"This camp is a great place. We have the Portuguese on one side of us. There are also plenty of Scotties — ‘Jocks,’ as our fellows affectionately call them. It is really remarkable the affinity between our boys and the Jocks. I was taking a draft through the camp to go up to the line early in the morning, and the Jocks turned out to see their ‘cobbers’ away. It was really funny to hear the remarks, but the expressions of goodwill were there genuine and sincere. After the war I feel sure there will be many a laddie seeking his colonial chum in New Zealand. More welcome emigrants we could not have. I wish the idea could be acted upon at once by the authorities, but I suppose until the war is over nothing workable can be arranged. It seems generally to be recognised that soldiers are going to emigrate from the Homeland after the war. New Zealand, doubtless, will attract a lot of them. It is to be hoped that our own fellows will be all back, settled on the land or in suitable places, before the influx. It will take a couple of years for all the New Zealanders to return home, so in the meantime some idea should be thought out of settling our own men on our own land."
Princess Salote’s wedding
A royal wedding was celebrated at Nukualofa on September 19, the contracting parties being Princess Salote, the daughter of King George Tabou II, of Tonga, and Prince William Tugi, who is said to be higher in Tongan rank than even the king. The ceremony, which was in Tongan, was performed by the Rev. J. Watkin, president of the Free Church of Tonga, assisted by the Rev. R. Page, chairman of the Wesleyan Mission. The bride’s costume, which was of a most elaborate nature, was made in Sydney, the veil, which was hand-worked, having on it crowns worked in silk, with floral emblems, and true lovers’ knots.
Stealing gas
A few days ago a Nelson Corporation fitter, sent to change a gas meter at a house, found that the owner had connected the service from the gas main to the house fittings in such a way that he was able to by-pass the meter, and so obtain gas without it being registered on the meter. In comparing the gas consumption of this consumer, the gas engineer stated that there was very little difference between his readings in 1909 and 1917, so it was difficult to say how long the fraud had been going on.
Schoolboy labour
A labour difficulty was effectually solved by novel means last week (reports the Wyndham Herald). Adjacent to Wyndham there was an area of about seven acres to be planted with potatoes, and it became a problem as to where the required labour should be sought. The idea was conceived of utilising after hours the labour of seven boys attending the Wyndham School. They were able to do the work quickly and well. The boys were to receive 9d an hour; but they appealed for 1s an hour, and their demand was conceded.
Purebred pigs
A number of dairymen in Manawatu district at the present time are devoting their attention to breeding or buying pigs of a purebred strain for fattening purposes. One farmer stated that this class of pig fattened quicker than an inferior-bred animal, and killed out heavier.
"Right" whale captured
A "right" whale 52ft in length, was found by a resident on Te Horo beach last Saturday. Boiling-down operations by a party of Maoris have commenced, and the opinion is expressed by an experienced whaler that the whale should produce at least four tons of oil. — ODT, 13.10.1917.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
