LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2601, 25 October 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Ulimaroa, with mails from Sydney direct, is expected to reach port this morning. A pamphlet is shortly to bo issued by the Minister of Defence giving useful information to those desiring to enlist. The Minister states also that it iB his intention to allow wounded soldiers to assist in the recruiting movement. So many applications from ' nurses anxious to go on active service were already in -hand beforo the War Office asked us to supply the additional 100 nurses mentioned recently that it is highly improbable that any other nurses applying now can bo accepted. The Hospital authorities say -hat there will be no shortaM of nurses in tho Dominion. The half-yearly examinations will soon be held, and in normal times it is customary for 150 to be addod to tho list of qualified nurses every year. At the end of this year, however, we shall have sent some 300 nurses from New Zealand on war service.

The Prime Minister was interviewed on Saturday morning by a deputation representing farmers, merchants, and flourmillers from Canterbury concerning the export of wheat.' These genTliey suggested that another census of fear that there would be a big surplus of wheat left in the country to carry over after ' nest harvest, and urged him to allow limited export now in order that people with wheat still oil hand may not make serious losses, and in order that the big "carry over" may not prejudice the sale of the new wheat. They suggested that another census of wheat in stock should bo taken, and to this tho Prime Minister agreed. Tho census wilt be taken at once.

Excellent reports have been received regarding the Tunnellere' Company which has been raised hore to serve with the Royal Engineers in Europe. The corps is well above establishment, so much so that reinforcements for fivo months -will .sail with it from New Zealand. The men are now. undergoing training at Auckland. The corps is well officered by experts, and the rank and file are of a splendid type, tough as wire, and ready to givo this soldier business what they call "a go." Of tho etiquette of discipline they know nothing, and care little, but in all essentials they are said to bo the best disciplined corps yet recruited here. They are, however, making progress beyond expectations in drill, and are beginning to look soldierly. At their special job, and at anything else that offers, they will work hard day ;>fter day without a real growl or whimper of any sort, lhey believe in themselves and their officers —the best possible spirit that can exist in any body of soldiers. How many people of Wellington are there who have never seen a sneep shorn? There must be hundreds. Ihe Shearers' IJnion has undertaken to enlighten these hundreds. A feature of today's Trade Union procession will be a sheep-shearing display, on big motorlorries, by expert shearers, who will scissor tho golden fleece before tho eyes of the curious as the procession wends its way along the route. Tho sheep have been kindly lout by Mr. King, manager of tho Happy A'alley station, and tho work will be done with a "Little Wonder" plant from the Caverhill Shearing Company, of Christchurch. A sheep-shearing competition will also take' place at Newtown Park, and for this four medal's are offered, ranging in value from two to five guineas.

A .sliort sitting of tlio Magistrate's Court was presided over on Saturday by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M. James M'Keever, charged with, being an incorrigible rogue, in that ho had insufficient lawful meps of suppoit, and had been previously convicted as an idle and disorderly person, was sentenced to sis months' imprisonment. Striking evidence has come to the Defence Minister tliat tho comforts sent from New Zealand for wounded and sick men in hospitals do in fact reach tho men, and are received with , grateful appreciation. This evidence is a letter signed by six private soldiers of British regiments who were treated at No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Port Said, where Colonel M'Gavin and liis staff havo been working ever since they reached tlie war zone. The letter, which is addressed to the Minister of Defence, is as follows: —"AYe, the undersigned, think it is our duty to thank you and tlie people of New Zealand for their great kindness in providing us with so lfiany comforts. Wo are patients in tho enteric ward of the above-named hospital, which complaint wo contracted on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Since our admitta:ico to this hos> pital we liave received _ tlie utmost, attention and consideration from the medical officers, sisters, and orderlies of the N.Z.M.0., who have at all times placed our caso and comfort first. —We are, sir, your gratefully, 1 rivate A. Oagde.i, 4th East Lmcashires; Pte. H. W.. Mason, Pto. W. Babb, Royal Marino Light Infantry; Saddler Lawson, Royal Field Artillery; Pte. J. Holt, 6th East Lancashires; itc. b. Ballard, 2nd-Hants." At tho last meeting of tho Council of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association it was reported that the total amount rcccivcd towards a memorial to tlie late Mr. Anthony Wilding (killed in action) is £9 13s. Gd., which amount has been received from limo clubs. As most of tho clubs, however, are opening their courts this month, it was decided that an appeal should bo made for funds for this object next month.

Air. S. Booth, organising secretary m New Zealand for the Irtish and Foreign Sailors' Society, delivered .an interesting lecture on Saturday evening at the Wellington Navals Sled, Air Booth, whose remarks wore illustrated bv lantern slides, gave an interesting" account of tho doings and aspirations of tho society. Tho work of the educational, religious and e]iaritable brandies was described by tho lecturer, who was listened to very attentively bv 'quite a large audience.

Messrs. Cray Bros., produce merchants of Wellington, havo written to the Mnvor (Mr. J- 1'- Luko) offering to contribute two boxes of butter per month to the Belgian Food Fund. Tho Mavor stated that arrangements would probably be made to forward tho butter to England for transfer in London to the proper authorities. A model motor 6hod', 'built under the supervision of Mr. James Bennie, architect, which is to be exhibited in tho Labour Day procession to-day, is to bo sold by public auction to-morrow, ill aid of tho War Distress Fund. Ali the materia! used in tho construction of same was donated by tho various unions interested. AVeil-rinished, high-grade, ready-to-wear Suite arc wailing for your inspection at Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street, 705., 753.1 80s. Suita thai bring return custom.—Advt.

Tho total receipts of the lecture given by Mr. John Clegg, of Dunedin, on his experiences as a prisoner of war on a German auxiliary merchant cruiser amounted to £48 10s., and the expenses in connection therewith to £5 us. Gd. A cheque for the balance, £43 4s. 6d., has been handed over to tbo Mayor (Mr. J. I*. Luke) for his Patriotic Fund. Credit for the success of the enterprise is acknowledged to Mr. ltonald Lyon, who acted in a managerial capacity in connection with tho lecture.

A small boy named Herbert Diamond, Aged 7 years, caused some anxiety to his parents, who reside at Lower Hutt, by suddenly disappearing on Saturday morning about lialf-past 10. Inquiries made locally failed to discover the juvenile wanderer, who was bootless and without a hat. After an anxious night a visit to the City was made to tho grandmother of the wp.rderer Yesterday. She discovered him. He liad purchased a railway ticket at Lower liutt with Eomo money ho hacl with him.

. At the last meeting of the Council of-the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association a suggestion was received from tho Canterbury Association that tennis players throughout) the Dominion should be asked to subscribe- towards a gift for war purposes on tho same- lines' as adopted in Victoria, where the tennis players supplied tbo forces with a motor ambulance. Tlie matter was referred to affiliated associations for their consideration.