There was, he said, a very strong feeling that the delay that had been taking place was endangering the country.
The Hon. J. Allen said it was rather a large order to ask all foreigners to report themselves.
So far, however, as Germans and Austrians were concerned the Government was keeping a most careful watch.
They could not, of course, watch every one of the Austrians on the gumfields in the north.
Mr T. W. Rhodes: They are mostly Dalmatians.
Mr Allen said he did not know whether they were Dalmatians or not, but there would be a great difficulty in watching every one of these men on the gumfields.
He had asked for a list of all the prisoners of war who were interned at Somes Island, Motuihi, and at some place in the South Island, but this had not yet come to hand.
When it was received he would let the House know how many were interned.
He was frequently getting letters suggesting that particular individuals were Germans or that they were not friendly to us.
In all such cases he had inquiries made to ascertain whether the statements were correct.
Only that day he had received one of these letters, and a watch was being kept to ascertain whether there was any grounds for arresting the man.
The Government was doing everything possible to conserve the interests of the people of the dominion in this respect.
There was, however, a difficulty in ascertaining who were Germans or who were reservists.
Some of these people had been in New Zealand for 30 or 40 years, and it was difficult to treat them as prisoners of war until it had been ascertained whether they were unfriendly or not.
• At a meeting of the Hawea branch of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, presided over by Mr J. Faulks, a suggestion that netting for sale be permitted in Lake Hawea was dealt with.
Brown trout have been established in the lake for many years, and those of the rainbow variety, liberated over three years ago, have thriven and increased beyond expectations; but members generally considered that the danger of overstocking was not at present pressing enough to justify the course suggested being adopted.
It was resolved to recommend the Otago Acclimatisation Society that rod licenses be issued for the current season, and that three nets instead of two, as at present, be permitted to residents holding netting licenses.
The question of stocking Lake Frances, a mountain lake in the Hunter Valley, and, roughly, of an area of three-quarters of a mile in length by 400 or 500 yards in width, was also dealt with, and the matter of arranging for the liberation of as many rainbow fry as were considered necessary was left in the hands of Mr Barclay and the hon. secretary.
• A strange discovery of hidden treasure is reported from Kapunda south.
Recently a brother and sister, Mr and Miss Doecke, were removed to a mental hospital, and on search being made at their house it was found that all sorts of tins, and even pickle bottles, had been used as safe deposits.
All contained large sums of money in gold, while rolls of notes were discovered in the thatch of the stable.
Some of the tins had been buried long enough to rust almost away, and the coins were black with age.
The treasure amounted to close on £1200, of which about £900 was in gold. - ODT, 21.10.1914.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
