The letter is dated June 18, and the previous week had been very wet.
"The mud was pretty considerable," Captain Fraser writes, "and the men were in wet boots for a long time, but this discomfort was much relieved by our being able to give every man a clean pair of socks every day. It is worked with the divisional baths. To start off a man has two pairs of socks. When he has worn one pair for one day he changes, and the wet ones are handed to our quartermaster-sergeant, who exchanges them with the divisional baths for clean dry ones. And so it goes on; every night clean socks come up with the rations, and wet, dirty ones are sent back, and in this way the discomforts of bad weather are combated. It seems a small matter, but in reality it is great, because when a man has dry feet he is more contented and willing, and also he is more efficient, because he is to a certain extent guarded against cold."
• Some people have curious lapses of memory in regard to their money.
The last issue of the Government Gazette contains a notification that a man in possession of a registered mortgage for £435 over 174 acres of land had left New Zealand and had not appointed an agent to collect his interest or administer his property.
Presumably it is many years since he left New Zealand or laid claim to his mortgage, as the Supreme Court has now empowered the Public Trustee to exercise the powers conferred upon him in respect of such property.
Another case has just come to light in Timaru (says the Herald).
Some years ago a lady put a substantial sum out of her private income in the Post Office Savings Bank.
She has often wanted money since depositing it, and has obtained it from other sources, having completely forgotten that she had ever put money in the Post Office.
It was only by accident that it was recalled to her mind through a man finding and restoring her lost bank book in which the credit showed.
At first she said that the book could not belong to her, as she had no recollection of ever having one, but the entries were convincing, and she subsequently recalled the circumstances under which she had deposited the money.
• Sunday School Anniversary Day was observed at the South Dunedin Presbyterian Church yesterday.
The weather was most favourable, and there were large and appreciative congregations at the morning and evening services.
Professor Hewitson officiated in the forenoon, and delivered a powerful address to parents, with a special reference to fathers, from the words contained in Deuteronomy, chapter vi, verses 4 to 9.
In the evening the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. W. Trotter, of Mornington, who chose his text from Luke’s Gospel, chapter xix, verse 10, and therefrom gave an appropriate discourse, both profitable and interesting.
The Sunday school children, assisted by the choir, led the singing at both services.
The young folks acquitted themselves excellently. The whole service of praise was distinctly inspiring.
Mr J. M. Lomas presided at the organ, and Mr T. Heathcote discharged the duties of conductor.
In the afternoon the children’s rally, which took place in the Reid Hall, was very largely attended, several parents and friends being also present . . . — ODT, 28.8.1916.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
