LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 50, 4 February 1916, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

James Joseph Donovan (63) died in the Auckland hospital from injuries caused through tailing down a staircase in his residence.— P.A.

A number of pedigree cattle will be offered at to-morrow's Gift Auction Sale. Breeders should avail themselves of this opportunity to secure first strains of blood and at the same time assist the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Amongst other lines to be offered is a fine pen of fourteen 3-year o |(| bullocks. Donors of stock are asked to uHHist the committee by seeing that all animals promised are delivered at the receiving depots.

A deputation from the Returned Soldiers' Association interviewed »t /Auckland the Minister for Defence (Hon. J. Allen), as the result of 1 which it is stated that the matters .which have been the cause of friction jure likely to l>e adjusted. A Targe number of the complaints made will [require departmental investigation before the Minister can reply, but where it seemed to be ohviou s there was an jinjustice, Mr Allen gave an assurance .that he would have the matter rigbt|ed. Complaint was made of the language and general conduct;, of certain of the staff sergeant-majors in dealling with returned soldiers. Mr Allien said he was sorry if the returned [men were not treated by these officers lin a polite, conciliatory, and proper manner; that was the attitude the staff were expected to adopt towards every soldier, whoever he might be. Five' specific cases were quoted, and the Minister said the majority would require departmental investigation. Mr Allen emphatically denied that I Australia gave each returned soldier £lO on his discharge, and he expressed the opinion that 30s was sufficient in practically every case, and it was impossible to discriminate. —P.A,