Abergavenny Chronicle

DE VEULLE SENT FOR TRIAL. Reggie de Veulle has been committed for trial at the Central Criminal Court on the charge of the manslaughter of Miss Billie Carleton, the actress, by supplying her with drugs, and also on the further charge of conspiring with Mrs. Lo Ping Yu, the Scot- tish wife of a Chinaman living at Lime- house, to procure a large quantity of cocaine. De Veulle was allowed bail in X500. Mr. Huntly Jenkins, who appeared on behalf of de Venlle, submitted there was no evidence as to the cause of death. He also argued that, assuming Miss Carleton died frojn cocaine poisoning, anybody could have given her the drug on the nignt before the Victory Ball or on the morning of the ball. Points of law were also advanced by Mr. Jenkins- with the object of showing that de Veulle could not be held guilty. The Bow-street magistrate said he was not prepared to say there might not be a legal question of some difficulty as far as the illegal act was concerned, but he thought it was his duty to leave the ques- tion for the consideration of the judge ir the higher court.

ARMY OF THE RHINE. I The War Office announces the composition of the Army of the Rhine. There will be one division of cavalry, con- 8isting of Dragoons, Lancers, and Hussars. The infantry will comprise the following ten divisions—Highland, Lowland, Lanca- shire, Western, Northern, Midland, Southern, Eastern. London, and Light. The London Division includes the 17th, 23rd, and 26th Royal Fusiliers, the Ij7th, 19th, and 23rd Middlesex, the 9th East Surrey, and the 2/4th, 10th, and 11th West Surrey. There will also "be Cyclists, Artillery, Engineers, Tanks, Military Police, Machine Gun Corps, Army Service Corps, Postal, Transportation, Labour, and Medical units, as well as the various Headquarters Staffs.

SOLDIERS WRECK A CANTEEN. I Walter Slater, canteen manager, of Wit- ley Camp, was nned jElO at Guildford foi sellinc for profit cigarettes issued by thE Government to the Canadian troops free of duty. Slater purchased large quantities and sold them at ordinary prices. The soldiers, thinking the authorities were cheating them, wrecked the canteen, and the officer commanding was assaulted when he tried to quell the disturbance, and had to be taken to hospital.

SISTER WIDOWS VICTIMISED. I "A heartless fraud" was the deecriptiot applied by tho Marlborough-street magis- trate to the charges against Karl Schayler. described as a financial agent. It was alleged that Schayler had fradu. lently converted to his own use < £ 500 en. trusted to him by Mrs. Ethel Willett, a widow. The charge also involved the impro- per conversion of other large sums belong- ing to Mrs. Willett, and of some tl,700, the property of her sister, Mrs. Wills, also a widow. Schayler was further charged as a German with failing to supply particulars required by the Aliens Registration Order. According to the prosecution, Schayler in- troduced hi.ieelf to Mrs. Willett at a Bays- water boarding-house as a wealthy financial expert, and induced her, and afterwards Mrs. Wills, to part with securities valued at nearly £ 7,000 for more profitable invest- ment. That was in October, 1914, but all the money had disappeared between that year and 1918. Mr. Mead passed sentence of six months' imprisonment on each of the charges, the sentences to run consecutively. There would also be a certi it? of expulsion.

2,900 MISSING PRISONERS. I Lord Newton stated in the House of Lords that Germany would have to account for every missing British prisoner of War. Replying to Lord Fortescue, who asked for information with regard to the search made in Germany for prisoners not re- patriated, Lord Xewtcn said that as soon a« the prison camps were clear search parties were sent into Germany. The result of the search was to discover ahout 120 persons, some of whom wanted to remain in Ger- many. There was no evidence that the Ger- mans were keeping any prisoners in hiding. The secret camp in which British officers were supposed to be confined was non-exis- tent. A month ago there were still 7,000 missing men to be accounted for. Now it was 2,900. That number would be still further reduced no doubt, for every clue was being followed up; but whatever the residual number the German Government would have to account for every one. Par- ticular care had been taken to see there were no prisoners left in- the mines.

