The Rangitikei Advocate TWO EDITIONS DAILY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1918. A MYSTERY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11469, 22 February 1918, Page 4

The Rangitikei Advocate TWO EDITIONS DAILY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1918. A MYSTERY.

THERE are some things in war — in our war especially—which cause ns to give a ready assent to the Shakesperian dictum that there are more things in heaven arid earth than nre dreamt" of in our philosophy. In fact, wo believe that the philosophical region which the great English poet had in his mind when he used the words, is a contemptibly little thing when placed in juxtaposition to the infinite unknown. Can anyone tell Jus , for instance, why it is that one man can face dense showers of hurtling lead, nearly as thick as the rain drops of a "summer shower, while another falls a victim to the first bullet which conies his way. We do not ask the question from the selfsufficient materialist. His reply would be, “Chance, f nothing hut chance.’’ We ask rather for the opinions of these who fool conscious of the mysteries of the universe, of a shadowy and, perhaps, 'remote, relationship to spheres which are not accessible to the hammer of the geologist nor to the ken of the

great telescope which sweeps the starry heavens for knowledge. We have all read of those strange contrasts of fate, or whatever it may be, and those who saw on the cinema sheet the Battle of the Ancre will remember that when the command to advance was given some had no sooner started to their feet to obey than they wore shot down That might have been chance.

But here is a clipping from a list in an English paper of those on whom the Victoria Cross was .conferred for conspicuous gallantry, which is calculated to arouse some interesting speculations in om-

niums—

; 'No. :!55Gr>2 A-Cpl. J. Collins, R. Welsh Frs, (Slertyr Tydvil). For most conspicuous bravery, resource, and leadership, when,'after deployment prior to an attack, his battalion was forced to bo out in the open under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, which caused many casualties. Tin’s gallant non-commissioned ofiicer repeatedly went out under heavy fire and brought wounded back to cover, thus saving many lives. In subsequent operations throughout the day Cpl. Colins was conspicuous in rallyug and leading bis command. He led the final assault with the utmost skill, in spite of heavy fire at close range and uncut wire. He bayonetted fifteen of tne enemy, and with a Lewis gun section pressed on boyoud the objective and covered the reorganisation and consolidation most effectively, although isolated and under fire from :• snipers and guns. Ho showed throughout a magnificent example of initiative and fcarless-

ness.

Here is another, but with a more tragic ending: “2nd Liont. C. Robertson, late R. W. Surrey R., Special Reserve (T.-Lieut. A-Cap-tain, Tank Corps). For most continuous bravery in leading Ids Tanks in attack under heavy shell, machine-gun, and rifle live, over ground which had been heavily ploughed by shell fire, Captain Robertson, knowing the risk of the Tanks missing the way, continued to lead them on foot, guiding them carefully and patiently towards their objective, a Ithough be nurse have known that bis action would almost inevitably cost him his life. This gallant officer was killed after his objective had been reached, but his skilful leading bad already ensured successful action. His utter disregard cf danger and devotion to duty afford an example of outstanding valour, ’ ’

In the first case yon have a man who repeatedly braves a storm of lire to save life, leads his men through a hail of missiles at close range, and [engages in no less than fifteen single combats and comes out without a scratch. It recalls to one’s mind something one has read: “Ho shall cover thee with his feathers. .... A

thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand, hut it shall not come nigh thee.’’

But there is pathos as well as tragedy, and almost unbelievable immunity from death till his work was done, in the case of 2d Lieut. 0. Robertson. The imagination cpiails at |[the thought of sucli a situation —slowly and carefully picking ins way and guiding his tanks towards ‘the enemies lines, apparently recking nothing of the horrible storms of explosives and flying metal which the enemy w as hurling at the approaching monsters, and right in the line of lire. There has been nothing more splendid in the •whole hisotrv o

war and nothing more picturesque than that solitary figure slowly and patiently pointing out the way to those lumbering tanks amidst the internal roar and clatter of missiles, and we have a grievance against poetic justice that he was not allowed to escape altogether. But as to what mysteriou s hand, if any, diverts the stream of death from certain favoured mortals for a time, at least, we must leave the question where he found it. One of the incomprehensible elements in the matter is that they are not all saints who escape scot free under suen circumstances. Favours fall on the just and the unjust alike. So one might indulge in speculations which might be all beside the mark. One might suggest that immunity was duo to a species of predestination, to agencies in the great spiritual economy of the uni verse with which we have not yet established a relationship, or attribute it to the mights' force of a child’s prayer for daddy, and be wrong every time.

