NEW ZEALANDERS IN FRANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, 26 May 1916, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS IN FRANCE

VERY FEW CASUALTIES. MAORIS' PROWESS IN ATHLETIC CONTEST. The official correspondent -with the New Zealand Forces (Mr Malcolm R<;ss> writes: — . j The New Zealanders are now in. the i front line, -where they relieved British ] troops. The men -were keen to get into < the firing-line, and are enjoying their new experience. Up to the .present there have been very few casualties on our side, and the New Zealanders already nave accounted for several German, snipers. Soon after we entered the trenches the enemy fired 43 shells into one section, and though the trench was much battered, none of our men ware -nit. At one spot the trenches are so ) close together that -we can hear the Ger- i mans talking and singing. One after- I noon we were interested spectator?, at close range of some intensive shqll'jyr i with German 6-inch high I ■Great clouds of dirt and eraoke rose in | the air . One farmhouse "was shattered and another -was burning. The enemy was apparently searching for some of our batteries. .1 Our men are almost daily witnesses of air comibats and heavy shelling of the aeroplanes from both sides, the spectacular effect of which is thrillingly interesting. The magnificent dash and -bravery of, our Flying Corps have already earned the admiration of the New Zealanders. A noticeable feature of the .campaign- here, as compared "with Gallipoli, as the 1 -keenness in observation by many captive balloons and planes all along incline, making the concealment of moving troops and gun emplacements all important. What will probably be the greatest sporting athletic contest in this w.-r took place to-day, when three teams of axemen from the 'Canadian and Australian (battalions respectively, and one from the Maori_ Contingent, met in friendly rivalry in a forest. The competition was the outcome of a recent tree-felling contest in which the Maoris defeated a team of French woodsmen. In to-day's trial the Maoris easily outdistanced the other teams, three men felling three trees in 22min 40sec, against the best Australian team's 30 min Bsec. and the best Canadian team's 45min 22sec. The Maori's victory was heartily cheered. The log-chopping comnetition was won "by the Australians, another New Zealand team being feoond. The Maoris did not compete. In the sawing contest the Canadians were firet and the Maoris second. It was almost a dead-heat. A' Maori won the prize for the hest axemanship, a Canadian being second. Several Generals, . officers, soldiers; and. British war cor-rc-ptsondents- were -present, also an official cinematographer. An Anzac gencal. in the prizes, cordially welcomed the Canadians amongst us.