The number of War Savings Certificates eo!d during the week ended February 22 was 1,958,976, bringing the total to that d up to 299,196,580. The birth-rate at Woolwich for the final quarter of last year was 13.1. the lowest on record, and tho death-rate 24.1, the highest in the history of the borough. <

ARMY CAMP RIOT. CANADIANS AND DEMOBILISATION DELAYS HEAVY CASUALTY LIST. Arising out of demobilisation grievances, serious rioting has occurred among Cana- dian troops at Kinmel Military Camp, Rhyl. It is stated that five men were killed and forty injured. The men concerned in the outbreak had been sent to the camp to be demobilised and passed for embarkation. Most of them are war casualties and have served in France for three years or more. They allege that their sailings have been postponed until other troops, who came to the war theatre later, have been sent home. The riot started suddenly with a cry, "Come on, Bolsheviks," said to have been raised by a Canadian soldier who is a Rus- sian. Hundreds of men rushed from their hrts armed with all sorts of weapons, and begun to destroy property. Rioters entered tha quarters of the girls of the Navy and Army Canteen Board, who were in b a and carried off their clothes, and smashed and ransacked a large number of business stores skirting the main road fronting the camp. Vast quantities of stores of all kinds, with articles of furniture, were thrown into the road, while within the camp itself much damage was done. Next day the situation took a more serious turn, and cavalry were called out, but for- bidden to use their arms. The rioters got possession of the ammunition stores, and soon afterwards the officers' quarters were fired on. The authorities then took drastic measures. A large number of men march- ing on Abergele were intercepted by troops from Chester and forced to turn back. A highly-placed officer flew from London to Kinmel Camp, and, addressing the men, promised an immediate inquiry into their grievances respecting pay and demobilisa- tion. The camp contains about 25,000 Cana- dians. The ringleaders of the riot are stated to be mostly of foreign extraction. FIVE DEATHS. I An official report gives the number of I deaths as five. Three rioters and two men on picket duty were killed. There were twenty-one wounded, of whom two were officers. There is no foundation for the report that a major who is a V.C. has been either killed \or in- jured. The inquest on the five Canadian soldiers killed was opened on Friday, and after evi- dence of identification was adjourned. The dead were identified as Private David Gillen, twenty; Private Jack Hickman, twentv-one; Corporal Joseph Young, thirty- ;ix; Private William Lyne Haney, twenty- two; and William Tarashawich, thirty. The tatter's national statue was not known, but it was said he had a brother in Chicago, and that when he joined the Army he changed his surname from Taranko.

J RENT RESTRICTION ACT. i The text of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, has I)e.2ri issued. Its provisions include the following, The provisions of the Act apply to houses or parts of houses let as separate dwellings, where no land other than the garden is covered by the rent; and where the rent or rateable value is- In the Metropolitan Police district over £ 35 and not more than £ 55. In Scotland over X30 and not exceeding .£48. Elsewhere over £ 26 and not above .£42. In these cases an increase of rent not ex- ceeding 10 per cent. shall be recoverable after the landlord has given four weeks' notice of the increase in writing, and if the landlord shows to the satisfaction of the County Court that- The rent is less than that of similar houses in the same locality; Wear and tear has been increased by taking lodgers or boarders; or the in- crease Is justified by sub-letting. An increase of one-half per cent. in mort- gage interest is permitted provided that the interest so increased will not exceed 5 per cent.

OUR BIGGEST AIRSHIP. I The largest British airship, R33, ascended at Selby, Yorkshire, at eleven o'clock on Thursday morning for her trial flight. She was in charge of Colonel Hicks, R.A.P., as pilot, and Major Thomas as captain of the ship. I At a height of 300 feet she began to steer in a westerly direction against the wind. She afterwards circled around, travelling to- wards Leeds, nearly to York, and half-way to Doncaster. The greatest height reached was 2,000 feet, and her speed average was between 40 and 50 miles an hour, but her engines were only worked at three-quarter speed. It had been intended to remain up for six hours, but owing to wireless indica- tions of the approach of bad weather she landed three hours after her ascent. She carried thirty persons, of whom twenty-four were the crew. R:33'" length is 670 feet, and her breadth 80 feet. Each of her five engines is 250 I 11. p., and she carries four passenger gon- dolas. As a trial trip the flight was considered highly satisfactory.

