LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2520, 22 July 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postmaster-General announces that parcels for soldiors addressed to Egypt, arid superscribed "via Australia," will be forwarded direct to Egypt at the postage rates of Is. lid. for a parcel not exceeding 31b. in weight, 2s. 7J<l. for a parcel exceeding 31b. and not oxceeding 71b., and 4s. 1-Jd. for a parcel exceeding 71b. and not exceeding 111b. The special postage rates for soldiers' parcels at present in force of Is., 25., and 3s. for parcels weighing up to 31b., 71b., and 111b., respectively, aro for parcels forwarded via the United Kingdom, and will he continued. Tho new arrangement lias been made after negotiations with the Australian and Egyptian Administrations, and will avoid the delay on parcels forwarded bj direct steamers to London, thence to Egypt.

Tho Prime Minister (tlio Right Hon. W. F. Massey), in replying to Mr. J. Pavne (Grey Lynn) in .Parliament yesterday, said that thero was no statutory provision in existence requiring the payment of wages to be made on any particular day of the week, but it was doubtful whether an amendment of the law could bo dealt with this session. Mr. Payne had asked that wages should be paid on Friday, in view of the Saturday closing.

Military camping in New Zealand entails a certain, amount of "roughing it" on the part of tho men, and many of the public have, 110 doubt, discussed at odd times the comparative' effects of wet, cold, and other inconveniences oil the town men and the country men. When he was before the Trentham Commission yesterday, Dr. Frengley, Deputy-Chief Health Officer, said that it was not likely that the city men would stand adverso conditions of tho kind indicated as well as tlio rural men would. Bushmen were well used to being wet and damp for long stretches of time, and tho town men were inclined through pride to endeavour to take as little notico of wet clothing as their confreres from tho backblocks. He admired tho pluck of the town men, but said they actcd foolishly in endeavouring to emulate men who had long accustomed themselves to the hardships of outdoor life.

The Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen) stated yesterday, in reply to Mr. H. G. Ell (Christchurch South), tliat at tho time the mud was at its worst at Trentham camp, tlie question of the removal of the tents was considered. 'It was, however, deemsd inadvisable to shift tliera to the wet ground! of tho racecourse; the ground beneath the tents was dry.

Mr. Veitch, M.P. (Wanganui), last Aveok asked in Parliament whether tlie Government would remove tho statue of the late Hon. John Ballance from the Parliamentary grounds and replace it immediately with one more in keeping with that deceased' statesman's achievements and exalted talents? The Prime Minister yesterday replied' that the Government did not propose to tako any action with regard to the matter at present.

Mr. H. G. Hill, chair.ian of the Wellington Patriotic Society, recently received a letter signed "A _ Widowed Mother of an only soil on active service and many nephews." Mr. Hill is particularly desirous of getting into touch with the writer of this letter, who can rest assured her identity will be kept a secret. The writer is asked to communicate witli, Mr.. Hill, Royal Exchange Buildings.

On tlie authority of a private letter received from an officcr who visits tho wounded in Egypt, a statement was made yesterday that presents of apples and butter would be welcomed by tho sick and wounded men in Egypt. Directi/ins ivere also given as to how such gifts could be sent. The Minister of Defence wishes us to state that apples cannot be accepted for dispatch to Egypt. -In actual fact,.many cases.of fruit previously forwarded as gifts to be sent to Egypt have been sent to Trentham. Apples cannot reach Egypt at this season of the year, unless carried in cool storage, which is not likely to be available on the transports. Butter must bo tinned and kept in tho freezing chambers if it is to reach Egypt in good condition. ,

The Wairarapa South County Council's staff has lately completed a ferroconcrete bridge over this Ponatahi Creek. The bridge is 16ft. span, 20?t. wide, and is a small replica of the Waiohino Bridge, except that the handrails aro an improvement, tho result of the observations of the county overseer. A similar bridge is shortly to be erected over the Korerau Creek, on the Glad-stonc-Te Wliarau Road.

Tho following telegram has been sent to the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward by the.chairman and secretary of the Christchurch Saturday Closing Committee: —"Suggested amendment • to Shops and Offices Act strongly resented hero. Electors already expressed opinion very decisively last two polls by huge majority. Other centres have decided likewise. Surely, then, their decision will be respected. Optional closing absolutely absurd. Only solution of existing difficulties is universal closing Saturday."—Press Association. One of the witnesses who has to appear before the Trentham Commission to-day is the Director of Military Services, Colonel Purdy. It will be his duty to, in the course of his evidence, traco a history of Trentham Camp.

