LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2645, 16 December 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

His Excellency the Governor haß forwarded a cable message as follows to the Countess of Glasgow relative to the death of the Earl of Glasgow, a former Governor of New Zealand: "Mysolf, the Government, and the people of New Zealand desire to express our deep sympathy with \you in the sad losb which you have sustained." '

Tho Prime Minister hopes to be able to announce details of the Government's recruiting scheme early nest week.

It is understood that the Union Company do not intend to run any of the usual Christmas and New Tear excursions this year.

Although there have been "dispatched from New Zealand for our troops at the front 20,000 leather waistcoats. On October 12, 13,400 of these were sent'forward, and must bo already either at the front or at the base. The balance to make up the first lot of 15,000, together with 5000 from Otago, were sent forward in November, and should arrive at their destination yory soon,

A Press Association message from Christchurch states that intense heat was experienced in that city yesterday, the thermometer recording over 91 degrees. ' -. .

A call to 87a Murphy Street was received by tho Fire Brigade last night. Some papers had been accidentallv set on fire by a child, but the flames were extinguished before damage had been done to the building or its oontents.

A donation of £10 has been made by Mr. Martin Kennedy towards the celebration of Christmas ' in the Ohiro Benevolent Home. At Tuesday' 6 meeting of the Charitable Aid Committee of tho Wellington Hospital Board, a vote of thanks was accorded the donor.

The. Victoria College Court of Convocation meets at the College' to-night to discuss current business.

The City Corporation offices will be closed from Christmas Evo (Friday week) until January 2 for the Christmas and Now Year holidays.

The financial statement presented at the last meeting of tho Mayor's Patriotic Fund Committee showed that the credit stood at £155 18s. 2d. at tho previous meeting, 6ince when £162 3s. 3d. had been donated to the fund. Out of that sum accounts to the amount of £242 Is. sd. had been paid, leaving a credit balance of £76. As this fund i 3 now getting low, the Mayor • would he pleased to receive donations towards it.

The rifle range' at Miramar, known as tho "Old Navals' Rifle Range," having been condemned as unsafe, no further shooting is to take plaoe thereon.

It may bo useful to people outside the City to note thatfc the Defence Shipping Office, Wellington, has been transferred from No. 3 Shed, King's. Wharf, to K Shod. Jervois Quay. Telephones 816 a and, 608 a are installed. It will now be necessary for consignors (to forward any cargo, parcels, etc., for troopships to the now address.

High praise is given to our Maori troops at the front ■by Captain .P. M. Twistleton, in a letter to a friend in New Zealand. H9 writes: "Twice I had Maoris under me and' in "rather ticklish places, .and I have also seen a lot of them in action, and I must say they are good stuff. A man need not wish to-lead better material into action, 110 matter how desperate the fighting might be. I should say thev are amongst the best bayonet fighters In the world, and they are perfect sentries. As tronch fighters you can't beat tliem. t haven't seen them under shelling: in the open, but with a leader thev trusted, I am quite sure they would stand anything. As soldiers, officers, and men are a credit to their race and their country, and I for one hope to see a strong unit kept at fiehting strength till tho end of the job."

Another correspondent, J. F. Wilkinson, who signs himself Returned Australian Trooper, takes exception to the comments of "A Returned Wellington Citizen," r,n the conditions prevailing in Australia in relation to the war. Mr. Wilkinson ' contradicts the opinions expressed and issues a challense as to tlhe amount of New Zealand news appearing in the Australian Press. No 20od purpose can -be served by continuing this discussion on the auestion of Australia's effort arid we must repeat our refusal to nublish further correspondence on the subject. All must recognise that Australia ha-s done and is still doing splendidly in assisting in the great struggle, both with her naval and her military forces.

A rumour gained ourrency round the waterfront yesterday that the ferry steamer Maori would probably not sail for Lyttelton last evening on acoount of a shortage of firemen. For the past two or three trips the Maori has been short in her stokehold complement, and as men could not be found to take the job on it was decided to cut the boilor power down by one-third,' and run her with the men who had remained by the ship. Yesterday afternoon it was reported that there was still a.shortage of the required number, and at 7.45 p.m. word went round that the ferry steamer was held up. Half an hour later the trouble was adjusted, and, much to the relief of her several hundred passengers, the Maori left for Lyttelton. It was reported that the Moeraki was three firemon and one trimmer short at- Lyttelton yesterday afternoon. Evidently the difficulty was overcome as the vessel cleared the southern port for Wellington and Sydney at 6.25 p.m'. .

