PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2461, 14 May 1915, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Day by day it is becoming more evident that the colossal conflict raging in Flanders and Northern France will not end without exerting a permanent influence upon the future development of the war. Even the fragmentary information as-yet available puts it beyond doubt that the Allies are assaulting tlie German line in France u'pou a scale not attempted since they_ stemmed and broke ths tide of invasion at the Battle of the Marne. In Flanders the situation is hardly less acute, though at the moment the Germans seem to have been not only decisively beaten bac]c in all attacks, but to have lost some ground in the region near the coast. _ Whether they will be able to persist in their efforts to cleave the Allied line in Flanders, in view of the terrific pressure which is being brought to bear upon them further south, must be regarded as somewhat doubtful. Any weakening in their offensive in Flinders, however, would be an early confession of defeat, and it may be taken for granted that they will persist in their attacks opposite Yprcs and elsewhere as long as it is humanly possible for them to do so. Meantime the ilame of battle extends throughout the thirty-mile front in Flanders as well as along the twentyfive mile front in Northern France, south from the Franco-Belgian border. The battle now in progress must bo set in a class apart. The days of local, though important, actions, such as were fought at Neuvo Chapclle and in the Champagne district, seem to have passed, and tho armies are now locked in a grim struggle for mastery, not of any single point of strategic importance, but of a vital section of the front which cannot bo won or lost without decisively affceting the future eoursc of the war.

I In Northern France, so far as the course of the battle is disclosed, the Allies have burst their way into the German line at several points, and in one locality only have encountered a- reverse. Even this seems to he in the nature of a temporary check rather than that of 'a definite setback, Tho French have been dis-' lodged from some of the trenches which they lately won on the Ycr-melles-Loos Road, about five miles south (slightly south-west) _ of La Bassee. With this exception, the French and Britisn srmies, which join hands opposite La Bassee on j the west, have both tasted the fruits lof victory; The principal developments reported to-day relate, to British successes in the region north of La Bassee. Here they have struck deeply into tho enemy's line. At the Battle of Neuve Chapelle the victorious advance terminated on the western side of the wood of Biez, about a mile east of Neuve Chapelle. It is now reported (unofficially as yet) that the British have captured the ridge occupied by the village of Aubers, two miles east of Neuve Chapelle, and also the village of Fomelles, two miles north-east of Aubprs. Acccpting this report as correct the British have already captured a much greater area than they gained at Neuve Chapelle in an engagement which puts even that con- v sidcrable battls completely in the shade. As at Neuve Chapello, the captured positions are not mere entrenchments, but fortified lines protected by elaborate earthworks, and they were defended by perhaps the heaviest artillery' concentration of the war. Regarding this as an initial step only in a single section of a widely extended, battle some idea may be gained of the magnitude of the conflict as a whole.

As regards the section of the front immediately west oi La Bassee, rer ports are less definite, but it would appear that the Germans are being assailed here no less furiously than in the turning movements on north and. south. An* unofficial report declares that the British have several times penetrated the La Bassee suburbs. The French, as stated, have been checked for the time being five miles south of La Bassee, but they report officially that they aro progressing east of Carency, about seven miles further south.

Not the least important development of this great battle is the part played by the Allied aircraft. Hitherto French and British aeroplanes have been engaged chiefly either 1 in scouting and related work (such as the direction of artillery) or in independent raids and attacks upon the enemy's military bases, airship sheds, and other establishments. Coinci'dently, however, the Allied aviators have gained a more or less complete :ommand of the air, which is now standing their parent armies in splendid stead, and enabling the aircraft to figure in an entirely new role. In the battle in Northern France they form part and parcel of the forces engaged in attacking the enemy upon his battlefront, and are conducting their attack in close' co-operation with the French and British artillery and infantry. The circumstances in which the Germans are placed in Northern France lend themselves in a peculiar degree to an attack of this character. * * *

In its main features the German front in this region is a field fortification covering the main line of communications and itself fed by network of railways and roads. Lille, as well as being a- strong fortress, is the great German depot in Northern France, and between Lillo and La Bassne and further south, behind the present. German front, ■are a number of railway junctions which arc of the first importance to thn florpinnfi nat)» diatvimitbig tenbyes from whid jramuuHioo mcl

supplies, and in somo instances no doubt artillery and reinforcements, are passed forward to tho front. It is upon these junctions, the feeders of the fighting-front, that the Allic'i airmen have concentrated their attack, and there is evidence already that they have done so with results disastrous to the Germans. On several occasions the airmen, working in squadrons, have- bombardid the junction of Don, five miles east of Lji Basse-e, and their latest attack at this point is reported tc-day to have created a panic in the German lines, of which the British promptly took advantage. It is even stated that the onemy were temporarily driven back to Haubordin, only about a couple of miles west of Lille, but this is somewhat open to doubt; particularly in view of the state 1 ment that Lille is now protected by twelve lines of strong entrenehipents.

