Senator Pearce, the Australian Minister for Defence, interviewed by a representative of the Daily Chronicle said the pleasing effect of compulsory training in Australia had been the abolition of the "larrikin"; who formerly lounged in the streets and addressed rude remarks to women. This unlovely type had disappeared, and instead of spending time unprofitably Australian youths turned into men of splendid physique, who made the Commonwealth's name glorious in the annals of war.

Two "war-time suggestions" for the destruction of prickly pear were before the Advisory Council of Science and Industry at its last meeting. One was that "flammenwerfers", or flame-throwers, on the lines of those used by the Germans, should be employed against the pear; the other proposed the use of "tanks"; to crush it down. With regard to the tank notion, it is not always realised that the tread of a tank is very light, while it simply eats up fuel. Steam-rollers are far cheaper and far more likely to hurt the pear, but even they have been found wanting when tried. As to the flame-throwers, they would have to consume about 500 tons of water per acre where the pear is thick. 

Mr T. Abel, secretary of the Wallsend Hospital, is in receipt of a letter from Matron B. Lowrey, who was in charge of the hospital when she left for service abroad over three years ago. Matron Lowrey advises that she was on the way home per the City of Cairo. She was in charge of 53 sisters, but at the time of writing did not know how soon they would be demobilised. 

Captain Norman Morriss returned to Newcastle by the train which arrived from Sydney at 5.50 on Saturday evening. He was met at the station by members of his family, friends, and representatives of the various departments of the Newcastle Morning Herald. Alderman Kilgour, on behalf of Alderman Gibson, the Mayor, who was absent from the city, welcomed him to Newcastle. Captain Morriss enlisted a few days after the declaration of war. He went through the Gallipoli campaign, and afterwards saw much service in Egypt, France and Belgium. At the time the armistice was signed he was 25 miles on the German side of the Hindenburg line.

Mrs M. Doyle, of the Trocadero, West Maitland, has received the following letter from the Defence Department, Melbourne, relative to the death of her son, Private T. Doyle, MM:  "It is with feeling of admiration at the gallantry of a brave Australian soldier, who nobly laid down his life in the service of our King and country, that I am directed by the Honourable the Minister to forward to you, as the next-of-kin of the late Private T. Doyle, MM, 20^th Battalion, the Military Medal, which His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award to that gallant soldier for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty while serving with the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force. I am also to ask you to accept his deep personal sympathy in the loss which, not only you, but the Australian army, has sustained by the death of Private Doyle, whose magnificent conduct on the field of battle has helped to earn for our Australian soldiers a fame which will endure as long as memory lasts."

An honour roll, containing the names of fifteen Newcastle and district firemen, who enlisted in the war, was unveiled Friday night in the brigade headquarters. A social function had been arranged in connection with the ceremony, and included among the visitors were Mr E.H. Farrar, MLC, president of the Board of Fire Commissioners; Mr  W. Taylor, board member; Mr H.M. Webb, secretary; Mr A.R. Gardiner, MP; and Mr  M. Chariton, MHR. Mr T. Gorman, the divisional officer, presided, and at his invitation Mr Farrar unveiled the honour roll. In doing so, he referred to the great services rendered by the fire brigades, not in Newcastle only, but throughout New South Wales. On an occasion such as that, while they were pleased to welcome back comrades who had fought in the war, they also sympathised with the relatives of the men who had fallen. The names on the roll were as follows: Firemen R. Foster (Boolaroo), C. Robertson (Boolaroo), J. Conn (Boolaroo), F. Kennerley (Merewether), L. West (Merewether), R. Hunt (Merewether), G. Hardy (Wickham), H. Morgan (Wickham), H. Callen (Stockton), A. Wilson (Stockton), J. Bisson (Carrington), G. Kimber (Adamstown), R. Brooks (Wallsend), J. Doyle (Broadmeadow), D. Regan (West Wallsend).

Four of the number paid the supreme sacrifice. Fireman West, who was awarded the DCM, and promoted on the field to commissioned rank, and Fireman Foster, of Boolaroo, who was appointed sergeant, was also awarded the DCM, were killed in action. Fireman F. Kennerley, of Merewether, and Fireman G. Hardy, of Wickham, were also killed. Firemen Bisson, Regan, Wilson, Brooks, and Doyle have returned home wounded, so of 15 firemen who went to the front, two were awarded Distinguished Conduct Medals, four have been killed, and five returned wounded. Six are still abroad. Fifteen of the men were from volunteer stations, the investigation committee having, in 1916, decided that permanent firemen were not permitted to enlist.