Donations received by the financial organiser of tho Dominion Boy Scouts towards tho organisation fund include two of £5, two of £25, one of £20, two of £15, nine of £10 10s., six of £10, thirtv-onc of £5 or £5 55., eight of £3 35., forty-three of £2 25., three hundred of £1 Is., besides others. Amongst recent givers are the Auckland Racing Club £20, Wellington Racing Club £10, Wanganui Jockey Club £10 10s.. Sliaw-Savill Co. £10, Now Zealand Shipping Co. £10, Mr. .Tolm Kirkcaldio £10 10s., Mr. Sidney Johnston £10, Hon. Chris. Johnston £10 10s., Mr. C. Seagar £5 55., Mrs. Joseph £5 55., Miss Rose Joseph £5 55., Mrs. C.'E. Wall £5, Mr. J. S. Smith £5 55.. Mrs. Manson £5 55., besides a large number of lesser amounts. The Victoria College Council has elected its Finance Committee for tho year as follows:—Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, Professor Adamson, the Rev. W. A. Evans, Messrs. C. Watson, W. Ferguson, C. B. Morison, W. H. Morton, and T. R.. Fleming. Tho Rev. W. A. Evans will be the treasurer of tho committee.

Mr. -George Nash, a member of the Wellington Hospital Board, takes exception to a published statement by tlio chairman of the board (Mr. H. Baldwin) to the effect tliat "the members of the board were very indignant at what they considered to bo the high-handed conduct on the part of Dr., Valintino" in connection witli the commandeering of part of tho Otaki Hospital for military purposes. As far as Mr. Nash is concerned, lie informed a Dominion reporter yesterday tliat he never expressed any indignation about tho matter. Nor does he feel indignant because he recognises that the finer points of etiquette cannot always bo observed in cases of military necessity, especially when the lives of any of Now Zealand's bravo soldiers may bo at stake. •

The Wellington St. John Ambulance Association has received a cheque for £50 from tho Wanganui sub-centre, St. John Ambulance Association, for ueo in hospital equipment in connection with tho N.Z. Expeditionary Forces. Corrugated iron cannot be procured, and any new Trentham huts which need roofing will have to be covered with other material, according to Dr. Frengley, of the Health Department, wlTo gavo evidenco yesterday before tho Trentham Commission. With this other material, lie added, roof ventilation would bo necessary.

Volunteering for active service on the-part of students, and a higher scalo of fees at the institution have caused a reduction in the number of students studying at Victoria College. In 1913 tho students numbered-463: in 1914, 377; and in 1915, 373.

A letter received in Christchurch from Papeete states taht the San Francisco mad steamer Marania had a somewhat stormy passage from Wellington to Earotonga. Between the latter port and Tahiti a concert held on board realised over £31 for the funds in aid of the New Zealand Wounded Soldiers and the Red Cross. It was lioped to increase the amount to £50 during the ' cyage.

Captain Victor L. A. Campbell, R.N./ who was in charge of the northern party _ of Captain Scott's 'Antarctic Expedition, is in command of the Drake Battalion of tho Royal Naval Division at tho Dardanelles. He was present at tho defence of Antwerp and was amongst those members of the Royal Naval Divi« sion interned in Holland, but subset quently succeeded in reaching England.' A Tecent Admiralty, announcement states that he lias been promoted captain, and has been made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his services at the Dardanelles.

The Lower Hutt policu continued thd search yesterday of the Hutt River for the body alleged-to have been seen in. tho water on Monday, but without success. As more definite information regarding tlio locality of the body was supplied yesterday evening, it is probable that it.will soon bo found.

The promotion of sport under proper conditions lias a significant national value, says the report of tlio New Zealand Sports Protection League. "It lias for somo time been acknowledged that the maintenance of tlie physical fitness of tlio people is a matter of vital interest to tlie State, Tlio present great war lias shown that those best equipped to! take their places in the fighting line are the young men who have been proniinent in outdoor sport, and in this direction Now Zealand can already look with pride upon the deeds of our own men, a very large proportion of whom were prominent amongst tho various sports bodies throughout the Dominion."