== COST OF THE NAVY. I Details of the Navy Estimates for the year 1919-20 have been issued as a White Paper. The statement shows that the Navy has a personnel of 280,000, and that the total-urn estimated to be required for naval purposes during the year is X149,200,000, of which £ 137,080,000 is required for effective services and X 12,120,000 for non-effective services—i.e., half pay and retired pay, pen- sions, gratuities, compassionate allowances, etc. The chief items required under the head of "Effective Services" are 68 millions for ship- building, repairs, maintenance, etc., 26 millions for wages, 18 millions for naval armaments and aviation, and over 11 millions for victualling and clothing.

AIRMAN'S LEAP FOR LIFE. At the inquest on Lieut. J. M. Hancock, an Australian airman who fell from his machine when 2,500ft. above Richmond Park. the opinion was given that the engine had "back-fired," and it would be easy to upset the equilibrium in trying to put out the flames. Sergt. E. J. Scott, R.A.F., said it looked as if the pSot meant to jump from the machine if it got too hot. No doubt he took a sportsman's chance and intended to div'ek into the Thames or into the pond in Rich- mond Park.

Portsmouth Corporation could clear the books of the local Employment Exchange of every man in need of work if the necessary I material could be obtained. Lord Hindlip, speaking'as a candidate for I the Worcestershire County Council at a I meeting at Ombersley, said he would not be I opposed to the nationalisation of the land.

I THE COAL INQUIRY. I GREAT PROFITS MADE BY COAL OWNERS Remarkable disclosures as to prices and profits have been mad e by witnesses before the Coal Commission which is sitting at the House of Lords. Mr. A. L. Dickinson, member of a well- known London firm of chartered accoun- tants, and financial adviser to the Coal Con- troller, stated that whereas in the five veare before the war the mine owners made an average profit of .213,000,000, or Is. per tor on an output of 270 million tons, last yeai they made t39,000,000, or 3e. 6id. a ton or 218 million tons. This was despite the in- creased cost of working. The profit figuref de not include the sum paid in royalties which amounts to about < £ 6,000,000 a year. Mr. Dickinson estimated that to grant the demands of the miners for a six-hour day. and an increase of 30 per cent. in wages, would cost < £ 14,000,000. Referring to the increase of 2s. 6d. put or the price of coal in June last year, Mr. Dickinson said there were two justifications for putting up the price. They had to takE chances, and do what they thought was best One justification was the necessity imposed by Parliament, and the other was the 1081 sustained by certain collieries. Sir L. Money: If the industry had beer one concern you would not have had to pul up the prioe? Mr. Dickinson: No. Mr. Sidney Webb: By putting on this 2s. 6d. per ton you received twenty-fiv* millions from the public. The Coal Con- troller took ten millions, the Exchequer g01 ten millions, and the wealthy mine-owneri got the balance of five millions? Mr. Dickinson: That is so. Mr. Dickinson, in reply to further ques. tions, admitted that it was extremely im- probable that the 2s. Gd. would have beer put on if all the figures they now had had been in their possession at the time. Mr. Dickinson also stated that the outpul per person in Durham mines was highei than in South Wales, though the Durham men's working day was shorter. In Durham the men worked six hours, the average out- put being 58.34 tons at a cost of 17s. 6d. I per ton; in South Wales the day was eighl hours, the average output 55.01 tons, and the cost £1 16. 8id. Dr. J. C. Stamp, assistant secretary to th< Board of Inland Revenue, stated that the average return on capital in the mining in- dustry was rather lower than 9 per cent. 111 1915 the Government received < £ 10,000,00c by way of excess profit from mines.

