LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 250, 10 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

'1 he evidence taken before the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, at Auckland. Inst week, at the preliminary int|tury into the circumstances of tho loss of tho steamer Wimmora off the North Coast, on the morning_ of June 25, was received by the Marine Department yesterday. A few days will- have to ellipse before a decision is reached as to whether a magisterial inquiry will .be necessary or not.

Writing to his relatives, Lieutenant Grace, of Rnngiora, gives details of the manner in which Maior B. 8. Jordan, a Main Body man, nnd a well-known Rangiora resident, was hilled, states a Press Association telegram from Christchurch. Lieutenant Grace says (hat at a sports gathering at Codford Camp Major Jordan went vp with an American airman, who was doing some fancy "stunts." After looping the loop several times they descended in a spiral, in the middle of one of the wings broke and they fell from a height of 15C0 feet. When iho two men were picked up they were found with hands clasped as if they had made a final shake of the hands as the machino crashed to earth.

"Don't forget tho wowser," said the president of the Country Racing Clubs' Association last night. "He has got his eye 011 us, and we have to keep our eye 011 him. He is there to take advantage of any favouring breeze. It was listening to the wowser to a large extent that lost us many racing days last year. If it had'not been for the plforts of somo racing men who came here to fight, for the interests' of the country clubs wo would have lost onc-hali' the race days instead of one-third."

Tho Auckland branch of the Railway Officers' Institute recently passed a number of resolutions, the general effect of which was that so many men had been taken -from the clerical branch of the Department that it would not much longer be safe lo replace them with untiained or partly trained substitute casuals, and that if more men are to be taken for military scrvice, more casuals should be employed to replace them than the number actually taken out of the 6erviee. The resolutions set out that the officers in tho instituto wore wishful to discharge their full duty as loyal citizens at present, but that they considered that the danger point had already been Teached, and that in view of the responsibility of the officers for tho safe running of trains, they wished to bring tho matter under the notice of the management. Tho Minister of Railways stated yesterday that the matter was under the consideration of Cabinet, but that he was not yet prepared to make a statement on it.

A. Press Association. telegram from Hastings nt<jt;>s:—The Hastings commit - tee of the lied Jersey appeal on Monday night handed over to Colonel M'lnnes, representing Commissioner Rodder, a cheque for XIMM 13s. 6d.. the amount, collected in the Hastings district.

The' appointment of an inspector of hospitals, to stipervieo the business side of the administration, just as there is an inspector on the medical side, is proposed by the Minister in Charge of Hospitals, the Hon. CI. W. Russell. Speaking at Auckland on Saturday, Mr. Russell said that it would be the duty of this officer lo visit each' institution to r>ci) that practical business management was introduced into every department of hospital control. Tho Minister anticipates a great iniproveme.it in administration if tho services of a .suitable man aro secured. Mr. Russell said tho appointment of a Departmental architect was also being considered. Quite recently accounts amounting to several thousands of pounds came before, the Department for work doiie for individual'boards. and it was anticipated that if tli is work were done in future by a Departmental oilkw a great. _ monetary saving would bo effected. The Minister said the salary dtiawn by the Government architect, who was responsible for nil the public buildings in New Zealand, was .£730 a year. The principle lind already b?en established by the appointment of Mr. Anderson, chief engineer of tho Porinia Mental Hospital, as advisory sngi'iecr io the. Public Health Department, and his rerviccs were available to all hospital boards.

The Graves R<vislntioti Commission baa undertaken to provide, whenever possible photographs of the graves of deceased New Zealanclers buried in France, I'nfortunntely, it is not possible to photograph tho great majority of the gl'aves of New Zeainnders at present, as they arc in enemy hands, or in tho activo area of hostilities. As photographs rill be dispatched to next-of-kin as soon as they n.ro received in Wellington, Base Records Office advise that it is unnecessary to make written application to any Government Department.

