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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144710, 19 June 1915, Page 2

Since it is proposed to establish a rubbish destructor in New Plymouth shortly it is interesting to note what is being done in this direction in other places. Christchurch has a destructor which is utilised for generating electric power, blit the city electrical engineer, Air Stark, is not satisfied to have his I plant lying idle for a great part of the lime, when the public consumption of current is very light, while the charges for interest, sinking fund, and depreciation go on all tho lime. Ho therefore proposes to add to tho plant machinery for producing hypochloride of soda by the electrical treatment of .salt water. The apparatus is simple, tho cost small —the public will be charged one shilling a gallon—and tho result, it is claimed, highly satisfactory. Air. Stark expects Unit the disinfectant will ho largely used by Hie City Council and tho Hospital Board, as well as by the general public, ami he hopes that his scheme will not only keep his-destructor profitably employed but will also keepthc city dean and free from disease. Another scheme ho has in mind is to establish at the destructor a garage for electrical motors, of which a considerable number might be need. His idea is. that theso motors, when their day’s. work is over, should he taken to the garage, where they would bo charged; from the destructors electrical plantduring tho slack hours of tho night,, ready for tlie next day’s use. He proposes further to have a night staff there to clean and repair motors. This he is prepared to undertake at once for' private owners as well as for tho municipal motors, thereby making more revenue out of tho destruction of rubbish. New Plymouth will naturally not have, anything like the amount of rubbish to dispose of in its destructor that Christ-' church hits, hut it is worth while considering -whether a small plant capable-of generating electrical power cannot bo installed, instead of a mere furnace for consuming rubbish and yielding nothing more than smoke and a little residuary, ash. ,

Tlio strikin'; cliango of tone in flic German press with regard to tlio American; Nolo cannot ho'regarded as in any way clno to the .strength of tho sentiments expressed by I’rosidont M ilson or to any real change of opinion in Germany. It simply moans that German diplomacy has come to the conclusion that it will pay them bettor not to have a broach of diplomatic relations with the Hutted-States. -Germany knows quite well that the■ Government of President- AVilson is extremely unlikely to-dcclaro war, and realises that a declaration of war would do little real harm to Germany. But tho conclusion lias boon reached that greater advantages can ho gained by keeping on friendly terms with tlio United States than by continuing the policy .of irritation. It may ho thought that tho breach is already so wido that so tardy a repentance will nob effect voiy much, hut German diplomacy never looks at the other side. It has suited what they considered Germany’s interests to sink American ships and drown American citizens but, now a change of view has been decided on, it is expected that America will readily consent to overlook the past. The motive of this sudden change is not altogether clear, but it seems probable that it is hoped to bring pressure on Britain to modify her blockade by moans of the United States. For oxample, there is a movement in Britain at present to prevent cotton reaching neutral countries from which it may bo passed on to Germany—direct shipments to Germany have already boon stopped—a stop which would cause annoyance to some American exporters.

If Germany were on friendly terms with the United States it would obviously bo rnoro easy for her to work up air agitation on the cotton question than if relations wore strained. It may bo confidently assorted that Germany cxpochs to profit in this and similar

, Reports from Romo state that though Iving Constantine's condition has improved his case is considered hopeless. On tho motion of Mr. Quilliam (GovBitt and Qnilliam) tho Supremo Court has granted probato-of tho -will of VI rs. Mary Bullet, lato of Now Plymouth, to tho executors named therein, Berlin newspapers state tiiat tho British and Russian prisoners of war arc now working on the large undeveloped tracts of land surronnding the Tcltow canal, which penetrates districts adjacent to Berlin and Potsdam. The Englishmen aro stated to he good workers, there being many experienced gardeners among them. Young women belonging to Berlin uppertcndoni aro planting vegetables on the new-made acreage as fast as it is cleared bv the prisoners. AYork for throe hundred unemployed people has been found in Now A’ork by Commander Eva Booth, of tho Salvat,on Army. She recently instituted an old linen