LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 62, 7 December 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Now that hostilities have ceased is interesting to note Hie present position of (hose re-ervisls, druwn in successive ballots under Ihe Military Service Act, who for various reason* could not be found, and therefore succeeded in evading service. What treatment will be accorded these' men must, of cour.se, be decided by the' Government as a .jiialtor of general policy. In the meantime, however, tlio followinsj particulars nf ■military defaulters will lie read wild interest by tlie general public:—From August, lillG, wheii' the .Military Service Act was placed upon the Statute. Hook, Io October 31 last, l.'M-.'.ii) men were drawn in the ballots. Of this number 10,515 were passed- to the Director of Personal Services as defaulters. Of these defaulters, no feivw I ban Rloß were pficured, CBD were still under investigation, and 136-t were subjects of warrants in the hands of the police.

The suggestion was made to. Ihe .Minister of Defence in the House of Representatives yesterday that in view of the great shortage of doctors, as revealed by the recent epidemic, lie ,should cable IfoiiK! asking for the immediate release from the Expeditionary Force of as many doctors as could -ho.spared. .The Minister said thai as every transport came back will) returning drafts of men doctors would come with them. These doctors would remain in (he country, lie would be (,'lad to telegraph to the Commanding Officer asking that he should release any medical officers who could be spared," but* H was obvious that a sufficient number of doctors must bs retained wilb the force to deal with the men there.

At iv meeting of the executive of the Wellington DcUirned Soldiers' Association, held Inst Wednesday, Die following motion was cawied in silence, the members standing: ''Thai this committee of the- Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association expresses its sincere sympathy with relatives of those memliers who succumbed to the influenza epidemic, and will bo glad to render assistance in obtaining any information they may desire."

Ono of the- men epidemic- helpers who during the worst stages of the scourge was in: close co-operation with the woman responsible lor the attempted kidnapping of the Minister of Health (the Hon. G. W. Kussell) and the .Mayor (Mr. J. P. 'Luke) informed n. Dominion reporter last night that it had been decided among a considerable mitnbgr of the Jielpcrs'that they ask the- authorities for the release of (lie woman before 5 p.m. to-day,' failiug which they would not give -further assistance. It was pointed out that this .decisive .action would be taken in fairness to the lroinaiij who in-the last, few weeks .had done truly magnificent work as an emergency sanitary inspector, and was now in delieato health as' the result'.

A Press Association telegram from llokitikii slates-.—An open-air, public meeting'.at li'iniu favoured the lifting of ■a ' portion of ('he. timber, l.es.'rvation. for mining purposes for eawniill'ing, to assist in giving continuous .employment .in the district. A. motion was also carried urging the Government to.stand firm on. the question, nf.not trading the .Pacific lslHii'fls back to the enemy. •

Our Petone correspondent states (hat the ITult Valley Labour Party proposes,to rim n candidate for Parliamentary honours at the next elections. '

It has been officially decided that (lie matriculation and entrance scholarship!) examinations will begin on January '21. The Wellington Free Public' Libraries, which have, been closed 'down' for i>. fortnight'owing to the epidemic, arc. to be α-copened this'morning. '.

Mouse owners-must view will) fi.ome in(crest tit least one elaiwe in Iho War Legislation JJi 11 iih amended by the Legislative Council.-■ From clause 11 (sb) of (lie Jiill--it -npiicsirs -that a lumVuer of members propose'thnt the tenant (nvo;i if he. is nut 'ii returned soldier) shall be compelled to give! m> possession of a house to enable* the owner himself to live in it. A house'owner, commenting ..yesterday upon- the clause, observed to n reporter Unit the 'owner in any ciiso might be a returned soldier or a workman, mid yet niiglil.fiml-hiinself "out-on the street" through the.operation of-the clause, because.: lie.would- be'unable to obtain possession" of his : ow'n house to live in. "I fold- ii house'on .1 i.'25 deposit oil]v the other day," he remarked, '"because the man who wanted .if was practically oat oil tlio street/ I"had to cn.ll en thefenfint to move out, and she found elsewhere. But if the clause referred to were in force a man'who had saved up' ,£25 would perhaps be muvble. (0 get a house, .'while/a'. tenant "who. hud'.saved nothing would have one.'" ...

