LOCAL AND GENERAL
A few parents of soldiers now on active service have been much alarmed to receive recently packages of effects belonging to their sons. It is known that when a soldier is killed his effects are sent back to this country to the noxt-of-kin, and tho parents who have received these packages belonging to sons who, they believed, were still alive and well, have not unnaturally jumped to grave conclusions. Tho truth of the matter is that some two hundred packages of effects have been sent back from baso depots to next-of-kin, but they should have been accompanied by an intimation from New Zealand Base Records that the receipt of tho effects must not be accepted as evidence that any ill had befallen tho soldier to whom they belonged. _Apparently some of tliess notifications did not go out in time to reach the next-of-kin before the packages.
The schools of tho AVellington education district will reopen to-day. 'flic attendance oflicer of the hoard hits circularised head tcachers, with a view to immediate report 011 those pupils who are absent for reasons other than illness.
Among tho applicants for exemption from jury service yesterday was one who had to report yesterday for medirnj examination by the military. "That will not take all the week, will it?" said Mr. Justice Hoskine. "What happens if you're passed?' "I don't know," replied the applicant. "Neither do 1. Perhaps we had better let you go," was l*is Honour's observation,
A short hut impressivo ceremony was held at tlio Buckle Street Drill Hall last evening, when tho members of the 1) Battery paid a tribute of respect to n comrade gunner, W. IS. Bennett, who ;vas killed iii action. The parade having been formed up, Captain G. N. Goldie, who was in charge of tho parade, said: "Gunner AY. B. Bennett. His actions through lifo were clean and manly; as a sport he was true in every sense of the word, as a soldier ho knew- his job, and did it willingly and fearlessly, and we who knew him knew lit would <k it thoroughly. Our late comrade, Gunner W. B. Bennett, killed in action somewhere in Trance." The "Last Post" was then sounded, and tho ceremony was over. Among those present were Major Pctherick, Officer Commanding tho Battery, Councillor Hildreth, and Sir. P. Bennett, uncle of the deceased soldier.
Tho mobilisation of the Thirty-sixth Reinforcements is proceeding this week. Tho Canterbury men are due to arrive in Wellington this morning, and will proceed to Trentham camp. Tho Otago men will reacii camp to-morrow, the Wellington men on Thursday, and the Auckland men on Friday.
The special cominittoo of the City Council set up to consider the causeß of the failure of the temporary clearing house, and suggest means of dealing more effectively with .the inspection of milk problem, has already met. It is expeotcd that the committee will brinp: down a report at Thursday's meeting of the City Council.
During tho week-end the Y.M.C.A. Hostel ■in Boulcott Street was reluctantly compelled to turn scores of men away. Many of these were accommodated at tho Willis Street Y.M.C.A., while the matron arranged with nearby hoardinghouses to take in somo of tho men. At tho hostel during the weok-end 291 beds were used, and 603 meals supplied. The Y.M.C.A. in Willis Street provided 214 beds and over 360 meals to soldiers.
The following resolution from tho South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was endorsed by tho council of the "Wellington Chamber of Commerce yesterday: "That this chamber heartily endorses and supports the policy indicated by tho Rt. Hon. tho Prime Minister in regard to the disposal of the German colonies in the Pacific."
At tho Magistrate's Court in Christchurch, Arthur Bradshaw, who did not appear, was fined £5 on a charge that, boing a bookmaker, he trespassed on tho Riccarton racecourse, while a race meeting was beiftg held.—Press Assn.
i At the annual meeting of the Wellington Typographical Union it was resolved: "That this union views with approval the reported statement of tho Secretary of Labour that he thinks it is desirable that the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act should be amonded at an early date to enable unions to make provision in their rules for benefits; and, further, that this
union urges tho Government to pass tho necessary legislation during the next session to give effect to the view expressed by the Secretary of Labour."
Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, the wellknown actor-manager, left property of the gross value of £44,085, tho net personality being'£39,sls. After stating that ho had already provided for his wife and children by settlement, lie bequeathed the plate and other household effects at his residence to his wife, directing the executors to apply £500 for her benefit, pending her coming into the receipt or the income under the settlement. Subject to a legacy of £100 to his former cook, he leaves the residue of tho property on various trusts for members of his family. Sir Herbert empowered the executors to carry on his business at His Majesty's Theatre for such period as they think fit. It was his desire that his body should be cremated.
Bernard Smith, a boy fivo years of ago, whoso parents live at Porirua, was admitted to the Hospital at about half-past 2 yesterday, suffering from injuries to the head, due to a kick from a horse. His injuries are not considered serious.
There will be a great shortage of potash owing to war conditions, and the Marine Department is instituting inquiries, said Mr. Ayson to an Oamaru "Mail" reporter, regarding the possibilities o( the commercial utilisation of kelp, largely for the extraction of potash, in which it is very rich, and also for manures, etc. The kelp beds of the southern coast produce kelp in abundance and of remarkable length. Kelp leaves, extending for several yards on tlio surface 011 the extremo southern coast, havo been found to be rooted to the bottom in twenty fathoms of water.
