THE WAR

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 8, 27 August 1914, Page 7

THE WAR

MOUNTED DEFENCE CORPS FOR STRATFORD.

A meeting was held in the Borough Council Chambers last night for the purpose of forming a National Defence Corps in Stratford. There was a good attendance. The Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) occupied the chair.

In opening the proceedings, the Chairman stated that he had called the meeting in response to the desire of a number of residents of both town and country who wished to join a National Defence Corps (mounted). Continuing, Mr Kirkwood said that while such a National Defence Corps would not be under the jurisdiction of the Defence Department, nevertheless the Defence Department looked with a favorable eye on the scheme. It was proposed that no binding conditions should be imposed on volunteers in the mounted squadron. Volunteers would be expected to find a horse, saddle and bridle, and also be prepared to give a reasonable time to drilling. The scheme would embrace accepting for enrolment all ablebodied volunteers, and while the corps would be formed primarily for home defence purposes, use might later be made of it by the Minister for Defence. Enlarging further on the proposal, the Chairman said he thought that it would be advisable before actually forming the corps to call for volunteers, and at the same time to ask the Minister for Defence to supply wfles for the use of the members: if necessary these rifles to be procured from the Senior Cadets. Mr Kirkwood emphasised the necessity of procuring rifles for shooting practice. If the rifles were not forthcoming he doubted if the formation of a National Reserve Corps would be of much value.

The following resolutions were carried :

"That with the view of forming a National Defence Corps (mounted) in Stratford, volunteers for enrolment be called for."

"That as a National Defence Corps (mounted) is in course of formation in Stratford, the Minister for Defence bo urged to supply rifles for the corps, these rifles to be procured if necessary from the Senior Cadets."

"That Messrs F. E v Dobson and H. M. Good be appointed to receive names of volunteers for the Stratford National Defence Corps (mounted)." The following names were handed in: A. J. Davey, M. S. Freer, W. G. Hendricks, J. Olliver, W. H. Bennet, H. M. Good, F. P. Uniacke, J. R. Willis, C. Massey, A. Woodhead, F. E. Dobson, E. Jackson, A. F. Grant, A. J. Hill. JOTTINGS. Tlie Taihape war fund has reached £SOO, and the Lady Liverpool fund £l5O.

The total subscribed to the Auckland Citizens' Patriotic Fund is now £38,204, and subscriptions continue to come to hand from all parts of the province.

Country residents will have an opportunity to subscribe to the War Fund to-morrow night, as socials in aid of the fund are to be held jfi the Tuna schoolroom and in Mr Johnson's barn at Kahouri Bridge. *

At a meeting of the Rangitikei General Co-operative Timber Company, a general shortage of orders was reported. It was decided to work four days a week in all the mills under the company's jurisdiction, in order to, as far as possible, keep all the millworkers going. The company controls some 60 mills on the Main Trunk line and elsewhere. Had the other alternative of discharging a third of the men been decided on, over 500 men would have been thrown oxit of employment. A number of smaller mills independent of the company shut down altogether.)

The railway staff at Marton Junction has collected £22 2s (3d in aid ol the Patriotic Fund. A young lady selling violets on the Marton railway platform on Tuesday collected the sum oi £42 in aid of the fund.

A humorous instance of good intention run to seed provided amusement the other day amongst the men engaged on war duty at one of Otago's batteries. Some kindly intentioned person had evidently heard that reading matter is prized by the men. So a parcel was despatched. The officer who received it was pleased at the prospect of recreation. The parcel was opened. It contained five books, viz., "The Church Army," "A Book for Mothers," "Sin's Aftermath," "Tales for Little People," "Jeannie Maitland's Weekly." While appreciating the good intention that prompted the sender, the recipients were much amused at somebody's conception of what Territorials should read on active service. "THE MARSEILLAISE." Many of our readers, we are sure, will be glad to have the English translation of the French National hymn, "The Marseillaise." It is as follows:

Ye sons of France, arise to glory 1 Hark! hark I what voices bid you rise Your tyrants' deeds are told in story, Behold their standard o'er you flies I Behold their standard o'er you flies! Shall you, your country's wrongs unheeding, Behold that fierce, that hireling band, Lay waste and desolate our land, While peace and liberty lie bleeding. To arms, to arms, ye brave! In firm battalions stand! March on, march on! No craven souls shall guard for us the land. Oh sacred Lovo of home and country, Breathe in our sons thine own pure flame! 0 Liberty, can bars confine thee, Can whips thy noble spirit tame? Can whips thy noble spirit tame? Beneath our flag may all contenders For thee their arms triumphant wield, Be thou for them a sword and shield, And the world will bless our bold defenders.

To arms, to arms, ye brave! In firm battalions stand! March on, march onl No craven souls shall guard for us the land.

DIARY tif THE WAR.

June 29—Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. July 10—Austria requests Servia to discover and punish organisers of the assassination plot and to prevent future agitation in Bosnia for Servia. July 24—Austrian Army Corps get ready. Germany, states sfle will hold aloof unless other powers intervene. July 25—Austria declares war, July 30—Austria declares war on Servia. July 31—British fleet sails from Portland. Belgrade bombarded. Russian mobilisation reported. August I—Germany demands explanation of Russian mobilisation. London Stock Exchange closed. August 2—Germany declares war on Russia. Bank of England discount rate, 10 per cent. Belgian mobilisation. Swiss mobilisation. Italy declares neutrality. August 3—French mobilisation. August 4—Britain's warning to Germany. German advance on Liege begun. August s—German ultimatum to Belgium to facilitate the movement of her troops. August 6—War between Britain and Germany breaks out. Vice-Ad-miral Jellicoe" commands British Fleet. Germany declares war on France. Belgium invaded. August 7—Konigin Luise sunk in the Thames. Sir lan Hamilton commands British Army. August B—Lord Kitchener appointed to control British Army administration. British bank rate, 6 per cent. British third-class cruiser struck a mine off the Thames and was sunk; 130 lives lost. August 9—German onslaught on Liege. August 10—British bank rate, 5 per cent. August 11—German submarine U 15 sunk by British cruiser Birmingham. August 12—War between France and Austria and Great Britain and Austria declared. August 14—Admiralty secures trade routes. First New Zealand Contingent leaves. August 15—Russia's concentration on the Galician frontier completed. August 17—Japan delivers ultimatum to Germany.