Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1917, Page 2

Arnoros of the cable' me-sagos concerning Lord Kitchener being alive, and concerning the tales of the supposed capitivity of the groat soldier in Germany “Club Member” wrote recently to the Liverpool Post: —“The present writer has actually held in his own hand the document on which much of tho rumor is based. .. The sister of a n officer, admittedly a pri -

or of war has received from him a postcard in which he observes: “I wish I could toll you who is a prisoner in the next room to mo.” Examined under a magnifying glass the card in one earner has a minute ‘K.’ So far as I am aware, it is on this flimsy foundation that the whole super-structure f the survival of our great hero is based. At the same time, it is only just to add that Lord Kitchener’s niece, who was devoted to him refuses to believe that he is dead.” Lord Kitchener was drowned off the Orkneys on .Tune sth. 1916. There were only twelve survivors from the disaster which took place in the early evening. The warship was supposed to have struck a mine. Tho survivors related that when the ship was sinking Lord Kitchener was called up to the forebridgo by tho captain, and was directed to enter the Captain’s boat, hut no one saw him got. into tho boat, nor did anyone see this particular or any other boat got clear of the ship. The survivors escaped on rafts and had a trying time from exhaustion, exposure and cold. Numerous comrades on the rafts died from these causes. Many memorials have been ereetd to 1/ird Kitohncar.

The latest news with regard to the Sydney strike last evening confirmed our anticipations in regard to the eliding of the conflict. There are still lacking the details to confirm the forecast that the Government have achieved a decided victory. It. is some indication of the triumph to find tlm separate unions going back to work piece-meal, because while some are prepared to accept any terms, others stubbornly bold out for some better offer. But every unionist who gives in after the struggle which has already taken place is a sign of weakness among the malcontents, -while the fact that unions arp going hack in a body show that the opposition is a diminishing force, and those still standing aloof will quickly be left in a" state of isolation which will leave them quite helpless in the newly created situation. From this we may surmise what tile force of authority has held sway, and that law and order has been maintained. As in tho New Zealand conflict , some few years ago it was the country districts which had to be relied on to produce the force necessary to break down the strength of the rabble responsible for the disorder and dislocation of-trade and intercourse. As was remarked yesterday it is to bo hoped the event has, been experience enough for Labour to understand that by force alone it can achieve but little. If it has learned this lesson from the doings of the past fo'v weeks it will have gained something in useful knowledge to counter balance the huge monetary loss it has voluntarily suffered. Perhaps from now on a new industrial spirit will be abroad in Australia'. Let us hope so. ■

Mr. 11. Whitten and relatives insert a notice of thanks in this issue. _ A meeting of tile bazaar committee and workers'will be held at the Overseas Club this 'evening at 7.30. o’clock to receive the financial roport on the late function in aid of the Returned Soldiers rooms. v

At a meeting of the special Finance Committee of the Westland County Council yesterday afternoon accounts for August to the amount of £696 55.lOd were passed for payment. Proposals for bridging Fisherman’s Creek South Hokitika, have been submitted to the authorities, and it is hoped to call for tenders for the work returnable at the meeting of the Westland County Council on the Lst. prox.

Next- Wednesday at the Town Hall tho 34th. Reinforcements will be fanewelled. There is only a small contingent leaving here this month, but the usual arrangements will be made by the Overseas Club to give the men a fitting send-off. The programme of entertainment will include some new faces, and some of the performers will bo making their debut. It is hoped, also, to arrange for a new pet of speakers.

A movement is afoot to organise u drum and rifle band in connection with the Hokitika District High School, and to utilise tho combinatioii in connection with tho duty of daily saluting the f|: g. Saluting the flag is a well-est-ablished custom in the United States and New Zealand Education authorities have realisisl tho necessity of following Uncle’s Sam’s patriotic steps ip this matter.'

Misses Addison ffre soiling a special line of Grey and Khaki Woollen Hose; Price- 3/9 per pair.—Advt. Over a million bottles sold apnqally.— WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS.

Grand jurors are netted that they need not’ attend the sitting of the Supremo Court on Friday next at Hokitika but common jurors require to bo in attendnaco at 11 o’clock that day.

Tho. Public Works Department is inviting tcinders, lin this issue for bushfalling, clearing and read formation in Matnnui Block, south of Waitangi river.

Tho Hokitika Harbour Board gives notice in this issue of tho striking of the annual special rate of one penny in the pound in Hokitika Borough and one halfpenny in the remainder o£ the Harbour district. A cable from Pioneer Robert Ritchie on Sept. 3rd to his father Mr J. Ritchie of Bruce Bay stated that he was quite well. Many friends throughout the district will be glad to hear of his continued good health. Dr. Truby King of Dunedin has been invited to go to England the Marlborough School of Mothohood being placed at his disposal, fie is asked to name lm salary and to take witli him a nurse from Now Zealand.