campaign, and so great was the response, and the supply has continued for such a time, that work has been given to these throe hundred people who would otherwise have been out of work- , They aro preparing tho old linen into bandages and dressings, and tons of bandages, prepared under medical supervision, have been already sent- to Franco. The French Press Censor appears to change his mind every few minutes. I he Guerre .Soeiale eaino out one day with throe blank columns. Next day it appeared with the identical article in lull which the censor had forbidden 24 hours before, and a perfectly harmless article it proved. But the censor’s finest achievement of all was this paragraph:—“ was bombarded loony by the Germans.” But the censor had omitted to nolo that the headline of the paragraph was “Bombardment of I’ont-a-Alonysoii.” and, the headline remained. The first Jew upon whom the Victoria Cross has been conferred, stales 1 the Jewish Chronicle, was Lieutenant I I rank Alexander de Pass, who, unior- , Innately, died before the decoration could he awarded. Tho grounds on which the Cross, which will go to the deceased officer’s family, was bestowed are thus described in the London Gazette, through which llie.se announcements are always made: “Lieut,. Frank ; Alexander de Pass, late 31th Prince. Albert's Own Poona Horse: For con- ’ spicuons bravery near Festiihert, in entering a Gorman sap and destroying a traverse in the face of the enemy's bombs, and for subsequently rescuing, under heavy (ire, a wounded man who was lying exposed in the open. Lieut, do Pass lost his life on this day in n second attempt to capture the aforementioned’tap, which had been roomipied by tho enemy.” The origin of tho story of the passing of bodies of Russian troops through England and Scotland last autumn is explained by Mr. H, B. Steele, bon. secretary of the Press Representatives’ Committee, at tho Press Bureau, in the 1915 edition of Sell’s World Press. The facts, he says, aro simple. “A largo number of Russian officers visited this country to buy munitions of war. or to join as attaches the staffs of the various commands thou leaving for tho front. Accompanying them was a number of soldier servants, and the bulk travelled from Arehangol to Scottish ports. These officers and men were undoubtedly soon by reliable witnesses. ! Tho samo week-end, the War Office decided to change tho location of camps of the Territorials then in training. To .secure this end tho trains were liand- .. signalled and moved at night with blinds drawn. Tho engine-drivers knew nothing of tho loads they pulled. .Meanwhile, however, some Scottish railway officials had corresponded with ■southern friends and talked of having a lot of Russians travelling on their lino. The rest was easy, and tlio handful grew to an enormous army.” A recent case of a legal firm at Fcilding being fined 10s and costs for not stamping a receipt had an amusing sequel. Air. James Donald, of Stratford, recently sent a sum of money to Messrs. Onglcy and Kelly a,s payment of interest duo on a mortgage from a friendly society. The legal firm replied in a letter pointing out that the sum sent was insufficient, and asking for further money. This letter was held to lie a receipt-, and as it was not stamped a prosecution resulted ill a ■line. Tho firm has appealed against the magistrate's decision. Subsequently Air. Donald sent a further Idler to Messrs. Onglcy and Kelly, inducting them to hand over to another firm all moneys held by them on his behalf. This loiter was not stamped, and a second police prosecution resulted in Air. Donald being fined 7s and IK costs, on the ground that the letter constituted a bill of exchange. Defendant's solicitor said a eonvieCTun must follow, hut suggested that no fine should bo imposed, as tho general, public were not aware of the law, iinv tho magistrate said tho best way to educate tho public was to impose a line. The.ro have I teen several cases reported whore British and French soldiers by sheer audacity and pluck have captured a good many Germans, but probably tho record in this sport at presaut belongs to AI. Gatol, a French professor of German at Voiron. For several months past ho has boon in tho Argonno trenches as a territorial lieutenant. Latterly, when only a few 1 yards separated Ids trench from the enemy, ho remarked that tho officers left every day at tho samo hour to go to the canteen and refresh themselves. While they wore away the soldiers wore perpetually complaining in their own jargon of tho parsimony and irregularity with which their food was given out to them. Having heard ono day that tho Bodies had not touched bread or any food for 3G hours, when the officers were away, .Lieutenant Gatel walked up to tho trenches. In tho very host German, ho introduced himself as a good comrade, pitied tho poor soldiers who had nothing to cat, gave them a tempting