THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 39

THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

. o. HEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE NEW ZEALAND REINFORCEMENTS. ARRIVAL AT PORTS OF CALL. WELLINGTON, June 10. The Minister of Defence has received advice of the safe arrival at a port of call of the 37th Reinforcements. A transport containing the 38th "Artillery Reinforcements, with Engineer and Infantry Details, has also been reported from a way port. GALLANTRY REWARDED. DECORATIONS FOR NEW ZEALAND ERS. (From the Official War Correspondent.) May 31. The following awards have been made: — BAR TO MILITARY MEDAL. Corporal JV M. Eraser (Auckland). MILITARY MEDAL. Sergeant B. J. Penberthy (Rifle Corps). C Snittle (Auckland). Corporal M. Willetts (Rifles). Private E. J. Revell. Lance-sergeant F. G. Richardson. Lance-sergeant F. Baker. Lance-corporal W. Trebes (Wellington). Corporal J. F. Baker (Auckland). CI MEN FOR CAMP. The following list of men belonging to Duncdin group, and attached to the ninth CI draft, left by the 8 a.m. Express on the 4th en route for Feathcrston Camp : G. E. Anderson, A. Burt. A. F. Beadle, W. G Blackwell, J. W. Bolton, R, R, Donne, W. T. Easton, J. A. Frasor, A. Galland, A. L. Gilchrist, C. D. Hall, V. C. Hedges, J. Hoy. W. E. Johnson, G. M. Kennard. J. F. Kiipatrick, J. H. Macdougall, II M'Croric, A. J. M'Gilvary, J. Miller. PI. Muir, G. B. Miles, G. R. Pearce, A. G. Rigby, W. G. Russell, J. Sutherland, G. J. Thompson, C. Wceden. and S. C. Wilson. The following men belonging to the Invcrcargill group area also went forward : Edward James Bright, Robert Gordon Diack, Arthur Struan Gardner, William Henry Gaskett, Henry Herrett, James Hoffmann, James M'Cirrdy, Francis Henry Newton. Martin Henry Richards, Alfred Christopher Robinson, Arthur John Robertson, Cyril William Sharp,' James Staunton, Andrew Thomson, Herbert Wright, Clarence Alexander Young. Lieutenant George wont in command. RETURNED SOLDIERS WELCOMED. A welcome social in honour of six returned soldiers was held at Waikouaiti on Mondav 3rd iret. The Mayor (Mr G. J. L. Kerr) presided. An excellent musical programme was gone through, and interesting addresses were given by the Rev. R. E. Davies (Duncdin), Mr E. P. Lee, M.P., and the chairman. Medals, suitably inscribed, were pro sented to the following returned men from the local Patriotic Association, the medals being pinned on by the Mayoress (Mrs Kerr) ■ —Lieutenant James A. Aitcheson (France, 1917), Troonor H. Ball (Samoa, 1917), Private A. Vanes (Franco, 1917), Lance-corporal W. F. Kerr (France. 1916), Private H. E. Fry (France, 1916), Driver 11. E. Hurndoll (France, 1916-17). SOLDIERS SENTENCED. -For disobeying the lawful command of a superior olucer in such a manner as to show a wilful defiance of authority, the following soldiers have been tried by district court-martial at Trentham Camp, and sentenced to two years' hard labour: —Private A. Dalgleish, Details; Private H. Anderson. A.S.C.; Private H. C. Kilby, A.S.C.; Private D. Baxter, A.S.C. For deserting and losing equipment, Private L. Sccord', Details (late 34th Reinforcements), has been sentenced to 112 days' detention, and stoppages of pay to meet kit deficiencies, amounting to £2 19s lid. Any unexpired porticu of th« sentence is to be remitted at the final port of disembarkation if the accused leaves on active service. For deserting his Majesty's service, William Brean, N.Z.E.F., was tried by district court-martial at Palmerston North on May 23. and sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour. OTAGO WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION. The Dominion gift parcels for June are now being packed- at the Early Settlers' Hall, where workers are welcome every day except Saturday. These parcels are Dominion gifts in more ways than one. They are for general distribution amongst Ncw Zealand soldiers, and 30,000 of them are despatched monthly for this purpose by the Women's Patriotic Associations of Auckland, Wellington. Canterbury, and Otago-Southland. Murray's (Limited) have treated the Women's Patriotic Association most generously. Their donation given monthly, actually brings the milk . below cost, and this assistance is very greatly appreciated by the association. Mrs jrhinsdon (Whare Flat) sent two little pigs to Mr Foster (Corporation Yard), to bo sold for the funds of the Women's Association: and the good sum of £9 4s was realised. Mrs Winter donated three pieces of old china, and yesterday Mr Reynolds very kindly put them up for auction, with the result" that £5 10s was added to the funds. Professor Boys-Smith has offered to assist the members to arrange a jumble 6alo for the first Saturday in July. Contributions are requested from all those who can eparo anythiug from their homes—a piece o£ china, furniture, in fact, anything that is saleable. For the first Saturday in August Miss Armour has offered to organise a very novel entertainment, "A Dolls' Emporium." In the m-oautinio every one who can is asked to make anything in the shape of dolls' olothcrs doll's house, furniture, etc. FAREWELL AT MIDDLEMARCH. Despite stormy weather, a very fine audi-

