VICTORY IN MESOPOTAMIA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13802, 30 September 1915, Page 2

VICTORY IN MESOPOTAMIA.

To-day s cable news . records an im« portant .success for the British forces operating on the Persian Gulf, the Turks being defeated and in retreat towards Bagdad. In any other time than the day of Armageddon this little war that is proceeding in one of the most fertile regions of the earth— actually the Garden of Eden — would have commanded great attention, but the reports of the. operations are generally compressed into two or three scant lines and no one seems to bother much as to how thing's are going. The fact that tlie New Zealand warship Philomel is believed to be assisting should give New Zealanders some small interest at anyrate in the events in this region. Complaint ' has been raised at Home as to the scanty information of ' the expeditionary force's movements doled out from official sources. "From ' private information and after a con- j siderable lapse of time," says United Empire, "we are able to form an adequate conception [of the feat of arms : which "resulted in the rout of 28,000 Turks and Arabs on the occasion of ; their attack on our Shaiba position last ' April. The official statement gave the \ usual colorless account, and the last : dispatches . from the Gulf are equally ' brief though distinctly encouraging. It \ may safely be said that the Shaiba ; fight merits a' special niche of its own j in the annals of British battles both on i account' of the excellent handling of ' our forces and for the prowess of the ' troops. Since that date an advance has ] been made to Airiara r on the Tigris, 'and i the work of consolidating our position 1 in the territory occupied has been prosecuted systematically. Moreover, an advance has also been made, despite I weather conditions, of a most trying kind (a shade temperature of 113 de- ' grees), up the Euphrates, and on July ] 24 British^ forces, including gun-boats, ; attacked and captured Nasiryeh . with ' casualties of between 300 and 400 and considerably greater loss to the Turks. ] This campaign, which is being conduct- < ed by the Government of India, may c have an important influence before long, as it divides the Turkish forces, < and should Bagdad be reached consider- ' able moral as well as material damage will be inflicted on Germany's ally." ]

The Hawke's Bay Presbytery placed i memorial on the minutes in honor of ;he late Chaplain -Major Grant, who was cilled in action. Staff -nurse Elore J. Kidd. of the Gisoorne hospital, has been placed on the roll of the New Zealand Army Nursing Reserve. '."""- ■'^ m l At the meeting of the Hawke's Bay ■< Presbytery at Hastings it was agreed to 2arry out a scheme of interchange of pulpits three times a year. A parade of A and B. Company of- . the National Reserve will be held to- '; night at the Garrison hall at 7.30. A-T full muster is requested. Recmits for B Company are still required. The rainfall at Gisborne for this month up to 9 a.m. to-day amounted to 2.02 inches, rain having fallen on 11 dm Three frosts have been recorded. For September last year 0.60in. rain fell on nine days. '..•■'■ ' ; Tlie Union S.S. Co. announce that all boats from Auckland and Gisborne will berth at the Napier breakwater at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. as previously, so as to allow more time to passengera to catch the mail train to Wellington. A social is to be held under the auspices of the Social Democratic Party in the Masonic Hall to-morrow evening. The .committee have arranged a splendid programme, and refreshments are to be provided by the ladies of the party. The charge of admission is a nominal one. - Mr Clement Wragge states that there is another tremendous upheaval in the sun, the total length being about 145,000 miles. He predicts further, volcanic and earthquake action, especially in the' Northern Hemisphere, and increasing rainfall over Australasia, South Africa and South America . . Mr H. G. Stringer, secretary of the Auckland Fanners' Freezing Company,. Ltd.. who has been appointed secretary at Feilding of the Qrua and West Coast Frozen Meat Company, was' voted the sum of £100 at the annual meeting of the Auckland Company a day ,or two . ago in recognition of Ms valuable services during the past 11 years. The Gisborne High School Board took oyer the Gfrls' Hostel to-day, arid the f iris will enter into occupation of the ne new building next Saturday. An effort will be made to get the Hon. R. McNab to perform