FROM THE PAST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 145, 10 April 1940, Page 5

FROM THE PAST

TOPICS OF THE DAY EXTRACTS FROM THE TRESS' We have before us a copy of the "Whakatane Press" dated AVedn.isday, February 14, 1917. and parts of it make interesting reading. One tiling that catches our eye is a series of short paragraphs headed, 'Short Talks,' and some of these are worth reproduction. "Mr J. Mitchell (of Waimann): The worst part of the road for bumps and ruts between Waimana and Whakatane is in Whakatane itself." "Mr Brabant (at Saturday's cricket match): The first man that hits me on the foot with the ball gets a whack over the head with my bat." "Mr Walker, of the Harbour Board (after hearing an offer to sell the Board two punts): The best thing to do is to tell the vendors we are not in the firewood business." On the Great War. Extracts from the cable news reveal an interesting glimpse of the Great War at that time. Headed 'Americans Want War' y it statesWashington, February 12: "The nation is impatient over 'Wilson's wait ing policy' Avhich is regarded as tantamount to acquiescence in the German blockade. The feeling is so tense that the nation would welcome an 'overt act' by Germany to precipitate war."

Another paragraph reads: "Washington, February 12: A correspondent in Berlin states that Germany has instructed the commanders of submarines not to sink neutral ships especially American vessels, without warning whenever possible. The correspondent adds that cases must arise where American vessels will be sunk, or Americans on board other neutral shops involved in a catastrophe! Germany does not intend to depart from the submarine policy. German experts believe that if submarines can sink 1,000.000 tons of British shipping each month, in addition to deterring 3,000,000 tons of neutral shipping from going to sea, Germany will force Britain to consider peace." , Conscription in Force. ■ Conscription was in force at that time and there is a published list of the local men drawn in the fourth ballot for the No. 17 Group. The list contains the names of farmers, farmhands, a mill hand. a painter, a dredge hand, and a commission agent. Incidentally they are drawn from Taneatua, Thornton, Waimana, Whakatane and Puhikoko. " In an advertisement for the picture theatre it is stated: "The last instalment of "The Million Dollar Mystery," which presents the solution of the mystery, will be screened to-night. This last instalment, in which the gang is trapped ind puts up a great struggle, is particularly exciting. The 1916 Melbourne Cup, one of the best race films ever screened, will by special request of a number of patrons, be screened again to-night.