Blandford Weekly News. — 1889-03-23 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

DOGS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.  General G. Erskine presided over a meeting at the Royal United Service Institution, at which a paper was read by Veterinary-Surgeon E. E. Bennett vn " The Employment of .Dogs for Military Purposes." Mr. Bennett stated that from the earliest times dogs had been employed an auxiliaries in war; they were in frequent use in the Greek and Roman armies. The services which might be expected from the enrolment of dogs into an army were varied, and could not altogether be definitely laid down; but there were at least five distinct objects for which they Tould be used : As auxiliary sentinels to the outposts and sentries and to the advanced rear and flank guards in general; as sconts, on the march, on reconnaissance, and patrol duties; as despatch carriers, on the march, in camp, inaction, &c.; as auxiliary ammunition carriers, on the march and in action; and as searchers for the wounded and killed after an engagement. As to the breeds to employ. Mr. Bennett abserved that undoubtedly, for all•round purposes, I the native or farmers' sheep-dog had most to , recommend him. He had been trained through many generations to watchfulness and obedience; was observant and tractable, and would make the best of sentinels. The retriever woseld also make A good war dog. He usually stood fire well; was strong, and could be advantageously used as a carrier of ammunition. Pointers and setters could, after a few generations spent in military service, be turned to very4good account. Spaniels had much to recommend tuem, and in Germany they were considered second only to the sheep dog. Bloodhounds would be of infinite service in tollowing up parties of the enemy who might be troublesome through woods and in other places difficult of access, such as mountains, jungles, ravines, &c. The training should first be undertaken at from 6 to 9 months old, daily lessons of such a length as not to weary or disgust the dogs,remembering always that progress must be gradual, and that kindness must be the guiding rule. Many volunteer regiments might in all probability take up the system and Would gladly yield up their trained canine companions in the time of national need. A short discussion followed.  A telegram has been received from her Majesty's Minister at Rio de Janeiro, reporting that the yellow fever epidemic is increasing in that capital and at Santos.  The death is announced of Lady Arnold, wife of Sir Edwin Arnold, K.C.1.E., from an attack of pleurisy. The lamented lady was the grand-niece of the Rev. Dr. Channing, of Boston, U.S.A., and was married in 1868.  At the Glamorganshire Assizes, an important sum, ance action has been tried before Mr. justice Cave. , The plaintiff, David Jarvis, is a publican at Swansea, and he claimed £l,OOO from the Marine Assurance Company, on a policy taken out by hi, wife in 1887, about three months before she die& The defendants refused to pay on the ground that Mr Jarvis had declared that his wife was temperate, whereas, according to the medical testimony, she I was suffering from alcoholic paralysis. The jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff. Judgment was stayed for a week.  The Mansion House Fund for the relief of the sufferers by the famine in China exceeds 00,000. William Rigg, who was sentenced to death for the murder of his wife at Durham in December, has been reprieved.  Mr. Andrew Carnegie has offered to subscribe £5OO for the porch vs of hooka, on condition that Elgin Aopts the Free Libraries Act. _  The sentence of death passed on Edgrard Wilkinson for the murder of a police-constable at Gateshead, ma been respited on the ground of insanity.  Sunday being St. Patrick's Day special eervices were held in most of the Roman Catholic churches in Lon,!on. The wearing of Nationn:;st favours was general.