LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Tost and Telegraph Department advisos that persons intending to send Christinas greetings cablo messages to soldiers for delivery in England or Franco should lodge the messages not later than December I' 2, in order to ensure their delivery by Christmas Day.

News from England states that Lieut. Roy J. Fitzgerald, son of tho late Mr. William _C. Fitzgerald, for many years chemist in Wellington, has boon awarded tho Military Cross (luring tho recent "push" on the Somino. Ho was well known at the Terrace School and Boys' College, and later Rorvcd his time in Luke's foundry. He joined tho 12th Gloucestershire. Regiment. early in the war. A brother, Captain Maurice Fitzgerald, is with the S. Midland Royal Engineers, and another brother, Trooper F. J. (Jan) Fitscf in Id, is with tho 2nd King Edward's Horse. A. sister, Nurse Eileen Fitzgerald, has recently been accepted for military service.

Tho people of the Gishorno district have (says, a Press Association telegram) lately been canvassed for support for a prospect having as its object daylight saving by putting tho clock on one hour from November to March in each year without reference to what tho rest of the Dominion may do. Tho proposal, which originated with the School Committees' Association, has received the general support of sjorts bodies, public societies, etc., and has been, affirmed by the Borough Council, and steps are te be taken to set tho scheme in motion, if the Government raises no insuperable harriers. It is contended that Gisborne's isolated position and climate renders the district peculiarly suitable for tho experiment. An alteration of clocks in Uishorne would not affect the Test of tho Dominion.

The following is an extract from a Wellington soldier now in Egypt who went away with tho Sixth Reinforce--ments'"'The Australian. Light Horso displayed very little enthusiasm whon asked to vote on tho conscription question. The opinion seemed to bo noli that tho question in point was not one for either them or tho public of Australia to ballot for. One-chap expressed himself to me in terms something like this' We're stuck donkey deep into this war now, and if chaps don't keep coming till we get out or tho mire, then, we and all those who preceded us and are "down and out might just as wollthavo flown tho whito flag right at the jump. ' The Government know quite well whether we say "yea" or "nay" that they mil have to send men, so they might just as well use a firm hand and compel those who won't volunteer right off and be done with it.'"

"I cannot understand liow cases are brought to the Court when thoy could bo settled easily without going to enormous expense in litigation, said Mr. 0. C. Kettle, S.M., at Auckland, when a dispute regarding an account came before him. It seemed ridiculous, lio said, that "heavy expenses should be incurred in litigation over_ a few pounds. In the case before lum about £20 was disputed, and it would cost in litigation from £30 to £50, whereas, by consent, tlio matter could have been settled by calling in a- valuer. Tho parties in the case accepted a. suggestion from the Magistrate 'tlmt thoy should confer, and later were able to announce that they had settled their differences.

The new officers' mess at Trentham Camp, which replaces the building destroyed by fire some months ago, is now completed, and in use. Tho building contains a roomy mess-room and a large smoking-room _ or lounge, both of which are panelled in firo-proor material and dark wood, the effect being very pleasing. Tho usual kitchen and pantries lead off the mess-room. In the furnishing of tho mess, which was carried out under the direction of the officers, and at their own expense, artistic effect and comfort have been happily combined, while the lighting of the room is well arranged.

At the annual meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, the following motion was carried unanimously:—"That this Chamber congratulates the Government on having at length brought in conscription, and sincerely hopes that in administering the Military Service Act 110 weakness will be shown. That the attention of the Government be, drawn to the fact that disloyal and seditious speeches are being made in public, and suggests that the Government should give tho matter immediate attention." —Press Association.

The arrival of teu Hindus from the Islands by the Talune was commented on- at the New Zealand Watersiders' Conference at Auckland. The conference expressed the opinion that this was an attempt by employers to replace meu who had left to fight for their country. Tt was dccided to bring tho matter,under tho notice of organised labour bodies. —Press Association.

Major Petherick, officer commanding D Battery, New Zealand Territorial Field Artillery, announced at Tuesday's parade of the battery that the annual artillery training camp will be held at Waikanao from February 5 to 13, 1917.

During the recent whaling season Mr. J. Perano's whaling party captured 34 whales, one of which was a valuablo right whale. Prior to the war a whale of this species was valued at £500. Tho Baldick party was not so successful, capturing only seven whales, all of which wore liump-back. The Perano party had in uso a now boat of 120 horss-power, as well as two other smaller vessels, while Baldick's carried out operations in two new boat 6, of 65 h.p. and 85 h.p. respectively. The Treaty of Friendship that existed between the King of Tonga and tho German Emperor since November 1, 1876, is now regarded by the Tougan Government as having been terminated, as a result of tho outbreak of war between Britain and Germany. VTho Kaiser always had a weakness for the tiny island kingdom and its monarch, and numerous presents and orders m the possession of George Tubbu II testify to his regard. Included in the fift« are a handsome State barge and a life-sized oil-painting of Frederick tho Great of Prussia.

A splendid catch of trout is reported from Lake, Taupo, three English visitors —Messrs. Green, Tomlin, and Beaohcroft—securing 144 fish for one. day's angling. The average weight was 4jlb., the largest being 91b. When a girl of twelve waß before the Juvenile Court in Auckland the other day. Sister Esther stated that tho story told by the girl, in her own way, was to the effect that she had lived for a while with her stepfather and mother, but was at an early age placed with Maoris, where she lived until she was five or sis years of age, when she could not speak any English, only Maori. • She had since then been returned by the Maoris to her father, sent on to other Maoris, returned to other persons, again sent to white people, and at nine years of age had to milk ten cows morning and • night. "When she was sent to the speaker's care the child had never worn hoots or shoes, and had feet.like a lujian's, while her body and head were wholly neglected. She said that when living with the Maoris she slept on fern and ti-tree, and she had never been inside a church. The Magistrate committed tho girl to the Auckland Industrial School.