Evidently air-attack in its latest development is capable of serving an immensely useful purpose,. It provides a ready means of destroying the supplies upon which the enemy is immediately dependent'for the strength of his battle-line and oi seriously disorganising bis transport and working 'arrangements in the immediate vicinity. Results already attained by the Allied airmen show that the possibilities of this form of P-ttjick arc limited pnly by the number of aircraft available for the service. Granted sufficient squadrons of attacking aircraft such a devastating shower of bombs can be rained down upon vital points in the enemy's lines of supply and communication as must inevitably produce hopeless confusion and disorganisation out of all propovtion to the immediate destruction achieved. What strength in aircraft the Allies can bring to bear upon this form of attack has yet to be disclosed—aeroplanes can be turned out rapidly, but trained pilots are not so easily assembled—but meantime one enormously important, advantage rests with the Allies. Thanks to the proved superiority of their airmen, the latter are able not only to attack the enemy's lines, but to very largely rostript similar attacks by the enemy. * * * * Detailed reports of the fighting in Flanders disclosc no very'new situation unless it be an added intensity in the fury of the German assaults and an ever-growing magnitude oi On Saturday last the German infantry penetrated the British line as far as the village of Wicltje, about two miles north-east of Ypres, but oiV the following day the lost ground was regained. Further north tho Belgians have forced tho passage of tho Yser on either side of Dixmude. German attacks on the British line south of Yprcs seem to have resulted only in a holocaust of slaughter.

The great fact which stands out from the story of this whirlwind of battle and destruction is that the Allies hold the upper hand. So far as events have gone they have conducted a successful defence in Flanders, and a no less successful offensive in Northern France. All the evidence goes to show that this tremendous conflict is incomparably the severest test which the war has imposed and that the Germans are failing under the test." Unless they can yet transform the situation, as the war cablegrams present it, they are faced by the spectre of defeat. '

tfIIERE is still a dearth of official news of the Dardanelles campaign, and reports from other sources consist mainly of more or less general references to the continued bombardment of the' land fortifications by the Allied Fleet, Oqe notable exception is a detailed description of the landing of the British troops at the southern end of the Gallipoli Peninsula—an account which shows that they played no less valiant a part than the colonial forces which landfurther north. A report of Greek origin, that a desperate battle is proceeding between the towns of Gallipoli and Maidos is exceedingly vague in the matter of location. Maidos is on the European shore of the Dardanelles opposite the landing point of the Australians and New Zealanders. Gallipoli is more than twenty miles north-east, near the junction of the Dardanelles with the Sea of Marmora. _ It is possible that a force of tho Allies has been landed further up the Peninsula tTian the point at which tho Australians and New_ Zealanders landed, for on a provious occasion mention was made of the attack on Gallipoli.

An official message from Petrograd reviews the recent fighting in Western Galicia in decidedly optimistic strain, but without defining precisely the front now occupied by the Russians. Briefly it declares that during nine days of battle the Russians have been gradually dislodged from fortified positions at much greater cost to the enemy than to themselves. An accompanying unofficial message states that the Russians now hold a line twenty miles in rear of that upon which they were originally attacked. Some recent messages have indicated that the Russian retirement has extended still further in that section of their western front adjoining tho Carpathians, and that they may have lost the Dukla Pass. Until this point is cleared up it will bo impossible to measure the importance, of the success which tho Austro-Germans havo purchased at heavy cost. If the Russians still rotain the Dukla Pass (and are thus as free as over to prosecute their campaign in the Carpathians), tho enemy has won a very barren victory. * * * # All and more than nil that has been charged against the Germans in the way of ghastly atrocities unbefitting human beings is substantiated and sheeted home in the report of tho Commission, headed by' Viscount Brvch, which was appointed to inquire into ulloged atrocities in Belgium. -Extracts from the report arc published to-day, and they will sicken and horrify all who read fchcin. The name and reputation of Viscount Bkyck aro a sufficient guarantee that tins story of revolting barbarism is unassailably true, and it is already clear that the report proves not only that tho horrors charged against Germany were practised, but that they wore directed anil inspired by the rulers of Germany as a matter of policy, Tho Immediate effect of this damnatory indictment will be Lo nerve many an arm and steel many a heart pledged to Germany's down fall, but the depth of monil degradalion exposed is so abyssmal that, it simply cannot be realised.

