LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2667, 12 January 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Reporting from Samba, under date January 10, Colonel Patterson states:— 660, Corporal J. Swatui, is convalescent; Privates G. Garrij*an, rheumatism ; W. G. Brown, ptomaine poisoning. All progressing favourably. . > \ A paragraph published in our issue of Friday last, relating to the death of Sirs. Ethel Julia Watson, stated that tlje unfortunate lady in question "was found dead at her residence'.". Mr. A. H. Hindniarsh, solicitor, writes: "The ordinary reader would understand from tile word 'found,' particularly in cases of illness known to those whose duty it is to look after such cases, that there had been some grave act or omission on the part of those responsible—the husband in this case—for the care and custody of the patient. My client, Sir. Frank Watson,_ the husband of the late' Sirs. Ethel Julia Watson, a doctor, and a professional nurse, were all present at the bedside when Mrs. Watson died." What Sir. Hindniarsh states as to the attention received hr Mrs. Watson is quite correct, and this was made cleat in our issue of Saturday, when fuller details of the sad occurrence were published. We much regret that the wording of the original paragraph should havo been such as to cause Mr. Watson the pain and annoyance indicated by Sir. Hindmarsh. "I have just heard of the torpodoing of a ship with a big New Year mail on it, so I may not hear from you for some tinis yet." This passage in a letter just received by the Defence Slinister from General Godley shows that there are sometimes very good reason for the non-delivery of letters to soldiers at tho front. In a circular to the public servants, tlio Slinister of Internal Affairs lias advised that it had been decided that contributions from members of the service as a separate body to the New Zealand War Relief Fund should no longer be invited.. Up to November 30, 1915, no less than £21,4413 had been subscribed by the service. "Since the outbreak of the war," says the circular, "New Zealand has manfully shouldered its responsibilities in both men and money. Large numbers of members of the seryico have enlisted, some of whom have given their lives to the cause for which the Empire stands, and others liave won honourable distinction in the trenches and on tho field of battle. Others who have been unable to go have given of their income the substantial sum which I have mentioned. I feel, as Slinister of Internal Affairs, that it is impossible to adequately recognise the patriotism and generosity which have inspired the service throughout. They have given a fine lead to the population [ of the Dominion throughout tho war, and I am expressing the feelings of tlio wliole of my colleagues in tho Government when I thank most heartily the members of the sorvico for their practical patriotism." Mr. 11. H. Stetcalfe, consulting engineer, has arrived in Gisborno from Auckland to confer with tho council respecting the carrying out of the water and sewerage oxtension work provider! for by tlio flotation of tlio £50.000 loan. Sir. William Hobbs lias consented to stand for the vacancy in the Lower Hutt Borough Council caused by Dr. Purdy's retirement.. Geo. Foivlds, Ltd., Manners Street carry a splendid rango in hats, hard felt, soft felt, or straw, lhe prices are moderate nnd tho firm puarautecF a fit for'everv i head.—Advt. ' ,

A meeting of tlie Mayor's War Distress Committee was held yesterday. The Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luke) pieeidcd, mid there were also present: The Rev. W. A. Evans, and Messrs. E. 0. Jack, Moston, and 0. I£. Dauiell, chairman of tlie Harbour Board. 'Ilia Mayor reported that since the last meeting live new cases had been dealt with by himself, and the action lie had taken in regard to them was endorsed. The financial position was stated as follows:— Receipts, £3776 19s. 7d. (including £2500 on fixed deposit); disbursements, £1072 2s. 10d.; credit balance, £204 16s. 9d.; less accounts passed at the meeting (£25 6s. 6d.), £179 IQs. 3d. in hand. An exhibit of sweet peas, roses, carnations, and other blooms by members of the Wellington Hoso and Carnation Club was held in Godber's Rooms, Conrtenay Place, last evening. A large number of amateur gardening enthusiasts attended on the invitation of the club, and were warm in their praise of the exhibits, which, arranged on tho tables in rich clusters, made quite a gorgeous display of variegated colour. Tlie