TOWN EDITION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14048, 19 July 1916, Page 6

TOWN EDITION.

j Mr John Allan, son of Mr John Allan, of Oamaru, the second engineer of the Port Augusta, had an exciting experience m the Day of Biscay, where the vessel was chased for hours by a submarine. The Port Augusta was at a ! disadvantage m having just dropped a ! propeller blade, and was unable to attempt to escape, but was more favored than the submarine m having a longer i range gun. The fact that no attempt j was made to escape evidently puzzled [the captain of the submarine, which bej hayed most cautiously. Although it j fired more than 30 shots none of theni disabled the Port Augusta, most of them jf ailing short. Whenever a shell from ' v the Port Augusta fell the submarine immediately dived, and eventually gave up the chase. About two cm- three weeks ago (says the Hawera Stair) there was some strong correspondence on the subject of the behaviour of certain classes of Swiss m relation to the war. As a result a. special enquiry Av'as instituted by the police An officer of good standing m the police force visited every part of the district from which complaints had coin©. He chased complaints ifrom point to point, but m the end found- them always elusive, -nd we hear, had to report to superior officers that while there was undoubtedly a. good deal of local feofing, he could "find no sound reason for it, and was unable to report any instance . which would justify him m recommending that action be "taken. Everywhere he met with more or less vague generalities, and even where there was the semblance of a definite statement of fact ht- could not get anyone willing to take the responsibility of supporting it by evidence. As to tlie matter of certain [foreigners, neutrals and not enemies, acquiring interests and properties m the district, there was no doubt about that, but that was not a matter within the purview of authorities, whose primary business :'t is tt> see that the law is observed and that nothing is. done contrary to the letter or spirit of the waa' regulations.