The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1915. RED GROSS WORK.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144859, 10 December 1915, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1915. RED GROSS WORK.

A merlin" of Rod Cross workers will bo held at the Town Hull on Tuesday evening next for the purpo.se of concentrating effort and as tar as possible preventing overlapping. This is the outcome of a meeting held at (iovernmeut House, Wellington, a month ago, at which his Excellency the Ciovernor presided, wlicn the ioilowiug resolutions were unanimously agreed to: —

(1) That tho suggestion of the Order ot 01. John ana rinusu Rea cross Society bo adopted—viz., that all organisations m inow Zcaiaud other than me Order ot St. donu bo united linaer the lulu ol the "New Zcaiaud Branch ot tiro British Red Gross Society,” keeping their individuality if the<- so wish by prefixing tho name 01 thoutown or district before the words “Now Zealand," and at mo same time cooperating with tho Order of St. John wnero that organisation exists. (2) The centres to manage the details, of the organisation, utilising as tar as' possible tne machinery at present exists mg. (3) That Mr. A. H. Miles be asked to accept tho position of otficer-m----charge of the central department in Wellington, for the purpose of ascertaining (a) what goods are required; (b) method of dispatch and packing; (c) how and where the goods are required. That the council for the central organisation consist of throe members from each of tho four military districts, together with the officer-in-charge of the central department in Wellington, and his Excellency the Governor ns chairman. (5) That this conference approves of the employment of paid secretarial assistance (or the officer-in-charge, of tho central department, and authorises the council to make all necessary arrangements in connection with such appoint, meut, and the allocation of the cost thereof between the various district organisations. (6) That one or more representatives ho appointed, unpaid, at each of the following plains; Egypt and Malta.

It is scarcely necessaijr to stress the point that when there is so much work to be clone by the Red Cross, the St. John Ambulance,, and kindred societies, it is of the

utmost importance that there shall be no overlapping and that there shall be such coordination of effort that one band of workers may know what the other bands are doing and that thus the whole ground may be covered. It has occurred in the past—just to give an idea of what we mean—that men, on leaving home to join the Expeditionary Force, have been the recipients of practically duplicate sets of comforts from different societies or committees, while

other men may have gone away without any. It is more than likely that similar duplication and oversight has occurred in connection with the dispatch of what may be called Red Cross goods to the base ’and field hospitals. This should he avoided, and may he, by an organisation on the lines laid flown in the resolutions quoted above. This should be quite a simple matter so far ns the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Committees are concerned, but it may not be so easy with independent committees and such a body as (he Victoria League, which has other spheres of activity, in which, as well as in connection with the war, it has done excellent work. Still it should be possible to bring about a system of (•;i-opeiatinn in the matter of supplying hospitals and other cssent'olly Red Cross work. At a meeting of Red Cross workers in AVel-

lington a day or t-.vo ago it was explained by I lie Mayoress that Red Cross and St. John Societies’ goods took preference over all others, so that should there he a

congestion at any point their goods, going ns official Red Cross work, would reach the hospitals sooner. That being so it seems desirable that all goods of this nature by whomsoever supplied, should be dispatched through this favoured channel. This docs not imply that any committee or society outside those named would lose its identity-or credit for its contributions, nor yet that contributions would not be sent to any particular hospital the donors desired. There would, however, he one controlling body, or Central Council, with a manager or director responsible for the details of the organisation. The plan has so much to recommend if, that all committees and societies should try to i fall into line, as the best means of avoiding overlapping and oversight.

It is amusing to reml the romments in the German newspapers on the work accomplished by the much-advertised German navy. At first sight it seems that tlie less said about the navy the better, but this is not the view of the German journalist who gravely explains; “In spite of the deafening cry about the superiority and invincibility of the English licet, which was raised with the set purpose of hypnotising the world, that fleet has until now accomplished practically nothing. Germany has contrived matters in such a way that tho English have had to abandon the idea of an attempted landing on the German coasts, as they were compelled at tho outbreak of tho war to refrain from their much-advertised attack on our fleet and from the shelling of our ports.” This is from the Cologne Gazette. Another paper points out that (he German fleet has prevented a Russian landing on the Baltic coast and concludes the article with Hhe declaration that Germans will not bo able to appreciate “the full importance of our undeeimated, battle-ready and battle-worthy fighting fleet until after the end-of the war.” After tho war is over the Germans will need something to console them and no one will grudge them the pleasure of dwelling on tho magnificence of the fleet which never dared to come out of port and which commanded tho sea so successfully that’ not a German merchant could leave port. There is no need for anyone to depreciate tho skill or courage of German sailors; both are of a high order, but the British sailors are hotter than the German and the British fleet so much more powerful that only a most improbable combination of lucky circumstances could give it the remotest chance of even a temporary

