AIR MASTERY.

Southland Times, Issue 17920, 27 April 1917, Page 4

AIR MASTERY.

The most satisfactory news which v has come from the front since the opening of the present great offensive is that which records the signal success won by British airmen on Monday in their fight to recover the mastery of the air. The importance of the command of the air can hardly be overestimated. It would be an exaggeration to say that it is all-important, since control of the air would not win the war unless the Allies had in addition the necessary superiority in artillery; and even with these two factors the Allies could not win unless they had also the equally necessary superiority in numbers of men. All these things are of vital importance, but the effectiveness with which guns and men can be used depends very largely upon control of the air. The aeroplanes are the eyes of the army. The effectiveness of artillery fire is governed by the accuracy with which it is directed by aerial observation. The co-ordination of infantry advances with artillery attack is also dependent upon the work of the Flying Corps. Apart from the bearing of aerial observation upon tactics, the photographs maps and reports which the observers bring to Headquarters after their flights behind the enemy’s lines very largely determine the plans of the High Command. Air control means diminished losses to the side which possesses it and increased losses to the enemy. It makes all the difference between success and fail-, ure in many enterprises, and it is a condition of final success on the western front.

When the battle of the Somme ended the Anglo-French flying men had established an ascendancy over the enemy which gave them almost undisputed control of the air. During the winter, however, German engineers and mechanics produced a new and faster machine with extraordinary c.limbing powers; their flying schools turned out airmen in large numbers, and when fighting opened last month it was found that the Allies’ command of the air was no longer undisputed. The Germans threw down a determined challenge, and for a time the issue was in doubt. The Allies’ losses, if not greater than those of the enemy, were at least so heavy as seriously to deplete the Flying Corps. A good deal of anxiety as to the position was felt at Home and questions in the House of Commons elicited from the Ministerial benches a guarded statement which showed clearly that the position was far from satisfactory. It was frankly admitted that the supremacy in the air which the Allies enjoyed at the close of the Somme battle could only be regained by hard and bitter fighting. This fighting has been in progress incessantly for six weeks now, with heavy losses to both sides, and the air battle culminated on Monday in the severest struggle which has yet been fought-in any one day since the .beginning of the war. TTiat struggle ended with the advantage distinctly on the side of the Allies. Fifteen enemy machines were destroyed and 24 were driven down in the enemy’s lines, while only two of the Allies’ failed to return. This must be regarded as a very striking success, and as an indication that the AngloFrench Flying Corps are rapidly regaining aerial ascendancy. The new machines are evidently more than a match for the enemy’s latest productions, and given equality in this respect English and French airmen will always beat the Germans. The command of the air means everything to the artillery and infantry engaged in the deadly struggle now in progress east of Arras, and we may confidently expect that very early in the summer the Allies will dominate the air as completely as they did at the close of the Somme fighting last year.

The offices of the Southland Farmers* Co-operative Association will remove on Saturday from Don street to more commodious premises in Tothill’s Buildings, Crescent.

An Auckland telegram states: The miners’ cases have been further adjourned till Monday to permit counsel for the prosecution to consider a voluminous document submitted by the prosecution.

In connection with the Anzacs' dinner on Wednesday, the thanks of the Returned Soldiers’ Association are due to Messrs Moffett and Co. (for donation of cordials), Mackerras and Hazlett (cigars) and the Warehousemen's Association (cigarettes). Miss Short and the waitresses of the Federal also deserve thanks for so willingly agreeing to act on their holiday.

The status under the Military Service Act of a man who has married since May 1, 1915, but who was not of military age at the time, was discussed before the Second Wellington Military Service Board last week. If the man had been a member of the reserve when he married, he would have remained in the First Division. But since he did not become a member of the reserve until later, when he attained the required age, it might be argued that he is now a Second Division man. ' The chairman of the board stated that the point would be referred to a conference of chairmen of Military Service Boards, to be held in Wellington this week. Probably the opinion of the Solicitor-general would be secured.

