Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star FRIDAY. JAN. 12 1917 THE RIGA OFFENSIVE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star FRIDAY. JAN. 12 1917 THE RIGA OFFENSIVE

The Riga offensive whieh has opened recently appear* to be impressive enough to attraat a good deal of attention, more so beeause the enemy are admitting tbe gains—which admission they qualify by stating the Russian loos has been achieved at a heavy price. The Russians are proceeding with their offensive on the northern front, aod the Germans admit having been forced back towards the Aa. At present the movement is local in extent, and apparently it is designed primarily to secure a better series of positions against the arrival offspring, It will be recolleated, says a contemporary, that in Maroh of last year the Russians undertook a muoh more extensive series of positional operations, affecting the whole front virtually from the Gulf of Riga to Smorgou. The intention then was to obtain a sounder foothold, bnt the offensive also served the purpose of diverting attention from the southern group of armies, with which Brussiloff was ultimately to lannch the main Russian offensive. To aa extent, also, the heavy fighting on the Dvina front could be regarded as supporting the French, who, at the time were enduring the German onslaught on the Meuse. Now the Russians are endeavoring to fight clear of the wide Tirul swamps, beyond which they will reach firmer ground where a general offensive may be launched when the time comes for actioD, No details of the operations are given in the commnniques, but the details are of comparatively little consequence at this

stage, because evidently the offensive is to be continued. There were Turks on this portion of the German front last summer, and it will be interesting to learn whether the same divisions are still engaged there. There will be a disposition to look upon this Russian movement in the north as being essentially an attempt to lift the pressure from the Rumanian front. That may be in the mind of the Russian high command, but to be effective in that direction the Russian offensive would have to be launched on a considerable scale, and it must threaten to develop beyond the stage of merely positional fighting. So far there is no indication that the move* ment is a large one, for the reported aotion has been confined to a narrow front immediately south-west of Lake Babir, and at the moment it is not even suggested that Mitau is threatened. But if the Russians are successful in attaining their immediate objectives they will oertainly attempt to turn the Mitau position, and then the battle might develop to an extent compelling the enemy to oal! reserves from other setcors. Unless the offensive does compel the snmmcning of support beyond the German reserves already ou the sector, it cannot possibly iuflaenco the course of the struggle in Rumania, and, considering all the circumstances one cannot assume at present that the offensive is intended to affect the Rumanian situation.

About 4 o’clock yesterd iy afternoon a fire occurred at the Ikam&rua Saeh and Dior Factory, Greymculh. Superintendent Ryan immediately attached a hose reel to a pastuDg grocer’s cart and was quickly on the scene. Oa arrival it was found that the rear of the main building was in flames. A powerful jst of water was soon brought into play and the flames quickly enbdued. The damage done to the building is estimated at about £2O. The Lyttelton Times says oil work was resumed at Otira on Monday. Very few men wets offering, only eleven going on the day shift and thirteen on the afternoon shift, bnt it is anticipated that more will start through the week. Tbe daily service still continues to be well patronised and has be6u an unqualified success this year, tbe coaches being hard pressed to cope with the traffic at times.

Bollard’s Pictures at the Princess Theatre last evening drew an excellent attendance and a good programme was shown. King George on the Somme battlefield was very interesting, showing many views of that cut up country, and giving a good idea or the devastation. The star drama “Woman and Wine 1 ’ told a story of a gay life in Paris and introduced some very animated soeues. Owing to the illness of the Hon Dr R. H’Nab a temporary re-arrangement of his portfolios has been necessitated. The Hon W. H. Hcrries is to act as Minister of Marine, and the Hon'W. D. 8. MacDonald as Ministor in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts. The Hon A. h, Herdman will take over the Justioe and Stamp Department, and the Hon Arthur M. Myers, the .Public Trust Office and the Government Life Insurance Office.

At the last meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the Westland

Chamber wrote forwarding copies of correspondence on the subject of the completion of the Otira tunnel, fearing that the electrification works might be unduly delayed. The support of the chamber was asked in speeding up matters. The Westland Chamber also wrote on the subject of the communication between Hokitika and Greymouth. Both these letters were referred to the Railways Sectional Committee. Mr John Smith, for many years inspeotor of schools in Marlborough, 'died in Blenheim last week, at the age of 82. The deceased was born in London in March, 1835. and was educated at Marlborough, in Wiltshire, under his brother-in-law, Dr Badham. In October, 1855, he arrived in Nelson, and during the ensuing nine years was engaged iu surveyiug, teaching and farming. Ia 1864 he was appointed headmaster of the Nelson Boys’ School, and eleven years later he accepted an appointment as secretary and inspector to Westland Education Board. Afterwards he went to Blenheim as secretary of the Marlborough Education Board, and between 1904 and 1907 he also acted as inspector of schools.