ence assembled in the A. and P. Hall, Middlemarch, on Friday evening last to bid God-speed to Lance-corporal C. Paterson, Privates H. Tisdall, M. Campbell, and J. Morton, members of reinforcements now on final leave. Mr T. W. Wise (president of the Strath-Taieri Soldiers' Farewell and Reception Association), in welcoming the guests, testified to the esteem in which they were held. Later in the evening, on behalf of the residents, ho presented each soldier with a silver wristlet watch, and wished them all good fortune on their venture, and a safe return. Mr W. D. Mason also added his tribute. While ho regretted it was still necessary to send the best of their manhood, ho felt sure that, the latest drafts would not fall short of the high standard set by their forerunners. Lance-corporal Paterson returned thanks on behalf of his comrades, who would, ho said, endeavour to do their best, and that, ho hoped, would not bo less than the wishes expressed for them by the previous speakers. The programme consisted of items by Misses Renwick and Deaker. Messrs G. Horn and Deaker, and by the school children, Mrs Tyndall acting as accompaniste. HARE DRIVE AT MIDDLEMARCH. On Tuesday last a patriotic hare drive was held at' Middlemarch, when a party of about 13 shootists obtained a bag of some 120 hares. TAIERI WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION. The monthly business meeting on the 4th day was well attended, and the collections were up to the average, although all the books were not handed in. The accounts for the month were passed for payment, including £lO to the Dominion Parcels Fund. An acknowledgment of the balance sheet of the recent produce sale was _ received from Wellington, and congratulation!) were extended at the success of the sale on such a small expenditure. Letters were read from boys at the front, returning thanks for parcels of tobacco. MIDDLEMARCH WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. On Saturday, Ist inst., the ladies of the committee spent a very busy time packing the following goods for the Red Cress: 26 sheets, 39 pillow case. 3,2 suits pyjamas, BV. bandages, 12 pairs socks, 2 wringers, 2 dozen handkerchiefs, 6 facecloths, 3 flannel vests, 3 day shirts;' for the Early Settlers' Hall: 43 shirts, 36 pairs cocks, 114 handkerchiefs, 9 flannel vests, 20 service bags. LIEUTENANT COCKEREL!,.' D.S.O. The official statement of the bestowal of the decoration of D.S.O. on Lieutenant Cockerell runs: —"While Second Lieutenant Allan Cockerell was endeavouring to fill a gap on his left flank during an attack, his platoon came under heavy fire from some 'pill-boxes' and an enemy trench. He at once led his men to the attack, captured the garrison of the trench, and eventually, by a skilful manoeuvre, put the 'pill-boxes' out of action. He was cut off from his company, and all his platoon had become casualties, but ho took command of a few men near him, and held his position when the rest of the advance was held up. Later, he rejoined his company, took command, and consolidated the new position. He showed the greatest gallantry, coolness, and leadership throughout/' Lieutenant Cockerell is a son of Mr and Mrs Allan Cockerell, of Sutton, Otago Central. He left as a private with the Main Body. He received his commission in 1917, and won the D.S.O. in October of that year. From October to December he held the rank of temporary captain, and was wounded during the latter month. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BOARD. MR MITCHELL AND THE SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE. WELLINGTON, June 10. A special meeting of the National Executive of the Second Division League has issued an official statement that the minutes show that Mr Mitchell was appointed to the Financial Assistance Board to carry out the league's policy, to which he agreed, including a minimum of £2 2s for a wife only of a soldier. The Minister of Defence, by letter on March 22, accented Mr Mitcheil as the league's representative on the board. His withdrawal was caused by the policy laid down by the Minister of Defence, particularly regarding tho net minimum, income for the wives of soldiers and the attempt made to justify the policy whereby the wives of soldiers who are mothers are deprived of the full benefits of the children's separation allowance. Mr Mitchell's resignation was made without any personal reservation. Subsequently the Minister sent for Mr Mitchell, and asked him to accept re-nomination, although ho is a Class B reservist, and due for examination in a few days. In view of all the circumstances, and the fact that Mr Mitchell has finally decided to sacrifice his allegiance to the league, the National Executive has caned for_his immediate resignation as a member.