LOCAL AND GENERAL It is interesting to note that the Bay of Islands by-election will establish a parallel with the bv-elcction of 1894, when the Prime Minister (the lit. Hon. W. F. Massey) was electod member for Waitemata. In the 21 years that have ensued from that date there has not been another by-election between the date of the general elections and the first sitting of Parliament. T'lie general elections of 1803 took place in December, and in January, 1894, Mr. Monk was unseated for Waitemata,.and in the by-election that followed before tlio mooting of Parliament Mr. Massey was elected. It is curious that both these cases have occurred in the north.

An interesting suggestion by a country resident was made yesterday morning (says a Press Association telegram from Waimatc), namely, that intomed Germans be compelled to travel on transatlantic liners as a safeguard against submarining.

Immigration and emigration retuniß for the month of April, published in the Gazette last night, show that 2010 persons left New Zealand and 4128 arrived here. Wellington figured highest in the port of arrival, the total being 1532 out of the 4128 for New Zealand.

The subject of\provision for wounded New Zealand soldiers and their dojiendents is occasioning a good deal of thought just now, and tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated yesterday that a public meeting will be hold in Wellington next Tuesday night to go into the matter. ITe added that there is a proposal that the Mayors of Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, and Dunediii, and threo other men, should be an executive to administer a National Fund for the purpose mentioned. '

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that the property in Queen Street known as the Mutual Life Building, which was recently sold for £39,500, has since been acquired by the Commercial Bank of Australia at a slight advance.

A special meeting of the committee of the Trades and Labour Council was held .last night, when it 'was decided to support the Patriotic Society in tho work of raising funds for tho wounded soldiers. The meeting scleoted Miss M. E. Roseingrave to represent Jhe council in the carnival queen contest.

In tho general execration of everything German, the title of the Dunedin Liedertafcl has become a matter for discussion by the members of that body, and a fneeting -will be held in three weeks' time to discuss a motion to change the name by dropping the German word. "Apollo" and "Orpheus" are among the suggestions for the substituted title if the motion be carried.

Now that the long winter nights are upon us, 'concerts ut Trentham camp will bo more welcome than ever. But there is the difficulty of transit. , How are tho inembors of the concert parties to get back to the City after the entertainments? Taxi-cabs, of course, have been requisitioned at times, but in one or two instances tho conveyances have temporarily broken down on route for home, and tho entertainers have not reached their abodes till 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning. , The Patriotic Society has endeavoured to arrange with the Railway Department to meet the case. The society's request for a suitable train one night in every week found the Minister of Railways sympathetic, but the General Manager said that the cost would be £6 per train. This figure the society could not agree to, but it is thought that the_ society might bear part of the cost if the State bears a portion, and the General Manager reduces the price. These matters tvere mentioned at a meeting of the General 'Committee of the society yesterday, and it was decided td endeavour to arrange for suitable train services.

Tho Auckland "Herald" states that tho notification that about a score of men were required to constitute, the Auckland quota of orderlies for the second stationary hospital which New Zealand is supplying for use in Europe brought 44 applicants. Dr. Parkes is to take command of the second station? ary hospital ,and the remainder of tho medical staff required will be appointed within a day or two. ' The list of men chosen is as follows: —A. Barnard, R. Boakes, A. F. Boyd, H. S. T. Butler, L. C. Castlotnn, N. K. P. Coldicutt, W. B. Cumming, L. L, Davidson, A. S. Duff, J. M. France, C. R. Gardner, H. J. Hantler, T. H. Hawkins, H. A. Jones, E. R. Keely, W. Kehoe. C. H. Maddison, A. Maras, R. Moeller, C. M'Adara, F. K. O'Maley, S. E. Swinburne, A. White, F. S. J. Williams, A. M. Wonson. J. Worden, G. Griffiths.

