WITH THE COLORS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1918, Page 4

WITH THE COLORS.

ByChas. R. H. Parham, 37th Reinforcements.) (Continued.)' Sling, August ii— I There is not much news to tell you, but perhaps it may interest you to hear that it is rumoured that Mr Massey is coming with Sir Joseph Ward to see us tomorrow. »Ve are beingtaught to work Rewis guns, and all kinds of bombs and grenades. There are Mills’ hand or rifle grenades, egg bombs, Hales’ rifle grenades, German stink-pots, etc It is most interesting work. 011 Friday we were firing rifle grenades from our rifles. There seems to be a slight idea that some troops will be wanted for Russia. Thus it 111a y happen that some of the New Zealand troops may go over there. I am sending you a sample of the song book the Tommies use, but my crowd don’t care much lor the usual songs ; they have made up a number of their own, and. sing them on the march with great spirit. They consider their u\v 1 more up to date.

August 13 —Yesterday Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward reviewed us. The}* gave us an address too, telling us that they were here fighting our battles, and that they wished they could shaie cur training etc. Mr Massey also promised us some good news. I don’t know what this was, but I think it was that victory was now in sight. The High Commissioner was also there, but took no active part.

Did I tell you I found out all about that curious old structure in Salisbury, called the Poultrj’ Cross It was built, I am told, by a Lord in the olden days who married a nun. This, of course, got him into trouble with the then powerful church, and he had to do penance, and afterwards built the Poultry Cross for a lasting memorial of his having made expiation for his offence.

As I have frequeu'd 3* told you, there are a great many aeroplanes to be seen, and it is interesting to note their different types. The Farman Experimental are slow night machines used for bombing purpose ; as they are so slow, they fly very high. The Hanley Pages are somewhat different, for they have a long, tapering body, in place of the open girders. Their enormous wings fold back when they are housed in their hangors.

August 20 —I have been enjoying myself whenever I get half a chance. On Sunday I got “Salisbury leave ” again, and very fortunately had a lift in a transport-lorry as far as Amesbury. There I filled in time looking at the Abbey grounds, but was not able to explore further. Went on by bus the thirteen miles to Salisbury. Spent the day witu friends. After dinner they took me to see Old Sarum, and I spent some very interesting hours there. I had a good look at the old Cathedral foundations, climbed up the Citadel and explored the ruins. Old Sarum used to be .covered with trees and scrub, but much of this has been cleared away to allow for excava tions. Between each ring of walls is a very deep ditch—these walls look like terraces —and the latest, ring of all was built by Alfred the Great. There is a museum of the many specimens of carving etc which have been found here abouts, but it was closed, doubtless because it was Sunday. The walls everywhere are extraordinarily thick. The old well that used to supply the stronghold is now clr\ r , and apparently not more than twenty feet deep ; a growth of ferns blocks the view beyond a iew feet down. I threw some stones down to find if there was any water in it, but as I said before, it is now dry. The so-called “ Garderobe Pits,’’ or dungeons, at the bottom of the “Garderobe Tower” were not, I think, more than thirty feet deep. I had a look down a good many of these holes, and went down those I could. Some had big wooden trapdoors over them. I lifted these and looked down. Some were too dark to see to the bottom. 011 a postcard is this note “John Leland in his itinerary in 1535 says : —‘ There hath beene houses in tyme of mynd inhabitid in the est suburbe of Old Saresbyri (Sarum) but now tlier is not one house nother within or without inhabited. Ther was a right fair and strong Castelle within Old Saresbyri. The diche that environid the old town was a ver} - deepe and strong thynge.’ ” —and the ditch is very deep still ! There is a very fine view of the surrounding country to be had from different parts of the old Citadel, as as from the ramparts. I had a very good time altogether. There is another interesting note to the effect that ‘ a record was entered on the Liberate Rolls about the middle of the 13th century, stating that cn the Bth July, 1245, the Slierif of Wilts is bidden to cause to be repaired the Great Tower in the King’s Castle of Sarum.’ Part of this Great Tower is still to be seen, as well as the Postern Tower wall and Main Gate.

24th August.—l am supposed to be playing football, but I brought a sheet of paper with me and am snatching the opportunity of writing to you, while lying out here on the grass. A New Zealand mail came in last night, but it takes a long time to sort the huge mail. It is said that it takes a fortnight to sort the New Zealand mail at “ Base Records,” London. Then there is more delay when the letters get to Sling. I have returned to the hut, and found awaiting me a package from Salisbury, containing a map and a drawing book, which I asked my friends to send to me. I intend to copy into the sketch book, the rough sketches I made on the voyage. Have just got mail from home. Hooray!

Sept Ist. —I w r as in a great hurry when I wrote last and I suppose I didn’t write very intelligably. Today I have not had much time, for I was busily employed as “Battalion Runner,” that is I had to run all the messages for Headquarters. We had been expecting the syths for some time back, out they did not arrive until last night. I hear the 4oths are also in England and that they all went to Broeton, into the “Dinks” or Liverpool’s Rifle Brigade. A certain amount of New Zealand mail has come to hand today with the 39ths. I am always eager for Jotters from home. We are all getting on all right and are looking forward to getting draft leave. We heard some time ago that the Otira tunnel was through. I wonder whether or not this has caused a ‘ booin’ in land in Hokitika ? Won’t Ibe glad to get back. I should like some scones and home-made blackkberry jam ! ! ! You must not think, however, that the tucker here isn’t good and plentiful, for it is. The war news is splendid. The Huns are being well pushed back. We are all looking forward to Soon getting back to New Zealand again !