''The purpose of the register is to ascertain the resources of the dominion, and I certainly think it should include women. We want to know how many unmarried men between the ages of 20 and 40 years have not enlisted, and how many have volunteered, but have been unable to comply with the regulations. We also want to know how many men are available, and how they are employed. New Zealand is playing its part splendidly, and the spirit of the people is such that there will never be any need for conscription. The spirit of the nation is sinking into the individual, and those who have not already realised their duty, will, I believe, be led to think about it by the taking of the register. Recruiting is very good indeed; we have enough men for the two new battalions of infantry, and for the Ninth Reinforcements. That is a wonderful record, and so long as the volume of recruiting is sufficient to maintain the reinforcements a contingent ahead of immediate needs, there will be no need for any stimulus except the conscience of the people.''
Mr Allen said the national register would enable the Government to decide upon the measures necessary to keep the industries of the country going. Agriculture and factories engaged in the production of military equipment were as essential as the soldier himself.
The continued spell of dry weather is causing a pronounced shortage in the supply in South Otago of water suitable for domestic purposes, and with the failure of the Balclutha municipal water supply, that town is on the verge of a pure-water famine, as the municipal water is practically unfit for any domestic use. During this last week Mr Seal, of the Mines Department, has been engaged with a special water boring plant, searching in various localities in the town for a well site from which a purer flow could be pumped up for the Balclutha people's use, but once a certain depth was touched so as to ensure a sufficient supply the quality of the water deteriorated, and was marked with the same objectionable characteristics as that found in the water which comes from the well at the power-house.
The matter was discussed at the meeting of the Balclutha Borough Council and members admitted that they were up against a ''tough proposition''. Suggestions that the supply should be pumped direct from the river and forced to a reservoir on top of the hill in North Balclutha, and the water be aerated the same as is done in Invercargill, were mooted, but on the Mayor's suggestion the matter was referred back to the Water-works Committee to gather information in respect to a reservoir, and the efficiency of a Candy filter, and report to next meeting of the council.
A Wellington merchant, who is also a member of the Charitable Aid Board, agrees with Shakespeare that the wintry wind is less unkind than man's ingratitude. He was sitting in his office on Wednesday, when a tap came to the door.
''A lady to see you,'' he was informed. The lady came in, told a pathetic tale of how the whole world was against her, and that misfortune generally clung to her like a shadow. While discussing how to help her, the merchant was called away for a moment. When he returned to his office the woman was gone - so was the office clock. - ODT, 30.8.1915.