description of all tho good things in the French trendies, and elided up in inviting tho men to come and have a good meal for once. Ono hundred and fourteen Germans very quickly climbed out of Uioir hales and followed him to whore a. substantial meal, washed down with plenty of wine, was given them in a barn at tho rear, hut at dessert Lieutenant Gatel smilingly announced to his guests that ho was keeping them prisoners “in their own interest, because in Franco they would always bo sure of good food and lodging.” Partly on account of this exploit, but more for his fine behaviour under fire at the head of his section, Lieutenant Gatol was promoted to a captaincy a few days later. In observance of tho centenary of Waterloo, tho Rev. A. B. Chappell will preach on “Europe's Outlaws: 18151915” at AVbiteley Memorial Church tomorrow evening. The special music will include “Arm, Arm, ye Bravo” (from Handel’s ‘,‘Judas Maccabious”), to be sung by Mr. A. Gray.* Blankets! Blankets!—AVlqr ho cold when you can purchase a xiair of white all pure woollen blankets, best New Zealand make, full double-hcd size, for 23s 6d a pair at tho Alcihournc Clothing Company? Those blankets are tho finest value over offered. IL. will ..pay yo.ugtcu’,b,ny.:hlaiikots...nesiU’*- i

Tho Wellington. Pacing Club has decided that there shall bo, no “wot” booth at Trcntham during tho coming races. A mooting was hold at tho Frankloigh Park Schoolroom on Friday night, when it was decided to hold a concert and- gift sale in aid of tho Belgian Fund. A capital programme was arranged and sotno of the leading talent from town will bo present to assist. Any ono coming along can bo assured of a very pleasant evening and at the samo time will assist a worthy object. The date of the concert has been fixed for Friday, June 25, at 7.30, in the Frankloigh Park Schoolroom. In the course of a letter written by Jim Barnard to his father and mother lie says, “If ever I get tho chance I will lot them (the Turks) know what a Barnard is mado of. We have just been told to stick every Turk, dead or alive, as some of our boys who-have been wounded have had tlieir throats ent. We arc given to understand thnt wo are to share our rations with any prisoners we take.” And- then Jim quaintly adds, “So I take it there will ho very low prisoners taken by tho. Australasians.'’—Eitham Argus. A write]’, who gives his name as “L. Leonhard,” describes in the None Freio I’rcsso a recent visit to London.. .Ho says that the general impression of London is one of “nervousness in every direction, without a Irate of tho old ealm and self-confidence.” He Says that Englishwomen especially are at present “more hysterical ami more mad” than can he conceived, that tho Belgian relugees are -so unpopular that it is proposed to deport them “to those colonies which arc not favoured by the English themselves,” and that ho never passed a puhliehouso before which soldiers were not lined up. Lie describes the appearance of- the soldiers in the streets as miserable, and as showing how nuu-h they hare suffered under the strain of military training. - .All’. 11. C. (.Houston, mining engineer of Rockville. Nelson district, who while exploring the hinterland of his district discovered an entire colony of birds which arc becoming rare in other parts of New Zealand, has arrived in Wellington with 25 big kiwis, which are to ho liberated on the Great Barrier Island. Air. Clotiston states that he found thousands of big kiwis and kakapos. The latter arc considered so rare that (SO was recently offered for a pair, of them. Not- only were there kiwis and kakapos on the block, but dozens of Blue Mountain ducks, saddlebacks (worth £lO eacliL Now Zealand robins, wrens, owls, cooks, petrols, kens, kakas, tui, niakoinakos, warblers, riflemen, creepers (very rare Maori liens), fantails, tomtits and pigeons. The block has been gazetted a,s a sanctuary. —Press Association. Professor Werner Somhart discusses in the Cologne Gazette the proper place of sport in Germany, whoso business it is “to raise up German heroes.” - Ho •says that “sport” in the ordinary sense is “an evil English poison,” and that Germany must ho protected against “sport with the shopkeepers spirit” and against all “English corruptions.” There must in Germany bo no favouring of such “specifically English games” as tennis, football, and cricket. They arc “genuinely commercial sport with, no war-like point about them.” The Germans can leave such things to the English, and themselves “bring tho German note into physical exercises by favouring nil those which retain something war-like.” Finally. Germans must make themselves distinct from the English by cultivating “not only tho hotly hut tho mind.” A recent issue of ihe North Otago Times has the following;—“Two or three weeks ago a paragraph appeared in our columns to the effect that, an Oninani gentleman had