The trial trip of the new auxiliary fohoouer Strathcona -will probably take place in Auckland to-morrow. The Strathcona Ims been constructed to the order of tire Pacific Cable Board, and will be employed in carrying stores and matorial between the various cable stations controlled by the board in the Pacific. She is regarded as one of the finest vessels of her class yet built at the port, and has attracted a good deal of attention while being fitted out.

The Eastbourne division of the National Reserve is making excellent progress because the members are very enthusiastic. Lieutenant W. Perry is the officer commanding, and has the following as non-commissioned officers: J. Minnon, platoon sergeant; Sergeants Heenan and Avery; Corporals Jones and Cook; Lance-Corporals Baker and H. Dowries. Mr. A. Blair has presented the platoon with 50 rifles. A parade has been arranged for Saturday afternoon, to be held on the local recreation

reserve. By the steamer Invertay, due in Wellington to-day, ten first-class Baldwin locomotives will arrive for the «®w' Zealand railways. Tlioy will be fitted ■up at the Petone "Workshops, under the superintendence of an expert sent out for the purpose. The Minister of Railways stated yesterday that he understood that none of the new locomotives would be used on the South Island lines.

During 1914 New Zealand imported oigarottes to the value of £230.641, as against £177,307 in 1913,' and tobacco valued at £843,737, against £261,011.

A paragraph has been going the rounds lately relating to a ISortn Island youth who had left homo without warning, the first woid heard of lnpi being from England, whore lie had joined tlia \rmy A somewhat similar case is re(says the "Mataura Ensign") in iT<*:ird to a Balfour youth, M. Stark, son .-f Mr. James Stark. He was en«a«»ed as a cadet in the Railway Department at Christchurch, and apparently made up bis mind suddenly to go on tour. The' first notice bis parents had of his whereabouts & request from tbo Defence authorities as to where their son was to be found. Months went, past without anything being beard of him, but at last a letter was received from London stating tbat he had joined n J-Tomo regiment, and was proceeding, to Franco to take part 111 tho fighting, and up till now no further word has beer, heard from liim.

Tho war has made a big difference to tlie Imports of pianos into New Zealand. During last year tlie value of tlie pianos imported into Zealand was £!).1,772. as compared with £1."6,i49 in !!)13 "The Germans bavn suffered in ii,i s branch of trade, 'and it is doubtful whether they will recover tho trado for many years to coine.

The Central Chamber of Commerce, at its meeting on Monday next, will give further consideration to the proposal re a '"shopping week" and Christmas ntvl New Year Carnival. A report will lie received from tlie executive in reference to "shopping week."

During last- year there was imported into .Now Zealand motor vehicle bodies valued at £168,(562, and motor chassis valued »t £08t,23'!, a total of £743.894, as corawwtd with £101,604 in 1013.

Consequent upon tlio resignation of Mr. J. D. Avery, Town Clerk of Eastbourne, the stalf is boing reorganised. The positions of Town Clerk and Offi-ccr-in-Oli.irgc of Ferries are to be combined, and much of the office work, which previously was performed by the Town Clerk, will be undertaken by a clerk to be appointed.

The steamer Mitlah left Suva yesterday with 500 Indian emigrants for Calcutta. —Press' Association.

The Eastbourne Borough Council having definitely decided to go ahead with the water scheme, the Borough Engineer has been instructed to prepare specifications. Arrangements are wing mado to raise the necessary loan.

The valuo of the machinery imported into New Zealand in 1014 was £804,136, as against £319,535 in 1013, or a decrease of £15,309. The. agricultural machinory imported was valued at £162,792, against . £161,738, dairying machinery £62,427, against £71,544, electric £302,1C8, against £374,772, mining £20,375, against £21,505, and gas, oil, and hot air engines £156,874, against £180,076.

Tlio hardware imports into New Zealand in 1914 including bar and rod iron, corrugated iron, barbed wire, plain wire, and pig and scrap iroii, were of the aggregate value of £1,042,681 as against £1,200,074 in 1913, showing a decrease of £203,293.

At the meeting of the City Council on Wednesday, Messrs. J. Fuller qnd Sons' lease of the Club Hot-el site on Lambton Quay wae ourrendered, and 3 now lease was authorised to ba issued to Mr. Joseph Dwyer, the present proprietor of the hotel.

