LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12064, 20 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Advice was received by cable resterday that the London directors of iVlessrs Bing, Harris and Co., Ltd., hnd voted £IOOO towards the New Zealand soldiers' dependents' funds. It is understood that the sum of £2OO will be allotted to tlie Canterbury Patriotic Fund'.

At a recent meeting of the Omihi branch of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union it was resolved that the attention of motorists be called to the dangerous habit of leaving empty petrol tins on the side of the roads. On one or two occasions lately, accidents have been caused through horses coming into contact with these tins. A case showing the serious nature of the bite of the katipo spider has occurred at Awakino, Taranaki. A young man named Thomas "White, aged twenty-three, was working in the ilax near the beach, and on returning io his whare on the main road suffered from pain just below the knee, which investigation proved to be due to_the bite of a katipo found in his clothing. His leg swelled right up to the thigh, and ho suffered intense pain all night, but his condition subsequently improved.

Three sons of Mr 'William Ihomson, of Gordon ton, says the "New Zealand Herald," have taken part in the war. His third eon, Alexander M Gregor Thomson, was killed in action on .lune 22. Private Thomson, who waq horn in Sydney twcnty-si.K years ago. was. educated at Pukekohe. He enlisted in the Main Body, but owing to family affairs ho obtained leave from camp. A brother went through the Gailipoli campaign, and returned with the loss of an eye. Another brother went through the Sommc battle and is still on active service.

At. tho Juno mooting of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. Mr H. Avers attended on behalf of duck shooters on Lake Ellesmere and asked the .council to take steps to have the use of cylinders on Lake Ellesmere again legalised. At the meeting of the council on "Wednesday evening the matter was. discussed and it was unanimously resolved that the council approve of the repeal of the clause in the Animals Protection Act prohibiting the use of cylinders. A sub-committee, consisting: of Messrs L. A. Shand, J. Fuller and 11. M. Cotton, was appointed to take the necessary steps to bring the matter before the Minister of Internal Affairs, with a view to getting the Act amended. From recent letters received in Auckland it appears that Major West had a, narrow escape from death on the occasion of his being wounded recently in Franco. His wounds, which were caused by a bursting shell, included injuries to the jaw-bone, a broken rib and arm, and various body wounds. He now is out of danger. This was Major West's second experience of this kind, as he received a bullet through the neck on the Daisy Patch at Gallipoli, and only the unremitting attention of famous English surgeons prevented the loss of his voice. He rejoined the Forces in Franco about nine months ago, and rapidly rose to the rank of Major, lleforo joining the Main Body, Major "West, who is a Master of Laws, was in the oflico of Messrs Ruddle, Richmond and Buddie, of Auckland.

"Nature," the London scientific .journal, in a, recent issue, discusses theories set. forth by Professor ,1. Maclands amid the western fringe oi tho migrations of human beings to countries in the Pacific Ocean, and on the appearance and disappearance ul islands amid the western fringe of the Pacific. Tho writer in " Nature " expresses an opinion that Professor Brown should find much further and more direct evidence of the great archipelagos which he believes existed a comparatively short time <igo in what now are deep oceans with fairly level beds. The writer states that existing coral formations do not point to the former existence of great islands, and that, if present high lands iormerly were parts of considerable archipelagos, the plants and animals of those lands would be more varied in genera and species than they are.

The question of Germans being cmployed in the loading and discharge of oversea, vessels at the port of Auckland was raised at a recent meeting of the. local Harbour .Board by Mr E. .1. Carr. In consequence the various .shipping companies wcro written to and asked to state if such aliens wore being employed. At this week's meeting of the board replies were received from the companies indicating that, so far as they are aware, no Germans are at present employed working cargoes. The chairman, Mr H. D. Heather, said there had been very strict surveillance over the wharves, and a guard had been placed round all loading vessels. Ho thought a very careful watch was kept on the various men employed. Instructions were continually coming up from the Government urging these precautions, and only on the preceding day an instruction had been received which tightened up the restrictions against alien?). This made it an offence for any person, of any nationality, to bo on hoard a vessel without a permit. Mr Carr said he was glad to hoar of this latest regulation, especially as on iho previous day ho had seen ,-i German employed in dischargng a .vessel in port.

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