RETURN OF THE STRANDED

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 31 July 1919, Page 3

RETURN OF THE STRANDED

Writes my Wellington colleague: "'Those people who imagine that the New Zealandors stranded for months in Sydney have been making much ado about nothing should have a yarn with Mr E. A. Batt who returned with 300 others from Sydney, by the Mauku. to Wellington. The mere fact that the Government agent at Sydneyhas paid out £400 for the relief of the stranded, and that this amount was supplemented by private donations and the proceeds of a benefit got up by Wirth's v Circus (which realised £63) shows the gravity of the position. As a matter of fact many of the stranded became desperately hard up. Take the case, of the woman mentioned by Mr Graham, of Christchurch, who returned by the Port Pirie. This unfortunate woman, with several children to provide for, appealed to the N.Z. Government agent at Sydney for relief, and all she could get out of him was a couple of pounds to maintain herself and family for a whole fortnight—and even then she was obliged to give her 1.0. U. fort the money—in common with all the others who were granted monetary aid. Numbers were compelled ta pawn their belongings in order to keep the wolf from the door. &nd instead of the passengers by the Manuka being confined to the stranded, theatricals, commercials, tourists and others were booked, the result being that some 150 bona- i fj.de New Zealanders are still stranded *' over there." In reply to the bitter complaints of the unfortunates, the Hon. Russell declares that he has done all that it was possible for him to do for them. Is that so ? Well, we have not heard the last of this business yet. ALAS THOSE NOTES! One of the funniest incidents connected with the Peace Celebrations here—-except to the parties chiefly concerned — occurred on the Saturday. An Auckland resident and his wife • proposed to go and see the • procession, It so happened that I they had seven one pound notes . in their possession, which, fearful 5 of pickpockets, they decided to i leave at home, They were un- > decided what to do with the 3 money, so as to ensure its safety , during their absence, at last they , decided to pop the notes in the s oven, thinking that if a thief f should get into the house while they were away he would never v think of exploring the oven in b search of plunder. Accordingly p they chose the oven as the hiding d, place. On their return home c the first thing they, did was to ), light the kitcken fire, and make ef a ■ good blaze. An hour, latei II they remembered the notes, and a rushed to the oven. Alas! the g fire had done its \york only too y well. The precious notes were I reduced to ashes I