GENERAL WAR NEWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1734, 25 September 1917, Page 4

GENERAL WAR NEWS.

JUST THE MAN FOR THE ARMY,

One of our most distinguished commanders (says the Liverpool Post) was recently homo in London on leave. Glad to get rid of uniform for a while, he dressed himself in mufti and went one evening to a music hall. In the promenade he encountered an Australian private—just a little exhilirated —who entered into conversation with him. The hearing and manners of the general delighted the Dominion soldier, who finally laid an admonitory hand on his shoulder and said, “My boy, you ought to be in the army.” MYSTERY OF SMALL BRASS STARS. A number of six-pointed brass stars which were found in a London suburb immediately after the German aeroplanes had passed overhead. The - stars were, says the Express, taken away from a small child in the street. These little articles were apparently lying about in thousands, and children were gathering handsful. There may be nothing whatever in this little incident, but it certainly seems extraordinary to find such things lying about. It has been stated that one of these stars held tightly in the lingers soon produces a burning effect. ‘ “THE MAD MAJOR.” Legends always multiply in war time. Many men back from the front tell thrilling stories of the exploits of the “Mad Major,” who flies in aeroplanes over the German lines, disdaining to rise more than fifty or a hundred foot, and who has never been touched. The “Mad Major” is known from one end of the line to the oilier. Yet no officer of the R.F.C. can tell you his name or anything about him. There probably is no such person at all. But until the end of the war, whenever an aviator performs any particularly daring achievement, it is sure to be added to the “Mad Major's” ex-