The watch in question (says the Standard) was originally presented by a well-known citizen to a relative in the Fifth Reinforcements, which later on saw service in Gallipoli.
Whilst the soldier was engaged in his ablutions one day, during which he laid his watch aside, the timepiece was "commandeered'' by some unauthorised person, and he has not seen it since.
About two months ago, however, the watch, which was inscribed with the soldier's name, regiment, and the letters P. N., N. Z. was handed to a watchmaker in Perth, Western Australia, for repairs by a man in khaki, and a civilian called a few days later to claim it.
The watchmaker had his suspicions aroused, and communicated with the Perth police, who got in touch with the Palmerston North police, with the result that the donor of the watch was found in Palmerston, and its ownership was quickly established.
The soldier to whom it was presented is now fighting in France so the watch was returned to the donor in Palmerston as stated.
• While Travers Morrison, a young telegraph messenger, was clearing up the litter in the receiving office recently he picked up a torn envelope, which he was about to throw into the waste-paper basket, when something peculiar about it attracted his attention (says the Melbourne Argus).
The envelope seemed unaccountably heavy and thick, and the boy examined it.
He found that it contained bank notes, and at once handed it to a responsible officer, who took charge of it, while inquiries were made to discover the owner.
On being counted, the notes were found to total £84. Later it was found that the money was the property of a city firm.
It had been dropped in the telegraph office by a clerk in the firm's employ, who did not notice his loss for some little time, and would have been unable to say definitely where he had lost it.
To show their appreciation of the boy's honesty the firm asked him to accept a present, but Morrison replied that he did not want anything.
By judicious questioning, however, the firm's representatives learned that the boy had not a bicycle, and that possession of one would give him much pleasure.
Accordingly a bicycle has been given to him.
• Only two passengers alighted at Wyndham railway station on Thursday morning by the train that four or five years ago used to belatedly struggle in crammed and jammed with settlers, auctioneers, dealers, etc., on the monthly stock sale days.
The explanation is simple; this is the era of the automobile.
It is estimated that fully 100 motor cars sped into the township, over 60 being counted standing in Redan street alone.
In addition, the stables were congested with horses in for bait.
• The seal which was recently reported to have been disporting himself about the shores at Portobello, found his way up the harbour to the Dunedin wharves yesterday, when in the morning he was seen diving and catching pig-fish, which were brought to the surface before being eaten.
The seal, which is a fine specimen, about eight or nine feet in length, was apparently securing plenty of feed.
About noon he came up to within 15 yards of the cross wharf, from where spectators were afforded an excellent opportunity of inspecting this unusual marine visitor. - ODT, 3.7.1916.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