A copy of the sailing notice of the vessel Jiealandia, which brought pioneers from London to Lyttolton in the early 'sixties, has hee'i presented to Canterbury Museum by 'Mr. H. AAdloy, and will bo placed in the old colonists 1 section of tho institution. It has a historical interest, and, in addition, shows some of the conditions under which long sea voyages were made about half a century ago. lor one thing, it sets out with scrupulous exactitude the dietary scale of each passenger, and tho charges made for some of the "extras," which included spirits, 3s. a bottle; brandy, 4s. a bottle; and portor, Is. a bott!e._ The fares wero:—Saloon cabin, 60 guineas; second (bouse on deck), 30 guineas; third (intermediate), 18 guineas; fourth (open berths), 16 guineas. It is announced that "the saloon table is liberally supplied with provisions or tho best quality, including live slock.

A Maori named Wi Hape was arrested ed at Kotorua on a charge of sccreting fllahia Hakckc, a witness in the ltua cases, and getting him away from Auckland) to defeat- the ends of justice. He Was brought Before Mr. Dyer, S.M., and remanded till Thursday morning.—Press Association.

A telegram from Dunedin states that John Webster was yesterday committed for trial on a cliaTgo of setting fire to A. and J. Watt's furniture factory. Bail was refused'.

The report as to the number of sick and wounded 1 soldiers in tho care of tho Public Health Department for the week ending November 27 shows that on that date tliero were in all 175 inpatients and. 62 out-patients—a total of 237 —in the sevoral hospitals and convalescent homes. tho week 75 in-patients and 30 out-patients were discharged. At Rotorua there were 41 convalescents in tho King George V Hospital, and 27 in the sanatorium. Of these 18 were discharged soldiers who had taken advantage of tho regulation under which, on the occurrence of illness caused on active service, a soldier can get a certificate from the Public Health Department and receive free treatment. Thero wore 29 in-patients at Queen Mary's Hospital, Hanraer. "Speaking generally," said tho Hon GVT. Russell, Minister of Public Health, "tho number of returned 1 soldiers in the hospitals and convalescent homes is exceedingly low, considering that over 6000 men have returned to Now Zealand sick and disabled. Experience shows that in a very largo number of cases the sea voyage has a most gratifying effect in bringing the men back to health."

With reference to the cablegram published on Tuesday to the effect that the British, French, Russian, and Italian Governments liavo issued a declaration stating that by deliberately creating unemployment in Belgium a-s an excuse for the deportations, and recommending the wholesale removal of foodstuffs from Belgium, the Germans are tearing up every guarantee upon which the work of the Neutral Relief Commission is based, and appealing to the civilised World to 6ee that tho great work of benevolence is not destroyed, the Hon. (1. W. Russell (Minister ot Internal Affairs) said yesterday that the attention of the Government had been drawn to the matter by. tho Belgian Consul for New Zealand at Auokland, Mr. A. M. Ferguson. In consequence the Government is communicating with. tho High Commissioner, in order to ascertain the exact position. "Up to the present," said Mr. Russell, "large sums of money have been regularly forwarded through the Neutral Relief Commission for the assistance of our brave -Belgian allies. If, as . appears from the declaration issued by the Governments of tho Allies, the food forwarded through the Neutral Commission is being seized by Germany, clearly the people of New Zealand must be fully acquainted with the faots. In the meantime I hope there will be no cessation of the generosity of the people of New Zealand towards the Belgians, and I desire to assure ehe public that every care will bo taken through the BritisTi Government and' the Neutral Commission to ensure that our brave Allies . in Belgium receive the full benefit of tha assistance which, is being _ forwarded through the Internal Affairs Department.

Pte. Donald M'Gallan, who a. few months ago was reported killed, the report being corrected later, in a letter to a member of the Christchurch Press Company's staff; of which he was a member beforo his enlistment, tells how his name came to appear in .the casualty list:—"l was taking a stroll down a hill in Fritz's view, when I heard an H.IS. (hign explosive shell) coming, so jumped into a shell-hole. The shell hurst just in front of m©,_ and, of course, buried me. . A major a.t the back of me eaw that I had disappeared, and came to the conclusion that I. had been blown to bits, and reported accordingly. I could not find my company till two or three days after, and the report of my death /went tight through to headquarters. It looked quite funny to see my name in the English papers. At time of writing Private; M'Gallan was in Brockenhurst Hospital, .England, recovering from an operation for appendicitis. A resident of Christchurch has received from a friend in England a letter describing the destruction of a Zeppelin. The writer says:—"The last Zeppelin was hit just about directly over our leads. When she was first caught by ■ the searchlights -she began, shooting backwards aud forwards over us, to try and escape. The bombardment was fine, our _guns and the enemy's, not to mentioil the bombs. One fell in the field across the road, and gave us a nice jolt. We were glad when we saw the airman's signal (three balls of coloured fire) drop. They do this to show they are above the Zeppelin and able to hit her.- We saw her shot, and I ; can't describe the explosion and blaze that followed. The guns ceased fire and we could go outside. It was just as well, for burning pieces were coming down, and we wont outside to stamp them. out. Showers of aluminium framework came down on us, but the main part with the engines fell harmlessly in a field. It is perfectly terrifying to see a thing tno sizo of a battleship in flames over your head, I can tell you. No damage that signified was done —a good many broken windows and fallen ceilings from bomb concussion. This last Zeppelin was quite new, finished in June, apparently, and the crew were very fine men. One fell close to the Grange, about five minutes' walk from here."