the formal opening ceremony during his visit to Gisborne in connection with the Cook Day ceremonies. The Rev. Fathers Lynch arid O'Snlliyan, of the Redemptorist Order, Wellington, have concluded a successful mission, at Gisborne. By the Paloona this morning the Rev. Father O'Sullivan proceeded to Auckland, whilst the Rev. Father Lynch is conducting a mission throughout the country districts, commencing at Ormond. With the return of fine weather a start has been, made with the repair of the footpaths throughout the town. The gang has been employed patching the holes in .the business area, an excellent asphalt mixture with Dunedin screening--* being used. The tar painting of th«T^ pavements has been initiated, and it is rM to be hoped this summer will see exten- 1 sive improvements effected in this direction. '-..,• The Girls' League, consisting of about twenty performers, are seeking to entertain the public, to-night in the Methodist schoolroom,' Bright street. The programme is divided into two partsvarious items in the first half, and an ancient Greek mythological scene in tin* second half. Appropriate dresses and effects will locate the tablework. Half the proceeds are for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The operation of the Gisborne railway section for the four weekly period endJ °g August 21 resulted in a revenue of £1384, and an expenditure of £1937. The goods, traffic mainly accounted for the falling off of revenue, the earnings for this source alone being £664, as compared with £939 for the same period last year. The passenger traffic totalled 5863 (as, .against .--6164 for August last year), revenue £548, parcels, luggage, etc., 218 (£94). . ./ ' , ..-; A special meeting of the committee of the Gisborne. Rifle Club was -held last night in the Garrison Hall. These were present : Messrs D. Rait (chairman), Johnston, G. Holmes, J. Faulkner, J. Snelgar, F. Armstrong, and S. Buntin (secretary). It was decided to open the range on Labor Day, October 25th; »by holding a shoot over the ranges of 300 500, and 600 yards. The secretary was instructed to send invitations to the following clubs: Ngatapa, Waikohu, Tokomaru Bay, and toe Legion of Frontiersmen to a day's shooting.; to start . at 10 a.m. on * the Mangapapa range*, each man to find his own ammunition. It was decided to adopt figure targets for the season. Eight new members wera elected. ' '■ ... - RainfalL recorded at the various East Coast stations during August was as follows :--Te Araroa 15.23 inches on 22 days, Tolaga Bay 5.60 inches in 23 days, Waimata Valley 4.94 inches on 20 days, Gisborne 3.43 inches on 21 days Ormond 2.99 inches on 14 days T© Karaka 2.80 inches on 17 days, Waihuka 2.46 inches on 15 days, Otoko 3.57 inches on 17, days, Koranga 6.07 inches , on 23 days, Motu 4.94 inches oh -20 days, Whatatutu 3.56 inches on 18 days Patutahi 2.83 inches on 18 days, Tiniroto 5.54 inches on 22 days, Hangaroa -' 5.11 inches on 20 days. WhakapunakeJ' 5.76 inches on 21 days, Morere 5.54™ inches on 22 days, Mangaone Valley 7.78 inches on 19 days, Portland Island 2.56 inches on 18 days. The rainfall, at Te Araroa constituted a record for tho Dominion. ' •' , The Scottish hall was the scene of a merry gathering last night, when a social was tendered the reinforcements who are at present visiting Gisborne on leave. The function was organised by a committee of ladies and gentlemen, comprising Mesdames Scott, West, Avlwood, Charles, Steele, Clark/ and Little and Messrs Anderson, Spiers, ■ Chnstopulo, Scarfe, Eaton, U Lonnor, and Downey. Over 100 couples weire present and an enjoyable programme of dances was gone through to music provided by Watson's orchestra During the supper adjournment patriotic speeches were made by Messrs G. C. Munns and A. S. Richards, and the troopers were each presented with a pair of socks. The social, ' which was also a wind-up to -the weekly daneea in aid of the Children's Creche, waa most successful and enjoyable. The Women's Patriotic Committer will not hold a sewing meeting on Friday this week. The leather waistcoats are now finished^and will be despatched to Lady Liverpool at the end of the weekand on Friday week work for the hospital ship will begin. Any contribution for this purpose may be left at the Garrison hall. The following gifts are especially acceptable :— Sheets. 