It was really the newspapers announcing that four groups had been called up that gave the first intimation. The news quickly flew round, and every copy of the proclamation became a magnet to small crowds, a large proportion of whom read it eagerly, with evident personal interest.
The proclamation, dated December 20, was issued in Lord Kitchener's name, and read that, in virtue of the Royal warrant, four groups were directed to report at the date and place specified, and later they would receive instructions.
Many of those affected frankly admitted that they did not understand it for such, but a War Office explanation, issued later, cleared up all doubts.
It points out that the posters were sufficient notification, and informs men what to do if they want their recruitment postponed.
All claims for postponement must be delivered by December 30. Men will begin to present themselves as required up to January 20, receiving a fortnight's warning.
• A gentleman who has a good deal to do with marine matters throughout the dominion, and who pays periodical visits to Dunedin, informed a Daily Times representative yesterday that he had been struck with the attitude of the residents along the railway line en route to Port Chalmers in regard to the lakelets to be seen at various places, and he had for a long time wondered why some special attention was not given to the matter of beautifying these little spots.
He had noticed on Saturday that a start had been made by at least some of the residents, who had gone the length of naming a lakelet at St Leonards after one of their neighbours.
This was a particularly fine little pool, and he believed that there was a movement in progress, having for its object the beautifying of this spot. This he considered most commendable, and he hoped that the residents along the line would follow the example thus set with regard to other similar pools.
• Great crowds in Glasgow early this morning watched 12,000 casks of flaming whisky flow into the North Canal from the Distillery Company's seven-storeyed premises.
The burning spirit threatened to consume the buildings and the boats on the canal.
Firemen vainly endeavoured to dam the flood. but many lines of hose failed to extinguish the blazing streams.
The firemen, as a last resource, placed their engines on the canal bank and pumped water from the bottom upon the surface.
It was slow work, but proved successful. The Distillery Company's premises were destroyed by an explosion which blew out the walls. The loss is estimated at £150,000.
• An application was recently received by the Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for the admission of an aged man to the Solway Home.
Inspector Cairns, in his accompanying report to the board, stated that he could not recommend the admission; the man's three sons were well-to-do farmers and well able to make provision for their father. It was resolved that the application be not granted.
- ODT, 21.12.1915