Messrs. Thomas.-Brobk', Robert Ilou.lislon. ami William Chayton have been appointed commissioners to classify pastoral runs in tho-Wesllan.d district.

A I'i'uss Association telegram from Foxton states, that Dr. Mandl v.'as.-presented yesterday afternoon by the Mayor (Mr, Chrystall), on behalf of (he citizens and district settlers, with a testimonial appreciative <ef his splendid,efforta 'during the, recent epidemic. hail to attend two - tem pornry' hospitals and look lifter-town and , district patients' and Maoris, single-handed.: The low mortality was a splendid 'testimony to his skill; iiiid untinuK and unselfish tfforls.

The picture theatres-of Auckland; to the number of sixteen, .were- permitted to reopen for business as' from Thursday last. Business was not particularly good on Hint-day, owing to (he. weather, being very wet. ' Fuller's; vaudeville-com-pany at the Opera House i.s recommencim;'flt a .matinee this- afternoon. ■- -Up till yesterday afternoon the; local picture and other theatre proprietors had received no notice ae to when they will be allowed to open: '. ■' • ■'. .".

Corporal James Henderson, eon of Mr. John Henderson, of Ellice Avenue, Wellington, was captured'l>y the Germans last Easter', since.when.nothing had been heard by his relatives concerning his welfare or whereabouts. Anxiety hns been set at rest by : the' arrival this week of a communication from the young Aew Zeaifliulcr himself, .'dated '.' Augiist, andwritten from 'a. German prison camp. At first the' , prisoner, in his own words, found , things rough, but conditions later improved.- and he was supplied with clothes and .cigarettes'- and other ai , - iKlcs, though'l'ood was very scarce. Prisoners who received parcels were l)?st oft', it ml Corporal Henderson was expecting a good time when his parcels arrived. At. tho time of wilting hc'wns well, and was engaged as assistant cook at the camp, the chief cook being a German, with •i'hoin he got on well, he having picked -p si smattering of. German and being able to converse to a certain extent. At the time of his capture, .Corporal..Hen(ler?on was a member of the Kiitrencliing Dn'ttnl.ion. lie left.- with the TweiityI'oiirili Heiiifnrcement.

Af a spccin! uieeling of the Xpwtqini Branch of the Xew Zealand Lnbbur Party, held on ■•■Wednesday, ll'r. Robert Kemple,was 'nominated to contest the Wcllii!"ton South by-election, occasioned by tliß.dentil of. the'bile Mr..A. H. Hindmarsh. c The petrol ami oil 'jiosilion in (he Dominion ran now lie con.-iclprcc! us fairl\" siitisl'iictoi'.v. the main importers having chartered shipping for regular limes for fiomo considerable period ahead (says (he Clii'istrliiiri.'li "Siiii" of i)crem.her -I).' Already some firms hold fair Mocks, and imticipnlc. in the no distant ; future to be able lo build up reserves again. At present n vessel is' in Lytlellpn which contained 100,0110. cases, si porlion of which, however, is intended fur Sydney. The following resolution, moved by .Air. J. Coe, was carried at a meeting of Ihe executive of the (,'hrislchiirch Returned Soldiers' Association, held 0.11 Tuesday (says the Lyltclton "Times"):-"Thnt tire committee of the Christchurcli Returned Soldiers' Association emphatically protests against 'any' remission of sentence being granted to any man who is undergoing imprisonment for refusal In serve, his country or Cor sedition, mid that Ihe (.(overiiment be urgfd In lake' slops In have all deserters and evaders of (lie Military Service Art prosecuted." 11, was decided, lo send 11 copy of the resolution lo Ihe Minister of Defence (Sir Jsiines Allen) and Ihe, local members of Parliament.

