LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2962, 28 December 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There was no casualty list or hospital and progress report issued yesterday.

The Hon'. J. Allon has received information which proves-that tho statement so often made by auti-conscrip-tionists here that the majority of Australian soldiers at the front voted "No" in tho conscription referendum is not'correct.

The pick-pockots who havo been at work in Wellington during the last few days appear to bo fairly capable exponents of their particular "art." One lady had her pocket emptied while she was in a crowd at a post olfico counter. She did not discover her loss until slio had loft the building. A man had a pockot book containing money taken from bis Ilip Docket, whero ho bad placed it, under the impression that he had selected a place of safety. The hip pocket, as a matter of fact, is not a safo place unless it is provided with a flap and a button. Tho most secure spot for valuables in a man's clothes is the insido breast pockot, which cannot be reachcd from behind by a thief.

During yesterday's sitting of the Military Service Board hi Wellington, Mr. D. M'Laren mentioned that some appellants did not appear to realise that when they camo boi'oro the board they must bo.prepared to prove their cases. Tho onus oi' proof was upon the man who wanted 1 to bo exempted from service... or upon tho employer who wished to havo a worker exempted, and it was not enough to make, somo general statements regarding the difficulty that enlistment would present. Nor was it tlio business of tho board to extract information from appellants by means of questions. Tlio fact that a reservist had been summoned for service was prima facio evidence that lie ought to join tho forces, and it was for the appellant to prove otherwise if ho could.

Tho following special order has been issued to the New Zealand Medical Corps by Surgeon-General Henderson, Director-General of Medical Services:— "Tlio Director-General desires to extend to officers, sisters, u.c.o.'s, and men pf tho New Zealand Modical Corps hearty season's grcotings, and takes the opportunity of thanking all ranks for their good work during tho past year, and for the loyal assistance tbev havo rendered in carrying out the work of the_ corps, which has, as the result of their efforts,- maintained n high standard of efficiency.—Christmas, 1016."

A religious objector who appeared before tho Wellington Military Service Board yesterday in support of a claim' for exemption complicated matters by refusing to take tho oath before giving evidenso on his own behalf. He said that the Bible contained tho instruction "Swear not at all," and in his interpretation tho words meant that he must not swear to tell "tlio truth, tile whole truth, and nothing hut tho trfltli." He agreed, however, to make an affirmation that he would speak truthfully, and tho board was willing to lot it go at that. Tlio appeal was disallowed, on the ground that tlio religious objection was a matter, of personal opinion and was not based upon the tenets of tho sect to which the appellant owned allegiance.

Sometimes it happens (says an English writer) that litigants suffer inebnvenicnco when a-counsel briefed 011 their behalf is raised to tho Bench, the/services of an equally competent man not, always being available at short notice. Moreover, barristers are paid •in advance for their services, and a new Judge call, if he insists 011 his rights, retain the fee received with a brief, although debarred by promotion from .doing anything in return for it. It is told of an eminent .Judge, not long deceased, that the day before he readied tho Bench his clerk took a brief marked 100 guineas, together with a cheque for that amount. The solicitor who had sent the brief implored the hew Judge to return >tho money, as his client was comparatively poor. "I should be most happy to came the Teply, "but fear-that such an action would establish a precedent likely to prejudice the future rights of my legal brethren." "I fully appreciate .vour lordship's scruples'about establishing a precedent," wrote tho solicitor, "and in order to spare you from doing so I have stopped the cheque."

The Cllristchurch Citizens' Defence Corps recently communicated! with the Minister of ."Defence (Hon. J. Allen) suggesting that the official pictures taken by kinenmtograph operators at the front should be shown in New Zealand under the auspices of the various organisations working in each centre for sick and. wounded sdldiers and their dependants. . The corps points out to the Minister that arrangements could be made with the picture show, proprietors whereby the profits could be used advantageously for tho funds concerned. The Minister has replied 'stating that ho is in communication with the High Commissioner regarding the so. curing of the films.