president, Mr. J. B. Harcourt, in the course of a short address, said the Wellington Rose and Carnation Club during 1914-15 had raised no less a sum than £250 for patriotic purposes. lz had originally been arranged to hold tho show in the Town Hall on Saturday, but it was feared that as the 9th Reinforcements were holding a parade on that day there would be a very small attendance, and a financial loss would result. That evening's exhibit had therefore been organised, and in the circumstances members would no doubt agree that the best course had been adopted. The show, throughout, he proceeded, was one of exceptional merit. The sweet peas were surprisingly good, and must evoke general admiration. Mr. J. C. Holder, of Porirua, had an. excellent display in this section. Ho also called attention to the fine show of carnations shown by Mr. H. A. Fox, It wan rather • late in the season for roses, but those exhibited were of especially good quality. No really better specimens had ever been shown at thia . time of the year. He had been requested by the secretary to announce that all the flowers except* the carnations would be sold for the benefit of the wounded soldiers. A beautiful col* lection of gladiola and Iceland poppies were greatly admired by the visitors. Mr. J. C. Holder was awarded the challenge trophy presented by Mrs. Jacob Joseph for sweet peas, and this being the third time he has won it, it now becomes his property. Mr. H. A. Fox won the prize for tlie best display of carnations, and Mr. R. Hirschberg was awarded tho National Rose Society's medal for the best collection of roses. Tlie Eastbourne Borough Council lias again been approached by Mr. John Fuller, jun., witn the suggestion that if should dispatch its steamers from a mor<j central position than the present Ferrj Wharf. Mr. Fuller says in his latesl communication:—"! tlimk it would b« a great convenience to the public—il would also add greatly to the —if the steamers could leave in tlii vfcinity of the Taranaki Street Wharf every fine Sunday or holiday. I feel sure that this facility would create paix ronage, and thus give the publio o! Wellington every opportunity of visits ing their own property—viz., the glorrt ous heritage, Day's Bay." In the figures supplied by the Bank' of Australasia of the quarterly averaged for the last quarter, an unfortunate error was made in tho figures by the typewriter. Tho advances were stated ni; £2,053,452, making it appaar that the advances compared with 1 bo December quarter of 1914 were less by £1,007,499. The correction fnrniEhei by the bank yosterda.y places the figures at- £3,053,452, making the shrinkage £7499 instead of tho larger sum. The error in typing made a difference o? £1,000,000. A tour, of tho North' Auckland district is being mado by Messrs. W. Wat< I son, R. W. Kane, and J. H. Upton, directors of the Bank of New Zealand, in the interests of that institution. Three well-known members of the legal profession hi Sydney, Mr. A. Kelynack, Mr. John Buchan, and Mr. Windeyer, wer'e passengers to Wellington by the Manuka yesterday. Mr. G. Douthwaite, overseer of thfl Government farm at Ruakura, has resigned from that position. He intends to go Home to offer his sendees to the Army authorities there, being over the age for service in New Zealand. On Wednesday, Mtb. H. Layman, o! Pungarelui, met with serious injury as the result of a gig accident (reports the "Taranaki Daily News"). She was driving with her daughter and one of her eons, near the Parihaka Road, when the horse took fright and shied, capsizing the gig. Mrs. Layman, who i sustained a soveire injury to her thigh, was brought into the New Plymouth hospital. Tho other occupants of the veluole escaped unhurt. Some excitement was caused among •some of the settlers near Te Tiuiti by the actions of a man, a Swede, wha was wandering about the bilsh for several days. Eventually he discarded his clothing, and the settlers communicated with tlie police. The New Zealand "Herald" states that Constable Kennedy, accompanied by some settlers, located the man in the bush about four miles from town, and surrounded him< Tlie constable approached the nude bush dweller, who was armed with an axe, and attempted to use it. Tlie constable's rush, however, was too quick, and he received only a blow from the handle on tho shoulder. The man, when brought to the police station, said he had had no food for a week, but very little information could be obtained from him. He was committed to the Auckland Mental Hospital.