A correspondent of the “ Spectator” calls attention to the stiiking suggestion of dugouts, aeroplanes, submarines, and stes! nets in Amos ix, 2, 3. It struck him. with peculiar force when he read the announcement, “Mount Carmel in German hands.” The words of Amoa are:—“Though they d'g into hell, thence shall mine hand take them ; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I brmg them down; and though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel I will starch and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my light in the bottom of tha sea, thence will I command the serpent, and ho shall bile them.”

An incident happened on the way to the racecourse on Tuesday afternoon, which reflected anything but credit on the man (?) concerned. It appears that a car load of passengers were nearing the racecourse, when a spark from the man's cigar ignited a young lady’s dress, burning a hole in it. .Naturally the young lady was much annoyed, but not so the man,who coolly passed the matter over by remarking, “It’s nothing ; you can easily patch it!” and proceed on to the course, but the young lady’s apparel had suffered to such au extent that she found it necessary to return home to change her dress and underskirt the fire having burnt right through both garments.

WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS purifies the blood through the kidneys. McKay’s hare just received, and are now showing, some nice lines m lace and casement curtains. McKay’s, the Leading Drapers.—Advt.

The cable news in this issue a> credited to the “ Times ” baa appeared in that journal, but only where expressly .stated is such news the editorial opinion of the “Tim6*“ A large assortment of latest costumes washing dresses, striped voiles, muslins, crepes, silk blouses, etc,, at bargain prices have just been opened out at Stephens’ Bros, drapers, Kevell Street,

A nice choice of ladies voile and silk blouses in the latest styles andf f reasonable prices at Mrs Lloyd’s.

WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS-A liquor of unique strength and quality.

So far as is known about a dozoa have been officially notified in this district of having teen drawn in tha ballot for military service. Of these four are in Hokiiiku, four in tiimn district, and a like number in Ross. At a meeting of tko General Committee of the Canterbury Industrial Association held on Tuesday evening, the Minister of Public Works wrote stating ing that there was no truth in the statement that work on the Otira Tunnel w r as being reduced. Work was proceeding qnite satisfactorily. On the motion of Mr J A. Frostick, it was decided to send a copy of the letter to (he Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and to the 'Westland Association. A very heavy thunderstorm was ex • perienced in Wellington on Monday night. Tho “Post” s'afces that the storm bad its worst effects on the" western portion of the city, and there damage of considerable extent, though not on a great material scale, was done to electrical fittings. People who were awake noticed that with each severe lightning flash there was a crackling and sparkling at tho electric light cutout. This was the effect of the lightning travelling along the wires to find fhe nearest path to nurth. It is about ten years since a storm has beeD experienced which has brought electrical phenomena so near to Wellington, though twenty years ago such disturbances were not unusual. Electric lighting apparatus suffered moat. At the lighting station no damage whb done since lightning arrestors are fitted throughout to guard against any enUy of electrical discharges.

Private Edward Flaherty who went away from Greymouth with the Main Body and who was with his company until the time that be was wounded, writes as fallows :—“They sent ua into the ‘ Big Push ’ but I only managed to stay seventeen days, before me and some pieces of flying shell met and I was punctured in a good many places. I also required more puncturing to have it removed, three pieces being successfully removed from my body. On top of that I got soailat fever to beep me going. lam getting over the fever and the wounds are healing. I have not seen anything of this country yet as it was night when I arrived at London, I was first taken to the Third London Hospital where I went through the operation.” . The fever attacked Private Flaherty the sanur night and he’ was taken to the South Western Fever Hospital. He says that there is always someone looking up the New Zealanders to see that they want for nothing, but as the fever hospital is not a military hospital there . are no visitors. Private Flaherty praises tha attention of the nurses and he says be is really made at home.

Are you wanting a hat for yourself or your boy ? McKay’s are now showing a fine range of men’s, youths’, and ’ boys’ hats in straw, felt, tweed etc.—Advt.

Womans greatest need supplied by “No KubbiDg Laundry Help.” It does away with the wath board drudgery and washes clothes clean without rubbing and scrubbing and dees not injure the hands or clothes.--All grocers