I SOLDIERS PROXY KILLED. I A remarkable story was told at Liverpool, when Samuel MacFarland, aged twenty- three, ship's quartermaster, was charged with being a deserter. Superintendent Wilcock informed the magistrates that MacFarland exchanged his Border Regiment uniform with a comrade, I who took MacFarland's name and number I The man then went to France and was killed, and MacFarland was reported in th. casualty list as dead. MacFarland then joined the R.A.M.C. and deserted. He had been going to sea since then under the name of Lawson, and was ar- rested recently on a charge of neglect of his family. I MacFarland was sentenced to three months for this offence, and he will be dealt with by the military on his release.

SINN FEINERS TO BE FREED. I Mr. Macpherson (Irish Secretary) an- nounced in the House of Commons that it has been decided to release the Irish political prisoners. Mr. Shortt (Home Secretary) informed General Surtees, in reference to the escape of De Valera and other Sinn Feiners from Lincoln Prison, that these men were not ordinary prisoners, subject to strict regula- tions of the prison code, or preparations for escape would not have been possible or would have been detected. By the good con- duct of these men the governor was led into an error of judgment in considering that the existing supervision was sufficient, for which he had been admonished. Other officials of the prison were not to blame.

DEMOBILISATION PROGRESS. I From the armistice to February 22 the number of troops dealt with at ports in the United Kingdom, including all Imperial and Allied forces, individuals, prisoners of war, and invalids, was 2,340,474. Arrangements have been made with the Dutch Government to transport men for de- mobilisation from the Army of the Rhine by water to Rotterdam. It is hoped that the Dutch Government will agree to allow the passage of British troops via Rotterdam to the Army of the Rhine, provided it is made clear that the object is to hasten peace and cannot raise any questions of neu- trality.

PENSION BONUS. I Sir L. Worthington Evans, Minister of Pensions, announced that it had been de- cided that the bonus of 20 per cent. granted to men who were in. receipt of pensions up to June next should be extended until the end of September. The extension would ap- ply to all pensions and allowances in respect 01 which a war bonus was granted. With regard to officers' pensions, it had been decided that the bonu& of 20 per cent. granted up to September next should be added to the disability retired pay of all officers and the disability pensions of nurses and naval warrant officers, and to the al- lowances to widows and children.

I BROOCH TO PAY LAW COSTS. I An extraordinary incident occurred at Shrewsbury County Court, when Judge Tobin, K.C., was asked to make a varying order for the payment of X60, representing a farthing damages and costs awarded in a slander action heard at Salop Assizes. The defendant pleaded that she had no means of paying, and could make no offer. "No means!" said the judge. "What are those jewels you are wearing! The woman replied that she was wca?mg a brooch that bad belonged to her mo r. "Well, that is something," said the judge, and at his re- quest the woman delivered up the brooch.

The Board of Trade give notice that in cases where officers and seamen of the mer- cantile marine lost their lives through being torpedoed or mined whilst serving on a British merchant ship, torpedo badges will be sent to their next-of-kin. Wages of girls working in Co-operative laundries at Manchester have been advanced by sums raning from 3s. to 7s. a week. "Things went well until the armistice was signed and the General Election over, and then he came down on me," said a tenant in contesting a landlord's claim for possession at Clerkenwell County-court. Because some diseased meat seized in a I public slaughterhouse at Aldershot could not be said to have been exposed for sale, I the magistrates dismissed two cases against a butcher for having the carcass of a tuber- culosis pig on the premises which he shared with other butchers.

