ASHBURTON ITEMS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15037, 4 August 1914, Page 11

ASHBURTON ITEMS.

At the close of the service at St. Stephen's Anglican Church on Sunday night, the Rev. J. R. Burgin announced that news had been received that evening that Germany had declared war with Russia. The announcement caused a profound sensation. Instead of singing the usual closing hymn the congregation, which was a very large one, rose and 6ang the first verso of "God Save the King." At all the churches on Sunday special prayers were offered for peace in Europe, and at St. Stephen's special reference was made to the gravity of the situation from the pulpit both morning and evening. Several of the Ashburton Territorials, through their officers, have already volunteered for foreign service in the event of England being drawn into the war.

At a meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council last night, the Mayor (Mr H. Davis), before proceeding with the ordinary business, referred to the great calamity which was at present overshadowing Europe, and said he thought they should express their opinion of the action of the Government with -reference to sending an expeditionary force should occasion arise. ' He was not in' favour of war, and he considered it a calamity which fell on the women-and children more than it did on the men. He moved: "That the Ashburton Boroueh Council desires to-express its appreciation of the Government offerinsr to send an expeditionary force to assist the Mother Country 6bould occasion arise." The motion "was seconded by Ct. .P, Orr, who remarked that Britain was a nation which'would not seek out a! war unless there was a, good reason for it. Cr. G. Hefford, in supoortine the motion, expressed the oninion that every man in the British' Empire would be j prepared to do his duty. The motion was carried unanimously.. '