C omplete range of models for 1916 all Having overhead valves, electric lights, Electric self-starter, and electric horn. V .lives llin., enclosed and water circulated R einovablo cylinder head. Positivo 0 il pump, with sight feed on dash board L eather-faced oone clutch E very car has full tool equipment and T he prices vary from ,£225 to ,£345. Tlio Dominion Motor Vehicles, Limited, 65 Courtenay Place. Advt, AN ENGINEER'S IMPRESSION OF THE 1916 STUDEBAKER. Mr. Allan H. M'Lean, chief engineer and a director of the Tourist Motor Company, Hawke's Bay, agents for some years past for Silent Knight Minerva and Studabaker motors, recently went to America with the intention of securing the agency of one of the real top-notch American cars, whatever the price. He gives his impressions and the result of his invests gations in a letter to us, from which the following is an extract:—"l havo examined practically all the leading American oars, my intention being to secure the agency for a high-priced automobile. But after seeing the new Studebaker motors being manufactured, riding in one of them, and thoroughly investigating them, I consider it a waste _of time lo look for eomething better, which cannot be found. . . . The new Studebaker engine is the cleanest motor manufactured in America. Its power is a revelation, and the material is second to none. For quietness it is equal to the Silent Knight Minerva. All the improvements, without exception, which were considered necessary from our previous experience, have been incorporated in this new Studebaker, and I could not find a single detail that I could sugsrest as an improvement. . . . Tho 6tarter nud lighting, equipment is, in my estimation, the simplest and most reliable made. • . . The bodywork this year is excellent, and the cabrotoloi' and limousine are magnificent pieces of work,, equal in finish and appearance to any of the Minerva cars that wo linv« imported." We need only add that the price of the 1916 Studebaker 4-cylindor touring car is ,£345, and of the 4-rjlinder 3-s»ater roadster, .£335. Adams, Ltd., N.Z. Importers of Studebaker Motors, Christchurch, Palmerston North, and Wanganui. Agents: Tourist Motor Co., Hastings; J. Tombs and Co., Hamiltoni Auckland Motor Co., Auckland; Newton King, Stratford and Now Plymouth. Wi are opeu to appoint agents for Welling* 'mi. and Wairaraoa districts.—Advt.

A consecrated story, coming down from the Crimean days, relates how an officer, drawing his sword to lead a desperate cavalry charge, remarked: "Here goes £40,000 a year" (writes Sir Henry Lucy in the '-'Sydney Morning Herald''). It had probably no firmer foundation in fact than the Duke of Wellington's famous "Up Guards, and at 'em!" It is useful as reminding us that even in these days, when abolition of purchase has leavened the officers' mess with a new'social class, there are many moneyed men in the British Amy. Evidence on tho subject constantly appears in the list supplied to newspapers of wills of officers that have been proved. Here, for example, is the case of Captain , of the Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action near Ypres, who left unsettled property of the gross value of £24,651. On this capital ho might have lived comfortably at Home in town or oountry. At the call to arms he gave up everything, suffered in the trenches privations and dangers, obscurely died amid the rattle of machine-guns, and the flight of shrapnel, and is buried in a foreign land. The Chancellor of tho Exchequer counts with patriotic contentment upon the influx of death duties paid on the estates of millionaires. News has been received in New Plymouth that Mr. Charles Leech, a welllmown settler of the Awakiiio district, was accidentally killed by being run over by his dray (says tho "Taranaki Herald"). Mr. Leech, who was a son of the late Mr. T. G. Leech, of New •Plymouth and Inglewood, was very widely Ifnown in Taranaki, having fanned for many years in the Inglewood district, where he was also in business. Some years ago he removed to Awakino and acquired large farming interests there. He always took a prominent part in local politics, having been a member of the Moa Road Boartt atd president of the Farmers' Union. .He was also chairman of the Awakino County Council, \ a position which he resigned a year or so ago. On two occasions he stood for Parliament against Mr. W. T. Jennings, and on fho first occasion, in 1902, he was beaten for the Egraont seat by only a very narrow margin. Indeed, for a few days it was understood that he had been elected. Mr. Leech, who was 49 years of age, was married twice, and leaves a widow and one daughtor (Miss Lucy Leech, of Now Plymouth).