NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 15, 4 September 1914, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

[Peu Press Association.]

Wellington, September 3

The following cablegram has been received from'Captain Halsey:—"Lon. don, September 2.—A1l on boar*. H.M.S. New Zealand congratulate the Dominion on their action at Samoa. Please inform the women of Now Zealand that their ensign flew on board during the action off Heligoland."

THE PREMIER'S PREDICTION

Wellington, September 3

Speaking in the House of Repre sontatives to-night, Hon. W. F. Matsoy, the Prime Minister, said he wa of opinion that the war would last a least twelve months. The war woul in all probability go over the ncx European summer.

FISHING BOAT ARRESTED AND RELEASED. Auckland, September 4. A small fishing boat and crow wa:arrested by the Defence authorities 01. suspicion of spying and interfering with the work of his Majesty's troops on active service. Trip craft was following close on the defenco steamci Lady Roberts, and.despite a shot from the battery, the crow anchored right in the line of fire. A Defence launcl was despatched with an armed guard and took possession of the fishing boat She u*rs searched for cameras, and after an official investigation the craff and crew wore released.

CONCERT AT NCAERE. MgftDfe Hall presented an animated and pleasing appearance last night," being effectively decorated with union Jacks. The occasion was the grand patriotic concert held under the chairmanship of Captain Arthur Allen, in aid of the War Fund. There was a large and appreciative audience, many being present, from Stratford, Eltkain, and the surrounding districts. After appropriate words by the Chairman the concert opened with an overture, "Patriotic Airs," in which blisses E. and A. Rogers, Messrs C. H. Rogers and H. Burinoster showed their tine musical ability. The song "Soldiers of the King." was excellently rendered by the Rev. G.;W. Dent, the chorus being heartily 6ung by the audience. The instrumental trio, grand march "Bonnie Scotland," in which Mrs E. G. Allen and Messrs J. Payne and W*. Knox took part, was highly appreciated. Miss M. Weyreuter effectively sang "Come Sing to Me." Mr A. S. Martin, who is certainly in his element when- giving anything of a humorous nature, sang "The Three Foreigners," with distinguished ability, his acting and singing demanding an encore, and he responded with a humorous item ''lsn't it a. Funny Feeling." That patriotic song, "A

Soldier and. a Man," was creditably rendered by Mr H. W. Douglas, and :i violin solo "Impromptu" by Miss Evelyn Rogers showed that lady's ability on the instrument in a marked degree. The Chairman (Captain Allen) pave as a recitation "The Ab-sent-minded Beggar" with good taste and line style, occasion being take:) tp band round the tambourine, when the company gladly responded to the call of the Chairman to "Pay, pay. pay," thus augmenting the local war fund. With Mr J. H. Thompson at the piano all joined in singing "God Save tho King," and "Rule Brit-

fcraiia." "The Anchors Weighed,! played 'on a tin can fiddle is not oftC! beard, but Mr W. Knox,exhibited hii ability by -showings what can be dorr on this amateur instrument. Mr. 0. Massey, in her song "What Slip] I Sing You," roused great applause

the singer, both in hor song and en- i core, being most effective. "Trooper ; Johnnv Ifcdlow 102," as sung by Mr | k. L. Jones, was rendered in his usual good stylo, and he responded with an encore. Mrs E. C. Robinson, j who is always a favorite, sang with I conspicuous ability and exprosisou j "The Veteran's Song," her full voice being heard again when, as an core, she gaeo "Coming Through the Rye." The sword dance by Messrs J. Wade, Junr., and W. Orr, with Piper J. Wade was '.veil given, an:' they reappeared on the call by the company. The song "Queen of Angels" was pleasingly rendered ,by Miss D. Hyndman, while Mr C. H. Rogers" and orchestra rendered a Russian dance in a highly creditable manner. The Chairman announced that as a result of the concert about

£2O would be added to "the war fund and this include:! £9 2s 7d for tickets

and programmes sold by the children. Tie thanked all who had helpel to make the concert such a success, and those who had lot their motor cars to convoy friends to the Hall. After the singing of the National Anthem by the company, supper was served, thus bringing to a close a highly successful concert. Following, a dance was hold. Mr Andrew Scott acting as M.C., when a large number remained. until the early hours of the morning. It should I).' mentioned that the honorary secretaries, Messrs A. S. Mien and J. EL Thomas, were indoitigable in their efforts. Ngaere folk are to be congratulated on the result of the gathering.

WAR ISOLATED ISLANDS

[FjiH PbKSI ASSOCIATION.]

Auckland, September 3

There was no more astonished man in New Zealand waters last evening

than Captain Ross, master and owner of the barquentine Ysabel, when searchlights played upon him outside Tiri, and his boat was hung up ponding complicar.ee with the Defence Depart-

ment's regulations respecting inspection of shipping. It was his first intimation of the existence of a state ol war. At Tonga and Nine, whence the Ysabel comes, the residents knew nothing of the outbreak of hostilities, and it i' : . exceedingly improbable thai they yet knew anything about it. The position in regard to food supplies in the Tongan Group is a somewhat extraordinary one. The residents have almost entirely ceased to cultivate native food. Even yams are regarded as a luxury in these days. The reason is that such high prices have been paid for copra that the natives have devoted their attention almost entirety to this industry, and have depended upon shipments of food from Auck-

laud. !n fact, Auckland (lour, biscuits, and canned meat, and American, kerosene, form the main items of the Tongan imports. When the Ysabel left Nukualofa,, the Hour and biscuit supply had almost run out, and the European population in particular was becoming somewhat alarmed at the non-arrival of fresh supplies. Up to the time of the Ysabel's departure, there were many conjectures as to the cause for the non-arrival of the Navua with stores, but no on<= oven hazarded a guess that a war was the trouble. Their continued isolation will be a matter for profound concern. The Ysabel saw nothing of German cruisers on her way to Auckland.