The Collection Committee of the Red Cross Society wish to acknowledge the following donations: —Egg Circle opening day, £6 3s: Sumner, Marchant, Moyle and Poole Concert Party, £3 4s 2d; collection at Golf’House opening day, 16s 4d; Comet, 10s; Mr D. McFarlane, £1 Is; Mrs A, C„ Millar, ss; Mrs L. Webb. 3s: Mr Brand, ford, 2s 6d; Mrs McLean, 2s 6d; Mrs L, Raymond. 2s 6d; Mrs Turpin. 2s 6d; Mrs McGruer, 2s Gd; Mrs G. Munro, 2a 6d; Mrs A. Macdonald, 2s 6d; Mrs Wolff» 2s; Mrs Carswell, Is; Miss J. Brown, Is. Donations of produce, etc.. —Mrs Strettell Mrs W. Rennie, Mrs McKillop, Mrs Hawke, Mrs Kingsland, Mrs O’Belra*, Nathan Robertson, Mr W. R. Berry, Mrs ' Vickery, Mrs Couser, Miss P. Thomson. Murray’ and Co., Alfred Dixon, Mrs Breese, Mrs McArthur, Mrs Cruickshank, Mrs T. C. Ellis, Mrs Fawcett, Miss Brodrick, Mrs A. Watson, Miss Birch, Miss McNaughton, Miss Bina Cavanagh, Mrs Borne, Mrs H. Royds, Mrs RRoscow, Mrs Wilson, Mrs J. B. Taylor, Peter Benzoni, Mrs Voung, Miss Gardner, Mrs Bicknell, Miss Batchelor, Mrs W. Macalister, Mrs Robinson. Annis Hay, Mrs Philpott, Mrs Craig, Mrs B. JGilmour, Miss Grieve, Mrs Tucker, Mrs A. S. Browne, Mrs P. Israel, Mrs Peace, Mrs Todd, Mrs W. E. Taylor, Mrs K. Mackenzie, Mrs A. Dobbie (Thombury), Mrs Littlejohn, Mrs F. Ackers, Miss Crofts, Mrs V. Scandrett, Mrs E. R. Stephens, Mrs Taylor, Miss McKay, Mrs Searell, Mrs E. Rabbidge, Miss James, Mrs Deacon, Mrs Cochrane, Mrs Pilcher, Mrs Bonifant, Mrs Welsh, Mrs Ha.ggltt, Mrs Petrie, Mrs Lumsden, Miss McLeod, H.T., Mrs J. Watts, Mrs Lewis, Mrs T. S. Miller, Miss N. Manson, Mrs E. R. Crofts, Mrs C. Smith, Mrs F. Leary, Miss Carswell, Mrs Miller, Mrs Crosby Smith, Mrs Sawers, Mrs Connor, Mrs D. J. Gilmour, Mrs J. C. Thomson, Mrs Brookesmith. Mrs T. W. Walker, Mrs Hay and Mrs Marshall.

We need scarcely remind readers that to-night is the last opportunity that the public of Invercargill will have of seeing the splendid entertainment in the Theatre in aid of the Returned Soldiers Association and Soldiers’ Club funds. The spectacular side of the entertainment drew unstinted applause last night and those who visited the Theatre are unanimous that they would not have missed it for anything.

Sir J. Allen, Minister of Defence, replying to the resolution passed by the Southland League protesting against the suggestion of the Chairman of the second Otago Military Appeal Board that the positions of New Zealand men called up for military service should be filled by men Imported from Australia, states that he was not aware that the chairman ever made such a statement anc that, at any rate, it does not represent the policy of the Government.

Advices received by Auckland commercial houses Indicate that the congestion on the eastern railways of Canada continues to be serious, chiefly on account of the heavy movement of agricultural products and of munitions of war. Many industrial establishments were, at latest advices, being inconvenienced through lack of steam coal and coke, L pot. however, through any such labour K troubles as are experienced In New Zealand, but on account of the difficulty of conveyance. At a public meeting at Riverton last Saturday evening (the Mayor, Dr Trot■P* ter, presiding) the following motion was f moved by Mr Rawlins and seconded by Mr W. Templeton : “That this meeting of citizens pledges itself to support the National Government in giving effect to any measures that may be deemed necessary to deal with the present national crisis.” Mr J. C. Thomson, M.P.. spoke strongly in support of the motion, •which was carried unanimously, the audience singing the National Anthem. Two of the principal matters to be discussed at the Dental Conference at Wellington this week will be the Hon. G. W. Russell’s proposals regarding school children's teeth and the treatment of soldiers’ teeth. It is understood that delegates from other places who are going to the conference have shown some anxiety regarding the question whether, in view of the present labour troubles, they will be able to g,et away from Wellington after the conference. The Dunedin executive states that from thorough inquiries it has made it feels quite certain that delegates need have no fear of being held up In Wellington.

Mr Edgar Jones, late of North Canterbury, and now resident in Tlmaru, has made an extremely generous offer to the Canterbury section of the Overseas Club in connection with the club’s "Canterbury Aeroplane Phind.” Mr Jones has already made a donation of £SO to the fund, and he has promised that if the Overseas Club can raise the balance (£800) which it needs to purchase the first gift aeroplane from Canterbury, which is to cost £ISOO, before May 20, he will donate £750, half the cost of a second gift aeroplane. A personal appeal to upwards of 1000 of the primary producers from Kaikoura to Ashburton is being made by the club, with a view to fulfilling the conditions of Mr Jones’s offer.

