Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY. MARCH 14. 1917 BAGDAD.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY. MARCH 14. 1917 BAGDAD.

The news of the success of the British troops in Mesopotamia came opportunely following the unpleasant disclosures in regard to the Dardanelles expedition. The success has been very pronounced. The British had gathered strength for the occasion, and once the attack was launched, pursued it with nnstsying hand. The supplied to the House of Commons

show that the coup has beeu a very successful one, and is a very complete answer to the surrender of Kut soma months ago. The British advanced so rapidly as to overwhelm the Turks who appear to have been depleted rather than augmented to efcny the attack. The enemy would be well aware of the British preparations for the advance. In a far Eastern country over-rnn with spies the enemy would be well supplied with information regarding the operations of the foe, and the most cheerful side of the picture is the fact that the Turks made no adequate effort to check the advance. It sngg9sta that the enemy in Asia Minor have been reduced to provide armies in other theatres, or that the enemy in any case is becoming exhausted, and not strong enough to be pitted against a well-fonnd and equipped foe. The snccess at Bagdad might he the preliminary to import* ant developments. It is certainly going to let the Russians from Persia into Turkish territory' more easily, while the Caucasian Russian Army will also be in a better position to advance now. The essential thing will be. to secure the present substantial gains before the enemy oan counter-attack in foros if they are disposed or are equal to that task. The j emotion of the Russian and British forces will clear Persia of the enemy, and threaten Turkey in Asia Minor. To check the forces where jnnetioned will require a considerable Turkish Army, for the invading forces could operate over a wide front. This will be exacting on the Turks in particular and the enemy in general who will lose the support of the Turkish troops on other fronts, as well as having to supply them with munitions and supplies which are a diminish'ng quantity. The Mesopotamian offensive thus takes the place of the Dardanelles attack so far as the military forces are ooncarned. The British for this purpose will be able to draw largely on Indian troops to whom the fighting in Asia will be more congenial than in Europe. The Indian cavalry must have bad some fine opportunities to exoel in the recent rapid advance, and no doubt they have been equal to the record claimed for them. Mesopotamia thus becomes, again, an aotivo ceatre in the fighting, and one which will have its deciding eff. ot cn the duration of the

war. rhe uuccess has been somewhat overdue, but it ia the more welcome, because of its pronounced character. Apart ffom itß intrinsic value it will have a moral effect which will also coudl tor good, *o that altogether Bagdad is really good readingThe adjourned meeting of the Overseas Club’s Committee takes place this evening ar 7.30 o’clock. Mr J. V. Hall of the Occidental Hotel has purchased an hotel property at Richmond near Nelson. The second portion of the 20th Reinforcements have arrived at their destination; The appointment of Hugh 'Scott as clerk of the Licensing Committee for the Disrict of Motucka is gazetted. The estates of 112 deceased persons ■ were placed under the charge of the Public Trustee for the month of February. Notice is gazetted that Section 3369 Wataroa Survey District will be disposed of under Section 140 of the Land Act 1908, on or after 17th May 1817. Advice has been received by the Minister of Defence that all transports with Now Zealand troops' aboard are safe. A special examination for Standard V and VI certificates is notified m this issue, to be held on Wednesday, March 21st at 9.30 a.m. at the Hokitika District High School Corporal Joseph Dick, brother of Mr John Dick, butcher of Beefton, has been awarded the Military Medal for his gallant work in taking supplies and ammunition with his pack train to the trenches under heavy fire. At a sitting this morning of the Magistrate’s Court at Kumara, before Mr T. Hutchison S.M, the Bev Father Creed, parish priest, on a charge of fading to register under the Military Service Act. was fined £5 and 7/ costs.

On the bowling green last evening a game of the final round of the singles championship was played between Stevenson and Stewart, and resulted in a win for Stewart by 26 to 8, in which the winner showed to decided advantage. Stewart and J. H. Wilson meet this even, ing.

It is understood some additional men are leaving in the morning to join the 27th Beinforcemenss. They are invited to meet at the Soldiers’ Room to-night at 8.15 when they wil' be presented with a parcel of requisites for camp use, and entertained at supper. The names of the departing men are not available to-day.

At the Charitable Aid Board meeting last evening Mr Grimmond made a protest against the inaction of the Board in not finding a medical officer for Ross and the south district, while spending at ihe rate of £IOOO a year for a medical officer for Otira and Kumara. After discussion a committee was set up to attempt to grapple with the difficulty. There was a large entry ofyioultry at Christchurch on Saturday. Nearly 3000 birds were penned and found a ready sale. Table chickens realised 4/6 to 9/7, hens 2/6 to 5/9, pullets 3/ to 19/6, ducks 5/ to 6/, ducklings 4/6 to 6/, geese 7/ to 9/, all per pair. The demand for eggs was not keen. First grade were quoted at 1/8 and seconds at 1/6.

During the month of February 1447 |K*rsons arrived in New Zealand and 1621 departed. The excess of departures over arrivals was therefore 174 persons, as against an excess of arrivals over departure amounting to 278 persons in the corresponding month of 1916. /

For the period ending 3rd February, the revenue receive! from the Westland Section of the New Zealand Railways amounted to £10620, compared with £12560 for .the corresponding period last year. Over 4000 more passengers were carried, the decrease being practically solely due to a falling, off in the carriage of timber, minerals, and other goods, of which over 11,000 tons less were carried.

Interviewed at Wellington regarding Dr Bedford’s allegations as to sale of goods in transports, Sir James Allen said that Dr Bedford had submitted to him a document signed by certain responsible officers on a transport which stated that things had been sold to soldiers. This was a recurring trouble, and it had been Heard about before, said the Minister. One case he could recollect, and he supposed there were others. In some cases •there were dismissals from the Union Company’s service. “Every time we get any intimation of sueh things going on we hold an inquiry." The- Minister further stated that the present allegations had been submitted for inquiry.

Ladies requiring dressmaking done, •would do well to book their orders with Mrs J. Lloyd. Fit and style guaranteed.

Women who require a stimulant should try WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS.

Now the summer heat hss come what a boon “No Rubbing Laundry Help" will be to the housewife for washing clothes clean without rubbing and it will not injure lire clothes, this we guarantee —Local Storekeepers. First shipment of new winter costumes and coats, ex s.s. Rotorua, now showing at McKay’s, the Leading Drapers.— Advt,