THE WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16977, 13 April 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

DIED FitOM WOUNDS

Advice lias been received by mail of Lho death at the. front of Sergeant James Murphy, who was foreman for tho Public Works Department at Pntutahi quarry prior to his enlistment in the Ist Engineers' Tunnelling Corps. It appears that Sergeant . Murphy was very seriously wounded'in the passage-way of his billet by a fragment of a German high explosive shell. Ho was at once conveyed by ambulance to a depot in the village of Aubigny, where he died. His loss was keenly lelt by both officers and men of his company, and the O.CJ. recorded his appreciation of Murphy's services in the orders of the day. Sergeant Murphy's parents reside in "Wellington. GOING TO THE FRONT. Prior to his departure with the 28th Reinforcements yesterday morning, Mr C. C. Fenwick was presented by nis fellow members ot the L/unedin Slock Exchange with a wristlet watch suitably inscribed. Yesterday Private J. Maxwell, who was down on linal leave, was presented with a. ■wristlet watch and Locwe pipe. Mr G. Reid, oti making the presentation on behalf of the Green Island Hush residents, wished Private Maxwell the best of luck and a safe return.

At the close of the day's work yestcrdav the employees of the New Zealand Clotliing Factory met for the purpose of making a presentation to Private Bert Young (25tli Reinforcements)) who is down on final leave. In presenting him with a wristlet watch, and other articles, Mr L. do Beer congratulated him on the step ho had taken. Ho wished him every success and a safe return to New Zealand.

On Easter Monday the Waiko'uaiti Hall was tho scene of a iarowell to several men on linal leave. Corporal Wm. Brown, Privates Wm. Lea and H. MvDougall being presented by Misses Fodor and Dunbar, on behalf of the Women's Patriotic Association, with money belts. Privates A. Hallett and W. Tippit were r.ot in Waikouaiti, and their belts were forwarded to them. Tho Mayor (Mr G. Kerr) and tho Kov. Messrs Orchard and Neale were the speakers, and Private Lea responded for the men. A number of men on leave— Lance-corporal Geo. Townsond, Privates W. Halluin, P. Toomey, M. Byrne, W. Gilchrist, and others—spoke highly of their camp lifo A very pleasant farewell social was held at Waitahuna on Tuesday evening. Mr A. Murdoch presided in the absence of Mr F. Whelan (chairman of the Patriotic Committee), who was indisposed. The object of the. entertainment was to honour Privates J. Ryan, W. Matheson, and S. Drummond, who will leave with the 25th Reinforcements. On behalf of the residents of the district, the Chairman presented each soldier with a revolver. Short patriotic speeches were delivered by Mr A. Murdoch, tho Rev. J. S. Ponder, and Mr J. Edie (Lawrence). The speakers wished the men good fortune at tho front, a successful campaign, and a -safe return. Astol Islip. who volunteered for active service, was met by the employees of Mr David Scott, painter, on Wednesday evening, and was presented with a set of military hrushes on the eve of his departure for Trentham. Those present wished him every success, good luck, and a safe return to his homo and friends.

Mr William Scoullar, prior to his departure for Trentham, was entertained at his employer's residence on Wednesday evening-, and presented with a safety razor and a well-filled money belt.

MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES Mrs Verne Har.greaves, of Wcston road, Chnetchnrch, has received advice from London that the name of her brother—Second Lieutenant Norman Cunningham, of the Royal Field Artillery—has appeared in the New Year's .honours list as mentioned in despatches for distinguished field service (in the battles of Combles and Morval). Lieutenant Cunningham is the youngest son of the late Mr Peter Cunningham, of Merivalo. All Mr Cunningham's sons have enlisted. One has been in Gallipoli, one in Mesopotamia, and one in France. Miss Cunningham is doing war work in England. She. has been 'for the last year a forewoman in Woolwich Arsenal.

GALLANTRY REWARDED

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE.

