LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Battalion orders for the Fifth (Wellington) Regiment state that the alarm signal which has been arranged to assemble the coast defence troops has been communicated to the Officers Commanding companies, who will ensure that it is explained to their respective commands.

"There are those who think _ that there will be permanent peace in the world after tins terrible war is finished, but there will be no permanent peace until Christ is crowned in the hearts of all individuals and nations," said Dr. A. \Y. Averill, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, preaching in St. Matthew's Church on Sunday mofnirig. Referring to loyalty, the Bishop said that loyalty was no mere sentiment; it was deeds, not words The mail who was really loyai asked.himself; "How can I best serve my King and . country ? What is my duty?" The talker said: "How can I get most ease and comfort, and. most plausibly shirk my duty?" True loyalty was bein<» seen evei'y day at the front, and also at home, and would bo seen for many days to come.

Tho president of tlie Wellington Cllarabel'of Commerce (Mr. Jas. Macintosh) has received the following lettor from Mr. J. Miura, secretary to the Department of Agriculture and Commerco of Japan (who was recently in New Zealand): —" Dear Sir, —I wish to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of tho hospitality and courtesy accorded to mo by yourself during my stay in New Zealand. Your kind assistance has contributed in no small degree to the information I have been able to obtain regarding commercial conditions in New Zealand, and I hope that, my mission may be the means of increasing the commercial friendship of your Dominion aiid my country."

Mr. Hubert Nathan, a member of the Wellington Harbour Board, intends to raise tho question at theiiext meeting df the board r.f the legality of Mr. 0. E Darnell's election to tlie cluiif. The Act wliidli governs the election of a chairniaii provides that when tho number of votes for candidates is equal, the issue shall be decided by lot. This was not done when that position arose as between Messrs. J. G. Harltness and C. R. Danioll, though the chairman (Mr. Fletcher) pointed out tho provision in the statutes. The two candidates concerned agreed to go to tlie ballot again with the result that Mr. Daniell was roLUrnod.

Tho following judges have selected by the Pahiatua Competitions Society for tlm annual competitions in July:—Music, Mr. Naylor: 'elocution, Mr. J. H. Kirby; composition, Mr. R. W, Oarp«Hter; spelling, Mr, H. M'aasrry.

The Executive Council of the Net* Zealand Locomotive ■ Engine-drivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association decided at its monthly meeting, held at Christchurch on Sunday, to Mild three delegates to the Labour Congress to lie held, in Wellington ia July next. The Eastbourne Ferry Board submitted a report to the Borough Council last night suggesting regulations for the issue of free passes to holders of scholarships and proficiency certificates.' ■A. young man in a Nortli Canterbury settlement, who has just joined tho Reinforcements, very properly consulted his father and mother, who livo in Christchurch, before volunteering. This is the reply lie received, a permission and a blessing which sent him light-heartedly to the recruiting office to do his duty to his native land and to the Empire: "We received your letter to-day. You gave us rather a difficult question to answer. However, when the matter is honestly considered, there can only be one answer. Your mother and I have discussed the question and have decided that we cannot ask yon to shirk your duty to jour country, and to your manhood. We are very sorry that the position is sograve and terrible as to lead you to the decision you have arrived at, and we find it hard to give you our consent to volunteer. But we are face to face with the fact that the Empire requires 6ome thousands yet, so we have decided not to stand in your way, if you feel that you ought to go. Now, I presume vou liavo considered the dangers and hardships you may he called on to face. If you have taken all this into account, and still feel it your duty to volunteer for service, we give you our consent, praying that God will guard Rnd guide you and make you an honour to your regiment and your country.—Your loving Father and Mother."Arrangements are being made by the Eastbourne Borough Council to raise the loan for the new water scheme, and the engineer (Mr. J. E. Fulton) is to j be instructed to prepare specifications and report on the question of letting contracts. Respecting correspondence by tha military with (headquarters, battalion orders to.tho Fifth (Wellington) Regimeut_ states that the practice which certain officers have indulged in of writing to headquarters is entirely, against regulations, and must be discontinued. A serious accident occurred yesterday afternoon at the Normal School (Thorndon). During tho progress of one of the lessons a toy named Guy Abbott, son of Detective Abbott, somehow managed to slip off a stool. His head struck the floor, and fifteen minutes later there were signs of a severe injury. The lad was removed l to the Hospital as 60011 as possible, and was found to be suffering from concussion of the brain. His condition was re l garded as somewhat serious, thougli at latest lie was reported to be a little easier. Attention is drawn to a very interesting display that is being made by the St. Jolin Ambulance Association in the Singer Company's premises in Willis Street. Tile association has been busy, in arranging ambulance supplies for tha Fifth Reinforcements, and the display which is given a patriotic background', gives the public an admirable idea of the materal that has to be provided for each Reinforcement as it goes forward. In neat array is shown samples of bandages for all manner of wounds, rolls, of lint, bed garments of curious design, splint-wood, hot-water bottles, and other surgical requirements and comforts for the incapacitated. The window was kindly dressed by tha D.i.a It is proposed to lay-up the ferry steamers Cobar and Duchess for annual overhaul. The vessels will be placed on the slip alternatively. To enable this to be done a temporary modification of the ferry time-table will be necessary beginning about Tuesday nest. . In our paragraph in yesterday's issue relating to the troops from Tahiti it was mentioned that five of the men were deserters.' They should have been described as reservists —an impdrt< ant difference. , An interesting lecture on tie Curtis' steaui turbine was at the_ Australasian Institute of Marine Engineers last evening by Mr. E. P. Turner, of Christchurch. The chair was occupiod by Mt. Carswellj president, and the largo audience included students from the Technical School. A hearty vote of thanlfe ijvas accorded Mr. Turner for his paper. A monster concert is to he held ini the Town Hall on Sunday night at 8.80, at which a collection frill be taken up in aid of the New Zealand Wounded Soldiers and Sailors. Those responsible for tie arrangement of the concert an< ticipate a full hoU6e and a record collection to swell the fund for the assistance of the bravo men who are risking their lives at the fi'oht. At a meeting of the Helping Hand Mission on Thursday evening two of its representatives—Messrs. Dare and Young—were appointed for missionary! work in Central South America. Several of those present spoke with earnestness oil the needs of foreign, missionary work, emphasising the present undertaking which, gives indications or a» bright future and one of great importance. The farewell meeting on May 29 nrould, it was arranged, take the form Of a half night of prayer in view of the needs and nature of tho work to be undertaken. A considerable portion of the required funds have already been donated, although the initial expense? are more than was at first anticipated. Plenty of work was offering on tho waterfront yesterday, the influx Of a large number of vessels making labour rather difficult to obtain. In soma cases vessels were delayed on this ao. count.