Thorp was quito a- notable gathering of members of the theatrical and musical profession in Wellington yesterday morning. Thorn arrived by the _ Riverina from Sydney Signor Capelli, the talented Italian tenor, who was in Wellington eighteen months ago with the Gonsalez Opera Company, and who returns with «. concert party (under the management of Mr. John Hopkins), which includes Mr. John Anndio (the eminent flautistt, Miss Bedford, soprano, and Signer _ Cesaroni, the Italian operatic baritone (also hero with the Gonsalez Company). The Scarlet Troubadours arrived by the same steamer, and besid.es these, Mr. Mawicc Halph (representing "Peg o' My .Hrarf'), tihe members of the "Dick WhittingInn" Pantomime Company, and the English Pierrots were in town. At ono street meeting there were no fewer than nineteen mummers lircssnt, representing five distinct companies. Had the Biverina arrived on Monday morning tho "Bing Boys" Company would have swelled the ranks of the players on tonr in New Zealand.

Great heroism was displayed by Mr. ,T. Mulvenna. ono of tho A.B.'s on the Wimmera, who, with Mr. B. Benson, another A.8... was lost as the result of selfsacrificing efforts on behalf of tho passengers (says an exchange). These brave men helped to get several of the boats out, lowering tliem qnito regardless of their own safety, and did not ccaso their efforts to save life when the boat to which they wero allotted had been safely lowered. Mulvenna was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and, had no relatives in Now Zealand. Benson, whose coreect, name is believed to ho Borston, came from Sweden. TTo also had no relatives in New Zealand, it. is the unanimous opinion of the survivors that the lieroism and devotion to duty displayed ltv these two men cannot be praised too highly.

Tho circumstances touching (lie death of Herbert Lloyd Dash, a soldier attached to the Fortieth Heinforeements, who was killed as a rrsult of falling from a horse at Trentham Camp oil "Friday last, wore innuired into by the Coroner, Mr. W. G. liiddell, S.M.. at Trenthnm on Monday afternoon. Evidence was Riven by Dr. A. 11. 13. Wall, medical officcr at Trentliam Camp, that dentil was duo to a fracture of the skull, the ir,juries being consistent with a fall from a horse. Private Cnthbert William .Tordan , E Company, 'Fortieth 'Reinforcements, stated that at. twenty minutes to 2 p.m. on Fridav lie saw deceased outside the Camp Headquarters. Captain Cheater's horse was tied to a fence nearby. and the deceased, savin" he could ride, was requested to lake the animal back to the stable. Witness had to render Dash assistance in mounting the horse, as deceased was a short man. After the horse had jjone a short distance it commenced to sallop, and disappeared from view. Donald M'Lood said ho saw the deceased with 0110 leg out of the stirrup. Deceased did not appear to be able to ride. Herbert Lancelot ftussoll said fho deceased lost control of tho horse. Deceased Iried to pull the animal up, but lost his balance and fell off. A verdict was relwned that deceased was killed nccidentnllv, the cause of death being fincluro of tho skull, duo lo a fall from a horse.

Tho report of the. Alliance Assurance Company slates Hint soventy-threo members of the staff have mado tho supremo sacrifice. In addition to this large number p great many more have been wounded, nud there are still between three and four hundred officers of the company i:l the front. Generous provision hns been made by the company for nil men whilst they arc fighting, and uo doubt similar consideration will ho extended to the dependants of those who have lost their lives.

A man named Michael Kelly, who failed lo respond to his bail at the Magistrate's Court on June 12 last, to answer a charge of breaking and entering the premises of Messrs. Miller and Ahearn, Wakefield Street, on June 3, was arrested' at Wangnnui on Monday, and was remanded to appear at Wellington, lie will lio brought before the Court to-duy. When Kelly was originally before the Court lie was jointly charged with a man named George Selway with having broken and entered Messrs. Miller and Ahcarn's warehouse, and stolen a. riiinnlity of suiting cloth. Both accused were admitted to bail in the sum of .£SO, and when the case came on for hearing Kelly was stated to bo missing. Setway pleaded not guilty to tho allegation against him, and was committed toi the Supreme Court for trial. As a result; of Kelly's disappearance an application was made lo Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.JI., last week for the estrea'.ment of the i'Sff bail, which had been found by a man named Johnston M'Donald, who went surety for him. His Worship, however, did not make an order.