The roll is of marble. The Australian flag and the Union Jack are entwined above a floral square, within which are the words: Our Heroes. Under this is the inscription, "Newcastle District Firemen", above a very fine engraving of a motor at headquarters. The names are printed in distinct lettering on two tablets. At the centre is a station pipe, with the breeching piece, connected with two lines of hose worked round the tablet. As the flags were drawn aside, the Fire Brigades Band from Sydney, played Chopin's Funeral March. 

Mr and Mrs Robert Jones, of Aberdare, have received the following letter from Major Fry, of the 34th Battalion: "On behalf of the officers, NCOs, and men of this battalion, I would like to express our sincere sympathy in the loss of your very gallant son, who paid the supreme sacrifice in the battle of Morlancourt, in the vicinity of the Somme River, 4/5 May, 1918. The position was extremely critical, as the Germans had concentrated all their reserves, released from the Russian front, and threw them against Amiens, in the hopes of separating the French and English armies, and crushing the Allies before America could assist. No finer work has been done than the defence of Villers Bretonneux and Amiens by the Australian divisions, and it was entirely due to the superb determination and bravery of men like your son that the enemy was defeated, and Amiens saved. Sympathy is difficult to express on paper, but we would like you to feel how greatly we appreciated your son as a comrade and a soldier. Such men the regiment and nation as a whole can ill afford to lose."

Mr Frank Laurie, eldest son of Mr and Mrs T. Laurie, of Cardiff, who has been serving as an ammunition maker in England for over two years, returned to Cardiff on Saturday night. He was met at the railway station by a great number of his friends, and was escorted to the Oddfellows' Hall, where his parents held a reception. The hall had been decorated with flags and foliage, and the refreshment tables were looked after by the ladies of the patriotic committee, and the Busy Bee Girls League. Over 200 people sat down to supper. Mr  Frank Laurie thanked everyone for the kind welcome extended to him, and to his soldier friend, Mr. Murray, who had accompanied him from England. He was pleased to be back amongst his old friends. Mr Murray also returned thanks for the welcome. When the supper tables were cleared, dancing was indulged in.

The Cessnock Caledonians held a social and welcome home on Saturday evening, when there was a large attendance of members and their wives, Clansman James Durie, Second Chieftain, presiding. The chairman said they were having the first of a series of socials to be held this year. He had to apologise for the absence of the Chief and First Chieftain, who were unable to be present. He had very much pleasure in welcoming Clansman Private George Peart back again to the society. Private Peart had been away three years, and had been three times severely wounded. He had in his possession a pocket wallet that was in his coat pocket when a bullet struck him and penetrated through the wallet and slightly wounded him. They were all very proud to have him back again with them. Clansman James Cain presented Private Peart with the society's gold medal, which is given to all clansmen who have returned. Private Peart suitably responded, and thanked the society for their kindness to him.

Mrs W. Simon, of Lawson Street, has been advised that her brother, Private J. McDougall, is returning by the Port Sydney, due to arrive early next month. Private McDougall enlisted in 1915, and is now attached to the 14th Light Horse. He was with the Imperial Camel Corps in Egypt, and with the infantry throughout the Gallipoli campaign. Mrs. Gidley, also of Lawson Street, has received word that her son, Private H. P. Gidley, is returning to Australia by the troopship Nevassa, which is due at Melbourne about April 19. Private Gidley left with the 35th Battalion nearly three years ago. He was a prisoner of war for eight months.

Bombardier Cyril C. Coles, who has returned after four years and a half active service, was welcomed home on Saturday night, at the residence of his parents, Mr and Mrs E. Coles, Norfolk Avenue, Islington. He enlisted on November 25, 1914 and landed on Gallipoli May 4, 1915. He was with the 2nd Battalion in all their engagements up to Lone Pine, where he was wounded. On recovery he joined the Field Artillery, and arrived in France in June, 1916. He was in the fighting around Armentieres, the Somme, Bullecourt, and Messines, and was gassed at Zonnebeke on September 14, 1917. He was back again at Amiens, St. Quentin, and at the crossing of the Hindenburg line.

Mrs G. Mackie, of Hope Street, Wallsend, has received a postcard from Miss Dunn, matron of the Greenford Hospital, England, advising that her husband, Mr George Mackie, is well on the way to recovery, after 10 months in the hospital suffering from gas poisoning. Mr Mackie left Wallsend about two years ago to take up munition work, and at the shop where he was engaged an explosion of a shell set the place on fire. He had rescued five girls, and was bringing out the dead body of another when he succumbed to the fumes, and when found he was in a precarious condition. Miss Dunn, who also forwarded a photograph of Mr Mackie, makes reference to the medals that he is shown to be wearing, and explains that these were awarded to Mr. Mackie by the war workers and the nursing staff of the hospital in recognition of his heroic conduct.

Private George Leopold Harris, Newcastle.