Abergavenny Chronicle

HAPPY IS THE MAN." 1 When the English Creamery Company ap- pealed at the House of Commons Tribunal on Monday for their manager, Mr. Christian- son, a photogra-ph of his nine children was handed in. and Mr. Parsons, K.C., re- marked, "Happy is the man that has his quiver full. One feels inclined to congratu- late all concerned."

AN INGENIOUS ABSENTEE. A munition worker named Spurgeon, who was handed over to the military authorities at fenfield on Monday, stated to have evaded military service for nearly a year by con- stantly moving to different towns in the country, never staying longer than twenty- eight days, and thus- making it unneoesary, to obtain a new registration card. w

A DANGEROUS GAME, A boy was fined 5s. by London Munitions Tribunal on Monday for running trucks. These trades, it was stated, were used to convey explosives, and boys skylarked with them, running by the side of them and jumping on for a ride.

TORPEDOED MAILS. The Postmaster-General announces that & snail from the Salonica force dispatched on April 8, and probably containing five days correspondence, for the United Kingdom, has been lost at sea through enemy action. Mails for the Egyptian Expeditionary Force containing correspondence (but not parcels) for that force which reached Lon- don for dispatch on March 31, April 1, 7, and 8 have also been lost.

—— —— SHIPPING TO BE SAVED FOR CARRYING j FOOD. PREMIER'S CALL TO THE PUBLIC. Mr. Lloyd George was presented with the freedom of the City of JLondon on Friday. In the course of his speech in reply to the t address, he referred to the submarine menace. He said the best Drains available, in this country and America, and, to a more limited extent, in France, were applying their energies to the problem. For the moment it would not be wise for me to say more than that. He had never seen a human problem which was not soluble, and he did not believe this was an exception. But we must proceed, to be absolutely safe, on the assumption that it could not be solved. And that was where the public came in. Our first difficulty was to feed the population. We had become for years, unfortunately, less and less self-contained in the matter of food. When the Government came in in December of last year the wheat cultivation of this country had been allowed to go down by 15 per cent. There were 250,000 fewer acres cultivated for wheat than in the pre- vious year. As the result of the guarantee to the farmer and the labourer and of rather feverish activity they had brought under cultivation in 'three or four months one million acres of fresh land, which meant an addition of two million tons of food. We were taking steps now for the harvest of 1918. If our plans were carried out there would be three million fresh acres of land put under cultivation, and we could guarantee that without a ton of food stuff from abroad no one can starve us out. The Government had made arrangements to cut down imports without interfering with any essential industry by between ten and eleven million tons. That would save ship- ping for the carrying of foodstuffs. Timber imports would be saved. Arrange- ments would be made by which we could get most of our minerals worked in the mines in Great Britain. We should be getting four million tons a year in addition to what we were getting now by August next. and our blast furnaces would be adapted for that purpose. Cutting down imports meant increasing shipping. We were building ships, and Sir Joseph Maclay had made arrangements by which we should get three times as many new ships this year as we had last year. He has also brought practically the whole ship- ping of this country for the first time under complete control and requisition, so that the ships of this country were going to be con- centrated henceforth upon the essential and vital trade of the country. "What is the result of th- arrangement he has made? asked Mr. Lloyd George. "I will show you. He has so concentrated his traffic and so arranged it that, although we are losing heavily in ships, and assuming we still continue to lose at the same rate, in July he can bring more cargo tonnage into our ports than in March. Those are the three things we propose doing, and by those means I have no hesitation in saying—I have said it before in the House of Common&I say it now after still more counsel and op- sociation with the facts, after daily inquir- ing, investigating, getting reports, and look- ing at the whole thing in its worst, as well as in its best, aspect—I have no hesitation in saying that if that programme is carried out, which means that if evervbodv in tijae country does his duty, the German sub- marine campaign is beaten. But the public must stick to their rations. The farmers atid labourers must cultivate the land. Hite workmen in the shipyards and the manu fac- turers must do their best to increase our supplies of ships. If we carry out all theqo things faithfully we can defy the very worst. I wanted to say that to you about the ques- tion of the submarines, because it is un- doubtedly engaging the attention of every one of us, and we are ,very alarmed by the figures which appear. But we are publishing them all, because we want the public to know. We are concealing nothing. That is a mistake. It is a country you do not get the best out of till it knows the worst—and that is true of any population which has got grit.

