WITH THE ANZACS IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2780, 26 May 1916, Page 5

WITH THE ANZACS IN FRANCE

IN THE FRONT LINE TRENCHES CHOPPING CONTESTS OFF PARADE Special'from Official New Zealand Wnr Correspondent.) The New Zeaianders are new in tho front line, where they relieved British troops. The men were keen to get into the firing-line, aiul are enjoying their lew experience. Up to the present thero have been very. few. casualties on our side, >nd tho New Zeaianders already have accounted for several . German snipers. Soon after wo ontbred the trenches tho enemy .fired forty-three shells into one section, and though the .trench was much battered, none of our men were hit. At one spot the trenches are so close together that we can hear the Germans talking and singing. One afternoon we were interested .spectators' at, close range of sonio intensive'shelling with German inch high explosive. ; Great clouds of dirt and smoke rose in the air. Ono farmhouse was .shuttered and another was burning. The enemy was apparently searching for some of our batteries. Our men are almost daily witnesses of air combats and heavy shelling of the aeroplanes from both sides, the spectacular effect of which is thriliingly interesting. The magnificent dash and bravery of our Flying Corps have already earned the admiration of the New Zeaianders. A noticeable feature of the campaign here, as compared with Gallipoli, is tho keenness in observation by many captive balloons-and planes all along "the line, making the concealment of moving troops and' gun ,emplacements all important. What will probably be the greatest sporting athletic contest in this war took place to-day, when three teams of axemen from the Canadian-and Anstralian battalions respectively, and one from the Maori Contingent, met in friendly rivalry in a forest. The competition was the outcome of a recent tree-felling contest in which the Maoris defeated a team of French woojsmen. In to-day's trial the Maoris easily ; out-distanced the other teams, three men felling three tree 3 in 22min. 40sec., against the best Australian team's 30miu. Bsee., and the best Canadian team's 45min. 22see. The Maoris' victory vas heartily checred. The logchopping competition was won by Australians)'-another New Zealand team being second. ' ~<l'he Maoris did not com.' pete. 11l the sawing contest the Canadians were first and the Maoris second. It was almost a dead-heat. A Maori won the prize for the best axemanship, a Canadian being second. Several' Generals, officers, soldiers, and British war correspondents 'were present, also an official kineinatographer. An Anzac General, in .presenting the prizes, cordially .welcomed the Canadians amongst us. A GREAT AXE CARNIVAL.

Bjr Telegraph—Preso Association—Copyrisht (Eec. May 25, 6 p.m.) London, May 24. The special correspondents at the front liave sent in long descriptive accounts of the tree-felling competition on May 21. , The novelty of the idea has caused them to- wax. enthusiastic in describing ' long processions of motor lorries, conveying .Frenchmen, Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, and their partisans. There ■were scores of competitors; General BirdTOod animating the spirit of the meeting by presenting the prizes. .In Kis address lie emphasised the physical'and .moral valuo of sportsmanship. The results of the tree-felling events were as -■ follows;.— ■; ' ■Teams of Three. —New Zealand (inclnd'ing three Maoris), 1; Anstralia. 2; Log-chopping—Australia,' 1; New Zealand, 2. Cross-cut -. Sawing.—Canada, . X; New Zealand, 2.

In the competition for the ! best axemanship, a Maori was first' and a Canadian second..