Wholly unrehearsed events connected with the visit, such as the unexpected meeting between his Majesty and a body of ''Anzacs'' marching, with all the grime of battle on them, back from Pozieres, where they had greatly distinguished themselves, were, as unrehearsed events so frequently are, among the most impressive that are recorded.
The King took all the risks which are attendant upon a visit to the war zone, and it will readily be believed that the soldiers of the Empire, in whose gallantry he has expressed the liveliest pride in an Army Order which has been issued by him, have in consequence been moved to an increased sense of admiration of him.
His Majesty has returned to England fully convinced of the ultimately favourable issue of the war in which the British soldiers and their brave allies are fighting with so much determination and courage.
The note of confidence which the King has sounded has become general throughout the Entente Powers. It would be absurd to suppose that it is not based on a very solid foundation of knowledge of the existing military conditions.
•Several of Auckland's most prominent business men have had reason to regret having relatives residing abroad during the past few days.
Some person has evidently been trading on the generosity of the Auckland public, for several reports have come to hand of local business men being visited by a man who claimed to be a relative in need.
In most cases the ''need'' has been met with financial help. A man has been calling at business houses and asking for the manager, says Mr X.
Mr X. has duly received the caller, who claimed to be a cousin - a Mr Frank A., of Hobart, or of any other place. The feeling that ''blood is thicker than water'' prompted the unsuspecting business man to advance a loan to the cousin, who was a school teacher, and a Master of Arts, he said.
One of the good-hearted gentlemen referred to met another, and they compared notes. That's when the trouble came. They had either to accept the idea of his being a cousin to both of them or admit that they had both been had.
•About 10.30 o'clock on Saturday morning a couple of small boys, who had been picking up coal from the roadway near the Wellington Customhouse, were being escorted to the police station by a constable, when about 50 watersiders and others intervened.
The constable was severely jostled, and was compelled to release the boys, who quickly decamped. The constable retained his hold of the sack of coal taken from the boys, and continued on his way to the police station.
•A correspondent wires as follows:
- ''The Karamea bar is particularly good at the present time, the channel being straight, and there is at least 14ft of water at spring tides; yet through the inability to secure vessels to carry the timber away all the sawmills are at a stand-still. One firm of millers has 400,000ft of dry timber awaiting shipment, and although it is offering big freights it cannot secure vessels. This district is one of the finest in the dominion, and bids to be one of the leading farming districts on the coast. There is at least 50,000,000ft of rimu and white pine, the quality of which is second to none in the country, and at present the settlers are felling and burning it in order to clear the land.''
- ODT, 17.8.1916.
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