Messrs. Plimmcr and Hall, of the Patriotic Comedy Company, havo received the following letter from the Prime Minister:—"Dear sirs,—l beg to thank you for your letter of May 6, enclosing cheque for £1500, representing the first instalment of the profits of the Plimmer-Hall Company's tour ii} aid of tho Belgian Fund. Will you kindly accept and convey to all those associated with you my sincere thanks on behalf of tho Government for tho splendid donation which you have been able to make to the fund? This large contribution reflects peat credit on all those connected witn the tompany, and I take this opportunity of congratulating you on the success that has attended your efforts. I shall lie glad to see that the money is. duly placed- to the credit, of the'' Belgian Fund.—l am, yours truly, (Signed) W. F. Massey."

Charges of theft against LieutenantColonel J.-B. M'Clymont in connection with the funds of the 14th South Otago Regiment will not be gone on with at Milton to-day, but will be further adjourned till May 1!4 (states a Press Association telegram).

The sports bodies of Wellington, which takes in the looal centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. and tho associated athletic clubs, have decided to support Nurse Eventt for tho throne of popularity in the coming oarnival in aid of the Wcuuded Soldiers' 'Fund.

New Zealand imported in 1914 apples and other fresh fruits of the value of £174,382, and dried fruits, such as currants, raisins, tigs, etc., to the value of £166,416..

At a meeting of tho Eastbourne Bor- v , ough Council last evening the recommendation of the Ferry Board to alter the time of the return steamer from Day's Bay on Sunday afternoons was not adopted. The provious notice by the Ferry Board announcing an alteration has therefore been cancelled. The time-table will remain unaltered.

In 1914 New Zealand imported kerosene to the value of £159,370, as against £105,856 in the previous year. The imports of benzine were valued at £292,117, and beneoline, gasolene, etc., £125,535. The values of otheroils imported were: Linseed oil, £46,553; mineral oil, £68,819; castor oil, £21,546; animal oils, £5138.

Plans for important alterations to tie Bank of New Zealand have been drawn, and tenders will shortly be called for the work. • The triangular block at the corner of Larabton Quay and Customhouse "Quay is to have another story added. This will make the building four floors. The existing upper, floors generally will be rearranged, but it is in the banking chamber that radical improvements will be effected. In the first place a great light dome, 20ft. in diameter, will bo constructed, passing through all floors, made to give light from above, supplementary to the light already received from the windows on each side of the bunk. The branch staff will ba accommodated in the centre of the floor, and the public will- have access to the tellers, ledgers, and other departments bv corridors running parallel with Lambton Quay and Customhouse Quay. The staff of the branch will be more concentrated by this arrangement t.hpu it is at present." Acmes to the uopar floors will be bv means of electric lifts, one at the Lambton Quay side and one at tha Customhouse Quay side. The main entrance at the apex of tho triangle will remain Eneli -indie of the building will be finished of? with a dome, which will add, greatly to its appearance when viewed from the street. The alterations will be carried oil as much as possible without interference with the publio -and "the staff. The plans have been prepared by. tbe firm of Thomas Turnbull and Son, FF.R.LB.A.

WHAT DR. POKRITT, OF \v ANGANTII, SATS ABOUT THE STUDEBAKER. The firm or AGams, lita., crocs not haudle second-grade goods. It holds the agencies for the. Silent Knight Minerva car. the Hurnber car, the Triumph motorcycle, and the B.S.A. motor-cycle, and Inst, but not least, it has added to its list of agencies the Studebaker car, believing it to be in every way fthe best of all.American cars. During the last two years some hundreds of Studebakers have been sold in this country, and in eveiy instance the car has given perfect satisfaction. He:e is what a North Island Studebaker owner. Dr. Porritt, of Wanganui, has to say of his experienco:— "Just a few lines to tell you how pleased I am with the Studebaker you recommended me to buy. As you know, I have got my second one now. I had the 5-seater n year, and during all that time had some hard running, and never had the slightest trouble with it. I don't wish for anything better than the Sseater as a tainily car, but for rue, of course, in my doctor's work, the 3-seater is more convenient, and now it is hard to realise how we ever did without the self-starter and electric lights, neither of which have evnr given me a qualm. I would always be glad to tell au.vone how satisfied I have been witli iuv two Studebaker cars (I have had five different cars now. and sd have had a little experience of thorn) if it is any help to you, but I imagine you don't want touch helping, as they seem already to have established their popularity." The prices of the new 1915 Studebakers are i—2s h.p. Five-seater, .£315; 25 h.p. Three-seater, .£345; Six-cylinder Fiveseater, <£455 > Si^jyliudc. Seven-seiAsr, .£465. We art now orders lor Stmkbakers to arrive! at an early dato. Adams. Ltd., Studebaker Importers, Christchurch. District Agents:—Tourist Motor Co., Hastings; Adams, Ltd., Palmcrston N. and Wanganui; Newton King, Taranaki; The Grove Motor Co., Wellington; Hutchinson Bros., Eketahuuai Tombs and Co., Hamilton; .T. C. Marcer, Kelson; E. A. Ramson, Dannevirke; X. and E. Donald. Pahiatua; J, H. Little, Ma&terton.—Advt,

