GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 88, 20 March 1916, Page 2

GENERAL.

The Panama Canal will be re opened m April 15.

Among tliose on board the transport which arrived at Dunedin on Kiesday was a passenger from Colom--10, to whom some interest attaches by ■eason of the, fact that he has come to New Zealand at his own expense in orler to enlist in this country. He is n oung man of fine physique, and his x'ople live in England, bnt he has een so impressed with the prowess •,i' the New Zealand soldiers that he :as decided to join this section of His Majesty's Forces. Actuated by this lesire he threw tip a position in the ervice of the Railway Department at Colombo and paid his own passage to New Zealand in the hope that he will peedily be accepted for service.

The Greymouth police are making liqniries into a matter which occasiond the railway authorities at Greyaoutil some concern on Wednesday .mining (says an exchange). When lie Reef ton train was approaching own the driver noticed, when opposite he brewery, that a piece or iron rail :ad been placed across the line. He mmediately pulled up the train, and emoved the obstacle, which, had the mgine collided with it, might have •atise derailment. How the rail got m the line is a mystery, but the sur•ouuding circumstances are such as o prompt the wisdom of the Railway Department i" placing the matter ,'ith the police lor further myostig.i- ; ion.

The London Daily Sketch prints he following story, which is likely to lake, many people do a little hard limiting about the various war funds: -'A few days ago two women called t a large West End establishment to ,iake purchases, which included a [tiantity of the highest-priced articles ir personal attire, hi fact, the assistnts had great difficulty in satisfying he two ladies in regard to the quality f the goods. They were told the >rice was immaterial, and were reiered to a. Belgian Refugee Fund for the noney! After the departure of the ustomers, and before the goods were lelivered, the manager of the establishment made the necessary inquiries, ind was at least as surprised a-,, reieved to find everything in order, the mid confirming the purchases and mying for the goods! ..Is it -for /this lorn of extravagance that. coMector.s, ,go ip iind ;down the country begging for noney to provide for starving Belgians?" i t .'■'■'•..

On recent 'indications there is every jossibility of the Dominion finding it-1 ,elf by the end of the present year ight out of wines and spirits (states .he Auckland Star). Supplies are already seriously short in certain lines, particularly whiskies, brandies, and Raw spirit, procurable before die war at Is 4d per gallon, is piloted at 7s 6d.' Geneva gin, which ould be purchased a year ago at 17s low shows an increase of 3£oper cent., 'ind is scarcely procurable at that yi ; i;e., shipments from Rotterdam having' practically ceased. Since the Vfohie Government took over "all the. listilleries for Avar purposes New Zea..and agents for. distilling firms have .11 most cases been advised that no urther orders can lie entertained for Ahisky in hulk for export, and even .n cases where some orders can be met in increase of 150 per cent, must ie charged. Brandies, most of which |come from France, are almost unprocurable. Practically all the alcohol now being manufactured in the distilleries of the Old Country is being commandeered by the Government for the high explosive shells.

Camp life is full of interest. Here

•.an item by a recrull with a journilistie turn of mind:- In and about hospitals or medical laboratories one i not surprised to sen things in .ottles. The medical officers' mess a I iYentham has bottled words. At every meal one of the "appointments" is a lemonade bottle of which the neck has been gashed to form a slot. "Swear words cost a penny each, and there are lines for incorrectness of dress. The mere "mention of a woman's name brings a penalty of 2s (id for each offence. All kinds of ruses are used to lure a tongue oft' its guard, to the extent of 2s fid. For example, not long ago, one officer, discussing a colleague, well known to the mess, prepared the position well for the following little question, uttered in a tone of innocent wonderment: "Whom did he marry?" The name came instantly from three places, and the bottle received 7s 6d. If the ambush had been detected and the scheme had failed, the attempt would have cost :<s. for the rule is that if the setter of a trap fails to catch his intended prey lie forfeits Is for each miss. If by'any chance the bottle is absent, nil fines are off. but the mess rarely has such luck. The collection., averaging about £1 a «eek (including the toll (/"visitors), goes to the orderlies, who take care to have the bottle present at meals. Guests are warned about the bottle and then all manner of cunning is employed to sink their money through the slot. One visiting officer had recently rather an expens.ve d.n- ---„,,,. • it cost: him 6s 3d in fines.