At the Sixth Congress of Exhibitors of Cinema Films, recently held at Chicago, it was stated that at the present time there are no fewer than 21,000 halls and theatres at which this class of entertainment is given in the United States. These entertainments are attended by no fewer than 25,000,000 persons dally, or say more than one-quarter Of the entire population of the States. They employ upwards of 250,000 ■'operators. whose weekly wages amount to 2,300,000 dollars. The total amount invested in these undertakings was stated to exceed 2,000,000,000 dollars — £400,000,000 sterling.

It is understood (says the Christchurch Press) that the matter of the freight allocation for meat for the South Island is in a considerably better position now, owing to modified instructions having been received from the Imperial Government by the Overseas Committee in Wellington and acted upon by the committee. The drastic interpretation at first placed upon the Imperial Government’s preferential suggestions

by the committee would have had a disfr astrous effect upon the freezing indus-£-ry in the South Island, though of fee ourse, the preference which the Irn.erlal Government; Is said to have made for wether as against ewe mutton would have played into the hands of the North Island exporters. At the present time the allocations for the South Island are considered reasonable when the quantity ' of shipping available is taken into cons Bideration. Several Southern mine managers, at present in Auckland, referred on Friday (says the Auckland Herald) to the statements made by Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., in regard to the cost of producing coal in New Zealand. In reference to the statement that the cost of "getting” coal here was lower than in other countries, the following figures for 1912 were quoted, the prices being the cost of producing coal from the mine to the pithead, all charges, such as administration, included : —United Kingdom, 9s OJd per ton: America, 6s Id; Australia, 7s 6Jd; New Zealand, 10s 112 d. In regard to the output of coal per man per annum the last available figures were quoted as follows ;—United Kingdom, 244 tons, the output having been reduced

owing to a strike; America, 660; Australia, 542; New Zealand, 503. It was jointed out that in many of the mines In the dominion coal was more easily ■worked than In other parts of the world.

A remarkable feature of the great British "Victory” war loan was the investment of long-cherished hoards of gold. Instances recorded were: Man at Newcastle, £3000; a St. Albans cattle dealer, £600; a Radlett (Herts) woman, £100; s West Ham man, £115; a woman at the Mansion House, £95; a woman at a city post office, £SO. Sums of £IOO, £57, and others fairly large were taken In coin to the Mansion House. At Eras•worth, Hants, gold investments at the post office totalled £IOOO In ten days in contributions of from £1 to £4OO. At the Bank of England in the last few days numbers of people, especially women, were paying gold over the counter. Many of them brought it in bags tied to their wrists. Every day offers of money free of interest and of gifts to the nation reached the Treasury and the National War Savings Committee, gome of them were very large; others that were sent direct to the Chancellor of the Exchequer included sixpences saved by children. Several in stamps »r postal orders were received. "A mother and daughter” sent £l, and a woman forwarded two £5 notes from Bescombe, Hants. A Belgian, M. Jacques Hamelecourt. who had to leave his native country when the Germans invaded It, took £3OOO in notes to the Mansion Bouse. Another interesting subscription was a £5 piece.

The Auckland police were recently confronted with the problem of finding the parents or guardians of a baby, approximately six months old, which had been left, under peculiar circumstances, •n the steamer Manaia prior to her departure for Whangarei. Shortly after •even o'clock a man and a woman wheeled a perambulator containing the baby to the steamer and told the stewardess that the child was to go to ■Whangarei, arrangements having been made with the company for the child to be taken there. Before they could be questioned the pair went away, leaving the child. The man gave a name, and said he had to go to work at 8 p.m. Inquiries revealed the fact that the man did not work at the office he mentioned, and further that no arrangements had been made with the company for conveying the child to Whangarei. The police were communicated with, and later the baby was taken by the police matron to the Door of Hope, where it .will be taken charge of in the meantime. Further Inquiries elicited that the Manaia was met at Whangarei by a man who stated that he was the father of the child, and had expected It to be aboard. At the Auckland railway station. Plainclothes Constable Gourlcy detained a man named William Edgar Phillips and his wife who were about to travel by the south express. These two stated that they had taken the child bn the Manaia. They explained that they had adopted the child some months ago, but had got a situation in Te Kuiti. where they could not give the baby proper attention. Consequently they bed arranged to send the child back by the Manaia to its father who was to meet the boat at Whangarei. Phillips and his wife will probably be detained to answer a charge under the Infants' Protection Act of having failed to take proper care of the child. For Children** Hacking Cough at night, Wooda* Oreri Peppermint Cura 1/6. 2/6,

In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, judgment by default was given in the undefended cases of J. H. Geddes and Sons v. Geo. de Garnham, for £3 Is, with 11s costs.