I BULGARS BEATEN OFF. I HEAVY ENEMT LOSSES IN ATTACK ON I OUR NEW POSITIONS. The War Office announces: Telegraphing on the night of April 29th, the GeneraJ Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the British Forces at Salonica reports:— On our Doiran-Vardar front the enemy has maintained a heavy bombardment against the positions gained by us, and on the night of the 28th-29th made an attack in strength. This attack was beaten off, the enemy losing heavily. On our Struma front we raided the enemy trenches near Keupri, capturing and killing a few of the occupants, the remainder of whom fled.

I TURKS HEAVY LOSSES. I 4,000 CASUALTIES IN THREE DAYS' I FIGHTING. The War Office announces:— The Turkish 18th Army Corps was re- ported on April 27 to be entrenching on both banks of the Tigris about fifteen miles north of Samarra. It has been ascertained from a prisoner that the total losses of this corps diwring the fighting on April 18, 21, and 22 must have been about 4,000. With reference to the communique issued on April 27, the new position near the Jebel Hamrin range, which is being prepared by the defeated 14th Turkish Army Corps, is a few mil es eouth of Band-i-Adhaim (twenty- five miles south-west of Kifri).

I FRANCE OR "THE WALL" I Driver G. J. Goddy, Australian Army Service Corpe, pleaded guilty at a Westmin- ster court-martial on Monday to several charges, including the theft of over X800 from the Australian base post office, Mount Pleasant, and of registered letters value £82 from the A.S.C. camp field post office. He askecl. not to be sent to prison, and added: "If you cannot see your way to send me to Flranoe, let me pa;* the penalty of my crime by going up against the wall." The decision will be promulgated in due course.

I PRIZE MONEY CLAIM FAILS. I Ia the Prize Court on Monday, Sir Samuel Evans dismissed a claim made by the officers and crew of H.M.S. Triumph and Usk for E6.,W prize bounty in regpeefc of tha, de- struction of the seven enemy warships at the capture of Tsingtau. His lordship said he regretted he could not grant the claim, but as the destruction of the ships was not brought about by naval action alone, but by combined naval and military action, prize bounty was not payable.

J Councillor Oliver, a journeyman grinder, 1 has boon elected chairman of Edmonton Urban District Council. Over £ 650 has been subscribed in a fort- night by the National Liberal Club for a Y.M.C.A. hut and equipment. Irish railway workers' claim haa been, settled on the basitl of an all-round increase of 5s. a week war bonus, to date from April 9. The War Office has appointed Mr. J. A. Cooper, agent for Sir Josslyn Gore Booth, to take charge of the new Raw Materials Finance Branch, "It is such a trouble to get boys nowadays that you ca;nnot Always wait to inquire into their characters," said an employer at Strat- ford Police-court. Police-constable Ralph has been: presented at Bow-street with L10 for rescuing an old woman from fire at the Christian Union Almshouses, Crawford-place, Edgware-road, W- 4

BEAN PRICES FIXED. 1 1 LORD DEVONPORT COMMANDEERS I HARICOTS. 1 The Food Controller has made an Order under which he takes over from the original consignees all Burmah peas and beans to arrive in this country at the price of .£37 per ton for hand-picked white beans and at corresponding prices for other varieties. All contracts ior sale made by consignees and persons claiming under them are cancelled, and sellers and buyers are released from all liability as to brokerage. The trausaction extends to over 50,000 tons, the market price of which before the Food Controller stepped in was in the region of £80 per ton. The beans so commandeered will be retailed at a price not exceeding 6d. per lb., as against the current price of Is. per lb. This Order means that the Food Controller has taken over what is called in the trade Rangoon haricot beans, which are sold to-day at over JB80 a ton, and also white peas, from which split peas are made.

KING INSPECTS NEW ZEALANDERS. The King inspected New Zealand troops on Salisbury Plain on Tuesday, and afterwards sent the following message to Brigadier- General F. E. Johnston:- "Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Men: "It was a pleasure to me to inspect training units of my New Zealand troops to-day, and thus to show my appreciation of the Bplendid services rendered by that force in the great war. "You are fhe representatives in the Mother Country of comrades who, by their glorious deeds on the battlefields of Gallipoli, Egypt. Palestine, and Flanders, have helped to immor- talise the name of Anzac. "From the appearance displayed by all ranks on parade I am satisfied that you in our turn will uphold the fame of those regiments to which you belong." His Majesty held a short open-air investiture, at which he bestowed war decorations upon bout a dozen of the New Zealanders.

I EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. I The Foreign Office states that an agreement Was come to a few months ago with the Ger- man Government to exchange civilian prisoners over military age. A certain number were repatriated from each side, and arrangements for a much larger number had been made when the process was suspended -by,the German declaration that all ships would be sunk at sight. The owners of. certain Swedish vessels have offered their ships for the transport of .prisoners if they can obtain a safe conl(r.(ct.

I FRIEND OF KING EDWARD. Mr. Arthur James, who was an intimate friend of King Edward, has died at Coton House, Rugby. Mr. James, who was sixty-four years of age, was the survivor of three wealthy brothers, one of whom, Mr. Frank James, was killed by an elephant in South Africa in 1900, while the other, M. Willie James, died in 1913. He married, in 1885, Miss Venetia Cavendish-Ben- tinck, daughter of the late Mr. George Caven dish-Bentinck.

DUSTMEN TO REPORT WASTE. In view of the waste of food and domestic commodities which has been found to be going on the Mayor of Bromley, Kent, has called a meeting of the dustmen and instructed them immediately to report cases of excessive waste, so that a warning may be sent to the offenders. Recently, in the waste removed from one house, there was enough bread to make up four loaves, and in another case enough coal and cinders to keep a family for a week.

I NEW WEST HAM STIPENDIARY. The King has approved the appointment of Mr. John Ratcliffe Cousins as stipendiary magistrate for West Ham, in place of the late Mr. Gillespie. Mr. Ratcli. Cousins has acted as deputy. magistrate at West Ham for several years. W". was a Moderate member of the L.C.C. and a prominent member* of the Tariff Reform eague.

I PAPERHANGING BANNED. Paperhangers are warned that the use of pryste for the purposes of their trade is for- bidden, and the Food Controller appeals to tha public not .to have any paperhanging done. The use of flour for paste by billposters also is prohibited. 0.

i CAPT. ROBINSON, V.C., ALIVE. A gentleman living at Vernon-gardens, Seven Kings, who. is a friend of Captain Leefe Robin- son, V.C., has received a communication which asureB him that the gallant air officer is alive and uninjured, a prisoner in Germany.

J REFUSED TO STOP. Captain Horatio Rivers, of the steamship Kashgar, was fined tlOO at East Ham Folice- court on Tuesday forlrefusing to obey an order to stop given to 'him by a naval officer in com- mand of an armed trawler.

On the charge of stealing the false teeth of the Rev. A. S. Westall, St. Michael's, Walthamstow, Sergeant F. C. Maxwell, R.E., was, at the Old Bailey, wMitencod to three years' penal servitude. The Office of Works suggests that the de- molition of houses in Whitehall-place should be postponed until July, 1921, which is the nearest estimate the department can make as being "two years and nine months from the quarter day next following the declara- tion of peace."

