Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: July 6th, 1918.

An important stage in the arrangements for Tank Week was reached on Thursday evening when a meeting of the full War Savings Committee was held at the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding.

In his report, the Hon Secretary (Mr G. E. M. Walker) said a large number of new promises of support had been received, and the published list of names now included over 200 individuals and firms, and the total of definite promises of fixed amounts was considerably over £250,000.

Luton could, therefore, consider that at the moment the town was entitled to have a Tank named after it, in accordance with the arrangement made by the National War Savings Committee. The present scheme would ensure that there would always be a Luton Tank on active service. Should the final bearer of the name be put out of action, a successor will immediately take the field.

Letters from the Mayor to every house in the town had been enclosed in envelopes with a small war saving pamphlet, by the kind offices of Mr Percy Carter and the staff and scholars at Dunstable Road Schools, and had been distributed through that and other schools in the town.

The arrangements for the Tank campaign itself included an open-air meeting from the bandstand in Wardown Park tomorrow (Sunday) evening at 8.30. The Tank would, it was hoped,arrive early on Monday morning and be escorted to its position by a detachment of the Royal Field Artillery, Biscot.

The Mayor and Corporation would proceed from the Town Hall to the Corn Exchange, accompanied by the Red Cross Band and a guard of honour from the R.F.A., and the opening ceremony would be performed by Lady Wernher at 12 noon. The Lutonia Orchestra and Messrs Kent's Orchestra were to be asked to provide musical selections each evening.

• It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Mr Walter Thomas Lye which occurred at 5.30 yesterday evening at his residence, Leagrave Hall. He was 61 years of age and had not been robust since about 20 years ago. When he contracted an illness while travelling in Palestine. Mr Lye had assumed control of the bleaching and dyeing firm of Messrs T. Lye & Sons, New Bedford Road, on the death of his father in 1898.

• Pte McKeegan, of the Army Veterinary Corps stationed at London Road, was driving two horses attached to a military waggon along Stuart Street on Thursday afternoon when the animals took fright and bolted. Their speed was greatly accelerated as they dashed down the steep hill into Chapel Street. There is no room at that corned to turn under such circumstances, and the animals dashed straight across the road into the railings enclosing the Wesleyan Church. Part of the railing was knocked down, but the horses seem to have come out of it with little injury except a few cuts. The driver, who had pluckily held on to the reins, was fortunate in being unhurt except for a shaking.

• The Ministry of Pensions still wastes time over the appointment of two members of the Discharged Sailors' and Soldiers' Federation to act on the Luton War Pensions Committee. They sent another letter to the Town Council on Tuesday night, they having received it from the headquarters of the Comrades of the Great War to appoint its representative to replace the DS7S's Mr Frank Rudd, who had not served overseas in the present war and had not been disabled. Town Clerk Mr William Smith said full inquiries were made at the time of Mr Rudd's appointment and was qualified to serve.