Figures indicating the strength of America's support in connection with the war were given by Mr. A. A. Winslow, American Consul-General, at tho Auckland Orphans' Cinb on Saturday evening. He said the United States |i»<l now an army of at least 1,000,000 men on tho Western front. The Republican Government had made loans totalling Ji!),000,000,000, of which X 1,200,000,000 had been lent to the Allies. The shipping put into commission since tho war started aggregated 1,000,000 tons. Last Thursday—lndependence Day—DO vessels had been launched on the Pacific Slope. In connection with her Army, America had requisitioned the services of 20,000 doctors, 10,00(1 nurses, and. 200,000 men had been enlisted for Red Cross work. Mr. Winslow predicted tho end of the war in six months' time, and lie concluded by repenting one significant phrase of Mr. Wood row Wilson's last American Independence, Day oration: "What we seek is the reign of law based upon the consent of tho governed and sustained by the organised opinion of mankind."

That it is not wiso to be careless in little things a local resident found to his cost a few days ago (says the "Mataura Ensign"). Some three months ago ho left on a holiday to the North Island, and in the natural course of things gave the local Defence Office his future address. Some weeks ago ho returned to his home in Gore, but overlooked the necessity of informing tho Defence authorities at tho town at he had been staying that lie intended to return home, in the meantime he was called up for medical examination, did not appear. and could not be found. Warrants for his arrest wero issued, and after some little time reached Gore, where lie was arrested and escorted to the police station to explain. A visit to the Defence Office at Invercargil] and medical examination classifying liim C 2 saved liim from an awkward situation.

During the last passage of the Moeraki from Wellington to Sydney service was held on board on Sunday, both morning and evening, and tho offertoTj; was devoted to the relief of the shipwrecked seamen of the Winimera. One of tho saloon passengers asked the officiating minister to suggest that, in addition, a concert be hold on the following dny (Monday), and tho proceeds added to tho Sunday offertory (,£3 125.); and still another suggested the taking of a subscription list round the saloon nassengers, offering to head tho list himself. These suggestions wore acted upon, with the result that a. further sum of nearly .£23 was added to tho fund, which totalled over JE3I at the close of the concert. This amount was handed to the captain by the promoters, for the relief of the wrecked seamen of the steamer Wimiuera as a thank-offering to Almighty God for tbeir own immunity from the perils of the deep. The captain, in returning thanks for thus contribution to tho funds of tho Royal Humnne Society for the relief of shipwrecked seamen, stated that,' owing to tho casualties at sea occasioned by tho war, the society required every penny that could bo raised to meet (ho demands upon'its resources. . /

The Manawatu Racing Club oil Monday night decided to voto .£4IOO out of this year's profits to patriotic funds, making a total -of .£11,500 for (lie same ourpose since the war began, states a Press Association telegram.

Mr. Robert Scott, well-known in dredging circles in Otago Central, returned from Sinm last week after an absence of over (wo yoars. Mr. Scott was ono of the overseers in a. big tin dredging works ,in Siam—in fact, the concern is ono of the biggest of its kind in tho world. Only a few white men aro engaged in the work, a fair proportion of whom are. New Zealanders, and there are about 700 coolies—practically all the Eastern races being represented. Mr. Scott, whose health was beginning to give way, travelled pari: of the way on bis return to New Zealand by a big Dutch steamer, which had been commandeered by tho Allies. There were but seven white men in the crew. The captain was a. naval officer, 81 _ years of Age, the second officer an ex-lighthouse keeper, and the third officer a. Spaniard. Ono of the engineers was a civil engineer, and had never been to sea in a working capacity before. Tho rest of the crew were coolies. Mr. Scott, who is in the mid-forties, says he was tho oldest white man on Hie vessel. One can imagine the difficulties the engineers Aad to work under when it is stated that 110 plans of the engine-room were forthcoming when tho vessel was taken over on behalf of the Allies.