BRITAIN'S CHANCE. I I "THE LAND TO SAVE CIVILISATION." I Mr. Lloyd George delivered a speech at the first meeting of the Joint Committee of the National Industrial Council at the Cen- tral Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday. He said he should not be a bit surprised if this old country, not for the first time, should be the land that would save civilisation in more senses' than one. But it would only save civilisation if all classes felt that civilisa- tion here was on a basis of justice and fair play to all classes. He wanted them to do something there that all lands in their despair would turn once more to Britain and say, "They have settled things th-ere in such a way that jus- tice has been done to all classes, all classes are contented, grievances have been re- moved, wrongs have been redressed, and a new country has been built up. Let us fol- low the example of that little island in the sea once more." The industries of the country, somehow or other, ought to be able., with the assistance of the State to devise some means that would make it impossible that when unem- ployment did come—and it was almost im- passible to prevent it—distress and pain and hunger and famine should haunt the home cf honest people who were only seeking an opportunity for work. He was convinced that the future success and prosperity of this country depended on increasing its productivity. Of course, there was a great deal of waste in the organisa- tion of industry. He was sure that it was possible by scientific methods, among others, by better organisation, bv having a complete understanding with the working people, and making them feel that where there was an increase of produce they would get their fair share of it, to increase the prosperity of the country. The countries outside had gone so com- pletely to pieces that he could not see any country except ours and America, and pos- sibly Japan, to supply the world. So if they came together quickly he believed there was an era of great prosperity before this land.

DOES YOUR BACK ACHE ? I I IF SO, TRY THIS NEW REMEDY. t Wonderful stories continue to come to hand telling of the really marvellous cures effected by Baker's Backache Pellets. A business man writes from Athercliffe, Shef- field: "Baker's Backache Pellets have done me more good than all the doctors for fif- teen years. I am telling all my customers about the marvel of the day." If you suffer l-oin Backache, Rheumatism, Lumbago, Sciatica, Gravel, Dizziness, or any Kidney Trouble, get a box to-day. They are a posi- tive cure. Sold by Boots, Taylors, and all chemists at 1/3 per box, or post free direct from Baker's Medicine Co., Ltd., 1, Southampton-row, W.C. 1.

I TENURE OF ALLOTMENTS. I Sir Arthur Boeeawen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, states that the Board have power under the Defence of the Realm Act to remain in pos- session of land for a period of two years from the end of the war, and they intend to avail themselves of this power except in cases where they are satisfied that the land is required at once for building or other special purpose, or where the compensation for continued occupation would be prohibi- tive. The Board have no power to intervene in regard to allotments held on agreements between the local authority and the owner, but the existing law puts on local authori- ties the onus of providing allotments within their area. --———-—— = )

I THE ANTWERP INQUIRY. I Mr. Walter Long, in answer to a question by Commander Bellairs in the House of Commons, said that the court of inquiry into the loss of naval battalions in the re- treat from Antwerp at the beginning of the war had reported, and the report was now being considered. The court was directed to investigate the circumstances in which the First Royal Naval Brigade came to be interned in Hol- land in October, 1914. It was not possible to disclose the findings or publish the pro- ceedings.

WAR PRISONERS' PAY. I t An Army Council Instruction relative to the rates of pay due from employers of pri- soners of war engaged in agriculture pro- vides that farmers and others must pay the full local rates in all cases for such labour. No exceptions can be made to this rule. Where the farmer is responsible for the guarding of prisoners during the hours of work an abatement of 4d. per day per pri- soner may be allowed. The rate for overtime is to be the full local rate.

PETROLEUM PIPE LINES. I The latest American project is one for a line of huge pipes beneath the Atlantic for the transport of oil from the American oil- fields direct to Europe. This would be by far the largest pipe-line in the world. America has a number of oil pipe-lines, which convey the petroleum from the wells to the coast, and direct into the tankers. One. of those is over fifty miles long. But the longest pipe-line for the conveyance of mineral oil is that which connects the town of Baku, on the Caspian Sea, with Batoum, on the Black Sea. This pipe-line was com- pleted just hefore the war, the oil having formerly been conveyed in great tanks by rail. It will now be fully restored to work- ing order. It is 550 miles in length, and has a carrying capacity of four hundred million gallons per annum.

