Their surprise may be better imagined than described on finding that a member of the Borough Council was indulging in a bout of fisticuffs - and otherwise - with one of the council's employees. Further inquiries elicited the fact that the fight began at the conclusion of a committee meeting of the council.
It appears that the councillor in question was of the opinion that one of the council's employee's sons would be better engaged in the trenches than in working for the council. The latter, however, thought differently, being in possession of a doctor's certificate of exemption.
The councillor, however, refused to retract his statement, and there followed an exhibition of a combined boxing match and cat-and-dog fight. Finding this was of no avail, they got down on the mat to it, and rolled over and over.
The rest of the councillors, who had been until now interested spectators, thought it time to interfere, and separated the combatants. Finally, the councillor, deeming discretion the better part of valour, retreated to the borough chambers and locked himself in.
■ The English Archbishops, with the entire approbation and endorsement of the King, have issued a request to the nation to observe the opening Sunday of the New Year ‘‘as a special day of intercession in connection with the war, for solemn intercession to Almighty god, and for thankful recognition of the devotion that has been forthcoming in the manhood and womanhood of the country.
With a view to a really thoughtful issue of so solemn an occasion, we propose the observance should begin on the two preceeding days; that Friday, December 31, the closing day of the year, should be kept as a day of self-denial and of penitence for the manifold sins and shortcomings whereof we are conscious as a people, and that on Saturday (New Year's Day) services should be held for quiet in preparation for the Holy Communion and other services of the Sunday appointed.''
In accordance with this there will be a service at St Matthew's Church at 7.45 tonight.
■ London: The new steel helmet now being served to our troops in the fire trenches is perfectly plain, and resembles in shape a pudding basin. It is lined with soft leather, is not very heavy and is extremely warm.
The helmet gives the wearer an added sense of security against hand grenade and shell splinters and shrapnel bullets. It is stated that in one section of the trenches, in four days no fewer than 30 men were saved head wounds by these helmets.
‘‘When the men wear the new steel cap,'' says a correspondent, ‘‘over a balaclava woollen helmet covering ears and head, they look like Crusaders.
''But the psychological importance of the steel helmet in increasing the sense of security of the wearer is so undeniably important that it is to be hoped that no time will be lost in serving out these caps to every man in the trenches''
- ODT, 31.12.1915.