Tile restrictions on women wishing to leave New Zealand to travel through the danger zone are being rigorously enforced. the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affair.?, stated at Auckland on Saturday. He said that acting on the instructions of the Imperial Government, the Dominion authorities wero issuing passports to women in cases of extreme urgency only. Recentlv, the Imperial Government had imposed still stricter conditions in regard to ono particular portion of the danger v.one. Referring to complaints that had been madeot tho large number of women whoso names appear in passenger lists of out-ward-bound steamers, Mr. Russell said it was supposed that these were New Zealand women who had obtained passports, while others were refused. lie explained that a large number of Australian women come to New Zealand in possession of passports issued by tho Commonwealth Government. These women obtained passages on New Zealand steamers to cross the danger zone, and it was natural that passengers from Australia, who wished to go to England or America by tho quickest and safest route, should conio to New Zealand to obtain their passages. The Dominion Government was not responsible for this, and it would not lie practicable for the Government to refuse to allow Australian women', who were in possession of tho necessary documents, passages on steamers from New Zealand.

Lieutenant-Colonel Colquhoun, in returning thanks for the returned men at a welcome social nt Dunedin, met with a very warm reception. He said at tho oulset that tho work of the women's association was specially grateful to tho men. They were doing splendid vovlt, which was highly prized. In his opinion there was absolutely no doubt ol theultimate success of the Allied '"aitse. There were stiff, times ahead, hut the Hun would he beaten. There were in Franco two outstanding tilings that impressed everyone. The first was tho great confidence of the French people, and tho second was the marvellous gocd spirits of our men. He left; the New Zealand Division at (he end of March, just after the Ilun had commenced his great offensive, and tho division bad done sonio excellent work in stopping the advMiCe. Ho hail been asked what was his opinion of the Amorican soldiers. lie had not had tho "chance of seeing tiicir work in France, but lie met a lot. in England. They were great talkers the Americans, but there was no doubt' that the American nation was with tho Allies in earnest with all I hey had got, and he was confident Hint the American soldier would make good, 'the New Zealand Division had won a proud place in (tie British Army. The highest authorities considered it one of tho very best divisions in Prance, aud he would ask all to do everything they could to assist Iho authorities in keeping (hat division up to strength. He had been closely assoeiated with the Otngo Regiment during the whole of his career, and lie was proud of the men ol' Hie Olago Regiment.

Try Doctors' Cream O'Groats. Unliko imported foods, it is always reliable, pure and fresh—Advt,

The Military Affairs Committee hay# received from the Eltliam County Patriotic Society a donation of JESO9 feff the erection of a Church Army hut. Tho hut will bo known as tho Eltharo. County Hut.

The challcngo of tho Canterbury branch of the lied Cross Society to lay a copper trail between Dunedin and Chnstchurcli has been accepted by the.' Otago branch. Tho trail will be laid on. tho basis of 2h. per yard, and each branch aims at raising jC40,000. The funds raised by the Otago branch will lie devoted to the British Red Cross Society and tho Soldiers' Convalescent Homo at Montecillo. It is intended to start the laying of the trail early in August, and tho effort will bo brought to a close on October 18.

Several judgments will bo delivered this morning in the Supreme Court. At 10 o'clock the Full Court will deliver judgment in the cas.o of the Registrar of Industrial Unions v. Canterbury Slaughtermen's Union. At 10.30 o'clock tho Court of Appeal, Second Division, will deliver judgment iu the caso of Cool; v. Webb; Inter tho Chief Justice will pronounce judgment in tho ease of Smart v. Craig, and Ilis Honour Mr. Justico Chapman will deliver judgment in tho case of Hooper v. Saicsbury. .