The Board of Trade returns relating to the foreign trade of the United Kingdom show that during November there was a very large increase in volume, the imports being greater than those for the previous November by £16,129,030, equal to an increase of 28.80 per cent., while tho exports were £11,037,547, or 44.86 per cent., greater. The latter figures arc particularly satisfactory. Tho returns for tho

cloven months, January-November, give the total of imports £784,431,695, .exports £350,699,817, and re-exports £91,095,222, or a grand total of £1,226,226,734, which is ten per' cent, greater than that of the same period of the previous year, and exceeds the total of the whole of 1914 by over three millions. When the figures for the current year are complete it will be found that the total trade has only twice boon exceeded—in 1912 and 1313 —and that it is only some five per cent, loss than the record established in the latter of those years. Considering that the immense quantities of war material, provisions, and equipment tor the British forces abroad are not included in the returns, and that a great number of factories are exclusively engaged in working for the forces which otherwise would be manufacturing for export, the figures are little short of marvellous. It would be interesting to compare them with the statistics of Germany’s foreign trade during the same year.

The following donations have been rccofrdil by the East End Committee: Messrs. P. J. Flannagan £1 Is, H, S. Brookman £l is, X. K. MacDiiuniid £l is, C. H. Burgess £1 Is, W. N. Ewing 10s, W. P. Nicoll 10s.

Tlie Hon. (J. W. Russell announces in the Gazette that before passports can be issued inquiry is necessary in all cases, even in those of well-known colonists, and a fortnight’s notice is necessary.—Press Association.

The continuous dry weather and lack of a soaking rain is being severely foil on Banks Peninsula (says the Akaroa Mail). Permanent springs which have supplied homesteads and grazing paddocks lor over 50 years are failing, and farmers and others are seriously short of water for their homesteads and stock. Mr. W. J. Anderson, Director of Education, has forwarded a circular letter to the New Plymouth Borough Council stating that in view of the present circumstances and t)jo necessity for curtailing expenditure it had been decided that the usual subsidy to public libraries will not be paid this year. Whether Lord Kitchener was right or wrong concerning high explosive shells, he has a pungent way of differing from those who differ with him. It is narrated that some time ago War Office authorities were trying to force on him a certain gun he did not want. "Keep the gun,” he wired; '‘l can throw stones myself-” Professor Pollard, in a lecture on the War and the British Realms at University College, Gower Street, said;— “Germany hud contributed nothing to the science of navigation or the discovery of new- worlds. She had been rather a pedlar than a pioneer of civilisation. It was not "a place in the snn' that Germany desired, but control of the sunshine.” The Wanganui carnival in aid of the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund was brought to a close on Thursday night with a great Clowning ceremony »t His Majesty's Theatre. The -'Battle of Bullion,” which was originally the idea of Mr. John Bail, editor of the-Wanganui Chroniclii, roaliued over £65,000. and the positions ol the opposing armies were as follow: —Wanganui County Guards. Waitotara Rangers, Cuirassiers, Commercial Hussars, Bombardiers. Grenadiers, Railway Lancers, Wairoa Light Horse, Fusiliers. “The terrible shelling seemed to have knocked all the heart out of the Bodies,” said one of the British wounded after the advance at Loos. ‘'They were a seared and diz/.y-looking lot. and threw down their rifles and bolted before the attackers could get near them. When rounded up the Gormans clasped their hands as if about to pray, and Ideated 'kamcrade.' tn tlie madness of the rush we felt like bayoneting the Germans at first, hut the general surrender made this unnecessary.. When wo charged haidly a shot, came Irom the first enemy trench. It bad been battered flat, find all that, could be seen were legs and arms of buried Germans sticking up in the air.”

Tlie death of Miss Hannah Gibbs in her 9orh year took place at Brooklyn (Wellington) lately. She was a native of London, horn in Bridewell Prison, her father, Thomas Gibbs, being governor of this gaol. She was a most interesting personage, her memory was quite clear dose to tho time of her death. She had lived in reigns of five Sovereigns—George IV., William IV., Quecp Victoria, Edward VII., and George V., and her clear recollections of progress in her early life were most interesting. She remembered meeting Charles Dickens, George Cruiekshanks. Brunei, and many other contemporary celebrities at the house of her uncle, Mr. Joseph Gibbs, who was a wellknown civil engineer in England. In this issue tenders are called for tho Girls’. High School boarding-house. A notice to manufacturers and merchants ro military stores and supplies appears in this issue. At the Good Templar Hall on Sunday the Salvation Army Sunday School Anniversary will bo held. The afternoon service will commence at 3 o’clock and tho evening service at 7 o’clock. Major Toomer, from Palmerston, will conduct tho services, and the children will take part in a number of anniversary hymns.* Bowlers, cricketers, and tennisplayers can be sure -of tho quality of tho white serge and gaberdine trousers sold at the Melbourne Clothing Company at 14s 6d, 16s 6d, and 18s 6d. These trousers.will give every satisfaction both in wear and in laundering.Also fine range of tennis shirts in stock, 3s 6d, 4s 6d. and 4s lid.* A sale of first-class up-to-date clothing at heavily reduced prices is welcome at any time but the people of tltis district are most fortunate that such an opportunity should occur just before Christmas, when most people replenish their wardrobes. The great salo of Cock and Thomson’s assigned stock at tho New Zealand Clothing Factory's New Plymouth branch has come at the very best possible time, and is much appreciated by thousands of delighted purchasers.*