DRESS OF THE DAY.. I -—- I A DAINTY SUMMER DRESSING-GOWN. I Every dainty woman likes a pretty dress- ing-gown, more especially for summer wear. And dainty summer dressing-gowns, if made at home, are such an inexpensive luxury that there is no reason why any woman should deprive herself of such an invaluable possession. Dressing-gowns for warm weather wear are best made of washing fabrics, which are fresh and pretty in effect, are in- expensive, and may be soiled with impunity. And there are such hosts of charming wash- ing stuffs that it is a matter of difficulty to choose amongst them. For such a purpose the best materials to use are cotton crepe, which is shown in white, self-colours, striped, and printed effects; cotton voile, in plain and patterned varieties; zephyr, in self-colours, stripes, and checks; and Jap silk, which may now be obtained in atriped (Refer to X 783.] ?> and printed effects as well as in plain white and ivory. The simple but very charming little model shown in our sketch is realised in printed cotton crepe—dull mauve with blue flowers with a greenish blaek edge on a white ground—but it may be carried out in any other of the materials mentioned with the greatest success. This dressing-gown ie simply a slightly modified kimono that is cut with a good deal more fullness than the real Japanese kimono. It wraps over a little in front, and fastens with small pearl buttons that are placed beneath the edge and buttonholes that are worked in a small inner flap. A broad band of plain white crepe edges the neck and fronts. The sleeves, of three-quarter length, are cut in one with the dressing-gown, and are finished at the wrist by turn-back cuffs of the plain crepe. A girdle of the same plain crepe holds the kimono loosely to the figure at the waist- I line. It is passed through small straps at each side and fastens in front where the pointed ends are crossed. I WASHING SKIRTS. A number of smart skirts of washing materials are shown just now. These are carried out in such materials as pique, linen, cotton repp, casement cloth, shan- tung, and heavy shirting. The best of "these skirts are made with a special view to the exigencies of the wash tub, that is to say, the greater part of the skirt is cut on the dead straight of the material, and the seams are only very slightly on the bias, which prevents ,stretching and dragging in the wash. Quite a number of the newest of these skirts are made with two seams only. I FOR HOURS OF EASE. The charming little jacket or coatee shown in the accompanying illustration is juet the garment for "woman in her hours of ease." Such hours are not very plentiful in these days, and they ought not to be, but they are the more appreciated when they do come. This little coatee may be made quite sa important fact6r in a restful week-end. I [Refer to X 784.] Carried oat in soft silk or crepe de Chine, or even a dull-toned brocade, it may be worn as a substitute for the negligee for "down- stairs breakfast," for the quaintness of the revers Hipon the sleeves, and the contrasting lining which matches them add a subtle dressy charm to its odd outline, while the now famous block embroidery garnishes it. Slots in the waistline permit of the broad chene ribbon or velvet sash being drawn through and looped carelessly in front. It is really delightfully chic, and sure to appeal to the woman of taste, and I can imagine it carried out in shell-pink crepe de Chine with embroidery of pompadour blue and facings to match in soft velveteen or satin. You will require three yards of SOin. material to make it up. As. a dressing-jacket, too, if made up in some heavier material, or muslin for summer wear, it would be equally pretty. J NEW MILLINERY. Some very charming hats for spring ana summer wear are brightening. the milliners' shops just now. Broadly ispeaking, two dis- tinct types of hat are shown, the small model for useful everyday wear, and the larger model for more full dress occasions. Of course, this riule does not clways apply, for there are plenty of large everyday hats to be seen, just as there are numbers of very smart small hats and toques. One of the prettiest useful chapeaux shown this week is a small shape of glossy purple straw, which is turned up at the back and turned down a trifle in front, where the brim is bent into a faint suggestion of a peak. This hat is trimmed with putty coloured and purple ribbon, and its lined with fine, putty- coloured straw. A beautiful hat of a much more dressed type shown by the same firm has a wide, flat, transparent brim of black net edged by a tiny. double frill of the net, and a low crown of closely jetted net. The entire trimming consists of a purplish pink silk rose, with foliage of tbe same shade. Paper patterns can be supplied, price 6Jd. When ordering, please quote number, en- I close remittance, and address to Mias Lisle. 8, La Belle Sauvage, London, E.C.

I An anonymous donation of ?10,000 has I been given to Cambridge University for the endowment of a school of Spanish.