Messrs Lloyd’s Ltd., groat showroom sale closes to-morrow. Saturday, when all remnants and oddments will he sold at half marked sale price. *

“I have been gaining strength day bv day in this election,” declared Mr Brandon at his mooting the other night. “Yon must have been very poor when you started,” declared an unfriendly voice in the audience. And there was much laughter.

At the Marton Court on Wednesday in the defended case, Bofo and Wall:or (Mr 0. B. Collins) v. T. Whale (Mr 9. Lsdley;, claim £l7 7s (id for goods supplied and repairs to motor car, Magistrate * Keurick reserved his decision.

The Press Association states that in a messa go from Auckland on February (sth the Court of Enquiry into charges against officers in regard to the escape ’of German prisoners from Motuihi was inadvertently referred to «s a conrtmart-M. It is ' really a preliminary enquiry and not a court martial.

A special meeting ot the Marton Borough Council, convened for Lst evening for the purpose of considering repairs to the new waterworks d 'in, was adjourned till next Monday evening by the Mayor in order to get. a fail meeting of the Council. Or. Hnlcliffc was indisposed end Or. 'Miles was absent from the district.

Fmit is dirt cheap »t present, but shortly we will be complaining of the awful cost of a two pound tin of preserved fruit 'or a pound of imported dried fruit. At present you can buy Williams' bon Christian pears —no better pear known for table or bottling—at lid lb from 13 lbs and upwards; peaches, choice dessert, (is case, about 21bs; the very best table tomatoes, 4d lb, 241bscaso (is. for sauce -Is to 5s case; French beans, choice young, the simplest of all vegetables to preserve, l;2lbs for 2s (id.—J. B. BARRINdTON, Marton.*

The pubMc; opening of the new room recently added to the Marble Bar, in Broad',ray, Marton, will take place to-morrow evening, when the Marton Orchestra (late Croziors) will render a programme of high class music,. Owing to tire popularity of the Marble Ear, Mr Ki'.ditiium’.e found it necessary to enlarge his premises, and a room 40 x2O was added to the present building. The room is nicely furnished, being artistically finished in white and brown. Mr Nightingale is a confectioner -rind manufactures his own Confectionery and ice creams, besides keeping* in stock a well selected assortment of Americ.n chocolates. Ho lias also crushed fruit d r inks, strawberries and cream, and all tiie latest summer delicacies on the menu. A lady’s cloak room is also attached.

“Do you know,” said a wellknown indent scout particulary interested in Manchester goods, “that I have seen during the past week drapers selling calico sheeting at Oj.ul per yard, which would today cost 2s 3d a yard to land here?’’ The agent in question added that his cabled advices of late had been a series of shocks. Only a few days ago lie had secured a large order for flannelettes on the last price quoted, which was !»; ! ,(d per yard. He cabled Home for confirmation of the order, and was surprised to learn that tiie price had advanced to Is a yard. He prophesies that if the war goes on, there will be no woollen goods at all obtainable from England :at tins time next year. All the clothes for the American troops were to be made in England nstead of America, in order to ‘(Save time, and avoid the risk of vessels carrying transhipped wool cargoes to the United States being sunk by enemy activity. This would give the woollen manufacturers an immense amount of work, and they consequently would, he argued, not he able to turn out much stuff for tiie export trade.

“Everyone should cultivate a hobby—if it is iouly paying their debts,’’said some vvag. But they can’t have any grocery debts to pay if they trade with * Hodder and Tolley of this town, who buy for cash, and sell for cash, and whose groceries therefore are the best values.*