A Boast.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1917, Page 1

A Boast.

LONDON, March t>,

The Germans boasted that St PierreVaast Wood, which is more than 14 miles square, was impregnable, yet despite hitter opposition the British are already far along the south side of it storming, and have taken prisoners in the trenches.

Lack of fried. LONDON, March 5. In the House of Commons the Hon. H. Page-Croft urged the War Office to look ahead as it would be a trageoy if tlio offensive failed owing to the laeje of men.

Haig’s Report

LONDON, March 5,

General (Sir Douglas Haig says the enemy’s attack eastward of Bouchavesnes was repulsed, and we strengthened our positions eastward of Gomineeourt and carried out raids near Arras.

The enemy had many casualties and we entered their trenches south-east-ward of Guinchy and took prisoners. There were many air fights ana six German aeroplanes were brought down and eight damaged. Two of ours were downed and five are missing. french Report

PARIS, March 5. A French communique reports that on the right of the Meuse our vigorous counter attack ejected the enemy from part of the line which he occupied yesterday north of Cauries Wood. An enemy attempt north of Fleur.v completely failed and our fire wreckea. works at Hezang wood. Three enemy aeriplanes were brought down. Front Extension. LONDON, March 5. The British front was known to. bo recently extended south of the Somme. A French communiqut of February Btli still mentioned Demcourt, north of Ablaincourt. Sir Douglas Haig first mentioned Ablaincourt on Tursday. It was then the southernmost point mentioned' hitherto in the British communiques.

The British line now covers the whole attacking, front in the Somme offensive. The Anglo-French junction when the offensive opened was near Marieourt.

Bulpar Passports. LONDON, March b? Til© Balkan Press Agency announces tliat the Bulgarian Minister at Washington has been instructed to demand his passports. The War Cabinet. LONDON, March 6. The Canadian and New Zealand delegates attend the War Cabinet. Rffan Supply

AUCKLAND, March fi Replying to a deputation representing the Franklin and Manakau County Councils Sir James Allen said that the difficulty regarding the- calling up of men from farms was recognised by the Department, and the Military Boards had been asked to exercise a careful discrimination in regard to farming and other industries. The Efficiency Board had been asked to deal with the question of soldiers for farms when the owners were unable to make satisfactory arrangements. He was not yet in a position to say Anything regarding the purchase of farms by the Government but action was being taken in regard to farm supervision. The Board bad been asked to appoint honorary expert advisers and though there was no guarantee that labour would he provided it would be part of the duties of the Board to organise industries and to supply the necessary labour.

A Thrilling

( iui t ; lift i & N.Z. G-sVe Ap- ocint on ) LONDON, March o A thrilling story of the Hattie of Jutland is now fully revealed. The Admiralty have announced a posthumous award of the Victria Cross to Commander Jones of the destroyer Shark, which led a division of d - stroyers in the attack on an enemy hat tie cruiser squadron. The Shark was disabled by two shells and another destroyer came between Dm ■Shark and the enemy and offered in assist, hut commander Jones refusal, saying ;f the other destroyer remained it would almost certainly be sunk. Then, though wounded in the leg. he helped to man the after wheel, and subsequently when the forecastle and tlio after guns and crew were blown away Commander Jones assisted in keeping his midship gun*in action

' The Ballot. IV ELLINGTON, March b. The ballot for men to till the vacancies in the ts'9th Reinforcements, whicn began yesterday, was compelled this afternoon, and the list will probably be ready for issue on Thursday or Friday.