LIEUT. T. E. Y. SEDDON’S EXPERIENCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1917, Page 4

LIEUT. T. E. Y. SEDDON’S EXPERIENCES.

Last Glimpse of Ireland. Back to Duty. 1 ' T

On Sunday we had another fine day. •« Shall we go to Killowen,” said Sir Thomas, “ Right,” said I, cot knowing where Killowen was, or whether it were ten miles or twenty. It was eighty-nine, but that distance was nothing to that strong swift oar. Vincent Ward, who was far from well, waa of the party, It was not long before we were skimming along the Irish roads, pass* ing cottage after cottage, village after village, town after town, as we flew along and frightened the lives out of some screaming children, or nearly killed some turkeys and chickens, or just missed a healthy porker. All we got was a wave of a stick, or a fiat, and, “ Ye divils,” hurled at us. What a pretty country it was. For the most part it was small farms, with old-fashioned white cottages or cabins, and there were the gorse hedges, the eopaes so dear to the huntsman. Occasionally we would pass a great manor with stately drives and walks,‘and oak and elm plantations. Then we would flash past a church where service was being held v . What an array of carts and carriages and carti there were at this country chapel. There were the donkey oarts that had brought Biddy and Pat to worship;

.there were jaunting oars ; there were smart dog-carts and gigs; there were fashionable motor cars—all lined up on the side of the road. Neddy ie a faithful friend to the farmers, and yon see him on all sides sturdily struggling nnder great loads. What a charge thiß peaceful country scene was from the sights we had seen in France. Here the chnroh with its calm and restfal surrounding, its spire unmolested, its graveyard not churned up, and the worshippers able to attend without their devotions being distraoted by the din and roar of guns. How different was this church from the ehureh of Notre Dame de Bebrieres at Albert, where the bronze figure of the VirgiD, ruthlessly desecrated by the Germans, hangs suspended from the tower. How different, to?, from the churches at Armentieres, whicn, with one exception, are demolished. Nothing of those French obnrcbes remains but piles of bricks and jagged walls, striking monuments of German vandalism. How different, too, were these roads of Ireland with the small farms, white cabins and cattle grazing in the fields on either side, from the great long Roman roads of France. How different from the road that leads from Armentieres to Baillenl, where the grain fields touch the road, and hedges are unknown. Nor are those roads like the glorious one that leads through Pioardy ; but there was a charm about it all—a charm which was Ireland’s own.

We passed Neury, Dundalk, and soon the hills whioh had scened but haze grew nearer and we soon found ourselves descending the slopes, and gazing at the watsrs of the bay, near which Killuwen rests. I had only beard of Killowen as being connected

with th& famous Lord RaSjel, grea Jurist and then Judge. Here, again, we got a real, hearty Liih welcome wo sat down to almost an Xmaf dinner, turkey, conviviality and jollification?. Killowen was a blissful place, and a favourite summer ( resort. '' The car sped b<ck to Dublin too quick y for me, for each mile we passed was bunging mo nearer to the train and feiry steamer. The time I had spent in Ireland was a very happy oae. The folk I met there were warm hearted, and homely, and extended a cordial welcome, next time I should come back to Ecin. I wonder will lever see that Emera'd Isle again. I hope so. „ The crossing of the Channel I knew nothing about, for I slept hard to avoid the unpleasant sensation of seasickness. Next morniDg at Holy Head i heard we had zig-zagged a good deal iu the Channel, but what did it matter as iong as we arrived safely. I saw nothing of the English country that we passed through, but woke up with a start at Waterloo as if from-a very happy dream. Yes, now it looks liko a dream, thdee fourteen days of leave crammed with interesting events which now fleet in interesting and happy reoolleotion. Next day found me at Codford Camp, where I was left no time to dream dreams of the glorious holiday, but was given “ C ” Company to command. Canterbury. West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough men comprise the company, so I found myself set round by familiar faces, Iu these note.? I have endeavored to set dowD, somewhat sketeh'Jy perhaps descriptions of what I was privileged to see on my sick leave, thinking it might interest my friends in far off Westland. If 1 have given any pleasure to the good folk so far away by telling my expediences, I am indeed glad. Some day may be I shell teil of the journeying throngh’T’icardy to the Somm9. end the experiences of the West Coaalers there-—but not now military orders forbid. I would that I might tell of the brave deede that of, tho bat later on, perhaps, I may. Vale.