History is being made every day. Our bovs arc taking part at the Dardanelles. Their letters give us a slight idea of what is going on just now, so that we long to know more. Just think, if your friend or relative had a camera which, while small and compact enough to be carried anywhere without the slightest inconvenience, would take perfect postcard pictures. Wouldn’t those pictures bo interesting. Present your friend with a soldier s camera, to be had from .Fraser's at 27s 6d, 32s 6d, 37s 6d, and 455, and wouldn’t he appreciate -pictures of homo when ho is away! Get a camera yourself. Our fuarantoed cameras from 6s to, £12.. l aser’s Photographic Pharmacy, Devon Street.*

There will be a special family matinee performance at Baker’s Circus to-mor-row afternoon, when the following popular prices will be charged:—Reserved seats: Adults 2s, children halfprice. Ordinary seats; Adults Is, children half-price. Tho.firebells rang out an alarm at about 4.30 this morning. Dense clouds of black smoke issued from near Okey and Rollo’s foundry, and tho fire was located in a borough section adjoining tho foundry, a tank of soltar having caught fire. The brigade turned out promptly and tho outbreak was soon extinguished with earth. Tho fire was caused by the soltar, which was being treated, boiling over. The quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Licensing Committee was held at the Now Plymouth Courthouse at noon to-day. Present: Messrs. A. Cvooko (chairman), F. P, Gorki), D. H. McDonald, W. L. Newman, W. Ambury and J. B. Connett. With reference to tho back premises of the Terming- Hotel the committeo directed that tho old buildings must be demolished and new wash-house, etc., erected before Christmas.

“Tho war has broken down a good many fixed beliefs. One of these,” says an English naval writer, “is the scientific theory as to the life of a naval gun. Eor years past it had been held that when a battleship had fired 100 rounds' from ono ot her heavy weapons, the piece had reached the limit of its effectiveness, and was worthless until it had been re-tubed. There are ships still taking part in the Dardanelles operations which have fired two and oven three times that number of rounds from their turret guns, and I am credibly informed that no reason can be scon as yet why they should riot continue their shooting for an indefinite time to come.

Captain Alex. Bair, well known in the Union Company's service as chief oliicer of the Maori, and who at the outbreak of war was in Antwerp, whore ho remained during the bombardment, but later got across to England, is making good headway since lie offered his services to the Admiralty. For some time be was in command of various auxiliary vessels. Writing to a friend in Lyttelton recently, ho mentioned that he had just returned to (Falmouth from a fivo-day submarine hunt, when he was ordered to proceed the following day to take command of a flotilla of six vessels, which were to sail for the Dardanelles.

A very amusing incident occurred at the concert given by the pupils of the Convent School on Thursday afternoon. During the song and drill entitled ‘‘The Fascinating Fan” two little girls were presented with bouquets. Neither appeared to know what they were and let them lie on the stage while they went through the remainder of the drill. When the two girls left the stage they evidently forgot their bouquets, so they were sent back for them. One tools her bouquet, bowed to the audience and departed. The only difference in the way in which the other received hers was that she took tiio bouquet, smelt it, threw it down upon the stage and departed. This incident called forth roars of laughter from the audience. A New Zealand nurse at Malta who visited our hospital ship Maheno there, writes: “We wont all over the ship, through the operating theatre, which is just perfect All tho equipment, sheens, shirts, bedding and towels are so good, and of the very best material. I knew some of the nurses. The men call them all 'sisters.' But sisters or nurses, they are all splendid. The wounded all speak so- gratefully of our ship, and say she is worth her weight in gold a thousand times. They asked me’ to tell all New Zealanders . whose generosity had helped to fit her out that it was like coming out of hell into Paradise, finding oneself on board. The doctors and nurses just looked ripping—fit and ready for any emergency. 1 mu proud of that ship. Well done, N'iu Tirene!”

