THE MOTHER COUNTRY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16749, 2 January 1915, Page 9

THE MOTHER COUNTRY

AUSTRALIA'S GIFTS.

DISTRIBUTION AT HOME. /

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, December 31.

A special committee of the London Chamber of Commerce allocated tho consignments of food sent by the Svd 1 - ney Chamber of Commerce to English and Welsh municipalities, also to hospitals receiving wounded. 'Large quantities have also been distributed 'to Belgian refugees and French soldiers’ families. The monetary grants have been devoted to the various soldiers’ and sailors’ funds, and also to the Ser-vian-Montcnegrin relief fund's. GIFT OF £7OOO. LONDON, December 31.. The committoe of tho Australian Voluntary Hospital has received £7OOO from Mr Colin Stephenson, Sydney. FUNERALS OF SOLDIERS. LONDON, January 1. The War Office has decidod to defray tho cost of conveyance of tho bodies of soldiers dying on active service where their relatives specially desire funerals near their homes, and also will allow a sum for expenses. NOTES FROM LONDON.

NAVAL AVIATORS PICKED UP. "Times” and Sydney “Sun" Services,

LONDON, December 31. A Norwegian steamer picked up two British naval aviators in the North Sea, who descended on account of engine troubles. They were seven hours iri tho water, and were ultimately landed at tho Hook of Holland.

; WAZIRIS TO HELP. Tho Waziri tribe has informed the Indian Government that it can remove troops from the north-west frontier, and that the Wnziris will keep the peace and maintain order.

FRENCH GENERALS HONOURED. LONDON, December 31. The King has created seven French Generals, K.O.M.G.’s. "TREATED LIKE PIGS.” LONDON, December 31. Herman Blass, an Austrian courtmartialed at Douglas, pleaded guilty to writing a letter' with lemon juice, which, when heated, disclosed allegations that prisoners had been treated like pigs, that the food was bad, that thoro were worms in the potatoes, that tho meat stank frightfully, and that tho men were driven about with bayonets like convicts. Sentenco was deferred.

IN EAST AFRICA. LONDON, December 30. A correspondent at Nairobi, describing flip country through which the enemy is forcing his way upon Uganda, says it is a desert covered with .thorny scrub so thick in places that tho officers aro unable to control more than a dozen men. This wild country is infested with lions, leopards and tho dreaded tzetzo fly. "Through it we are now taking an active offensive campaign, which is likely to be long and trying. Tho Germans will defend their best country with all their might.”