THE PETROL WAR

North Otago Times, Volume C, Issue 13180, 8 October 1914, Page 6

THE PETROL WAR

DESrATOII RIDERS. - FASTEST IN TilF; WORLD. In llic great*struggle which face: Europe, Britain will be provided will the. fastest and most ellieieiit body o! despatch-riders in the world. iWlieii it was seen that hostilitiei were inevitable, the War Oflicc askei the Auto-Cycle Union to secure motor cyclists who would be willing to scrvi either at home or abroad. The repli to the Union's appeal lias been niagiii ficent, No sooner had it been issuei than hundreds of young men respondei to the ollice in Pall Mall,

About 400 were sunt on to Muun ']louse, the, headquarters of tlio Tirivitorial Cyclist Corps, which litis now. reported itself to lie "full up." Applicants are now being referred to the comity; associations, all of which need fast despatch riders. A tine body'of 25 picked men has been formed-for. employment with'tho Expeditionary Force. Each of these is a first-class linguist, a highly expert. rider, and a competent mechanic. Each ivill. bo armed ■ with a revolver, and will be paid 5s a day, "all found," Those who stay in the United Kingdom will bo paid 8s a day and provide their own food. , The War Oflice have taken over the entire output of several large, motorcycle manufacturing linns, and have ..laid iu large stocks of tyres, spare parts, and petrol. Until further notice all members-of the military and naval, forces, mem-bers-of ambiilance,corps, and Red Cross nurses in uniform will be permitted to 'travel free on the Loudon County Coinieirtranuiarij. ;u; Retired oflicers who arc recalled to service in the present.emergency'will 1 l'ecSoivo oil application tp tlio War Oflico 'arrant of £IOO -for tlieir outfit.