WORK OF THE PIRATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15915, 12 May 1915, Page 8

WORK OF THE PIRATES.

BRITISH STEAMER SINK.

CREW ALLOWED TO LEAVE.

London, May 10.

The British steamer Queen Wilhelmina was sunk in the North Sea. She withstood considerable shelling, but eventually a second torpedo blew her up. The crew were allowed time to take to the boats.

The sinking of the Queen W'helmina is the only conceivable explanation of an utterly unfounded rumour which was circulated yesterday in Auckland to the effect that'the British super-Dreadnought Qw.cn Elizabeth had been sunk.

GERMANS IN DUNEDIN.

NATURALISED SUBJECTS. DEPUTATION'S REQUESTS. [by telegraph.— press association.]

Dunedin, Tuesday.

Close on a hundred citizens waited on tho Mayor thin morning, urging that a public meeting be called to discuss the question of the treatment of enemy subjects who might be regarded as potential foes. A strong feeling of resentment against German atrocities by tho employment of murderous agencies of destruction wns demonstrated, but all acknowledged tho need of avoiding any precipitate action against naturalised Germans, or stirring up bitter public feeling. The deputation stated that it had been given evidence as to the operations of German spies in Dunedin.

The Mayor, Mr. Clark, while agreeing to call a public meeting, said ho hoped tho people* of Dunedin. would do nothing to hamper the Government, which was was probably working according to instructions from the Imperial Government. Ho emphasised the need for all citizens and British subjects recognising that they wore pledged to honour a "scrap of paper," which give naturalised enemy subjects the lights and privileges and freedom of British subjects.

" UNPARALLELED CRIME."

PRESBYTERY INDIGNANT.

The sinking of the Lusitania was tho subject of a special resolution carried by the Auckland Presbytery at its meeting last night. Tho motion, which was moved by the Rev. B. SommerviJle, was as follows :—

"That tho prosbytery has read with feelings of sorrow and indignation of the cruel and unparalleled crime perpetrated by the German naval authorities in the carefully planned destruction of the passenger steamer Lusitania, having on board 2000 souls. This diabolical outrage, by which 1399 innocent and helpless passengers were suddenly ushered into eternity, is such as cannot bo viewed with feelings other than those of righteous anger. While as a Christian court wo do not cherish any feelings of malice, yet we feel that the nations that can descend to such a cowardly attack on a body of unprotected and unsuspecting people having no portion or interest in tho war is deserving of most severe punishment. The outrage is brought tho more closely home to us by tho lamented loss of some of our most respected citizens. Tho presbytery extends its sincere sympathy to all the survivors and it prays that the God of All Consolation may be with them and sustain them in their heavy sorrow." Tho motion was carried unanimously, those present standing.

HARBOUR BOARD RESOLUTION.

"HORROR AND DETESTATION."

The Auckland Harbour Board yesterday, at the instance of the chairman, Mr. H. D. Heather, adopted the following resolution :—" That this board views with horror and detestation the sinking of the steamer Lusitania off the coast of Ireland by a German submarine, and extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved relatives and friends." The members stood as tho motion was being put,