The Post Office Corps will hold a recruiting march to-morrow evening, setting out from behind the Printing Office at 7.30 p.m. They will march up Lainbton Quay, headed by the Fifth Regiment Band, making a halt in front of the Post Office, where, Captain Donald Simson will deliver a recruiting speech. Then the corps will move on to Conrtenay Place, where there will be another speech, and finally to the Basin Reserve, where there will be more speeches-, a demonstration,, and some band music.

A Press Association message from Auckland states that the executive of the Auckland Farmers' Union last night, after a lengthy discussion, adopted a resolution favouring conscription.

Complaints are being made at Hastings, reports our Napier correspondent, by returned -wounded soldiers, who claim that they cannot live on *he ss. a day paid to them by the Government. They contend that they should be found, just as though they were on active service.

Excursion tickets commence this week, Therefore, we would respectfully remind you of our fine Btock of travelling requisites at moderate prices. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.—Advt.

■ Eight-cylinder King cars may now bo inspeoted at the Dominion Motor Vehicles Garage, just off tho Courtenay Placo wood-blocking in Tory Street. Equipment includes Zenith carburettor, Ward Leonard self-starter, cantilever springs, folding steering wheel, etc.. etc. writ# ot' phono for a demonstration!— Ad\rti

A poll is to bo taken at Napier today on a proposal to borrow £36,500, with which to provide Napier South with a water and drainage service.

Apparently there is no limit to the audacity ol' tho Gormaus, of which l aris is having painful experience. Many Teutons were tenants of stylish apartments before tho war. These Germans either rejoined tlio armies of the Kaiser or were expelled; but, nevertheless, '.hey continue to pay their rent in Paris through the medium of a Swiss bank, thus affording an indication of their intontion to return and install themselves in their old quarters when the war is over. The point is raised that the cashing of tho cheques by the landlords is tantamount to trading with the onemy. Yet another daring example of German enterprise is recorded. French doctors have recoived circulars rrom a Stuttgart firm which manufactures artificial arms and legs, and tliey were actually offered commission on the sales whicli they facilitate of these articles to replace tie limbs shattered by the Kaiser's bombs. '

An instance of the necessity for perishable goods intended for soldiers at the front being well packed is mentioned ii) a letter recently received by Mrs. W. Blomfield (of Auckland) from her son, who is serving with the artillery, on- Gallipoli. "My luck is out," remarks Gunner Blomfield. "I received one of your paroels the other day. It looked all right from the outside, but when I opened it I had tho 'fall in' of my life. There was the cake all right, but you would not have known it for one—it was green; so was tho tobacco. I dug a little deeper, and came across the_ evident cause of the trouble—a jar of jam. The tropical heat had apparently expanded the lid and let out the juice; it bnd fermented, formed an(alliance with the soap, pipes, cake, and tobacco, and you can imagine the mess. I cleaned the pipes, dried the tobacco, and washed the scarf and balaclava. These, with the cough mixture and tooth paste, were what I saved ftom the wreck. Tho rest received a glorious passage over the cliff. I wish that cake liad been all right, though. I think the parcel must have been a long time in Egypt, and oake will not keep in that climate."

Correspondence received by relatives shows that Lieutenant James Oliphaut, of Auckland, experienced heavy fighting on Gallipoli during August. He was incapacitated with dysentery, and was for seven days in the military hospital in Alexandria. He improved in health, and was then transferred to Lord Brassey's yacht in Alexandria Harbour. The King had lent a chef to tho yacht, and the stewards engaged came from Buckingham Palace. Lieutenant Oliphanfc spent a very pleasant time while he was in tho convalescent stage, it was intendedto invalid him to England, but his rapid recovery rendered this unnecessary, and it is believed that he has returned to tho front. Out of the 21 officers who -went into the firing line with Lieutenant Oliphant hi August, only three survived.

The annual Government examination at Ocean Bay Sohool was held recently, and eight out of nine sixth standard pupils gained the certificate of proficiency, whioli carries with it free college education for two years. This result is certainly a fine testimony to tho teaching methods of this boarding sohool. As a place where boys Kay receive a firstalass general education as wejl as instruction in the management of a station or farm, Ocean Bay School seems to offer opportunities that might be eagerly embraced by parents and guardians. The prinoipal, Rev, John A. Crump, F.Z.S., is staying at ''Saves Court," Aurora Terraoe, and can be in. terviewed any" afternoon till Monday, December 20.

We have to acknowledge Christmas and New Year greetings from tho Yorkshire Insurance Company.