An, interesting account is given of the incident by which Captain Gordon Guthrie, of Mavelock (HawJce's Bay),- won lor himself the much-coveted distinction of the Military Cross. His company had cleared 15 German trenches on the western front, which they found occupied bv elderly m«ji and quite young boys, and had returned to their own quarters, when Captain Guthrie, with an undemiable feeling that something remained to be done, went back alone, and found himself face to face with a. big German officer wearing the most gorgeous uniform he had ever seen. Then ensued a combat worthy of homeric days between theso two big powerful men. Captain Guthrio is 6ft 2in and weighs 16st (having developed wonderfully on active service), and his antagonist was of similar proportions. The German aimed a tremendous blow, which nearly crumpled his opponent's hoimct in two. Then they closed, and a terrific struggle for mastery began, each exerting all his strength. Finally, however, the superior strength of the New Zealander triumphed, and he was able to despatch his dangerous opponent, who, from the richness of h:s accoutrements, was evidently an officer of rank. Captain Guthrie is at present engaged in France training non-commissioned officers for commission; but he is anxious to got back to th'i front, where, to use his own expression, he wants to " get mad " for a few minutes again.

RED CROSS SOCIETY. The Red Cross stall will bo at Jacobs's corner on Saturday, and as this is the twelfth Saturday since it was inaugurated to raise funds to.aid our wounded soldiers, a special elfort is being mad© with the kind assistance of the Head Masters' Association and the willing co-operation of the parents and children, who are gathering together thousands of fresh eggs which are to be sold at the stall. The ladies in charge report that all tho arrangements are well forward, and they hope to havo a very large supply of tho usual goods on sale. Donations of butter, honey, cakes, fruit, jam, pickles, pies, vegetables, poultry, etc., will be gratefully received, and can, be left at the Red Cross rooms (New Zealand •Express Company) to-day, or at the stall on Saturday morning. GREEN ISLAND WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION. The amount of work passed in for the week was not so great as usual—l dozen housewifes, 2 dozen bags, 2 dozen handkerchiefs, 2 dozen service bags. April 21 will be surprise bag day in Dunedin, and any one who has scraps to make up into bags or articles to put into bags when made might bring them along. Any kind will be acceptable. A number of acknowledgments for receipt of parcels by boys at tho front have been received by members- of tho association. The following donations are acknowledged :—Dominion Parcels: Mrs Brockic, 2s 6d; Miss Allen, 2s 6d; Mrs M'Clymont, 2s 6d. Belgian Relief: -urs Brockie. GERMAN PLOTTING IN 1 MEXICO. EVIDENCE FROM SPAIN". That Germany has for at least two years been carrying on a propaganda antagonistic to the interests of the United States is the testimony of Dr K. C. Leebrick, of the Department of History of the University of California, who has recently returned to Canada from Spain, where he did special research work for the University. Dr Leebrick says ho received first-hand information in Seville last fall that,, as far back as the spring of 1915,' German agents v.i-ro busy stirrir:.;' up strife, in Mexico and inciting the Mexicans against the United Slates. In a. hotel in Seville ho was introduced to a German who showed him receipts and vouchers for ihoney expended in Mexico in support of this propaganda. "Germany's activities in Mexico were universally known in Spain," Dr Leebrick said. '" When I i.iis going across I formed the acquaintance of a man named Abraham Z. Ratni-r, who was on his way from Vera Cruz to Madrid to meet agents of tho German Government and .get money and instructions 'or the propaganda. " The German idea was that if the United States became involved in a war with Mexico the States would no longer be able lo export arms and munitions to the Entente Allies, but would need them at home." Dγ Leebrick had an exciting experience on his return voyage. A few days before lie sailed from Gibraltar several" German submarines were seen in that vicinity, and iiv: of them were captured. The. steamer sailed south to the. Azores and then north by (i zifr-zug route to Halifax, tlionce to Boston. _ instead of New York, her original destination. M. Vciiizoloe, the Greek national loiider, is, a cable nicss»njv: states, now in London.