THE MOPPING-UP" BATTALION AT LAGNICOURT. It was a queer scene when the Australians went into Lagnicourt (writes Mr. Philip Gibbs in the "Daily Chronicle"). Some Germans were still hiding in their dug-outs, and the Australian troops searched for them with fixed bayonets. -In some of these hiding-places they found great stores of German beers, and it was a good find for men thirsty and glad of a smoke. So this "mopping-up" battalion, as it is called, mopped up the beer, which was very light and refreshing, and, with fat cigars between their teeth, a bottle of beer in one hand, and a bayonet ready in the other, continued their hunt for prisoners. During the fight- ing hereabouts two hundred German soldiers came across under a white flag as a sign of surrender, but they were seen by their own machine gunners, who shot them down with- out mercy. So one gets comedy and tragedy hand in hand here, and, indeed, the whole tale of this fighting on the way to Queant is a mixture of gruesome horror and fan- tastic mirth, which makes men laugh grimly when telling the tale of it. THE SLEEPY BLUE BIRD. h I On another part of the line held by English troops a queer bird was captured the other day. It was a blue bird in the form of a German officer wearing a gay uni- form with a big cloak and spurs, brought down by one of our airmen. He seemed sleepy when caught, and yawned politely be- hind his closed hand, and explained the cause of his unfortunate advent behind our lines. It appears that the commanding offi- cer of his air squadron at Cambrai went on leave, and his officers and other friends con- soled themselves by drinking good red wine. In the morning, after a late night, they de- cided to go out on reconnaissance, and the officctr in the sky-blue cloak agreed that he also would make a flight, and so perform his duty to the Fatherland. A pilot took him up, but instead of making' a reconnaissance he fell fast asleep, and saw nothing of a British aeroplane swooping upon him from a high cloud. A bullet in the petrol tank drove down the German machine, and the oiffcer in the sky-blue cloak stepped out, saluted, surrendered, and a little Jater fell asleep again. SUFFOLK PRIVATE'S HAUL. 1 An air prisoner is always more noticeable than the batches of infantry who come back to our lines after one of our attacks, but there was something unusual in the sight of seventy-three Germang3 led by a young English soldier from the zone of fire in this, latest fighting. Our man was a young private of the Suffolks, chubbv-faced, and small in body, though of a high spirit. "What are you doing with those men?' asked an officer. "Why isn't thcVre a proper esoort?" "They are my prisoners," said the boy; "they've just surrendered to me, and I'm taking 'em back to our camp." During the attacks near Monchy one of our young officers was lying in a shell-hole with a thin line of men, mostly wounded. Presently a Tank crawled up, and a voice spoke from it. "That's a hot epot of yours. You had better come inside for a bit." "How shall I get in?" said the young infantry officer. The voice from the Tank said: Come round to the side." The young officer climbed in through a hole, and said, "Thanks very much" to the Tank officer, who drove him close to the enemy's line, enabled him to see the position, and then brought him back to his shell- hole.

THE KNOCK-OUT BLOW." A.t Bow-street Police-court, the National Labour Press and three men were charged with printing and circulating a pamphlet, "The Knock-Out Blow," calculated to cause disaffection. The National Labour Press, which, by omitting to print its name on 52,000 copies of the pamphlet, had rendered itself liable to a penalty of JE1,040,000, was fined £ 8U and J621 costs; James Evans £ 120; Charles William Daniels £ 80; and William Francis Moss £50, with £ 10 10s. costs in each ease. Time was given for payment, but Evans declared that he was unable to pay, and did not want time, and he was therefore sen- tenced to three months' imprisonment. ————— ————-

Three Republican flags displayed in public were seized by the Roscommon police; one had been flown from a monument in the square and another was on a telegraph pole. On-lioenses in England and Wales, extin- guished with compensation since the passing of the Licensing Act, 1904, to the end of 1916, number 10,758, and the total compen- sation paid wae £ 9,962,611,

Fourteen defendants were sentenced for unlawful assembly last month at Limerick, two being given six months' hard labour. Four were discharged. An Army Ortjler places the Army Cyclist Corps on a wider basis, organised in bat- taliongil and companies, and an establishment of officers by ranks has been approved. A Dover church found itself without an organist, but a musical seaman in the con- gregation gave his services. While eveafy superfluous, item has been cut out in building standard cargo ships, the living accommodation for officers and men if still first class, states Sir Leo Chiozza Money.

"PEOPLE MUST MAKE REAL SACRIFICES TO WIN." A number of questions in relation to the submarine menace were asked in the House of Lords by Lord Beresford, who urged that the country ought to know the whole truth as to the exact losses by submarines. The latest return showed a tremendous increase in the number of ships sunk. We lost 500,000 tons tonnage during February; but since then the Government had not given the actual tonnage lost; but he ventured to think that of the losses recently incurred two-thirds of the tonnage were British. He feared that the now standardised ships would not be available before next October. The Earl of Lytton, in reply, assured the House that the effort to produce standard- ised ships was working in a satisfactory manner so far as the supply of material would allow, and he considered that the pro- gress made compared favourably with the rate in peace times. In regard to the build- ing of torpedo-boat destroyers and the arm- ing of merchantmen, the progress made was satisfactory. He could net give the infor- mation as to the progress made in the con- struction of food ships, nor could he give the total extent of the loss of life in the destruction of such ships. He admitted the Admiralty weekly return of mercantile losses was not complete with regard to the extent of the losses of British shipping, but he contended that the gravity and growth of the mena-ce had not been withheld. As to the shortage of food. we were not the only Allied country that experienced a shortage, while the enemy's position was infinitely worse, even after two years of un- paralleled effort which was a disgrace to civilisation. At the same time, in view of the submarine menace, the people of the country must realise that they must make real sacrificcs in order to win the war. Our greatest danger was the possibility of over- indulgence on the part of individuals.

