NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 July 1918, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

REDUCED REINFORCEMENT DRAFTS. > DECEMBER AITWaNTJARY" DRAFTS MAY BtfoROPPED. WELLINGTON, this day.. The November reinforcement draft is now being filled, and at the reduced rate of despatch, which will be the rule when these have gone into camp. "It is probable," states the Dominion, "that not all the men lately called in the ballot, will be required to complete the November adraft. As soon as sufficient men are obtained the list will be closed and the remainder postponed until the December draft, as there is a certainty that the December draft will be dropped and possibly the January one also. The remainder of the men may not be required till February. HASTINGS NEWS., " HASTINGS, this day. The baby competition inaugurated by the Hastings Branch of the Won& en's National Reserve resulted in over £SOOO being contributed to theFrench War Orphans' Fund. Elevenbabies were nominated, the six highest being the Jockey Club, £1766; Fernhill, £1023; Red Cross, £839; Retailers. £426; Sports and Pastimes. £321; and send-off £314. An earthquake was felt at 5.28 on Saturday evening, causing considerable alarm. There was a general exodus from' dwellings, 'it was the heaviest experienced for many years. No damage is reported. The Farmers' Union resolved: "That this Union is in favour of the whole of the profits accruing to its members from the re-sale of New Zealand wool during the currency of the commandeer being Sanded over to tile dependents of tTie" British Navy and mercantile marine, who have been killed or injured during the war. Further, this Union particularly requests thas every endeavour be made to prevent the manufacturer or middleman secur. ing undue profit." CONVERTING HULKS INTO SHIPS. ''The. Union Steam Ship Company's : coal hulk, County of Anglesea, whicn 'is to be converted into a barque and put into active service, was acquired by the Union Co. about five years ago. The vessel is" steel, and will have a 'capacity of 2000 tons. She will probably be ready for sea by the end of November, when she will load at Port Chalmers for San Francisco. Tne Dartford, which also was recently refitted for sea, is a Union Company vessel,;, and she has been in turn sailer, training-ship and hulk. She was refitted at Port Chalmers this year, and left on April 27 for San Francisco, at which port she arrived on July 17, after a voyage of 80 days. She will load at San Francisco for New Zealand. Since "the war started, througn the heavy submarining of Allied and neutral vessels, together with the abnormal demand on Shipping space for food'transport and troops, many vessels which had been relegated to the limbo of forgotten things have been recommissioned. Anything that floats, in fact, has become a source of wealth and profit to its owner, and hulks which prior to the outberak of war were stranded on the beach as useless derelicts are now sailing the seas again in full commission, and valued at a price which a few years agowould have purchased ocean liners.