John L. Sullivau's dentil in America recalls memories of the 'eighties, when he was tlio champion heavy-weight-boxer of tlio world and the idol of the boxing world. He was born in Boston in October, 1838, and made his hrst appearance in the ring when twentytwo years of age, when he knocked out George Rooke in two rounds. After that 110 was pitted against the best, and won big purses by defeating Paddy By an in 1882, and Jake Kilrain in a match for 10,000 dollars and the "Police Gazette" bell. Sullivan met his Waterloo when he fought James Corbett at New Orleans. He subsequently went on the stage, and as an actor visited Australia in the late 'nineties, playing in a melodrama, entitled "Hearts and Homes," in which lie figured as the village, blacksmith. His histrionio talent was scarcely on a par with his fighting ability, and the engagement was not a success. Consequently he never played in New Zealand.
A Patea to Pipiriki railway is the latest idea of Patea citizens, and the suggestion was discussed at a meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce. The suggestion had boen made that the Government bo urged at the termination of the war to take in hand tlio work of forming a railway lino to servo the double purpose of opening tip llio back country lying to tho eastward of Patea and connecting the port with the Main Trunk line. Mr. C. A. Larcombe, the originator of the idea, explained that a splendid grado tould be obtained along the valley of the Wlmjiuakura to connect with Pipiriki, to which a line was already being constructed from Ohakune, and had already reached Raotilii. It would be about 35 miles in longth. Personally lie believed that they had the best case in New Zealand for a railway to be built after tho war. After a brief discussion it was unanimously resolved that the member for tho district, Mr. G . V. Pearce, bo asked to meet T.he executive of the chamber and discuss the matter with them, with a view to the Government being approached md a survey of a route made.
A member of tho Koyal Flying Corps, a resident of Sydney, in the course of a letter to his brother, provides an outline of new British aircraft. "The aircraft of to-day," the writer states, "is improving wonderfully. Machines thivt woro England's hope and glory a few months ago are to-days heaps of ridicule, and Took as clumsy beside a modern machine as a camel does beside a wagtail. The tendency is to build very small craft, with every device liandv, and mechanically operaioi by the pilot. Try to imagine a machine built very much 011 the lines of a canary. Tho pilot operates (besides till his flying controls, switch, mixture, throttle, etc.), two fine .303 Lewis machine guns, geared and timed to lira accurately between the two blades of his propollor; and a boinb-tbrowing apparatus, capable of carrying ten large torpedoes. Instead of the pilot sitting right up near the nose of his machine, thus endangering his life in a crash, he sits well back near tho tail planes, and has a much better chance •>( escape in case either of firo or nose diving."
Some interesting sidelights, are thrown on life at Ruhlebeu by a letter which has been received by Mr. J. 11. Howell, Director of the Technical College, from Sir. A. 11. Jf>nes, an old student of the college, and now a prisoner of war in Germany (sayri the Christciiurch ''Press"). "There is undoubtedly a. splendid opportunity ior gaining experience in p"'lie work for all those hero who lure sufficient energy to avail themselves of. tho privilege," he says. "I'raeticaiiy all departments of a city corporation are in existence, and, in many instances, the work required is of such, a naturu that one's whole time has to be devoted to it. On tho other hand, there is the work of tho school and the Arts and Science Union to occupy every available hour'that a student is allowed. To walk through the chemical, physics, biological, and research laboratories is an education. Weird and marvellous aro the homc-ntado instruments and apparatus one sees there.. We, .ff course, now get valuable outside assistanco, and. therefore, the tables have a more civilised appearance than in the early days. The handicraft- workshops are a real Godsend. Models of yachts, motor boats, steamers, ships' engines, I and dozens' of other articles are being ! made every week. All kinds of bonk- | binding, leather work, and art metal i-work are produced—hut this side of camp life would take a book to describe."
Captain Roland M. Quinn, N.Z. Army Service Corps, who returned invalided to New Zealand on December 29, died in Wellington Hospital on Saturday,'after an operation. The . body will be buried to-day with full military honours.
"If you think you are going to turn a- Court of Justice into a common opera house you make a mistake. _ If there is any more of that you will all be turned out." Rebuke administered by Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., after silencing an outburst of laughter from court loungers during the hearing of a case.
Messrs. Harcourt and Co. will offer by public auction on Friday, February 22, all that piece of land having a frontage of 37 feet 4 inches to Hobson Street, by a depth of 130 feet, together with the 11-roomcd dwelling erected thereon, and known as No. 14 Hobson Street. The sale will take place at the firm's rooms,. 195 Lambton Quay. In Saturday's issue, by a typographical error, the date of the sale was given wrongly. The correct date is as above stated—Friday! February 22.
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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 4
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1,953LOCAL AND GENERAL Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 4
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