Yesterday the Resident Engineer Mr. -Dickson was engaged at the Mikonui river surveying a site for the proposed bridge an’d approaches which it as to be honed it will be possible to construct as an outcome of the present negotiations with the Government on tho matter.

There was a large attendance at St. Andrews Tlall last evening when Rev. F. Oldrieve gave an interesting lantern lecture on “India and the Lepors in India.” The pictures shown by Mr. J. King' were splendid and gave n good impression of what the people and their surroundings wore like.

It is expected that jthe first ballot for tho Second Division will take place iii the last week in October. Class A will provide two,if not- three ballots. In the first division 7675 remain. It is expected that an amending Act will obviate the necessity of calling them up by ballot. - Mr. Peter Wilson of Brittain street this morning received the news that his son Private W. Wilson had been n'dfnitted to Brockenhurst Hospital, suffering from contusion of tho face, severe, on August 29th. His many friends in. the district will hope for a speedy recovery. The following donations to the’Xmas Gifts’ Fund are acknowledged By the Lady Liverpool Committee: —E. Dove 10s 6d, Mrs Stoop 10s, Mr H. Di’edrich 20s, Mr T. Brook ss, Mr T. O’Neill ss, Mr Jeffries ss, Mrs Richards ss, Mrs iS. Preston 2s 6d, Mrs Butler 2s 6d, Mrs W. Smith 2s, Mrs Kerr 2s, and Mrs Clerk in 2s. Hie proceeds of ..the euchre tournament at the Town Hall totalled £9 9s 7d. At the annua] meeting of the Grey Jockey Club the following Committeo was elected'for the ensuing year: Messrs M. Hannan, W. R. Kettle] J. Walton, T. E. Coates, H. J. Bignell, E. J. Smith, A. Blair, G. T. Grace, W. H. Parfitt, J. D. Wingham, J. T. Petrie, A. Behan and H. D. JamesMr. Adam Blair was elected a life honorary member after 46 years of membership, and Mr. John Walton stated that tho meeting was the 49th. annual meeting he had attended. At the Chamber of Commerce meeting last night when urging the installation of the metallic circuit for the telephone system, the material for which had been hero for months past.

one member -mentioned that while using the telephone that evening he had detected no less than seven different voices speaking. It was essential for the transaction of important business matters that the privacy of the line for conversational purposes should be secured without delay. It was agreed to renew the request for the installation of the circuit without further delay.

I covers oh music and theatre goers generally will be delighted to hear that Mrs. Staveley has very kindly undertaken to produce Gilbert and .Sullivan’s comic opera “The Gondoliers, in alwmt three months’ time. Mrs. Staveley purposes organising the entertainment for the benefit of the Westland Sick and Wounded Soldiers Fund, and to.ensure a substantial return is arranging to stage the opera at a minimum ofcost. The performers are agreeing to provide their own costumes, while scenery will be prepared free of charge. The project will ho launched at an early date.

It is understood Mr. W. Gooch proposes to inaugurate a' motor oar service between Jackson’s and Hokitika next week for the purpose of connecting with the Otira Express on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. This service ( will [ enable travellers for Kumara and Hokitika to reach their destination as soon as the train reaches Qreynioutli, thus avoiding the overnight stay in the northern town ,and saving the long train fare. The saving in time and money will be sin inducement to through passengers to make this motor trip, which by the way is over a fine road through pleasing bush country. The motor spin will be a good finish of the day’s trip across the ranges, and it should soon become a pipular run fqr passengers. At the monthly meeting of the Executive of the Lady Liverpool Commit tee at Hokitika, held on Monday evening the President , Mrs. W. Butler, presided. Votes ol' thanks Were passed* to Mr. Keller for use of Sample Boom, to Messrs Broclilehrst, Se-ale, son, F. Thompson, Shannon, • Stevenson Jacobs, J. Fowler, Wallace P. Stewart and F. Williams for assistance in packing. Messrs Howell, Powell, Falkenbacii, Ronton, Gooch Malfroy, Seale, Drs. Teifchelmamn and Fleming for benzine cases and. tins, and to all who so willingly contributed towards the gilts in money and kind. It was reported 39 cases ofgifts,containing 325 parcels, have been to France. Accounts amounting to £9O were passed for payment. A vote of thanks was passed to St. Mary s Club for assistance at Euchre Drive.

j This (Wednesday) evening in the Public Hall Bimu, the ladies?of Woodstock and Bimu, are giving a welcome home social to Privates K.' Wells and IR. Hansen. All returned soldiers and soldiers On leave are cordially invited, j Tho music will bo supplied by Mr. i Lawn. Admission, Ladies and onlookera One Shilling, Gents, Two shillings. —Advt.

The system is strengthened by tha ; ef WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS: