LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12067, 24 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Fourth Canterbury Medical Board held a sitting at Rangiora yesterday. About fifty men were examined, of whom a fair percentage were passed as fit.

Nominations for vacancies on the Tramway Appeal Board closed yesterday. Messrs J. A. Frostick and C. O'Donnell were elected to represent the Tramway Board and the tramway employees respectively.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that at the Buckle Street Drill Hall last night the " Last Post" was sounded in memory of Corporal Paul Freyberg (brother of Bri-gadier-General Freyberg), who was killed in action in France recently.

At a, special meeting of the Sumner Borough Council last evening fortysix applications were received for tho position of borough engineer. After consideration, it was decided to appoint Mr J. Sponce, of Wellington, and arrangements were made for him to commence his duties early next month.

A crested penguin found on the New Brighton beach has been presented to Canterbury Museum by Mr W. R. Cooke, {.ml is in the case for recent additions to the collection. A leaf-insect obtained in New South 'Wales by Lieutenant, H. M. Tlutton has been presented by Mr G. Rich. It is expected that a bronze replica of the " Dancing Faun." presented by Mr C. Napier, of Dunedin, will be placed on exhibition in a few days.

One little-known department of Y.MC.A. activity in France is the provision for the relatives of soldiers. Mr A. Yarney told a Wellington audience on Friday afternoon that each week 'JoO relatives of soldiers are provided with accommodation and facilities for meeting their wounded boys. When a soldier is near to death, and it is thought that the presence of a relative may cause him to rally, the War Office issues passports, and permits, and advises the relative to get in touch with the, Y.M.C.A. agent. The. arrangements are very complete, the relatives being met at Folkestone and taken all tho way U> the hospital, by steamer and motor. This effort has helped many soldiers to pull through, and has comforted the dying hours of others.

A frank admission during a bootmaker's appeal for extension of time last Aveek afforded the military representative of tho First Auckland Board a piece of information that appeared to be appreciated, says the "Star." Tho man wanted time in which to sell a business, which at present had no reasonable market value. Ho wished to wait until he could secure a private purchaser, and meamvhile be earning continued proiit. " I think you will agree with me," he added, " that business generally never has been better than it is and I would therefore be a big loser if I had to give it up straight away." "Yes, I certainly do agree with you," agreed Major Conlan Avith emphasis, as he smilingly mado mental note of the remark.

Travellers by rail have for years been interested in the wreckage of the steamer Elginshire, which has been observable close to the shore a few miles south of Timaru, where the railway line runs close to the sea. For nearly twenty years, says the " Herald," train passengers have watched the gradual disappearance of the remains of tho once fine boat; and more than a few times has the story of the wreck been recounted by Canterbury travellers to strangers passing through. Of late years only the screw of the vessel has been observable, but even this seemed to hold a weird interest for people. Now, however, the screw his disappeared, and it disappearance blots out all evidence of a wreck, which at tho time and since aroused unusual interest. Many regular travellers between Christchurch and Invercargill had got into the way of looking out for a sight of tho wreck, as regularly as they looked for meal-time on the train.

The "Post's" Auckland correspondent telegraphs : An interesting publication lias just been received by the American Consul-General, Mr A. A. Winslow. in the form of a copy of the first bulletin issued by the T'nited States Government for the. purpose of making public official war news. The bulletin, which is published daily, contains nil the proclamation? and executive orders issued by the President, Departmental regulations, etc., and is t' only official channel through which nimf.ary information will be issued iro the public. Among many items of interest contained in the bulletin for the first month of war between the Fnited Stnlt'es and Germany is an account of strps towards the organisation of the civilian and military medical forces and fh.T mobilisation of mining engineers and chemists, over 10.000 of whom had already registered for service. The •number of doctors needed immediately for the army was stated to be 5000, which number would have to be doubled by the end of the year. To meet this demand, four medical military training camps wo to be established in different parts of -the country. Training was to commence on June 1.

Ladies know them to have no equal. Martin's Apiol and Steel Pills. Sold by all Chemists and Stores throughout Australasia.

We understand that the Canterbury Motor Company, the Ford car agents, will soon bo landing the "Ton-Ford," a one-ton lorry, that is in such great demand in Canada that only a limited number can be landed here. Immediately on arrival they will be on view at the Canterbury Motor Garage, 166, Tuam Street. o