LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2524, 27 July 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

: fr- : The amounts collected to date in the Wairarapa district, in aid of the patriotic funds aro approximately "as follow: Wounded Soldiers' Fund, £69,000; Allies' Relief Fund, £19,000; War Fund, in cash and kind, £20,000; other funds.-about £5000: total, £113,000.

In liis sermon at St. Paul's Pro-Ca-thedral yesterday evening, the Key. A. M.' Johnson said if lio had not already been, convinced of the justice of Britain's cause his reading of "The eH ' Bernhardt' would have silenced his doubts. Tho book reminded, him of a whipped schoolboy standing in the corner saying "I didn't do it." 'During the service a special prayer was offered for the success of the Russian armies at, the present critical juncture. In addition' to the day of prayer which is to be observed on August 4 ; a short memorial scvvice will be held 111 St. Paul's in the ovoning for tho New Zealand soldiers who have been Wiled during tho war.

'Hie following telegram was sent by tlio Mayor (Mr. J. P. LukeV' to the Minister of Public Health (Hon. R. H. Rhodes) : yesterday morning :—"Regard, ing Dr. De Latour's statement in this morning's Dominion that the purity of milk supplied from the Trentham district to this City was endangered on account of soak-pits at Trentham Camp, I trust you will immediately instruct your responsible officers to report on the matter contained in the statement."

Tlie exit of tjio Trenthani Camp teams from tlie City Rugby competition lias caused a readjustment of the .championship points. 'When the khaki fifteens found it necessary to forgo their Rugby (through camp changes) the union found it desirable to look into tlie question of championship points, and they decided to deloto ali results of matches with Trentham teams. This decision is particularly v&luabb to Tetone, who had suffered two defeats at the hands of Trentham teams,-and they now stand only two points below Athletic, whom they ran very close at . Athletic Park a little over a week ago. Poiieke arc running third ill the competition.

The fact that Professor von Zedlitz, whilst still an luinaturalisecl German, holds an important position on the staff of the Victoria College, came under review at tho meeting of the executive of the Wellington Patriotic Society last evening. At a former meetijig the society passed a resolution, the effect of which was that- Professor von Zedlitz should not be allowed to retain his present position. A copy pf thai resolution was forwarded to the Prime Minister (the Hon. W. F. Massey), who replied formally that the matter would receive his best attention. Since then no further communication had been received from the Prime Minister, and last evening it was decided to once mora communicate with Sir. Massey, informing him that tlio public ivoro demanding to know what, if anything, was being done in the matter.

The results of the Empire shooting competition as announced in a cablegram which appeared ill yesterday's issue has caused surprise in New Plymouth. Mr. ■ Bewley, secretary of the New Plymouth High School, has sent the following telegram to Mr. Okey, M.P.: "The Empire Cup results published this morning inako no mention of the High School team, which scored over 30 points above published winners. Please inquire at Defence Department, and get the omission put right." Mr. Okey made inquiries yesterday, and fomid that the position stated in Mr. Bewley's telegram is supported by the Department's record. A cablegram will probably be sent to London asking for an explanation. The new Teachers' Training College, at Kelburn, will bo formally declared open by the Minister of Education (Hon. Jas. Allen) at 11.15 a.m. to-mor-row. Other Ministers;' the members of both Houses of Legislature, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), and others have been invited to attend the function.. The speakers will include the Minister of Education, the chairman of, the AVellington Education Board (Hon. J. G. W. Aitken), Dr. Anderson (Director of Education), and Mr. G!eo. pLogbcn (lato Director of Education). A party of volunteer Workers from Carterton assisted the military authorities at Tanherinikau 011 Sunday to remove the camp to a site situated on Mr. Wilkinson s property on the high terrace near the Tauherinikau School. The ground (says our Carterton correspondent) is stony and very porous, and is not affected by the heaviest downpour. Arrangements in connection with the amateur boxing championship dates, which have been booked for August 12 and 13, will bo discussed at a meeting of the AVellington liosiug Association, on Friday. Arrangements have been made, says our Mastcrton correspondent, for the holding of a. monster' carnival in the. public park on August 4, when patriotic speeches will be made, and a resolution passed pledging fidelity to tho Crown. ,

The residents of Featherston havo arranged to hold regular entertainments fnr tho soldiers encamped* there, and the first of these took place on Saturday evening, in the Town Hall, tho gathering being a great success, "ho prograinmo comprised dancing and songs, and items contributed by some of the soldiers were greatly applauded. Dr. A. IS. Palmer actod ns master of ceremonies. Last night a dimco was held in the Town Hall.

