OTAHUHU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 306, 31 August 1917, Page 3

OTAHUHU.

(See also page 4.) STORY OF THE WAR. A CHAPLAIN'S EXPFRIENCEB A lecture of more than usual interest was given by Chaplain J R. Burgin, in the Parish Hall on Wednesday evening on matters concerning the doings and welfare of " the boys " fighting in France. The hall was well filled and the speaker was introduced by the Rev. H. Mason. Chaplin Burgin, who was with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade during the Battle of the Somme, related some very vivid experiences he had passed through during that eventful fight, both with regard to the physical as well as the spiritual side of events. He outlined the great work the women of England and the Allies had taken upon thejiselves to enable the men to fight for Freedom's cause, and mentioned how capable they had proved themselves in their self-allotted tasks. Without doubt it was the women who had made the v inning of the war possible and a great debt was owing to them for their unselfishness and self-sacrifice He appealed to the women of New Zealand to do everything possible for the men who had gone from our shores, as nothing too much could be done for them, both while they were away and when they returned The experiences of " the boys" during their stay in Egypt, where sand made itself felt and tasted at meal-times, and during the transhipment to France when difficulty in dodging the submarines was met with, to the safe landing of the troops, was narrated. The Chaplain, during his recital, detailed many personal anecdotes which added a touch of humour to the narration and showed how well the men at the front and the workers in England and elsewhere bore their hardships and difficulties in spite of heavy odds. Through the willingness and perseverance of the munition-workers at Home, the Erapije now had the satisfaction of knowing that whereas at the reheat from Mons the " Germans poured in shells at the rh'e of ten to the British one, the tables had now been turned and the enemy was receiving ten to everyone they could fire. While on a visit to England, the speaker said he had the satisfaction of visiting his old pariah and found tKat every girl and women who was in a position to do so w; s engaged at the local Munition Factory, besides fillin? vacancies left by men fu: h as bakers, postmen, bus conductors and window cleaners He had no doubt whatever that should necessity arise tho women of New Zealand would also respond to the call in a like manner. The Chspl-tin then referred to the doings of the men in F>anee, especially to the Brigade with which he was associated and he w«s confident that no sol diets of the Kmpire had proved themselves moie capable of fulfilling their allotted tasks than the men from Australasia and Canada. An i'ein of great interest that wa« not generally known was that th? Rifle brigade v.ere the first troops to w.iik in conjunction with the " tanks" during the taking of Fluers. These monsters of attack were first: spoken of as " hushes " owing to the secrecy which surrounded them, and the men took it as a great honour to be connected with them in their first enterprise, which endr-d to successfully in driving the euumy from the village. The chaos and desolation was indescribable and the men had to face both an enemy within as well as without, meaning the filth and vermin left behind by" the Germans during the retreat. Chaplin Burgin related how willing the Germans were to surrender after the terrific shell-fire, one boy actually bringing in eight prisoners with a pair of scissors The heroism displayed by the wounded was unsurpassed and the consideration chown by the sufferers for each other was a thing to bt seen to bo believed. Never before had he realised what a great, and privileged task it was to minister and tend to their sufferings and wants. The stretcher bearers and Red Cross men worked beyond all praise and many a soldier owed his life to their unfailing kindness and efforts. Many tales had been told of the cruelty practised by the enemy and the speaker had actually witnessed many instances of their barbarity. Many tales still remain untold, and it was with difficulty that he remained in his position of "Padre" to his Battalion, instead of taking up arms to avenge the men who had been callously treated at the hands of the enemy. He entreated his listeners to write to the boys by every mail, so great did the men appreciate and look forward to the arrival of letters and paictds. The morale of the men he described as splendid. There was still a great need for more accommodation to cope wich the socittl needs of the men and it was in this cause he was making his appeal. The Church of Eng land had over 1000 huts on the west ern front in which the boys could read and write and find comfort, but a great many more were still needed to meet the demand. Money was also urgently required to provide small necessities and comforts for the men and he trusted the Dominion would not be behind in contributing liberally to that good cause. Although he had boon associated with the Church in England for many years before coming to New Z aland lie had never felt as proud as he was to be connected with the Colonial troops and ho was sine that every effort would be made on their behalf by the people of the Dominion once the people realised the urgent need of the men for social comforts and gifts. At the close of the address a very hearty vote of thanks was accorked the speaker and a collection which was taken in aid of tho lurid for providing comforts resulted in a sum of over £ll being bunded over.