During the year ended' .March 31, MS, seven men "ere permanently appointed lo Hiß New Zealand Viilice I'orce. Their nationality, religion*, mid occupations were us follow:—XsiliuiifiJilies:. Ximv 7,k;\liind, 5; Sc'nl.ln'ud, .2- Keligions: Presby' teriali, S; Koinaii, Catholic, ■!!. Oceupaliohs: Kx-cuustiibles, •].';' ex-sqldicrs, ?>; labourer, 1.

An inquiry, is being made, by ilie Auckland I'alriolic Association and lied Cross I,'ommillee as to Ibo number of blinded soldiers who will n>l urn to the Auckland district. The. Mayor suited Hint he hud sent a telegram io Sir James Allen on the subject, nnd had received a reply from .(he Minister thai' liu was obtaining; fun information. "There is u general feeling-," said Mr. Ciiinsoii, "that Has is a I'lirm of disablement for. which some spi-<Miil provision should be • ninde. 'The Hinder is now being considered |jy patriolic organisations."

"It was most interesling and pathetic Io see ilie readiness of the Natives In do whatever we told them," said a St. John Ambulance worker who relumed (o Auckland, afroi two weeks of fighting the epidemic til Tali Him settlement, near Morrinsville. "One of (he men who had been ill aflcnvar.ds came to'us, and asked if there were any way of keeping sickness nway from the lioines, also if we could tell them the right way (o feed children. We told them Io lot'the fresh air into their houses, and what . In buy , for (he children, and next day li;» local storekeeper-told us that instead of buying bisciiils, tinned meat, and lea us usual, several of th'c Natives had bought iMllcd.oals, and other good .food for cliil-. dren. One baby ofeigliteen mouths who i'.Jcil liad been regularly fed on canned meal and .tea. The Natives.were finite amenable to instruction, and I think if advice were, given' simply to yiem on most' esst'iUial points, they would be most ready to accept it."—"New Zealand Herald.

A of recognition and appreciation ""of attention given during sickness occurred at Kaikohe the other day (states the Auckland "Star")., Large numbers of Dalmatians on (he public works had been stricken down with the epidemic, and the nursing; etaff was taxed to the utmost. As'soon as patients became convalescent they were transferred Io Oknihaii to make rooni for the more urgent, cases. In- this matter 30 Dalmatianswero sent out recently. Afterwards, a quiet consu.Un.tion took place, as (ho result , of which there was a, "whip round." Shortly'after (he, matron was waited on. and 'handed the sum of ,£3O, Hie recently sick Dalmatians .simply saying that £26 wns for the mi\tron and M each for Hie nurses—"just for what-you have done for us." It must be recognised Hint sohie'of these men were--decidedly none'too well off, yet "their thanks offerin» averaged ,£1 per hend. when they we're under no obligation or asked to pay one ncniiv niece.

During (he hearing of a fhinreme .Court case iit Christcliurch, where Ihe question of a entile disease was under review, a- witness wns describing Hie alia* of the disease on his bull;. The bull lay in' the rushes for four days, nnd would not let us approach him," said the -witness. "On the fifth day he (jot up and had a drink.' On the sixth day he went back to work " "And on-Hie seventh." interposed his Honour amidst laughter. "He wns on his way to .the freezing works," was the decidedly- unexpected reply. -.-••.. ■ ■ .- ■■

Maii.r are the methods nilonled to earn a, liriiiir. - 'An Am-kland men received a h-newrilteir letter' this weeV from Ausiralia.' "re (lie heirs■• of —-." K TC.VSOi! nai'iied. (lie'snrnaiiie hi>ms the same as H'nt nf il" , person wf ill en to, ci-vs'the "Slav. , " The leHor cimtinMed: "We li'eg to itifqrw yfi that, f.n adverhas apwared," under nn' unclniuifl monev coluni"'. ' On rnn.pint nf n Post Office or'dov for 2fls. we will forward von a copy of the uilvprli?enient. lojcthev with i-li" iinnVcnmr^'f , nf.'l'l<e-iiMvspavp-1n which Hie advertisement, .-iweai-fil. , RiiTirisiii" Hie' name to '-e smil'h. tb» circulnrs"wfre sent to., i'! l . .Hie membe-c of i'lat Krent clnn; a »ood many pounds niiichrhi? sent in reply.