Lady motorists will welcomo tho ladies' boudoir anil special catering provided Ijy tlio Dominion' Yioloi 1 Vehicles, Ltd., in their line new garage—tlio largest in the oft' Hie Coiyrtonoy Place wood-blocking in Tory Street. Special ladies' runabouts—electric, self-startiw; and lighting, of course—arrive in thrco weeks Catalogues and photographs mailed on request. Gnnirro hour*—7 .111. to mid* nl|huj to lu.u'.w,, 0. to 11 pirn, guudajt,

A flag presented by the custodian of tho Masterton Club and his wife was offered at auction among tho membors of tho club on Saturday night, and realised a sum of £1000.

The secretary of tho Wellington Patriotic Funds (Mr. James Macintosh) lias received from Mr. J. Costin AVobb a cheque for £330 2s. 2d., the proceeds of the patriotic concerts recently given by 800 public school, children at tho Town Hall. It is also interesting to noto that the Savago Club patriotic concert' realised £81 7s.

The Wellington Rugby-Union has decided to play home-and-home matches with Canterbury in aid of tho Patriotic Funds.

Patriots in Wellington are to lie given, another opportunity to vent their feelings touching the Empire and tho war next week. The Wellington Patriotic Society decided at its meeting last evening to make arrangements for a. patriotic demonstration to celebrate tho anniversary of tho outbreak of tlie war on August 4, and to express their unwavering determination that it should be presented to . tho bitter _ end. The society is communicating with the Government in order that they may work in a line-with them in the matter.

Writing to his parents wliile in hospital at Cairo, Trooper F. J. G. Moore, of Johnsonville ; says"Wo gave tho Turks a lively timo during the past four weeks, until a ■ shower of shrapnel stopped us. I was lucky, as only one piece of lead hit mo, but some of my mates were very badly hurt. I am keeping the lead' extracted from my. kg to"" mako a golf ball when I return. I can walk about now, end in a week's time, expect to lie .ready foi - tho front again. We were within a mile of the Triumph when she was torpedoed. She just heeled over' quickly without making any noise, and sank, firing about sis shots at the submarine as she went down. ,1 shall never forget that day.' I was out of the trenches sniping, and had a good view of the awful disaster."

At a meeting of the _ Wellington Patriotic Society it .was decided, as the result of an investigation made by,'a-sub-committee, that tlie band contest hold in Newtown Park in connection with the recent Carnival 'be declared null and void, and that it be held again, some time during October, when the i weather is likely to be more settled for outdoor fixtures than it is at present. It will be remembered that at the recent contest the figures concerned with the marching, drill, timing, dress, etc., became inextricably mixed, and a protest was entered by the Tramways Band against the winners, tho Mission Band.

An energetic effort is being, made at present to' strengthen the National Reserve by tho creation of an honorary reserve branch. There are many peoplo who find it .impossible to attend tlio weekly drills and "Morris-tube nights" who would be only top glad to throw in their lot .in spirit in the reserve, and these are being encouraged to do so by circular. This circular states that tlie subscription will be ss. a year, and 2s. for a badge. The hon. members' badge' is to be distinguished from the active members' badge by having a silver gilt crown in tlie centre instead of a gold-gilt one. Tho funds of tho Honorary Reserve will be kept apart, and separately administered from tlioso of tho active branch, and are to be used only to defray the} expenses of tho headquarters administration of tho whole . district, for_ which at present no funds are provided. Any moneys so • acquired will be lodged with _ tho district treasurer, Major J. P. Firth, and operated upon by the Commandant and oiie authorised member of tho honorary branch.

Thero rfre at present no fewer tlian 32 firms in the United States devoting their attention to the manufacture of "electric cars driven by power derived from the Edison storage battery. Some of'those cars are to bo seen on tho streets .of Christchuroh, but so far none are to bo seen in Wellington, though, with the high price of petrol ruling, it will not be surprising to'seo them here ero long. It lias beon suggested that the City Council would find the elec-trically-driven motor-vehicle a real economy in regard to certain classes of work in which they could be employed. Tho day is not far distant when motor traction will bo used in connection with the collection of the rubbish of tho City. These wagons, it is calculated, could be charged up during tho "dead hours" of the power-house, when a lot of current is going to waste by merely "plugging in," thus, gaining a power supply for nothing ag oompared with tho upkeep of horses .as at" Much more speedier work could bo done with such vehicles by the aid of tho storage battery and a free supply of energy for them.

Mr. R. G'. Renner, land, agent, reports tlio sale of Mrs. M. A. Williams's leasehold premises, . known as tlio Queen's Chambers, comprising two twostoried buildings let as officos at the corner of Grev and Jervois Quay, and three-storied warehouse on Jervois Quay occupied by Messrs. T. and W. •l'cung, to Messrs.' Huddart, Parker, Ltd., who now ocoupy a-portion of the offices. The site has a frontago to Jervois Quay of 120 ft. by a frontage to Grey Street of 60ft.