3 yards by 2 yards; pillowcases, 30 by 20 inches; draw sheets . l§yds by Uyds ; feather pillows; cushions; bath towels and face towels; handkerchiefs; facecloths; mufflers;, bandages; bed socks s slippers; Balaclava helmets. The committee wish to express their thanks to Mrs Alex. Cameron for providing morn. ing and afternoon tea last Friday, and ' to Messrs Lowndes and Smale for kindly carting machines. They also wish to acknowledge with thanks the following gifts :— Mittens and helmet, Miss spence; muffler, Gladys Fryer; socks Mrs D. McKechnie ; £2, Mr Harris ; tin; of tea, air cushion and stationery Mrs Hockley; muffler,. Mrs Packe; helmets. Mrs Pyke; flannelette, Mrs Dods; mufflers, Miss Rees' school; £2 ss, N.'G R * muffler, Dorothy McDiarmid: '" * At 2 p.m. to-morrow Mr G. K. Miller holds a sale of furniture at the residence jf Mrs H. Holford, Palmerston road % >pposite the Gisborne school. ■ . * It is not often that the. public of this /' district have the opportunity now be- / ing offered of obtaining cheap litera*/, ture. It is announced in our advertising columns that Mr C. W. Muir is holding his first sale, which commences to-mor-row. Substantial reductions are being made in all lines. - Eyestrain headaches. — My accurate lenses relieve evestrain when others [ ai} .-.— Qor<tor!, Optician, op. Bank JT.Z. #

Colonel Porter, C.8., arrived from I Wellington by the Paloona this morn- 1 ing. On his return journey he has to ■ attend several of the National Reserve groups on reserve matters. Tho members of the women's branch of the National Reserve assemble on the stage of the Garrison Hall this evening for the first of the course of lectures on ambulance work. The camp for ambulance men whicii has been established at Palmerston North has received its full complement of 273 men, and practical work has been commenced. Captain Goldingham is in command, and will be assisted by Captain Grover. The Patutahi and "All-Right" Night Druids hold a social at Patutahi tomorrow night, the function taking tlie form of a farewell to a- number of members of the 7th Reinforcements. It is generally expected that the gathering will be a large one. For the convenience of town visitors, brakes (free) will leave the Masonio hall at 7 o'clock. The Avondale Cup, won by Mr F. Hall's Castalia, at the spring meeting, 1915, has just been received by this successful owner. . The cup, which is a beautiful piece of silverware, presented by Messrs Walker and Hall, constitutes the first cup given by the Avondale Jockey Club with the stakes in this particular event. It has been won outright, and forms a valuable addition to Mr Hall's numerous trophies. During the course of the farewell to the Rev. Mr Wainwright last evening, Mr F. S. Malcolm presented Mr Wainwright with a testimonial signed by upwards of sixty members and adherents, stating that the emphasis of Mr Wainwri ght's preaching had been evangelical, and that he had proclaimed the whole truth of Christ, and also stating that in their view the resignation should not have been accepted. To-morrow night, at Trinity Hall, Derby street, the Gisborne Shakespeare Club will give their second reading for the season, the play chosen being "The Taming of the Shrew." Miss Gretchen Kennedy, as "Kathariria," the shrew, promises to give a very fine conception of the character as the headstrong, illtempered, mad-cap, who is finally tamed by "Petruchio" (Mr J. A. Nicol). Their niiarrels at home and abroad provide a full measure of excitement and amusement. Patrons are ' requested 'to be in their seats at 8 o'clock sharp. Honorary members may pay in their subscriptions and may obtain extra tickets if wanted from Mr C. G. Bloor«. A social gathering was held at Ngatapa last night to bid farewell to Mr A. McKay, who was back from Trentham on final leave. Tlie gathering was ar-. ranged by fellow workers. A presentation of a wristlet watch was made by Mr H. Sutton, .on behalf of the recipients, and warm expressions of esteem and good wishes, for his future were extended to Mr McKay, pleasure being expressed that he was going forth to 'assist the Empire in the great war, and. the hope of all wai that he would later on return to the district. The evening was made a very enjoyable one. Songs were sung bv Mr A. Hall, and recitations were given by Messrs Gardiner and Hodges. The Napier Telegraph states : — Mr and Mrs Dudley Hill and Mr Denton Tanner met with a serious motoring 'accident last, Saturday when travelling along tlie Wallingford road. At about noon the party were going down a hill and in turning a bend the car skidded and overturned, flinging the occupants out.' Mrs Hill was thrown clear and escaped injurv. Mr Hill broke his shoulder and Mr Tanner was