WAIPIPI.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 98, 20 October 1915, Page 1

WAIPIPI.

LETTER FROM TROOPER FUKNISS. Mr H. Furoise, of Waipipi, had a letter by the last mail from his son, Trooper T. E. Furniss, who left New Zealand with the Fourth Reinforcements. Writing from Lemnoa Harbour, under date of August 14th, Trooper Furniss says :

"I am writing you a few lines to let you know that I have arrived at Lemnos safe and sound. We had a very exciting and dangerous trip over from Alexandria, and I witnessed an event that I never want to see again. The troopship 1 travelled in had 600 or 700 men un board. The Royal Ewdard with a portion of Lord Kitchener a army on board also left Alexandria about the same time. A fine lot of men they were. They passed by our boat on the wharf en a route march a couple hours before their troopship left Alexandria. The sinking of the Uoyal Edward was terrible. I was on watch at the crew's gangway. It was about 9.30 a.m., and we were steaming along steadily when all at ones all eyes were turned to the Royal Edward. She was sinking. There were cries of 'What's wrong?' It was a terrible sight. It was the first and last time I want to see a big steamer sinking. It sank in three minutes. First she lowered in the stern and the bow went straight up out uf the water, and she sank steadily out of sight. All on board our ship expected we would follow likewise, and lifebelts were donned. We stood by the life boats ready for any emergency but nothing happened. We had a marvellous escape. We are about to move off for the front."

With the great growth of grass dairy herds are in a particularly fit condition ard the result is a great increase in the quantity of cream coming forward to the local creamery. The season promises to be a record one.

A large area has been sown down in oats in this district, and with the favourable season crops are looking . very well. Potatoes are coming along on the right lines, although here and there blight is visible.

The Franklin County Council are now getting a move on and are letting works in different parts of the Awbitu riding, one contract being for something ilke £IOO on the main road to Kobe Kohe. In the matter of Government grants, however, Waipipi Central and Wharf are as usual left out in the cold, but perhaps another year (he district may come to its own. Waipipi is still furnishing its quota for active service, and this week two more , local residents, viz., Messrs 11. J. Furniss and C. Walsh, have lett for the training camp at Trentbam.