A GIANT RAFT. I While log rafts are by no means new, the huge raft recently constructed at Hapa- randa, Sweden, and used to ship a large number of logs to Copenhagen, Denmark, is worthy of passing mention. The great raft measurc.3 387ft. long, 55Jft. wide, 10ft. above the waterline, and 161-ft. below. The raft took six months to build, and contains as much wood as four big steamers. It is held together by an ingenious system of steel cables and wires, and is capable of carrying a large amount of material. The crew consists of seven men.

IJadv Ritchie, widow of Sir Richmond Ritchie, and daughter of William Makepeace Thackeray, was buried at Hampstead. Answers caught 1,457 salmon and grilse, weighing 27,857 £ lb., in the Wye (Hereford) lu"t season, the largest being 48lb., and the smallest (a. grilse), 2!lb. The second concrete ship built at Warren Point for the Admiralty has been launched. She is 185 feet longf and 30 feet beam, her tonnage being 1,000. "I wish you god-speed, a fine adventure, and a swift return," are the words with which Mr. Winston Churchill. Secretary of State for War, concludes an inspiring mes- sage to the young soldiers' battalions pro- I ceeding to the Rhine.

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] PENSION PROBLEMS: HOW TO SOLVE THEM. By AN EXPERT. Unrealised Benefits for the Totally Dis- abled-Service Pensions and Disablement Pensions-How the War Gratuity is Paid —"Training" Reminders-A "Member's Friend to Speed-up the Supply of In- formation Limitations of the War Bonus. FREE ADVICE TO OUR READERS. A book much read at one time bore the titlt 'Popular Delusions and it would be a tempt- ing task to any writer aware of the movement* Of public opinion to bring out an up-to-datt edition of thi6 work. One of the most prevalent misconceptions ] encounter is the deep-rooted idea that 27s. 6d a week, plus 20 per cent. war bonus (i.e., 33s. in all), has to suffice for all possible require- ments of a totally disabled man. This is only half the truth, and therefore it is a mischiev- ous delusion. The present facts are these: In addition to the 33is., the totally disabled man receives children's allowances. If his disable- ment is of a nature to make the constant at- tendance of another person necessary, he may he given a special allowance up to 20s. a week. Then, as part of his treatment, he may also be given extra nourishment up to a cost of 10s. a week, when it is certified that his con- dition requires it. Length of service has nothing whatsoever to do with a soldier's disablement pension. It is determined entirely by rank and degree of disablement. Disablement pension and service pension may be held concurrently, but a war- rant officer or non-cominissicned officer entitled to both service and disablement pension must elect whether he will take disablement pen- sion at private's rate in addition to service pension, or forfeit the latter and take disable- ment pension in accordance with his proper rank. So far as it can be made so, payment of pension is automatic, but special benefits, like the alternative pension and special grants, which depend upon past circumstances not known to the Ministry of Pensions, is only given on application. All the necessary par- ticulars are contained in "The Disabled Sol- dier's Handbook," which, I understand, every man receives. The other day I saw it stated somewhere that delays frequently intervene between the demobilisation of soldiers and the payment of their gratuities. On inquiry I learn that cases of delay at the present time are exceptional. The course pursued is as follows: The gratuity du? to a demobilised soldier is deposited to his credit in the Post Office Savings Bank. The Savings Bank book should be ready for issue on the due date, namely, the last day of the man's dispersal furlough, on which day he ceases to be a soldier. All matters relating to the arduous