The keenness of many of tho youiig men of the four northern Maori tribes to enlist for the front has rather alarmed some of their elders, says the Kawakawa correspondent of the "Now Zealand Herald." When Dr. Pomare visited Waitangi last year Nuinu Rangi Ngapuha, the venerable mother of Hono Heke. entreated huh to consider carefully the wisdom of sending sons of the tribes to the war. She pointed out that the race was but feeble 111 numbers, and that if its young manhood were all scorched in the flame of battle the race would become a remnant. At the same time Nuinu emphasised the Maoris' whole-hearted loyalty to the King and joyful willingness to fight in the battles. At a hui held at K „retu a few weeks ago the subject of Maori contingents was considered. It was decided that a committee be formed to watch tho interests of the Ngapuhi tribe in raising reinforcements, as the older people were afraid the war fever would so infect the younger men that the lcaingas would be loft without any males of lighting age. 'A number of young Maoris have already applied to the local registering authority for inclusion in the European reinforcements if another Native contingent is not to be raised. If a call is made for another Maori force the committee will regulate the applications for enlistment so that no settlement will he entirely denuded of its yonng men.

Respecting America's attitude to the war, Major de Martin, a Bolgian officer, said in Christchurch that he hoped (America would keep out of the war. "If she comes in," he said, "it will mean that all her aid in Belgium will he withdrawn; and the Germans will he able to do what they like.' You must remember that if it had not been for America, there would be one million more starved Belgians to-day than there aro. In the early days, even before you began your noblo work out here, tons and tons of food arrived _ from 'America and assisted the poor in Belgium. No, I hope she keeps out of the war." Major de Martin also paid a glowing tribute to the generosity of. the Dutch, who were feeding and caring for 350,000 Belgian refugees, and refusing to accept any remuneration for so doing.

Tlie phrase "community of interest" (says an exchange) is one of those vague verbal locutions that- even to the exact legal mind seem to defy definition. During the sitting of the commission which has been conducting an inquiry • for some time past into a couple of petitions seeking for certain alterations in the boundaries of several counties these word 6 have'recurred frequently, and their import has been touched upon and moro or less evaded by no fewer than throe legal gentlomen. The first described community of interest as "an expression that ran very glibly off the tongue, and .that presented a very difficult problem to deal with unless it was ajiplied to some concrete object, such as an arterial railway." The second declared that the phrase "might mean anything with regard- to the • context, and he would refuse to describe it unless he knew the context in which it was used." Tho third stated that "everyone knew what the phrase meant, but it was very difficult to define it in a single sentence." If he were asked to define it ho \vould say it was "the interest of a community."

Last evening the Now-Zealand Rugby Union resolved in favour of the principle of requiring delegates to vote for the full number of persons required for any position. The idea was to prevent the possibility of candidates being elected on minority votes. Several speakers expressed a hope that the principle would soon be applied to municipal elections, at whiah (the speakers held), the .way was open still to plumping.

Recently the Patriotic Society was told that B Company of the 6th" Reinforcements required four kettle-drums. The letter accompanying the request mentioned that B Company was composed of men from the Wellington Military District, and that the use of kettle-drums increased the efficiency of troops.- At a meeting of' the General Committee of the Patriotic Society yesterday, it' was reported that the drums had been bought out of the funds under the control of tho society, and that they would be sent to Trentham camp at the end of tho week.