Mr Herries (Acting Minister of Marine), the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke), and other prominent citizens went out on the tug Karaka to meet the vessel. As the two vessels drew alongside three lusty cheers were called for by the Mayor, and were given for the party aboard the Aurora, then three more for Sir Ernest Shackleton and Captain Davis, and hearty welcomes were shouted. In a few minutes the welcoming party were over the side and aboard the Aurora, and there was general hand-shaking and congratulations. The survivors of Captain Mackintosh’s party were then called for, and as they came forward were introduced to the assembled citizens. All were looking surprisingly well after their trying experience. The Aurora drew alongside the ferry wharf shortly after 7.30 p.m. and there a large crowd had gathered, and the air rang with cheers and shouts of welcome. The Ross Sea party were shortly afterwards taken to the Grand Hotel, where they were entertained at supper. An official reception and presentation to Sir E. Shackleton will take place on Monday.
• A very important issue was raised at the sitting of the Second Otago Military Service Board at Gore yesterday. A young man who had been called up appealed on the ground that his services were required to manage his father’s run near Pembroke. The Chairman (Mr Day) said that, in cases like this the Government should have power to compel men who had retired from similar occupations to take up the running for those who had to go, and also to utilise the services of men who had been passed as fit for home service. By passing legislation it could commandeer the services of everybody in the country. This case only emphasised what the board had been considering in connection with a number of small farmers who had been drawn, and who pleaded that they could not get anybody to look after their farms. There were a number of retired farmers in the country who were unable to go to the front, and who, by giving up a little of their leisure, could take the place of younger men who were compelled to go. The appeal was dismissed.
• When Mr John Callander, one of Dunedin’s old identities, who, for some years immediately preceding his death, made a bequest in favour of the students attending the Technical Schools of Dunedin and Wellington, he gave a practical indication of his thoughtfulness, his benevolence, and his foresight. The trust money was to be allowed to accumulate for a few years and then the income was to be devoted to scholarships divided equally between the students attending the two Technical Schools. Thus is the money for scholarships provided for annually for all time. For the current year 15 scholarships, of the annual value of £5, have already been awarded to students of the Dunedin Technical School, and now intimation has been received from the Public Trustee that 16 more are available. These will probably be awarded among students of classes from domestic work, cabinetmaking, carpentry, plumbing, engineering, etc., as soon as the evening classes resume.
• The American schooner Andy Mahoney arrived at Auckland from San Francisco, via Sydney, at a late hour on Monday night. The vessel left San Francisco on August 20, bound to Auckland, with a cargo of case oil and timber. A series of misfortunes befell her on the voyage. The chronometer was found to be defective, and then the vessel met with bad weather, which caused her to be driven past New Zealand. The chief officer fell ill, and was confined to his bed for two months, necessitating the captain being on deck day and night. The oil cargo started leaking, which made the situation dangerous, and special precautions had to be taken against explosions. The fresh water supply ran short owing to a leakage in the tank. When the vessel was 111 days out the New South Wales coast was sighted, and the vessel signalled for a tug and put into Sydney. After lying at anchor at Sydney for a month, awaiting orders from the owners, the Andy Mahoney continued her voyage to Auckland on January 4. A succession of easterly winds — which at times were blowing a gale — prolonged the passage to New Zealand. — ODT, 10.2.1917.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
