When their training is completed, both the contingents will proceed direct to the front, to fight alongside other British troops.
The announcement that the Australasian contingent is in Egypt was not unexpected, and as a matter of fact about a week ago it was stated here that our troops were in Cairo.
There is already a large force of British Territorials in Egypt, and between 20 and 30 troopships of the first Indian contingent did not go beyond Port Said.
Evidently as early as that time the authorities were taking no chances about probable trouble with Turkey, fomented by the Germans.
Our troops will have an interesting time in Egypt.
The climate at this time of year is good, and they will no doubt be thankful to escape the severe English winter.
Whether or not they will get any fighting against the German-Turkish-Bedouin force that is supposed to be threatening the Suez Canal remains to be seen.
The Post, referring to the announcement, says: ''It is interpreted to mean that the new forces have been landed in Egypt mainly for garrison purposes, and the moral effect their presence will have on the community. They will continue their training there, and in the event of trouble, which is not considered likely, will, of course, be called upon to take action. In any case, however, it is considered highly improbable that their sojourn in Egypt will delay their taking their place side by side with the British troops in Europe. It is also thought that they will be sent to the front via Marseilles.''
At the time when the question of constructing a sewage outfall at Lawyer's Head was under discussion the main point of controversy was as to whether such an undertaking would involve the adjacent beaches in serious risk of pollution.
There can no longer, unfortunately, be any controversy whatever about the matter.
That there is pollution on the beaches is being proved at the present time, more convincingly probably than ever before, by ocular demonstration.
Visitors to the picturesque first Tomahawk beach will not be able to doubt the evidence of their own eyes once they happen to direct them to a passing examination of the sand at high-water mark.
It is no exaggeration to say that this beach is in a filthy state, and, as a playground, a place to be avoided. Regrettable evidence of pollution can also be noted on the portion of the Ocean Beach nearer Lawyer's Head.
It is not particularly consoling to think that the recent heavy weather has probably made this nuisance much more noticeable than usual.
The deaths from cancer in New Zealand during the last few years have increased with an almost alarming rapidity.
In 1904 the number of persons who died from this disease was 571, while in 1913 the number had increased to 856. Only 37 of the latter were under 30 years of age.
If we reckon that one-half of the population of the dominion is over 30 years of age, we find that almost one in every 500 matured persons die from cancer. - ODT, 4.12.1914.
