JOTTINGS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 17, 7 September 1914, Page 8

JOTTINGS.

A G v.t-fcte Extra ordinary, dated on

Friday last, extends the period daring which the notes of banks doing business is New Zealand shall he legal tender to October 7th next, inclusive.

A curious instance of youthful patriotism occurred at Wellington. An eight-year-old, in hare feet, walked to Wellington from Kaiwarra, insisted on seeing the Premier, and boldly offered his services as a drummer in the Exepditiouary Force. He was courteously told that at present there is no need for drummers, and ho left somewhat disconsolate. “But,” he said, “they are bound to need buglers. I’m as good a bugler as I am a drummer, and I’m going to try and get on as a bugler.”

“It is sad,” the Chancellor of the Exchequer told English bankers recently, “so much of the capital of the world should be wasted on war ami preparation* for war. During the last ten years alone the nations of the world have spent £'1,500,000,000 in war and preparations for war—£l,ooo,ooo,-000,-more than Britain has advanced in 5 years to civilise the world. It is a sad reflection, and I have said it before, and I repeat it now, that I ■do not believe that this creeping catastrophe which is coming upon the nations can be arrested until finance takes the matter in hand and saves the world from this disaster.”

About 100 of the Territorials with the Expeditionary Force at Christchurch were to be returned home last week, all being under 20 years of age. Although a large number of the boys are disappointed, it is understood that probably the wisest course has been taken, as, on the authority of General Godley, typhoid fever is mostly contracted on service by those under 20 years of age. The campaign which is now in progress will be a severe one, and it is held that only those physically able to stand it should be taken. It is rather unfortunate that so many were allowed to proceed to camp who were not able to comply with the age condition.

“Taube” is the generic name for a large number of German aeroplanes with wings shaped and served back like those of a dove (“taube”). This type of aerpolano is peculiar to Germany, and has proved wonderfully efficient, both in speed, climbing power, and stability. The “taube” is a monoplane (with only one pair of wings). Several biplanes are built with a double deck of wings of the “taube” shape, but they do not carry the name ; they arc called “arrow” biplanes. The chief “taubes” are the Halberstadt, the Jeannin, the Rumpler, the Hansa, the Albatross. All German Hying machines are equipped with standard engines of the vertical motor-car type, which has proved far more reliable, economical, and efficient than the typical French engine—the Gnome rotary.

Mr H. Atmore ("Nelson) asked flhe Minister for Defence in the House on Friday evening whether an.\ press correspondents were to he allowed to go with the expeditionary force to Europe. He understood that a precedent had been established by allowing one correspondent to go to Samoa with the advance guard.—Mr Allen said it was true that one correspondent had accompanied the advance guard to Samoa, but he would he returning with the first troopship. As for the front, it had been arranged that one correspondent representing the New Zealand press should accompany the expeditionary force.—Mr G. H. Scholefield, a former chief reporter of the “New Zealand Times,” who has been in London for some years representing a jyndieate of. New Zealand newspapers, is the correspondent referred to.

Interesting observations, based on; >ld Maori lore, have been made at Wanganui by Mr Wirenui Hipango (Mr •Val'er Williams), of the moon and stars and their portentwith relation to ‘die world war raging in Europe. Mr Williams remarked that the otliei •ight the evening star was on the •'orth side of the moon. Now the star was very near the centre. According to the Maori idea in the olden days this was an indication as to how the battle was going on. So far lie took the moon to he the Germans, and the star the Allies. The Germans commenced the war, and wore represented by the moon. The English and French were attacking. From the signs indicated he gleaned that the English would win. The distance the star had to go showed that it would take some time.