COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 1, 26 September 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES PROM VARIOUS CENTRES t (From Our Snccial OorresDondnutj.) MANAWATU While chasing a fool'ba.l at (lie High School grounds, a lad named Arthur Law foil on n broken bottle and seventy lacerated his knee. Fortunately a doctor was at college house nt the time, ond stitched up the wound. itajor B. Hardie, D.5.0., who returned by the Corinthic, reached Palinerston North on Wednesday evening, and was warmly welcomed by a number of old friends. Major Hafdie, who left as a lieutenant, lias seen five years o/.l but a few days' service, and was through Gallipoli. He allso took part in most of the big stunts in Franco.' He was wounded j/luee times, and at Passchendaele rscciivcd injuries to his left, leg which necessitated amputation above the knee. The major looks exceedingly well, and has completely recovered. At the. jubilee meeting of the Salvation Army on Wednesday nightyopportunity was taken to extend a. hearty welcome to Private Toomcr, eldest son of Brigadier and Mrs. Toonier, an office]- of the army, who has inst Teturned from tho front. Private Toonier left with the 23rd Boinforcements in tho SignollinE Company, and saw a good deal of active service in France. Amongst his exoeriences was tho fight at Moteren. where 1100 New Zealand?™ held hack the Germans for nine days until reinforced by Australians. In that engagement, nut of 92 men in Private Toomnr's company, all were taken prisoners l>ut two. Private Toonier was afterwards appointed assistant lo Padre Cladin at Maples, and the bulk of his work after that lav in tho .Salvation Ai-ntv Institute in that city until tho N.Z.E.F. evacuated. During that time Private Toomer witnessed tho bombing of a hospital by Gorman aerop'ones, which caused much destruction. Although the hut in which Private Toonier' was ona.rterwl was close to the 6ccrie ho escaped injury. A shell came throinrh ihe roof and was picked no by Private Toomer and his lirother, Sergeant Toomer, who were both in the but nt the tini". Fortunately the shell did not explode, and it is now in th« possession <)f r<i'iiriiissinn"r Hoddw. When in Paris, Private Toonier presented a Now Zealand flag to Ma-danm Poinc-are, and received in return a miniature French flag. He was slightly passed on one but has completely recovered. He met with a hearty welcome. Pte. Toomer take,? Un his work attain as a Salvation 1 Army officer mlmost immediately.