"WORLD'S GREATEST ZOO."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 187, 30 June 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

"WORLD'S GREATEST ZOO."

LION'S LEOPARDS. AMI HYENAS

The following' vivid eletails of the trying conditions under which operations in German East Africa are being conducted are contained *in a letter sent home by a member of the Expeditionary Force:

•'lt is difficult to exaggerate trie hardships of carrying on war in this part of the world. Vast stretches or desert covered with thorny scrub have to be traversed. The bush In most parts is so dense that It Is only possible for a column to march through in singe tile. Friend or foo may pass without being aware of each other's presence, and this, too, occurred more than once. The dreadful tetse fly is only one or the dangers to be guarded against. Carnivora abound, and patrols, when they are not watching for enemy snipers, must keep a sharp look-out roi prowling liens, leopards, and hyenas. The Tommy unaccustomed to tnu jungle may well find sleep impossible with night nude hideous by tnc tremendous noise of lions and other wild beasts scenting tlielr prey.

"It has been no infrequent experience for our pickets to watch rungrown lions drinking at water holes less than fifty yards away. The rivers abound with crocodiles, and the snort of the giant hippopotamus mingles with the noises of the other denizens of the world's greatest uncontrolled zoo. Many .a trooper has suspected the plunging of the zebra or buck through the bush to be a reconnoitring party of the neemy. "Happily most of the men are more or less intimate with the jungle conditions, so that lions, stinging flies waterless tracks, or spells or torrid heat will not give us much concern.

"The campaign Is not without its romantic aspect. Our aim is to subject a country of nearly 400.000 square miles, which is peopled by ten million natives, and a coast line twice as long as that of the German Empire. Our men are found picking their way through bush land never trcd by white men before. Our comrades' presence is alone a romance. One day they are in London, and the next day they arc gone, and we hear nothing further of them till they turn up in German East Africa to give the Germans a taste of what they can do."