A man accustomed to independence of thought and action may feel Trentham's discipline irksome tor a day or two. but he soon finds himself fitting smoothly into the military machine, and he is proud to be one of the cogs. The progress which a very raw, recruit may have to make in a few hours is shown in a story told by Captain Shaw, the Presbyterian chaplain. At his first dinner in the officers’ mess (says an exchange) the staff of orderlies included a young man who was obviously raw to the work of waiting at table. An officer ordered applo-pTe, and presently this embarrassed waiter appeared with the dish. He stood in the middle of the passage and looked hopelessly at the line* of heads, as he could not recognise the face of the officer who had desired the delicacy. Then suddenly the meal was interrupted by this ejaculation: "Which of you blokes ordered applepie?"

The following extract from the life of that distinguished Herman, the late Professor Max Muller, written during ISB4 and 1885, must greatly interest everyone at the present time:—"When one reads the discussions in Parliament one might easily fear (or England, but they arc mere fireworks. The nation is of good old stock, and woe to him who forgets this. England will never he conquered, never before the last Englishman, the last Scotsman, the last Irishman—aye, the last Australian, the last Canadian, the last Newfoundlander, the lust Sikh—aye, the last Yankee, has fallen. Every man in Europe is now a soldier. England is the only land that has not taken to arming the people. Drive England into a corner, and to-morrow every man is a soldier. There may bo jealousies between her colonies, hut if it came to extremities the colonies would allow uo hair of England to be touched. Even Indiq, which was formerly a danger, has shown that England’s enemies are her enemies.”

Recruits admit that in ordinary circumstances it is really not an ordeal to undergo medical examination for active services and only ultra-sensitive men shrink from thorough inspection, says the Dunedin Star. It would seem, however, that,- according to the experiences of a few recent recruits, a new feature was thrust into tho examination at tho local recruiting centre, and men, it is asserted, were called upon to leave their finger-prints upon their attestation papers. Naturally, opinion was varied 'ns to the purpose of the thumb-mark, and there was a variety of comment, too. Was it an improvement on the old system of identification by a tag or disc, or was it a method to secure some "crook” eager to abandon ways that are dark and find somo greater usefulness in the business of war? These were some of the questions which were not answered. It would appear, however, that someone in authority advised the originator of the finger-print in recruiting that this scheme of identification was better kept to the methods of Scotland Yard. Tho latest recruits, say, at any rate, that they were not invited to put their thumbs on an ink pad. In plain words, a dubious experiment has been abandoned. All-Toner, the best combined toning and fixing bath, at the Davies Pharmacy.

The importance of dipping sheep is ■emphasised by Mr, J. L. Bnice in an article in the Journal ol Agriculture. “Dipping (ho says) not only improves tho condition of the wool, but it stimulates a healthy action of the skin, and consequently increases tho rise of yolk and the weight of the fleece. Taken at tho conservative estimate of an average of Id per pound weight on the woolclip of the Dominion, and, say, a halfpound more wool per sheep, the increased value resulting from consistent dipping would mean over £1,600,000 sterling to our credit for tho year. This may to same appear rather a high estimnle, but the statement can be easily confirmed during” the wool season by a personal inspection at any of the wool stores in the Dominion, where the comparative results to be seen will be sufficient to .convince the most sceptical.”

In New Zealand there are now 561 public domains, comprising a total area of 85,054 acres. These include tho Wanganui River Trust Domain of 33,000 acres. With the exception of fifty-one, which are controlled by tho Commissioners of Crown Lands, all tho domains are administered by domain boards. In his report on the public domains of the Dominion, the Under-Secretary for Lands (Mi. Jaa. MacKcnzie) says:—“lt has been the custom in tho past to give small grants to assist boards in making the areas under their control suitable for tlie purpose for which they were provided, but it is evident that such assistance must now cease or be restricted to works of the most pressing nature, such as river-encroachment. Boards with slender finances will therefore have to depend on such help as can be obtained from local bodies, sports clubs, and private persons, and from workingbees. The latter, if well organised and enthusiastically taken up, will quickly convert a rough area into a suitable place of recreation.”

One of the returned soldiers who conducted a recruiting meeting in Dunedin on Friday evening related a remarkable story of a man who had come back wounded from the front, says tho Otago Daily Times. This man had been carrying a note book in his right-hand pocket, and had come under fire from a machine-gun, three bullets going through the book, two of which are still in the.chest of the returned soldier. The speaket showed the book for the edification of those present. It must have been rather disconcerting to the wounded soldier, however, when on walking the Dunedin streets in mufti he was accosted by a young lady and presented with a white feather) “We have no time for white feathers,” remarked the speaker, in an indignant voice. “I only wish the lady had given me the feather,” he continued. “No, I would not have' lifted my hand to her” —he hesitated: “but I think.it would have taken a lot to keep my boot back.” And the audience laughed appreciatively.