Then, why not have one, or a part of one, in New Zealand?
The little men can fight as well as the tall - take the Ghurkas as an instance.
If conscription comes, as I hope it will, tall and short men will alike be required; but why wait for compulsion?
I know of one instance of a young man who tried three times to pass at the local Defence Office, but was politely informed that he was wasting the time of the officials in charge, yet he is as strong and as fit as any of these officials, I think I can truthfully say, though not as tall, perhaps, - I am, etc., ex-Guardsman.
• Many of the volunteers for service at the front find themselves in peculiar positions as regards rank when they get into the army.
An instance of this is shown in the fact that one man found it necessary to salute his younger brother.
But a more extreme case existed in the Trentham camp recently.
A certain man carried on an important business in private life, but forsook this to serve the Empire.
On arrival at Trentham the duties assigned to him were those of an orderly to a lieutenant.
This in itself was all right, but the lieutenant proved to be a young man who was a junior in the orderly's office before joining the forces.
• A special meeting of the Dunedin Liedertafel was held for the purpose of considering a proposal to alter the name of the society, when it was unanimously decided that the name ''Liedertafel'' should be deleted and that the title should be altered to the ''Dunedin Male Choir'' in the meantime.
The secretary was instructed to communicate with other musical societies in the dominion, and also in Victoria and New South Wales with the object of endeavouring to fix on a general title which might be used by all male choirs.
The society has used the name Liedertafel for the past 29 years, in fact, ever since its inception.
• A record gathering assembled in the Benhar Hall on Friday evening last to bid adieu to Miss M. S. Doak, assistant teacher at the Benhar School for the past two years, who has received word of transfer to the Oamaru North School.
Mr P. McKinlay (chairman) expressed the residents' unfeigned regret at her leaving the school after such a prosperous term.
The inspector's report showed that the Benhar School held pride of place for excellence in Otago (with exception of the Normal School, Dunedin).
This spoke well for their present head master (Mr Millar) and the staff, including the departing guest.
The chairman of the School Committee (Mr Harvey) presented to Miss Doak a beautiful travelling bag, Miss W. McNeil presented a silver-mounted hand mirror, and Miss Nellie Lillicrap presented a hand bouquet.
Miss Doak feelingly replied. Special reference was made to the high quality of the work done at the school by Messrs James Wall (clerk of committee), A. Hislop, P. McSkimming, sen., and others.
The proceedings were interspersed with songs, etc., and selections by the school band, after which refreshments were provided.
The gathering broke up after singing ''God save the King.''
On the railway station in the morning the school tin whistle and flute band, composed of senior girls and boys, played the teacher off with ''God be with you till we meet again,'' and other tunes. - ODT, 3.6.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