pinned beneath the car for half an hour before ue was released. When Mr- Tanner was relieved of the car it was found that he had providentially escaped hurt, beyond a severe shaking and tlie shock naturally resulting from his experience. Mr Hill Was conveyed to the Waipukurau hospital, where he lies at present. It is peculiar that these very three people "were the victims of the Helensville railway crossing motor oar collision just two years and nine months ago, in which terrible smash Mrs F. L. Gordon (a sister of Mrs Dudley Hill and. <-f Mr Denton Tanner) lost her life and Mr D. Tanner suffered injury. It is only a week or. so .. ago since Mr Dudley Hill recovered substantial damages against the Government, as the outcome of the Helensville collision! The lantern lecture to be given byMr Olegg to-morrow evening, on behalf of the YVounded Soldiers' Fund should attract a crowded audionce. It has been decided to give the lecture, in His Majesty's Theatre,- instead of the Scottish Hall, as- originally intended, and a scries of moving pictures 'will also be shown by the Pathe Picture proprietary. Communications from other districts warmly commend the lecture. The Mayor of Hawera sent a, telegram giving a high recommendation. The Mayor »>i Wairoa. sent a telegram to the Patriotic Committee expressing his cordial *■ tpport of Mr Clegg's mission and noting .the success of the lecture at Wairoa. where about £39 was taken. Speaking from Wairoa on the telephone this morning Mr W. A.. Barton, S.M., stated that on Tuesday evening Air Clegg gave a most interesting lecture to a large audience. He (Mr Clegg) related his experiences while a prisoner on the Herman cruiser Kronprinz Wilhehn, his stery being well worth hearing. The lect »'er showed a number of very interestin j intern slides obtained during his travels. Mr Clegg is touring the Dominion u' his own expense, the proceeds from the ltctures going to the Wounded ,Soldiers' Funds. .Everyone in New Zealand is anxious to p<iy due honor to all those who have volunteered for the field of honor, ;md to their relatives in New Zealand, who have so uncomplainingly borne the almost greater burden of sending away their children or relatives. It is only right tliat all these should have a place on New Zealand's roll of honor. The Manawatu Patriotic Society is anxious to compile a complete list of all who have enlisted with .the ' New. 'Zealand, Australian, Imperial, or Allied forces from the Wellington military area, — which extends from Wellington on the south, to Gisborne on the east, and Taranaki on the west — or whose relatives reside in that area, in order that the names of these soldiers may be handed down to posterity and their dependents relieved, in proper cases, from pecuniary distress. A roll is being compiled * for this purpose. It is desired to make it complete. The society would, therefore, esteem it a favor if anv person residing in the Wellington military .area, whose child, husband, relative, or friend has volunteered in any part of the world, would forward full particulars, with the name, regiment, and place of enlistment of tlie soldier, and the name and address, of the relative, to the secretary of tho Manawatu Patriotic Society, Palmerjrfdn North. No. 65 Company Wellington Senior Cadetsa flsembled in good numbers at Twigley .and Marshall's rooms to farewell three of their members, Sergt.-In-structors N. Ellery, H. Wood, and R. Forsyth on their departure for the front (the two former had, however, been recalled to Trentham). Among the guests were Lieut. Moltzen (N.Z. S.C.) and Messrs R. A. Mitchell, J. R. Kirk. R. W. Burge, C. Blackburni, and E. N. Sidebottoni. A very pleasant evening was spent in song and story Snterspersed with refreshments. Items were contributed by Cadets Hollier, Harvey, Hodge, Jones, Nicholas, Paltrfdge, Rydetr, A. Swan, S. Wildish and by Messrs E. N. Sidebottom, R. A. Mitchell and N. Lowndes. Mr Sidebottom also kindly accompanied the soloists, enthusiastic encores being frequently demanded. After the toast "to uie King" had been honored, Mr J. H. Kane, O.C. No. 65 Company, in the course of his address, referred tp the high esteem in which the three sergeantBnstructors were justly held by the company and on behalf of the company presented each of the departing members with a 1 neat and useful gift; Sergeant F'frsyth suitably replying. Lieut. Moltzen. NVZ.S.C, and Mr J. R. Kirk also addressed the company in a few ■well chosen words and the meeting concluded with the singing of the National /Lnthem. y