SHIPPING LOSSES INCREASING. In the House of Commons, on Monday, Mr. Outhwaite asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he could state the arrivals and sailings of British merchant vessels of 1,600 tons gross or over at and from United Kingdom ports for the week ending 3 p.m., April 22. Dr. Macnamara, replying, said he could only repeat what had already been stated, that the form of the weekly returns of arrivals and sailings of British merchant vessels had been determined by the Govern- meat after very full consideration, and had been accepted and adopted by our Allies. Mr. Dillon asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the English Channel was much more infested by enemy submarines and more full of danger to shipping than at .any previous period of the war, and how did he account for this state of things. Sir E. Carson: As the number of German [ submarines has increased the danger to ship- ping must be expected to increase in propor- tion. As i a matter of fact, in the present month the loss of shipping in the English Channel has been less than in any of the three preceding months. This is partly due to the increased activity of German sub- marines in other areas, and is partly the result of the increase of patrol boats in the Channel. Mr. G. Lambert: Are the shipping losses, as a whole, now decreasing or increasing? Sir E. Carson: Oh, increasing.

THE LINtOLNS USE THEIR FISTS. —,— Of English troops which have dis- tinguished themselves here none have done more brilliantly than the Lincolne (writes Mk. P-eroy Robinson, describing the latest fighting in the Arras region), to whose lot has fallen more than one most difficult operation. On one occasion some Linoolns with certain North Country troops, suc- ceeded in pinching between them a body of Bavarians much outnumbering themselves. Attacking firet with rifles, then with bayo- nets and butts, and even fists, they com- pletely wiped the enemy out, the latter fight- ing stubbornly and refusing to surrender,

OBJECTORS' FIGHT. In the course of an argument a conscien- tious objector at Bristol struck a fellow- worker. The man was William Bacon, a baker, and the argument took plaoe in the bakehouse. The recruiting authorities heard of the incident, and the man was called before the Bristol Tribunal, where, on Monday, it was a.rgued by the military representative that if he could attack a oo-employee he could fight the Germans. The man admitted a blow. but pleaded that "we are all in the flesh, and we are all apt to fall." His permission to perform work of national service was withdrawn, and he was ordered to join a non-combatant corps. One member of the Tribunal suggested that the man ought to go into the fighting forces.

According to the Inspectors of Lunacy, the number of insane in Ireland under care has increased from 268 per 100,000 in 1880 to 573 in 1915. Found drunk while working on a barge in which there was a quantity of rum, a Dept- ford labourer died later from alcoholic poisoning. Members of the Tribunal of Appeal under the London Building Act each receive three guineas for the first hour and two guineas for each subsequent hour of each day's sitting. A Hackney jury found that Samuel Joseph Couchway, a leading stoker on the Princess Royal, was accidentally killed while cycling in Mare-street, Hackney. He fell beneath a motor lorry.

