AFTER TWENTY YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 213, 9 September 1935, Page 9

AFTER TWENTY YEARS.

BATTLEFIELDS OF 1914-18. Vividly relating the impressions he gained from ji recent visit to the battleiields of Northern France and Flanders, Mr. D. M. Eae brought back many memories to a gathering of ex-service-men at the Auckland War Memorial Museum yesterday. He spoke of the work of rebuilding and reconstruction and showed photographs and a motion picture he had taken during his visit. Sir George Richardson presided. Of special interest was Mr. Rae's description of the new Armentieres, the town so well known to New Zealanders during the war. He was disappointed at the lines being followed in the rebuilding of this part of the battle scene, for, he said, the authorities had failed to take the opportunity of greatly improving the town, and had merely repeated its old characteristics. The condition of the town was the same as it was in 1915, for the old sanitary systems had hardly been altered. Ypres had been fairly well rebuilt, said Mr. Rae. The restoration of the cathedral had been wonderful, and the people were making every effort to complete the Cloth Hall. Even to-day they were searching the ruins for material that could be used in the rebuilding of the hall. Although in some parts of the battlefields all traces of strife had been wiped out, Mr. Rae saw huge pillboxes and even an occasional mine crater. He described also the inspiring monuments that had been erected and the beautifully-kept cemeteries of the soldiers.