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Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12541, 12 May 1915, Page 4

A simple and, within its limits, a commendable precaution: taken on the Continent to obviate the most serious effects' of -railway collisions is commented: noon by Mr C. Evans (Commissioner of Railways- in Queensland-) 'in a report concerning a tour which he recently made of Europe and- America. It is the practice in Germany/ be says, to ■run what is called a''."safety vehicle" next to the locomotive.. .This vehicle is not .specially designed, as its desiguatvon might' imply, for absorbing the shock of a collision; it is merely an empty carriage of auy description. World-ivide experience 'has shown that the vehicle which suffers most in the eve'rit of an accident „ is that .which is next to the engine. .-The "safety vehicle" js run on all trains; it is not insisted upon, however, 'in-cases where the first vehicle is, a travelling post office or a- baggage van.. Mr Evans said be did not--ob-serve this practice in operation-in any 'other' country; but, as a matter of fact, it is.adopted : in a modified form All most of the* English lines. In the r.ai'c. .cases in which a passenger coach is coupled immediately behind an en- : gine' it is customary in England to lock the first two compartments, so as t-a prevent passengers travelling in them. '..An old Highland- sergeant in,one of the Scottish regiments was going his rounds one night, to see that all lights svere o ; ut. Coming to a room- where be thought, he saw a Kght ! shining he roared out,. "Pit cot.that li'gbt there !" Ono of the- men .shouted back, "It's the mime, sergeant." Not bearing very well',' the sergeant, cried in return. "I diiu.na care a brass- button what it is; pit it oot." : A Wanganui boy of cadet age will probably find, himself in trouble within, the next few days. Ho was notified to come up for military training, but his stock of patriotism being small be determined to dodge it. He also thought he would bo funny at the same timer and so sent-- the following "smart" note to the officer signing his notice: —"In reference to your notice requiring nie to attend parade on April 10th. I submit the excuse that, being under-sized for my age. and also subject to fits of spasmodic funk, I consider myself, exempt from military training.—Yours truly, etc." His spasms of funk will probably be, nothing to the one he will experience when, called upon to explain matters before the S.M.

..A new- combined received telegram form and -envelope will be brought into use at' the telegraph, offices -on ■ MaT 17tb. This form.bears on the face of.Jt, .just above the address, the words "New Zealand ■ teleigrapliic message." . The

form is closed at the back by twt gummed'and-perforated tabs, instead o a. ''sticker." On the tabs arc prmtei the words, "New. Zealand telegraphi. message," and to open th'e form tin ends should he separated at the per forations. . The secretary of the Patriotic June desires to acknowledge the receipt o £6, through Mr. "Walter Sumpter. Tin. amount represents the proceeds oi tin .'ale of a highly-prized writing desk which Mr George Stringer, of A\ eston parted with to assist the poor of i>el gium. A gift of this kind is doubb appreciated, as it involved a real per for.al sacrifice. Other donations ac knowledged are: Mrs J. C. Kirknes. £5, W. "Perks (oyster shells.) os; am two little bovs (Pat and Jack) 6s. The lion, treasurer acknowledges fulfil or contributions to the. Belguu Fund as follows:—,!. J. Henderson £1 two friends (monthly contribution) 10s North School. £1 3s 9d;. Casing l)c partment (Pukeuri), 16s. On Sunday next men attending tli< casual ami) will march to their respective churches for Divine service The official church parade will be hek the following Sunday. . Captain Redmond has received tin following letter from a Hakatarame; s"ttle.r, who .-.hows a spirit- that coulc he emulated by many young fellows':"Seeing that there s a- great deuianc [or recruits for the defence of the Em pire, I think they might take some o; us old ex-volunteers. lam one,, ami 1 would like to -go to any part of the Jlmipire. I am 45 Years of age, strong anc healthy. 1 am single, and nobody i.tependent upon me." . Speakin"- to a, Dominion reporter lie Primc'Mmister said that on. Satin--lay he had a. conference with Mr Caul, lie the Government Dairy Expert, ant le was ci -opinion that there is more : lian sufficient butter in New Zealanc -or the-.Dominion's own requirements \lr Massey. had stated that no mor< vili be: shipped to Vancouver or Jiaig. and this season. The Department o; Wiculture is taking steps to ascertan exactly what is being done in the wai if butter export, and is keeping t-lw Viine Minister supplied with accurate nformation as to the amount in stock iny attempt to increase the price wil ie followed bv absolute prohibition oi -sport. Although the milk supply a career than usual at fliis time of th< rear the North Island factories are al •mining, and it is hoped that they niaj ie able to continue to do so. A • message received in Copenhager rom Berlin says that, according to Ger. nan railway officials in' Belgium. ? ;atisfactory" railway service is impos ;ible' as the Belgian Government- seni 2500' locomotives to France, and Ger nany- cannot spare any. The- - pliYisical qualifications which ,-olunteers 'for active service ar,e relUitredi'to- satisfy have caused the rejection of. a number of men: who art •egardied. as .entirely suitable for inclu-d-onin the -forces. Some of" these mei it Auckland who are anxious to proceec io -. the front have discussed the possintoty of a "bantam" regiment being ■crmed, and the suggestion has receive* ;ome consideration in official quarters vltlfough no decision has yet beer •cached. Should the authorities decid* ••3 form a- force of "bantam" New Zc-a-aixliers, there- would be a. ready response 'in Auckland. The details of the money voted by tin British- Government for war expenditun u-e fiven in the London ".Morning Pest' jf Uareh 2. The journal says :—"l?-efor< ho war ' broke out Parliament votec J580.400.000 for the army and- navy dur ii" tlWcurrent financial year, which wil lot end till the end of this montl 'March.) But since the outbreak Par iiament first gave the Government i credit vote of" £100.000.000. Then r rave a second vote of £225,000,000. Bu }{. is reckoned that before the month i; :>ut thcxtra- war expenditure will-amoiur ■o £362.000.000 for the eight months o. S"htinf' and so a further £37,000,00! ivas needed. Parliament voted that. 0. the £362,000,000 the army and have approximately taken £275-000,000 Of the balance £38,000.000 has been ad rane-Hl -to our colonies; ' we have leu Belgium £10,000.000. and aclvancec £BOO,OOO to Serbia, and further advance, u-e under consideration. llic remamde las gone to miscellaneous services. Now in to March 31 the war will have lastw ?40 davs. and the average expediture, n excess "of the vote in peace time, l rou"hlv £1.500.000. a day. The Govern nent, however, asked for another vote o -redit for £250.000.000 to go on with iron April 1 till the first week in July. Par lament granted this sum, the largos single vote in the annals of our county The War Office will be spending £I;oUU, 300 a dav with a tendency to rb" NavV will con- about £400,000 ; lav. Thus the aggregate e-peneutur rt-ill be £1.900.000 a day. and by way o narijin the Government reckoned on Ivar expenditure at £2,000,000 a.day. The public of Oamaru and surround ng districts are to again have the op sortunitv of participating-in- the dc Miti'iil bargains which each year are ; eature of the great Jewellery Sales sc successfully carried out by Mr F. G. Marshall, the well-known Jeweller, Thames street. This great attraction, vliich means the latest and best m tVatches, Clocks, Jewellery, Silverware, tc. at genuine sale prices, commences his'week. Friday, May 14th.; 920