work in coal mines; are now necessarily much in the public mind. The square deal for every class of the community is what the present (jovern- m-ent stands for. What, I have heen asked, is to become of the man who was a miner before enlistment and who has been disabled by his war service from following his occupa- tion? It cannot be too often repeated that such a man is eligible for training in some new occupation suited to his physical condition. Men desiring such training should apply to their local War Pensions Committees. If a man so trained is still unable to command the Vages he earned before the war, and his pen- man and children's allowances do not make good the difference, he is entitled to apply for an alternative pension. Severely disfigured men whose disablement makes it undesirable that they should take part in ordinary industrial life will be trained by the Ministry of Pen- sions. The question of the manner in which this special training can best be given is engaging the attention of the Minister of Pensions. 1r Readers of the daily papers—especially the soldiers and their friends—who only glanced at the headings of Mr. Winston Churchill's speech in the House of Commons on the Army Estimates, missed a point of first-rate interest to themselves. Almost from time immemorial it has been the custom for constituents to write to their members of Parliament when they were in any sort of difficulty. The war, the "armis- tice, demobilisation, the army of occupation, questions relating to pay and service, have raised a whole crop of difficulties, which, as a matter of course, are fired off at the new members, who are not unnaturally embarrassed by the number and nature of the inquiries. You can't have the world turned upside down without bringing such urgent speculations into existence. Realising this state of affaire, and reminded of tho-fact by a private member, the Secretary of State for War moved with his ac- customed promptitude The point to note is this: Mr. WilJston Churchill has instituted what might be called a members' friend' to expedite the handling of "these inquiries. This useful function is to be carried out by Mr. MacCallum Scott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of War. who twice a week will meet members in Mr. Winston Churchill's private room in the House of Commons to as- sist members in obtaining specific information. At the same time an officer from the War Office, connected with the Departments con- cerned, will be in attendance to assist in providing the requisite information. This in- novation should mean that quicker answers tc questions addressed by constituents to their members of Parliament should soon be forth- coming. Some miscellaneous points to be borne in mind: (I) only actual time with the Colours counts for special war gratuity; (2) Canadians who enlisted in the British Army receive the gratuity paid to British troops; (3) a man with a 50 per cent, pension, i.e., 13s. 9d. a week, receives half the children's allowances, 3s. 4d. for the first child, 2s. 6d. for the second, 2s. for the third—plus fhe 20 per cent. war bonus up to the end of June next; (4) the 20 per cent. war bonus does not apply to officers and their widows. Its application to them is at present under consideration. Our Pensions Expert is anxious to assist sailors and soldiers and their wives and de- pendants in dealing with intricacies of the War Pensions System. Address your queries to "Pensions Expert," c/o Editor of this paper. All essential facts should be stated as briefly as possible, such as name, number, rank, regiment of soldier, name and rating of sailor, particulars of families and separation allowance, and (in inquiries concerning civil liabilities) pre-war I or pre-enlistment income, present or war in- come, and full liabilities. Do not send any documents, birth certificates, or discharge papers, etc. I