At the meeting of the Southland Land Board yesterday arbitrators were appointed in connection with the fixing of the renewal of leases on Education endowments, in the loan of Gore, the town of South Lumsden, and the town of Lumsden.

The Town Clerk and Treasurer (Mr T. W. Walker) reported to last nights meeting of the Town Council that ttie draft statement of the borough accounts for tlie year ended March 31 was completed and had been laid on the table. The protit and loss accounts of the several trading departments of the borough would be ready for next meeting.

The Southland Land Board yesterday passed a resolution that, in future, all transfers approved must be registered at the Land Transfer Office within three months from the date of approval, and that the consent forms have sucli condition attached.

At the Wellington centre of the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross, Surgeon-General Henderson stated that it was important that people sending Red Cross money to England should send it to the New Zealand Red Cross Commissioner, London. Gifts should be addressed to the New Zealand Gift Stores Depot, Southampton. —Press Association telegram.

At last night’s meeting of the Town Council, the Quarry Manager stated:— I beg to submit report re stoppage of metal transport by the Railways Department during the coal strike. I may state that I have sufficient coal in stocic to hll tlie hoppers with metal, and to go on drilling holes in rock for about ten days, which will give us a chance to cope with the requirements of the town after the strike, should it be of short duration. If not settled by that time, I see no other remedy than to shut down the works. As there are only live men on the works at the present time 1 will require them all till the coal is finished.

During the patriotic meeting in the Municipal Theatre on Wednesday evening, Mr A. is. Wallace submitied for sale a souvenir of the Zeppelin brought down in England by Lieutenant Robinson, V.C. The souvenir was handsomely framed, along with a guarantee of the British Red Cross concerning the genuineness of the relic. The proceeds of the sale (£l7) are to be equally divided between the Red Cross Fund and the fund that Chaplain-Captain Burridge is administering at the front. The following were the purchasers at £1: Mr John Matheson, Cr. J. Stead, Cr. T. D. Lennie, Mrs D. McFarlane, Mr T. Hyde, Mr W. Thomson, Mr Gideon Scott, Mr H. Hubbard, Mr James Allan, Mr Chas. Sutton, Mrs S. Lawrence, Dr Hansen, Mr R. A. Anderson, Mr A. F. Hawke. Purchasers at 10s. Mr J. S. Baxter, Mr S. M. McDonald, Rev. J. Collie, Mr Clark. Final purchaser; Mr T. Hyde, at £l.

The Western Star states that the motor driver, who arrived in Riverton with the Southland Times on Tuesday morning had a narrow escape from a serious accident at the bridge over the railway near the hospital. He was returning to town with a passenger up along Bath street, and turned on the bridge, when his steering gear failed to act and the car continued to make the circle, just striking the end of the railing and lodging against a post, within a few inches of the edge of the cutting which at that point is over 30 feet deep. The driver’s promptness in shutting off his power and jamming down his brakes served to prevent the car from taking an extra move forward which would no doubt have proved serious. No apparent damage was done to the car. With the assistance of Messrs T. Trail and B. Hill the car was taken from its awkward position.

Flying in Christchurch will come measurably nearer every day of the next week or so (says the Lyttelton Times), for the Canterbury Aviation Company’s new Caudron biplane which arrived on Saturday is at this moment standing all ready assembled in the hangar at Sockburn, with only the last touches to be put to it to make it ready for its first New Zealand flight. The aeroplane is a two-seater, built expressly for instructional purposes. The pitot and his pupil are seated In a little boat-shaped gondola just behind the engine, like an elongated side-car. In this look-out there are two sets of controls, for use by master and pupil. In the middle is what is technically called the "joy lever," an upright stick which controls the rise or dip or swoop of the aeroplane. The foot levers merely operate the tall or rudder. The instructor. Mr Hill, who is now on the water, should be in Christchurch very soon, and the flying school will commence operations in earnest. A very well designed house Is being built for the pupils. Its principal feature Is a dozen bedrooms opening on to a sunny northern verandah. Recreation for the pupils will be found in a couple of grass tennis courts, which are tp be laid out on the homestead lawn, and It is evfen proposed to build a swimming pool for their use.

