TABLE TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 137, 9 June 1917, Page 1

TABLE TALK.

To-morrow marks the 31st anniversary of the eruption of Tarawera. It will be 11 years ago to-morrow sinco the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seduon's death. The Austrians claim having captured - 27,000 Italian prisoners since May 12. Deep disappointment ,is expressed in Canada at the failure of the coalition negotiations. The Cook Islands were annexed to New Zealand on June 10, 1901—16 years ago to-morrow. German prisoners state that they never before experienced anything like; the British artillery. The famous Ypres salient* which the Germans established in November, 1914, has been wiped out. Captain P. H. Hall Thompson, in command of H.M.s. Philomel, has received the C.M.G. distinction. Mr. Philip Gibbs states that Australians nd New Zealanders carried Messines . .'ter 100 minutes of fighting. Last month was an unusually wet one in Nelson (reports the "Mail"), the rainfall recorded by the Ecv. J. R. Dart being 7.04 in. For the circulation of a false rumour of- a riot at Featherston camp, a man in Wellington was fined f 1 and had to pay £10 costs. In describing the splendid exploits of the British aviators, Mr. Philip Gibbs 6ays that they brought down 44 enemy; machines in five days. Cabinet has decided that -race meetings are to be curtailed by one-third, tho scheme of reduction to be arranged by the racing authorities. Fines ranging from flO to £40 were imposed on three men yesterday for being concerned in the keeping of a gaming house in Wellington. The New Zealand Division took the village of Messines, and aro reported to have sustained only very light casualties, despite a desperate defence. The geography of the whole district about the Messines Ridge has been changed by the mighty mine explosions preceding the British attack. The Homebrook estate at Soutlrbridga (Canterbury), of between 1000 and 1200 acres, has been purchased by the Government for the settlement of returned, soldiers. The enemy's casualties in the first day's" fight for the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge included over 5000 prisoners, besides a large number of guns, trench mortars, and machine-guns. Correspondents state that the British; troops everywhere gained their objectives with astonishing rapidity, carrying out Sir Douglas Half's plans almost to the letter and time-table. The German positions were subjected to a terrific bombardment for five days before the attack was launched on them, the Germans being pinned in their dugouts, and reinforcements being shattered on their way up. A cablegram has been received from the matron of the Aotea Convalescent ' Home- in Egypt advising that the authorities have authorised the extension of the home to Port Said, to accommodate sixty patienits; ' The British Secretary of State for Home Affairs stated in, the House that the -British Government, the House, and' the country completely agreed with the statement of the Allied aims as announced by the French Premier. ■ The Canterbury Board of Education resolved to emphatically protest against the repetition of the payment of a war bonus to teachers and Civil servants, and that the resolution be sent, to the Ministers and members of Parliament. Schneideman Bros.',-Ltd., great clearing- sale of costumes and suits commences on Monday. Special bargains in unclaimed suits and ready-to-wear cos-" tumes.—Our only address, 315, 217, 219, (Jueen -Street.—(Ad.) ' **' Every bag of Bycroft's "Snowdrift" flour bought on trial means a permanent new customer. " Snowdrift ■ sells itself;--Order it by name.—(Ad.) . ;'. . c