expressed his willingness to bear tho cost of insuring the life of any young man offering for active service, and also to make, certain provision for those dependent on him. Wo are now informed by Air. 11. Alaudo. of the A.AI.P. .Society, that a policy for £2OO was effected on Saturday, in that office, by this gentleman on the life of a volunteer who is leaving on Saturday, tho policy carrying due war rate of 5 per cent, per year. This is but another instance of tho quiet generosity of ono of Oamaru’s most estimable citizens, and it is an example worthy of being copied.” Speaking at the Auckland Town Hall at the opening of the Northern Boxing Association’s season, Air. A. Af. Alycrs, ALP., urged that sport should go on as usual. By this means, he said, the young men of the country would keep in condition and thus bo prepared when called 11X1011 to serve the country. Tho love of athletic sxiort had meant much to the British race, for in six months Earl Kitchener had been able to plnco an army in the field oomposed of men who were physically fit before military training commenced. Much time was thus saved. The boxers had enlisted in large numbers. Both the French and English champions, Carpentier and Wells, had enlisted in the armies of their respective countries, and some of tho originators of tho Northern Boxing Association—notably Lientenant-Colonel A. Plugge and Major F. Stuckey—had boon wounded in tho Dardanelles. Therefore it was desirous that tho young men who were still in tho country should continue to play gnmep and tako part in sports and keep themselves fit physically, -and thus ho ready when tho Empire called. Mr. R. E. (Houston, of Rockville, near Collingwood, Nelson, in a letter to a friend in Christchurch, states that ho has discovered a very large colony of kakapos, which wore believed to ho extinct many years ago. The discovery was made on Gouland Downs, a wild and almost inaccessible tract of country. which was recently declared a sanctuary under tho Animals Protection Act. The knkapo is ono of the most remarkable parrots in tho world. It has dull plumage, mostly green varied with brown, and is large, heavy and llightless, but its wings are used in running, and us a moans of balancing tho bird on trees, which it climbs with it-s bill and feet. It is a night bird, and spends most, of tho day in holes or burrows in the ground, and sometimes under roots of frees. 'The knkapo is one of tho New Zealand birds figured in the Hon. AV, Rotliclilld’s work on “Extinct Birds,” which cost £20,000 to produce, and ornithologists in all parts of tho world will bo interested in tho announcement that, so far from being extinct, tho knkapo is fairly plentiful in places where it lives under shield of the law. Air. (Houston, who made tho discovery, was instrumental in baling tho Gouland Downs declared a sanctuary. Miss Hunt advertises in this issue that the new term for dressmaking and millinery is .starting. The New Plymouth classes are held on Thursdays and Saturdays at Devon Street East. Owing to the exceptionally boisterous weather at Kioro on Thursday, it was impossible to go on with Mr. Law’s clearing sale, which was conducted biNewton King. The sundries and sheep wore sold, but tho ruin coming down in such a deluge made, it impassible to proceed, and the cows ou account of Mr. Law and Mr. T. Pearce will bo sold at Stratford yards next Tuesday.,,..asx-per , tadj:etybsß.mpnt, 1

Xuo Wellington-Brindisi mail of April 20 arrived in London on June 15. A Carterton telegram states that a patriotic children’s operetta last night, all the performers being children, yieldeel between £6O and £7O towards the wounded soldiers’ relief fund. Mr. AV. T. Jennings, Mi 1 ., returned to New Plymouth on Friday evening, and was accorded an enthusiastic welcome at the railway station by supporters of the Opposition party. Instead of 151000 land hungry applicants for the Glenmark Estate, as .stated by the Now Zealand Times, there wore, it appears, 1021, and of these 242 were ruled out as ineligible to go to the ballot. The ballot for Ibc sections in tbo Glenmark Estate took place at Christchurch on Friday. There were 1021 applicants, of whom three withdrew and 239 were rejected by the Land Board, leaving 779 to go to the ballot. A small company has been formed in Tirnani with the object of erecting and running another hour mill there. At present there are three flour mills in Timam. It is understood that two farmers are members of the new company, and that a local grain merchant will manage the business. Wool for knitting purposes is in very sho\ supply in Wellington at present', owing to the large ijuantity that is being employed in making balaclavas, socks, and comforters for the troops. A boat is expected in a few days with a supply to relievo the shortTiio first whales this, season were sighted in Cook, Strait early last Monday morning. Both