We have always a good word for ‘‘NO RUBBING" Laundry Help because it has justly earned its wonderful reputation as the abolisher of Washboard Slavery and also because a "Thinker's” Notebook is given free with every 1/- packet. J. S. BAXTER, Grocer. x Presents for Soldiers. The selection of a suitable present for a departing soldier is becoming a matter of difficulty. The gift must be both useful and serviceable, and something which the soldier can carry with him everywhere. Just come along to RITCHIE & CO., saddlers. Dee street, and you will be surprised to see the rang© of suitable presents at moderate prices. Don’t rack your brains over buying a soldier’s present. Give Ritchie & Co. a call and you will be shown' a selection from ■which you can choose something that will meet the case. “Just the thing I’ve been trying to think of,” you will'say. Don’t forget— these articles are at Ritchie’s.

COAL STRIKE. PETROL WILL BE CARRIED BT THE RAILWAY. CONSULT WOODS & CO. RE MOTOR CYCLES, MOTOR CARS. Immediate delivery. Any make.

Lovers of good tea should drink Baxter’s choice RAVA TEA from the Kava Tea Gardens—pure, popular, pleasant. This delightful beverage has been long and favourably known to the people of Southland, and continues to Increase In popularity. Try it. Shirts of quality, value, and style. All British manufacture. UNDRILL’S, opp. Post Office.

1000 pairs of Blankets to be sold at the following exceptional bargain prices —379 pairs double bed Blankets in white and grey. Usual price 30/-, sale price 20/-. 100 pairs all wool colonial blankets, double bed size. Usual price 35/-, sale price 25/-. 300 Roslyn and Kaiapoi Blankets for double beds. These superior finality blankets, 37/6, 39/6. 121 pairs grey blankets in Titnaru and Kaiapoi selling at 22/-, 25/-, 26/-, 30/-, 32/-. 36 white cot blankets, sale price 1/11. 300 wadded and clown quilts in all the newest designs, the very thing for winter nights, 7/11, 9/6, 13/11, 15/6, 17/6, 19/6, 25/-, 30/-, 37/6, 45/-, to 110/-. 75 cot quilts, beautiful quality newest designs. 3/11 to 10/6. See windows at H. & .1. SMITH, LTD., Prompt Service Store, Tay street. ’Phone 288.

"We know not till we try ” —Shelley. You cannot tell what benefits you might obtain from Baxter’s Lung Preserver until you try it yourself. Why not let it cure your cold, build up your lungs, vitalise your system? "Baxter’s” has been doing that for thousands of people during the last fifty years. It will do the same for you if you procure a bottle from your Chemist or Store, and use it as required. 1/10 buys a large bottle, and a better investment is impossible. Obtain a bottle to-day and keep it handy. A Coat that will keep out the rain is worth having. The Oilskin Coats for women and maids in walking and riding styles on offer at THOMSON' & BEATTIE'S will keep you dry on the wettest of wet days. The prices range from 25/- to 35/- each.

Farmers I Don’t go past RITCHIE & CO. when buying your requirements in harness, saddlery, and horse goods of every description. They buy right, and they sell right, and you get a fair and square deal. They won’t s6ll you shoddy Imitations. You are quite safe in accepting their advice on leather goods. In addition you have the safeguard of their “money back if not satisfied” policy. Remember RITCHIE & CO., Dee street.

Hosiery for ladies, girls, and boys, for winter wear, may be procured from the BON MARCHE STORES, Tay street, in any desired size, make, or quality. PRICE & BULLEID, LTD., are showing a good selection of this important article of apparel. They stock dependable makes and charge prices which are indeed reasonable. Being large importers, they are in the position of supplying goods which come direct from the makers and guarantee all lines to be satisfactory. In addition to heavy home buying they place large orders in the dominion mills for hosiery goods, and whether- the article is imported from oversea or produced in the dominion the quality and price will be found to bo satisfactory. SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. On page I Wanted, driver. Wanted, traveller. Wanted, machinist. Wanted, married ploughmen. Brewer, Arcade, stocks choice fruit. Colin McDonald has properties for sale Notice re sheep left at Wallacetown saleyard. On page 3 Notice to rabbiters. Red Cross 'Shop open on Saturday. Municipal Elections A. Bain, H. Birss, Crosby Smith, J. Mitchell, J. Matheson and S. J. Cruickshank return thanks. Birchwood Hunt opens May 2. Smith & Laing, the crockery shop. Notice re shooting on "Fair-bank” and "Mossbank” Estates. Farmers —See the new Mogul tractor at work. On page 4 Presents for soldiers—Ritchie & Co. can help you. On page 6 Try Lady Barkly carbonate of lime— Farmers' Co-op., agents. Sale of bankrupt stock of furniture by Wm. Todd and Co. on May 3.