The Gilbert White Fellowship adopted a resolution regretting the proposals to pull down part of the Whitgift Hospital, Croy- don, and protesting against this valuable Elizabethan building being thus interfeted with, in order to widen the main street. Under the impression that a certain bar- rel at Newport (Mon.) Docks conttined% wine, Wallace Roach, a ship's rigger, drank the fluid which was dripping from it. The barrel was filled with acid for removing boiler corrosion. A coroner's jy returned A verdict of accidental death.

I FUN AND FANCY. Clergyman (giving out weekly notices) "The preacher for next Sunday will be nailed upon the church door." "Flossie accepts more rings from men than any girl I know." "I don't under- stand." "She is a telephone operator." Mrs. Bilton: "Weren't you surprised, dear, when your husband gave you such a nice present?" Mrs. Tilton: "No; I was sus- picious." Fond Mamma: Oh, look, papa, how solid baby feels this morning. Catch hold of him." Papa: "Yes; there certainly seems a difference. He was all holler' last night." < "Do you know that I am soon to be en- gaged to Mr. Peterson?" "Is that so? Has he spoken to your mother?" "No, but my mother has spoken to him." Nephew: "I tried to get a rise to-day,, aunt, but the boss refused it." Mrs. Blun- derbig: "Too bad, Dickey! Perhaps you didn't approach him at the zoological moment. She: "You interest me strangely—as no other man ever has." He: "You sprang that on me last night." "She: "Oh, was it you?'" Little Girl (who has just lost a tooth), pointing to dentist's show-case): "Oh, Mum- mie, I would like that one!" Mother: "Hush, dear! How often have I told you that it is very bad manners to pick your teeth in public!" "Does your wife economise?" "Yes," re- plied Mr. Meeton. "She has figured to a nicety how many new gowns the money I spend for cigars would buy." Mother: "Bobby, you must remember never to ask for a second piece of cake." Bobby: "I wouldn't if I could get two pieces instead of one!" "That poodle of yours seems rather cau- tious." "He is." "Takes fio chances." "No; I've seen him approach a toy dog with his tail wagging." Gushing Young Woman (to famous actor): Oh, do you know, Mr. Starleigh, I'm simply mad to go on the stage." famous Actor: "Yes, I should think you would be, my dear young lady." Teacher (reading aloud): "The weary sentry leaned on his gun and stole a few moments' sleep." "I bet I know where be stole it from." "Where, Dorothy? "From his nap '-sack." Batik Cashier: "What is your name?" Indignant Customer: "Don't you see my signature?" Cashier: "Yes. That's what aroused my curiosity." "A florist advertises: Tell her with Cowers. "A pretty thought. Suppose you minted a girl to meet you about the middle of the afternoon. What wouid you send her?" "Four o'clocks." Master (to new cook): "We want you to show what you can do to-night, Jane. We have some rather special people coming for a musical evening. Do your very b £ >t, you know." Cook: "Sure, sir, that I will. It's, a long time since I did any singing; but you can put me down for a couple of ccmio songs, if you like." Tramp: "I called ter see, lidv, if I cud do sera work for yer?" Lady: "What can you do?" Tramp: "I'm a kind o' dentist, mum; I want ter advertice; so I'll put a set o' teeth into a good pie for nothin' The Colonel (to hardened offender): "Didn't I tell you last time you were up in the orderly room that I never wanted to see you again?" The Culprit: "That's right, sir;, but the bloomin' sergeant wouldn't believe it!" "I see Newpop at the club quite often since his baby came. I thought he was anchored to a home life." "He was, but at the first squall he began to drag hie, anchor." Tommy: "Ain't it time to eat the good things?" Mother: "Certainly not! You must until your friends come." Tommy: "I don't fancy they'll come, 'cause I didn't invite them. I thought I'd rather have it entirely exclusive." "Marry money, my boy, marry money." "Urn?" "It's just as easy to love a rich girl as a poor girl." "But it isn't as easy to get. 'em to marry you, old top." "How lolic, has that clerk worked for- you?" asked the caller. "About four hours, replied the boss. "I thought he had been here longer than that," said the caller. "He has," said the boss. He's been here for four- months." "What happened to me?" asked the- chronic optimist, when he woke' up in the- hospital. "The motor that knocked you down cut your leg off," said the nurse. "Oh, well," he mused, "I had rheumatism in that leg, anyhow." Nora: "The idea! Here is a doctor who says that yawning will remove that annoy- ing buzzing in one's ears!" Flora: That s, true. The other night, after young Mr. Jones had been talking steadily to me for three hours, I yawned twice, and he went home." Miss Yeller: "It's an outrage! I was sink- ing just now when this slipper flew in through the window." Economical Mother: "Sing another verse, dear, and perhaps you'll get the other one." Dawson: "The facial features plainly indi- cate character and disposition. In selecting; your wife were you governed by her chin?" Spenlow: "No, but I have been ever since we were married." "You are the sunshine of my life." "Darling!" "You .alone reign in my heart.- "Oh, George!" "With you by my side I could weather any storm." "Excuse me, George, is this a weather report, or a pro- posal?" He: "And did you see Monte Carlo while- you were at Nice?" She: "No. Papa called on him, I believe, but from his disappointed appearance when he returned to the hotel I think Mr. Carlo must have been out." Two sailors at a dog show were gazing at a valuable Skye terrier, which had so much hair that it looked more. like a woollen mat than a dog. "Which end is 'is 'ead, TOJJI?" asked one. "Blowed if I know," was the reply, "but 'ere, I'll stick A pin in him, and you look which end barks!