were killed, bnt one was subsequently lost through tiro snapping of the line. The other (measuring 46ft.) was tower I safely home. The season has started well, and comparatively early, for the fii-st whale killed last year was on June 22. The Consul for France, M, Iligoreau, notilied the council of the Auckland Chamber of' Commerce last week that tho French gunboat Zelce and the German steamer AValkure, now lying in Papeete Harbour’, were to be sold in the near future. Those vessels were sunk when tho German warships Bellarnhorst and Guoiscnau bombarded Papeete last year. Tbo statue of the late Bight Hon. B. J. Scddon. recently erected in ; tho grounds of the Parliamentary Buildings, will be unveiled on Juno 24, the day of the opening of Parliament. Probably tho ceremony will bo performed by the Prime Minister, who will bo supported by tho leader of the Opposition. Tho public will bo invited to attend tho ceremony. Lyttelton had its first experience of the change of the lato night from Saturday to Friday last week. It was noticeable that, tho crowds on the streets were much smaller than usually seen on Saturdays, and business people say that tho change caused a marked diilcroneo in trade. However, when people become familiar with the alteration, it is expected that trade will reach its normal proportions. Guide Upson, at tho North Egmont Mountain House, reports to-day that it has boon snowing up there since Friday morning, and is still doing so. The whole mountain is covered to about two miles below the house, where it is four inches deep. For anyone wishing to go up it would bo a glorious sight, but at present it is too stormy for climbing. On Sunday or Monday, however, if the weather dears, tho snow should bo perfect for a climb to the top. Owing to tho small attendance the special general meeting of the Taranaki Agricultural Society convened for Friday evening to discuss tho advisability of abandoning tho Autumn Show was adjourned until Saturday, tho 26th inst., at 2 p.m. It was felt that this would be a more convenient hour for fanners ami country people generally to attend the meeting to discuss a matter which is of vital import to the society. Unions men register promptly, their chances of getting to the front curly are apparently a long way off. According to the programme laid down for reinforcements, it is understood that drafts will go into camp thus:—Eighth, August, 1915: ninth, October, 1915; tenth, December, 1915; eleventh, February, 1910. The ardent recruit who .joins now thus has prospects of reaching the firing lino by spring of 1916, while those waiting till the eleventh draft will probably not go into Treutham Camp this year. Mr. Ernest T. Scott, of Tanirutangi, found a skeleton on his farm on Thursday. Ho was engaged in making a track across tho farm, and at a spot on the top of a cliff overhanging the river lie was excavating a side cutting, when at a depth of about two feet he exposed bones, and on investigating ho uncovered a complete skeleton, apparently of a woman. Probably it was that of a Maori woman, who had been buried many years ago on tho top of the cliff, for in the past there wore many Maoris settled in that neighbourhood. No greenstone or anything of that kind was found. Drastic steps have been taken by tho authorities against tho Gormans in Singapore siuco tho recent rising. It transpired that several of tho interned Germans escaped from the concentration camp at Singapore, and took a prominent part, in the rising, the offenders including a German lieutenant and several naval men. Fortunately the outbreak was nipped in the bud, but subsequent investigations showed that tJ|O Germans in Singapore were a serious menace to the “Gatos of the East.” The authorities acted promptly in the matter, and orders were issued that all German residents at Singapore bo deported. Those orders were quietly carried out by the authorities, and .Singapore is now declared to be free of Germans. Passengers by tho Main Trunk express, which reached Auckland on Sunday morning, tvere somewhat disconcerted, shortly after leaving Tnumarunui, to find that the temperature of tho carriages was rapidly falling. Investigation showed that the supply of .steam, with which the carriages on thethrough trains are heated from the engine, had been cut off. The radiators in tho vehicles wore stone cold. _lVhilo the weather was not of a wintry ijr-ter-nojss, the run from Taumarunui was made in dismal, drizzling, raw weather conditions, and the change from the almost tropical heat, which had been maintained throughout the train during tbo trip across tho highlands, caused much discomfort to the passengers. At the meeting of the Brotherhood on Sunday afternoon Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., will give an address on “Tho Beal America,” with special reference to America’s attitude in the present crisis.