An unusually large number of passengers were leaving by the vessel, which was due to sail at 5 p.m.
She did not leave the wharf, however, till over half an hour later, as the result of the late arrival of several firemen.
For some time both passengers and their friends and spectators on the quay were at a loss to understand the delay, until word was bruited round that firemen were being awaited.
They eventually arrived, in no apparent hurry, and, much to the general amusement, one of "these masters of the ships'' (a shrewd remark of a bystander), was much annoyed, and became obstreperous at the coaxing attempt of officers and his own friends to urge him aboard.
He was placated, and leisurely strolled up the gangway, evidently quite satisfied that he had upheld his dignity and right to independence.
The affair created a good deal of unfavourable comment.
• "I have been assured by a medical officer that serious harm is being caused by the cigarette-smoking so prevalent among soldiers, and particularly returned soldiers,'' said the Minister of Defence today.
"The statement made to me is that many of the men are absolutely ruining their nerves through this habit. Their hands become shaky, and the men themselves become apathetic. Surgeon-general Henderson, in a report on this subject, says that the Defence Department cannot control cigarette-smoking, except when the men are in hospital. I hope that members of the forces will realise that it is quite possible for them to injure their health and impair their efficiency as soldiers by the excessive use of cigarettes. A soldier has a duty to perform in attaining physical fitness in order that he may be in a condition to meet and beat the enemy, and anything that injures his health is to be avoided.''
• The unloading of Wirth's Circus, by the aid of four huge elephants, at the Ashburton railway station on Saturday morning, created a great deal of interest to the public, and, incidentally, a great deal of consternation amongst the horses which happened to be in the vicinity (says the Guardian).
There were about five bolts, but the horses were arrested in their career before much harm was done.
In one case, two horses attached to a lorry-load of coke took fright and bolted for about 300 yards, shooting the coke in every direction.
Considerable amusement was caused by the efforts of one of the elephants to help in the reloading of the sacks of coke.
• Some good hauls of flounders have been obtained at Port Molyneux Beach this season.
On Sunday an Acclimatisation Society ranger, in company with the police constable from Kaitangata, appeared at the scene of netting operations, and, as a result, it is stated, a party of fishers, including some well-known Balclutha residents, will be at an early date called upon to answer charges of having in their possession flounders under the regulation size.
The Clutha Leader mentions that the attitude of the police in connection with the matter has come in for some severe criticism from certain quarters. - ODT, 12.1.1916.