IN THE PCUlTSY YARD. By COCKCROW. IN THESE HARD TIMES. Never has this country passed through more strenuous and difficult times than those through which she is passing at the present time. The great fight between the opposing nations has resolved itself into a question of food as much as a ibattle of armies. Not since the beginning of the war has the outlook on the fighting fronts appeared so cheerful as -now. In France, in Palestine, and in Mesopotamia great victories have been achieved. But it is not only a question of victories on the fighting; fronts at the present time. Germany is at this moment waging an unrestricted sub- marine warfare against us. The losses, it must be admitted, are very serious. With ships large and small going down, shipø which were bearing food to this country,, we have all to think hard as to how we can help to defeat the submarine. This is matter as important to poultry-keepers as to anyone else. Ask yourself how you can economise in the poultry-yard. One way in which many poultry-keepere I can reduce the quantity of food consumed SuHrLus BIRDS. by the birds is to kill IIill surplus stock. Do not keep any bird that is not serv- ing a purpose. At the pre- sent time layers only should be kept, or young birds which in a few months will commence to lay. Old birds that only liay occasionally should be killed and used for table purposes. Such stock is only eating food which might otherwise be put to more useful purpose. Birds also that do nbfc seem to thrive should not be kept. Many poultry-keepers possessing such birds oftën. spend much time and money over them to- no effect. They give the non-thrivers extta food, spend cash on medicines for them, aild after all get no value for the money spent. Such expenditure at the present time is & sin, and should not be indulged in. Kin off all old worn-out birds and all those that do not thrive. To keep such stock is Wl- l patriotic. At the present time we are hearing s great deal about compulsory rations. ECONOMT IN FOOD, Whether we shall have to adopt this system remains to be seen. Poultry-keepers, if they have not already done so, should put their birds on rations at once. Of course, no hard and fast rule can be laid down as to the amount of food each bird requires, but it is generally con- sidered that one handful of grain for each is sufficient. Many keepers exceed this.- amount. If you are one of this number you should take immediate steps to reduce the quantity for each bird. Other poultry- keepers give their birds less than the amount stated, and if you are among this number, and find that they thrive well on what you give them, then do not increase- the quantity. As a general rule, however, one handful of grain per bird is con- sidered the right amount. Should you be fortunate enough to have- some waste ground near by, you should turn GIVE BIRDS FREEDOM. your fowls on to inis. DJ doing so the food bill can be considerably reduced. From the ground the birds will be able to find much natural food in the way of worms and insects. Of these the birds are very fond, and the insects and, worms at least save the poultry-keeper boy- ing animal food which he would otherwise have to provide. If you are unable to give the birds freedom, economy in the provision. of animal food must be practised. From a local "cats' -meat" shop purchase some horse- flesh. This should be boiled down until it falls to pieces, and should then be given to the birds in small quantities. Do not give it them in great quantities, for horse-fiesb is rather strong, and is apt to make the eggs taste strong. Your birds cannot be kept in good healtk if green food is withhheld from them. It » I- GREEN FOOD NECESSARY. an absolute necessity, as it acts as a medicine to them- Economy in the provision of green food can be practised by growing a few lettuces and cabbages pur- posely for the birds in an odd corner of your garden. If you are the possessor of an allotment or smallholding, then in a few months' time enough greenstuff for the birds will be obtainable from it for the birds. Thousands of poultry-keepers do not give the birds their green food in the proper manner. They simply throw it hap- hazard into the run. This is quite a wrong thing to do. It should be suspended from the roof of the run on a string, at such a distance from the ground that the birds to secure it have to jump up. By this means they get exercise, which is so very necessary. if you want them to keep in good health and not get fat and lazy. These few hints on economy should prove of use to many at the present time. The President of the Board of Agricul- ture and Fisheries has issued a notice call- I POULTRY t OR PIGS. ing the attention of poultry- keepers to certain sugges- tions for economy in fwd- ing stuffs. They are: (1) Where poultry are kept in such small num- bers that they can live almost entirely on scraps, waste products, tail or damaged corn, and other materials quite unfit for human food, they should be encouraged, be- cause they increase the national food supply. (2) Where, however, the amount of scraps and waste products is sufficiently large to feed a pig, the pig should bo kept in pre- ference to poultry, because the pig is a more economical producer of human food. (3) Where the quantity of poultry is too- large to be fed as above, vul must remember that the unproductive season is now past,, and that laying hens will now be in full profit. If every effort is made to use foods which are unfit for human consumption— such as tail corn, fish meal, the ccarijer wheat offals, etc.—and to avoid using maize,. sound oats, barley, or wheat, egg-producing establishments should keep their hens until the present laying season is over. After about July stocks should undoubtedly be re- duoeti. until such time as corn again becomes plentiful. (4) Establishments concerned in the production of table poultry, especially those which specialise in fattening and! cramming. should limit their activities to such an extent as is compatible with the condition of using no corn or meal fit for human consumption. (5) Breeding estab- lishments should also be curtailed, for too number of fowls in the country must be de- creased because of the shortage of suitable, feeding stuffs.

SOMME OFFENSIVE OUTDONE. Moving the second reading of the Muni- tions of War Bill in the Commons, Mr. Kellawssy said that the number of shells of 6in. and upwards expended during the first, week of the recent offensive in France Vae- twice that of the first week in the Somme battle; while the expenditure during the second week was six-and-a-half times that of the second week of the Somme. The expenditure of gun ammunition by the British Army in the new offensive had,, never been exceeded. It was 28 per cent. heavier than during the first week of the offensive. That was to say, in spite of the, terrific artillery fire kept up day after day for the first week, the Army was ip a posi- tion to increase its effort by 28 per cent, im the second week. This was in marked con- trast to the experience in the Somme battle,, when the first week's bombardment was never again reached in that offensive.