DISTRICT REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2725, 21 March 1916, Page 4

DISTRICT REPORTS.

(Prom Our Special Correspondents,) Featherston," March M—Bright and-warm.

Mastertoiv, March 20—Fine and warm. Greytown, March 20.—Fine and hot.

Mr. Coleman Phillips writes suggesting as one of the terms of peace (in addition. to the trial arid hanging of so many of the Prussian military and naval leaders for their crimes against International Law) that Berlin should be razed to the ground aud not allowed to be robuilt tor fifty years, as a. fitting punishment (not revenge) for the great number of. Belgian. French; and Polish tonus and villages so wantonly destroyed by the Germans; and the cruel and useless Zeppelin air raids in England, v all aimed'at the destruction of London. In this," lie calls attention to the prophet Zepliaimli's comment in the Bible (Chap. 3-15) upon the ruins of the proud city of Nineveh: "This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in lier heart I AM, and there is none .beside me;'how is she become desolation; a place for beasts to lie down in.. Evory one that passetli by "her shall hiss and wag Iris hand." Such a punishment would prove a lasting lesson to Germany and Europe for a thousand years to come. Without it, the whole horror of the present war will be forgotten by'the next generation; and there will bo no stopping the misery from the frightful bombing of defenceless towns by hostile aircraft. For the progress of civilisation, our common luimaflity must impose suoh a punishment for the preservation and sanctity of home life, as apart from national life, which is to be preserved in quite another way. It would, also be well, to' lot Germany know that if her 40 Zeppeiins make a simultaneous raid on London or Paris, and wreck either of those cities, that Berlin will bo rami to the ground, ami Germany's internal railway system dis.organised' Wr the next half century.

A record quantity of coal passed over tho Wellington wharves last year. The quantities for the last six years were:— 1909-10. 502,698 tons; 1910-11, 477,712 tons; 1911-12, 502,499 tons; 1912-13, 548,802 tons; 1913-14 , 546,480 tons; 1014-16,. 669,181 tons.

Last year 108 vessels were 'taken up on the Patent Slip for repairs mid paint-, iilg, according to a Statement mftda at luceting of tho Wellington Harbour Board.