last few years been an annual occurrence in Nelson have come earlier than usual this year. Following a torrential downpour of rain all the rivers in the district rose to flood level yesterday. In the city the customary effects of bankhigh ton-ents in the Maitar and the Brook were noticeable in erosion of riverside properties, but the floods were not so severe, nor the losses so great, as on previous occasions. Washouts occurred on ro.ads in various portions of the district, and there is a serious interruption of railway traffic at Brightwater, while other communication services are more or less disorganised.

The flood was heralded -by a northeasterly gale of unusual severity, which was responsible for considerable damage to property, especially in the orchard districts, and caused a few minor shipping casualties. Wtile Nelson has experienced floods, the opposite element has been ravaging theWanganui and Main Trunk districts. Aided by a strong gale, bush fires have swept over large areas, and along the Main Trunk line tie disaster is reported to have reached grave dimensions.

Wellington North Election.

Intense interest was manifested in the by-election for Wellington North, which took place on February 28th, and resulted in the return of Mr J. P. Luke, the National Government's official candidate, by a majority of 420 votes over Mr H. E. Holland (Labour), his most serious opponent, who stood mainly on the anti-conscription issue.

Obituary.

The death of the Hon. A. T. Maginnity, which occurred on the 12th inst., after a brief illness, is widely mourned. For many years Mr Maginnity had occupied a prominent position in the community, both as an able barrister and in several branches of public service, notably in the cause of education. Mr Maginnity had a high conception of the responsibilities of citizenship, and throughout his long residence in Nelson his aid could always be counted ■upon in assisting movements calculated |to promote the public good. The death of Mr Maginnity was followed or. the same day by that of , Miss Frances jMarsden, also a resident of long standing. Miss Marsden had been a, most [generous benefactress of the Anglican ! Church in this diocese, and by her will the Church benefits further to a very considerable extent.