Some of the Reservists who appear before tho Military Service Boards do not seem to understand their position clearly. They take lip the attitude of civilians, who have been disturbed at their work, and suggest in attitude and tone that the military authorities are upon their tinre. "I can't wait'any longer;" said one Reservist whoso appeal had not been settled.' as quickly as he would havo wished. "1 have my business to attend to." Tho fact is, of course, that the Reservist who is chosen by ballot for service with tho Expeditionary Force is a soldier as soon as he is oalled up. Tho whole business may be very inconvenient from his point of view, but the call is 'an imperative one, and ho must do .what he is told. Private interests have 'to stand aside, just as they have done in the cases of the tens of thousauds of men who have gone forward already as volunteers. The military hospital*-in Wellington and at Trentham received special attention from tho Salvation Army 011 Christmas Day. Mrs. Colonel Bray and Mrs. Staff-Captain Walls, who regularly visit these institutions, distributed amongst the men Christmas gifts amounting to the sum of £50. Each parcol prcsontcd' contained serviceable goods. A Rumanian of world-wide reputation, Georges Enosco, composer and violinist, is now serving as an orderly in a hospital in Bucharest. He is best known for his Rumanian Rhapsody. A Rumanian paper thus describes at the hospital"Every day, with an almost motherly care, the great composer ties the bandages of the wounded and addresses them with : words of encouragement. .At times lie remembers that, ho is an artist, and, snatching up his violin, be soothes the sufferings or our brave soldiors with of harmony that have been the clobirlit of the greatest capitals of Europe.' Thero are some curious regulations about British ombassics and their contents. For instance, the receptionrooms, tho staircase and corridor loading to thorn, and the principal entrance and the hall are furnished at the public expense. So arc also the study, tho chancery, and the officcs. Tho Minister must furnish the rest himself, and the Foreign Office especially stipulates that "muslin curtains, rugs other than hearthrugs, firescreens, clocks, cMnwy ornamonts, table lamps, and candlesticks will not be supplied." It further orders that "pictures are not to be hung nor brackets fixed 011 walls covered with silk or similar material." There aire many other regulations in addition which only a woll-trained diplomatist could hopo to master.

A conference of delegates from all over the country of the New Zealand Fodoratcd Boot Employees' Association, was opened yostorday. Tho first business of the conference, its principal task, is tho revision of tho association's rules. Tliis may occupy tho delegates for three or four days.

The Salvation Army, in additiou to supplying men for the lighting lino from amougst its officers, soldiers, and bandsmen, is unceasingly active in rendering aid and succour to tho wounded men ivho roturn by the hospital ships. Chaplain Captain Hoare has boon deputed to meet all vessels, and assist those who are in need of a helping hand. Many are the expressions of gratitude received from parents iu various parts of the Dominion whose sons have written homo concerning the treatment meted out to them by the members of this organisation,

It is reported thai flying from tho trenches in France to London and back again in tho samo day is becoming a not uncommon experience for officers of tho .British army. Tho story is told of how a soldierTecently left the trenches in Francs early in tho morning, took a Turkish bath in London some three and a half hours later, lunched at ono of the leading hotels in the British metropolis, and returned hack to the trenches in the early evening.

Several Southland people have hcon perplexed lately by an. unfamiliar moth which has made its appearance in their district. Ifc is the pheasant eyo moth, or Dasypodia Selenophera, and was first seen in Southland about six years ago. Tho insect comes from the Pacific Islands, and it is believed to liava Entered New Zealand with shipments of bauanas.

A suggestion that the Government should invite tenders for the growing of wheat has met with approval in Canterbury. Tho idea is that the Government should invito all farmers who aio prepared to grow wheat to stato the area, they would put in crop and the price they would accept for the. yield, and it is- assorted that if the Government stated that any profit left in its hands as the result of its handling the wheat would be given to the Red Cross Society or some similar organisation, many tenders would ho received ranging from 4s. 6d. a bushel to 65., or ss. M. Rcforring to this matter in Christchurch. Mr.. L. 1 M. Isitt. M.P., saM that the plan seemed to be an admirable! one. It avoided the clement, of compulsion. Tt gaTe those willing to grow wlieat at a lower price an opportunity to 3o so and to demonstrate their loyalty. Tt might enable the Government to secure wheat all much less than it was likely to pay by fixing a price. It would prevent a larger area than was required being put down in wheat. 'He had a suspicion that if the Government fixed the price even at ss. fid. there would be a big rush for wheat-irowing, and such a demand for seed that there might he a shortage. Under tho-tender system, as soon as the required area was reached, the Government could announce the fact and so obviate excessive growing.