Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star WEDNESDAY. JAN. 17. 1917 DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star WEDNESDAY. JAN. 17. 1917 DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS.

In a recent letter our Wellington correspondent referred to the delay on the part of the Defence authorities in calling in the men diawn in the military ballots; A certain amount of default, it is known, is taking place* and to wick at this oondition of affairs is not conducive to the success of the military service soheme. The Government should begin as they intend to carry through. It is well known that men are urgently wanted to Ell necessary vacancies in the Reinforcements, and it ie not helpful to the volantary system (whieh the authorities are still disposed to ponder to) to End continued relaxation with regard to those called cn to Ell compulsorily certain military duties. The Qon Minister of Defence is still endeavoring to coax the men into camp. This, while it displays a very patient attitude, seems rather to jeopardise the whole soheme, the suocesa of which like everything military depends on firmness. Our correspondent’s remarks that there is the danger of the Minister’s forbearance being misunderstood, and that is exactly the danger attendant to the delays we complain of. The whole situation at the front is now explicitly plain. Men, and more men, are urgently required, and the authorities will be baoked up by every right thinking citizen in any action taken to secure the men. The Government must know th?«, and with these two faots so well established, it is difficult to understand why delay upon delay results, and the Minister after Minister issues words of warning to the offenders who persist, apparently, to ignore both the authorities and the position. The men drawn who fail to oome forward to report themselves for medioal examination, are guilty of a serious offence against the country. They are on the same grade as the soldier absent without leave, and are in the position of a deserter. This is a muoh more unenviable position than being even the mneb abused “ shirker.’’ It is open for the authorities to arrest deserters, in which extremity they would find themselves dealt with in both a summary and unpleasant manner. The authorities are laoking the deoision to authorise this course, but public opinion will force very soon action of this character. This war is no mere play time, end the stern realities of the occasion will have to be brought home to those who are not prepared to recognise the seriousness of the game they are ploying. New Zealand, in common with the Empire, has too ranch at stake to play the gams other than it should be played. Those who will not understand, must have the seriousness of the position brought home to them, so that they will come to realise their duty as muoh to themselves as to their country. Several weeks have gone by now since the first ballot was taken. Then came tbe second, and but lately the third. A fourth will soon be due, and still the military authorities are quoting shortages by hundreds in . the voluntary enlistments. What are the authorities going to do to justify the law and make good the shortages wbioh are* imperilling the safety of tbe men on active service ? A remarkably heavy sea came up yesterday, the waves breaking out t j sea as far as the eye could reach. Last night there was a heavy northerly gale b'owing aooompanio.i by heavy rain showers.A mce choice of ladies voile and silk blouses in the latest styles audr*- reasonable prices at Mrs Lloyd’s.

The Commissioner of Crown Lends in another column notifies that two education reserves will be offered for lease by public auction on Wednesday, Feb 21st, at 2.30 p.m,

Congratulations to the Rector, staff and pupils of Hokitika District High Sohool on the fine results achieved in the Matriculation Examinations. The results are a oredit to all ooooerned. We can recommend nothing better than “No Rubbing Laundry Help " for washing clothes clean, no washboard required and it leaves the hands and clothes in perfect condition, 7 weekly washings 1/. W. Perry and Co, wholesale distributers.

A good story which, though net vouched for, will no doubt cause the medical examiners of recruits to open their eyes, is goiDg the rounds concerning a Wellington Reservist. He is a fine hefty fellow, and was drawn in the first ballot, passed by a dootor, so it is said, and is now in camp. He purposes to give someano a shock presently by hobbling out to parade on one leg and carrying an artificial foot in his hand/

Monday’s Inangahua Times says—Mr W. Gardner’s cyanide plant at Burke's Creek was completely destroyed by fire last night. Mr Gardner, who was there yesterday, battling withithe bush fires, thought he had completely extinguished all the fire around the place and rendered everything safe. This morning l however, he went on with a would-be buyer for some of the plant, when he found everything had been swept away, only debris remaining. The loss is a severe on* to Mr Gardner.

The Chairman's report on proposed retrenchments brought before the Uharitable Aid Board at the November meeting and adjourned to later meetings for consideration, was again held over last night. The hour was late and members did not appear to be very eager to tackle the question. A motion to adjourn consideration till next meeting at once found favor, especially as Mr Wild then stated he was in favor of adjourning consideration for three months to enable the new Board to deal with it. Consideration was then held over till next meeting.

It is claimed that Mr F, P. Mcßae of Palmerston North owns the world’s best heifer in Mere. This heifer commenced milking at the age of one year 346 days, and in 365 days has a, oredit for 12,164 lb milk, containing 663.641 b butter-fat. In the world’s class for yearlings the butter-fat record of Mere displaces that of a sister of Woodcrest Joe, the Agricultural’ Department’s Friesian bull at Weraroa. This heifer, Woodcrest Colantha Pietje, owned in the United States has a yearling record of 29,859.71 b milk, containing 639 621 b fat, which then constituted a world’s milk and fat record for her olass. Mere's record is all (he more creditable by reason of her having again calved, just thirteen months after the commencement of her test, now under notice.

There was a considerable amount of feeling shown at the meeting of the Charitable Aid Board last evening, over the appointment of a medical oifioer. The special Committee of the Board set up had previously met and made two suggestions, one of which, that the medical officer should reside at Hokitika and attend both Knmara and Ross from there. This proposal becoming known at Kumara resulted in the Kumara Committee coming down as a deputation to enter an emphatic protest against the suggestion, a protest which Mr Murdoch strongly supported. Dr Fleming, who ■ was present urged that he could attend at each place on three days a week and if in telephonic communication with both hospitals could work satisfactorily from Hokitika. There were some pointed remarks and contradictions between Dr Fleming and Mr Murdoch before the Board agreed after a division, on the offer of the position for three months to Hr Fleming, ’as medioal officer at Kumara, with fees for attendance at Otira and Hokitika, residence to be taken up at Kumara.

Are you wanting a hat for your~elf or your boy ? McKay’s are now showing a fine range of men’s, youths’, and boys’ hats in straw, felt, tweed etc.—Advt. WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS Superior to all other spirits.