General News.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 23 April 1918, Page 1

General News.

The kindness and attention of the nui-sing sisters is beyond praise (says a returned Manaia soldier to the local paper). Their work is of a very trying character and their hours long, but their sympathetic natures and their anxiety to soothe and alleviate suffering carry them cheerfully through all their dispiriting and exacting labours. Very much in the same line of war business are the stretcher-bearers. They are all heroes these men. Yet it is a notable fact that though they perform deeds of the highest valour, in cold blood and without any of the incitements of fury or excitement that impel the fighting man to bravery, their names are very seldom seen in the honours list. I have seen them, during an advance, in a perfect rain of shot and shell calmly making for the places where men were falling thickest, picking them up and making off with them through mud and shellholes, often carrying them a distance of three or four miles. They must be men of the highest courage and of great physical strength and endurance. It is the same in a night raid. They go stalking about in the darkness, kneedeep in mud, and wherever a cry or groan is heard they are there, no matter what the peril to themselves.

The Commercial boarding-house owned and occupied by T. Parsons, was completely gutted by fire yesterday morning at Eketahuna. The fire commenced in an upstairs bedroom, and spread over the building in a flash. Miss Grey, a boarder, was severely burned and taken to the Masterton hospital. It is understood the insurances are light. Parsons is a heavy loser. Thero was a good water pressure, and the efforts of the brigade prevented the fire spreading.

A cable message announces the death of Mr Samuel Young, Nationalist M.P. for East Cavan. Deceased was the oldest member of the House of Commons.

The "Hawke's Bay Herald" records the death, at the age of 102 years, of Mrs Susan Barry, of Port Ahuriri. Deceased had resided in Hawke's Bay for forty-seven years.

A witness told the Defence Expenditure Commission at Wellington yesterday that since 6 o'clock came into operation in Wellington, there was not the same amount of work for the military police. As an instance of the small amount of work to be done, le said that live men were taken and tried for not saluting the Provost Marshal. They were tried, and a considerable amount of time wasted, and then they were only reprimanded!

Regarding the wheat supplies, the Hon. Mr Macdonald stated yesterday that the returns arc not completed, but the indications were that it would be neccssary to import a quantity of wheat. A deputation of millers wil' be visiting Wellington soon, when thi whole position will be reviewed. If importations must be made it will no! bo easy to obtain the necossary ship ping. Rumours have been circulated in the Dominion regarding the alleged unfriendly relationship and lack of co operation between American and Bri ti.ih Imperial troops in France. In a letter received by Colonel G. E. C, Campbell, Secretary of the Treasury, from Sir Alexander Godlcy, now in command of a combined British and Nev Zealand Army .Corps, the question of tiu t'eeling between the troops is touched upon. General Godley speaks in tin highest terms of the Americans, and expresses the opinion that he doubts if the additional resources in men and matcri al which have been added to the German forces from the submission of Rus sia and Rumania will counter-balance the advent of the Americans on tinAllies' side. American troops are ar riving more quickly than had been ex pected, and are creating a most favourable impression. The officers are capable, intelligent, and receptive, and ail are most anxious to learn and prof!; from the experience of those who liav been engaged in active operations. General Godley stresses the point that there is a conspicuous absence of any braggadocio in the bearing of American officers and men.