A BIT OF FRANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17067, 27 July 1917, Page 8

A BIT OF FRANCE

Lieutenant Erio Standring, N.Z.P.A., who was promoted in the field on May 20, writing to his parents at Middlemarch, gives a very vivid pen-picture of the corner in Franco in which he has l>en fighting. He writes:

"I am sifiting just now at the open window of an upstairs room, overlooking a wide and beautiful green valley. All the trees arc in leaf and blossom, and dotted among the trees aro little white farmhouses with red tile roofs. In spite of the fact that to-day's visibility is low, I can see white puffs of smoke hero and there, and an occasional dark burst. Of course, I can hear plenty, but these are the only indications that this pleasant and beautiful valley « really a veritable valley of death. Yet tho birds aro singing away and sparrows aro chirping tmdor the eaves of my honso Thi> white and dark clouds and puffs of smoke are, of course, high explosive- and shrapnel This house k exposed a bit, and has received more than one crack, but it has a deep and well-protected cellar. On dull clays it is quite safe to sit upstairs, but we have s to sleep down below." Lieutenant Standrmg left New Zealand in the Main Body, and was through the Gallipoli campaign before ho went to France. '