. \ tliop-v winch hit? a .noi>iila'-' is'tbnr"th''? influ!"'" , iinndeini'v h«'l ''•« orisin in.Hin <l«vili«.li inpNiintv. pf'lhefin,,.-.., (--..•< (1,,, ;iJv(ll""' "Dili'v. l|>lnirrnnh"V "Of'eniirfn. nnlmdy. cnuld invn,,l n new disp'iw «-<•<»: I'" 1 Ore •""(• ■li.rclicrtl »•»" W ). o >lipv»..lK"l : .ij> o'o'c n , rm infliioKWi- cpr"»' has'• W".'< .i"vpii ..#1i1p(1 viriilPiir" bv «p.-nnn s»-i«'i)h(«. Tim "ill!"" !«' 'li'pnrnMp'allv "Do.iSiblc A cnirfnAriitirelv-lipriiiloss win ennld bo -viifipinllv •"proHed"' bv -.iinssiner H throuMi 'a ' vpry oiis»»ntiMe niiiranU; nr hftnw" .bfini??.- t'">•'•»-V-nir M\il U-'.«'nirlil.piv>prKP •villvliKthU virnlp'i't:- pliArnrle'-'sfics.'■' Bill pxperiPMco bus nrovpil Hip* wlip" «»f'i nn-"X-TOrinipiil '* '"■■"'° W'p 1 •ii't> fi|, ' a l lion, or " ; -uWop.nf.il'p--°nv; iW« not rp<nnin T| smu ifpp< bnp'k'lo its firmp' '~il,i',|'nlo. ' Anri:i'imi S t b" «(-M H-nl' if f , '"" fiiTinniiß '"»' supcppdrd '" i' l ""'- i»».'H>i.':"e!>''np "'itli t , * ffw " f Sripni?!' iiiflupn/ii. I lip - Rpi-mnn? Ibpi'^pivp^hiive ej ,f.,..p.1 .-,;,-.•"..'.• /'•".MI II.A. ,>H-Aaco..|.

<Vn outbreak of fire "cciiHwl vestr-rda*; nfternoon* in the pre?sim>- department of the Gear Ment Coiiinanv's works at I'eloiie. iHHI >nnair<«i-'il« daiu-™ we= done to a.-two-sloT. building. /B.ith the assistance, of -the- cnmpiiny's brigade, rlie Municipal Firp- IWead<! suppressed Iho hhtc within half an hour- It is pxneeted t.liat the'damage-will wove an ■ inconvenience to the works for a, very, short time. •■ ■ ■'

.Meetings of-'the-'New-'Zealand Loconiolive"rlngirieers, Firemen, aiid Cl'enrifcrsAssociation are being held throughout the North Island of 'New Zealand on Sunday to'consider the departure from' New Zealand of the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward, .before -transacting., -the necessary business-in connection with the legislation i-cquifcd for the people of New Zcnliihd. : '.■'■ ''"■" ■■■''■'■

A programliie bf-h'iiisjc will be rendered W the Wellington: Patriotic- Society's Band" -at'LyiU' 'W tq-morrot{.at' 3 p.m. The general M'erelliry of the- New Zeata'iftl Locomotive Men's-Association,' while on a'.visit to ; the branches'- of- r the" organi-sation"'hv-the'North''lMamrr«s;niet by representatives'of the" signalmen and trof■fic staff in' the. A.S.W.S.,' 'und; "assured uf their loyal support in' whatever action the locomotive men-look in getting their claims "seriously- , considered.'by .the bovei'iiinent. . ''

St.-Andrew's'Church and Schoolroom, on The Terrace, have been .-transformed into an influenza epidemic depot for, nearly 'tkee weeks, and- the minister. ■(Rev. S. Robertson -Orr) aud-mariy'of the worshippers have' 'been among , the most active helpers. 'The "church willTeopen to-morrow for the ordinary work and worship.