NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 27, 18 September 1914, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

THE PREMIER DOUBTS WHETHER OUR BOYS WILL BE IN TIME. JTbb Press Association.] Wellington, September 17. The Premier read the following telegram in the House to-night:—

“Russian official sources state that the rout of the Austrian army in Galicia is complete. Full details have not yet been received of the Austrian loss since the taking of Lemberg, but it is estimated that 250,000 have been killed and wounded, and 100,000 taken prisoners, toegthor with 400 guns, many colors, and a vast quantity of stores, The Germans made desperate efforts to save the Austrian army, but failed completely. At one point the Germans lost 30 pieces of heavy artillery and at another several dozen pieces of held artillery.”

Commenting on the telegram, Mr Massey said he did not think that New Zealand or any other part of the Br tish Empire would be a German possession yet. He was beginning to wonder whether our boys would be in time to reach the front before the final settlement took place.

Mr Witty said there was no danger of that. There was a big fight before the Allies to drive the Germans home, but he did not doubt that they would accomplish it in due course. SAMOANS NOT SURPRISED AT THE CAPTURE. Auckland, September 17. According to a statement made by Dr. Schultz, ex-Governor of Samoa, who landed in Auckland this morning as a prisoner of war, the taking oi Samoa was far from being a surprise. The capture had been expected for days when the troops actually arrived. In the course of an interview, Dr. Schultz smilingly pointed out that the task of the expeditionary force was not a hazardous one. He had been told that in New Zealand reports had gained credence that there were a thousand white people in Samoa. As a matter of fact, the total white population of men, women and children including German, English, French, and Danish settlers, was not more than 500, while there are some 30,000 natives. Asked whether the visit of, the expeditionary force was expected, Dr. Schultz replied in the affirmative, and volunteered the information that the authorities in Samoa were apprised of the coming of the New Zealanders by the simple means of tapping wireless messages. Samoa possessed a powerful wireless station, and they were thus able to intercept messages from the troopships. “We realised from the very outset,” continued Dr. Schultz, “that surrender was inevitable, because of the primitive defence of the place. Our forces consisted of twenty soldiers and special constables, and our fortifications one gun. This was religiously fired every Saturday, afternoon, and took half an hour to load. Our only other defensive weapons were o 0 rifles of an 1871 pattern.

THE PROPOSED MAORI FORCE.

Auckland, September 17

Grave risks will bo taken in forming a- contingent of Maori volunteers, according to a statement made in an interview by the District Health Officer, Dr. Makgill. He declared that typhoid fever has been so v widespread among the native population this winter that the gathering of a large number of Maoris will almost certainly result in an epidemic of disease.. _ Asked whether there was not a similar risk of “carriers” creating an epidemic in the main expeditionary force, Dr Makgill explained that not onl> was the risk of “carriers” in white troops much less, but the latter were better protected by the fact that their habits were not so conducive to the spread of infection. Dr. Makgill agreed that inoculation would probably protect the natives, but it would not destroy danger of the “carriers.

WAR NEWS EXCITES FRENCHMEN IN PAPEETE. Auckland, September 17. The Talune, which arrived from the Eastern Pacific to-day, reports that the inhabitants of Papeete have been thrown into an intense state of excitement by the news of war. The 1* rcnch soldiery are patrolling the streets with fixed bayonets in an exuberance of patriotic enthusiasm. Newspapers from New Zealand are at a premium, while the native will go to great lengths to secure anything that looks like a war picture.

READY TO MOVE OFF.

Auckland, September 17. The final inspection of all the soldiery gear that the members of tbe expeditionary force are allowed to take away with them on active service is the chief concern of the troops now concentrated at Epsom. The infantry men have had their kits checked and completed, and to-day tbo same examination was carried out in respect of the mounted men and the field ambulance company. Extras not allowed by regulation were put on one side, and the stipulated quantity of clothing and other personal equipment was carefully checked in every detail. The force is ready to move off at an hour’s notice, leaving behind full returns and personal history that have been prepared by a special staff that has been detailed for that duty since tbe establishment of the camp.

The High Commissioner reports under date London, September 16th, 7.65 p.m. :

OFFICIAL. IN NYASSALAND. The Governor of Nyassaland reports a reconnaissance beyond tire frontier made on the 13th without contact being established with the enemy.

SUCCESSFUL RECONNAISANCE.

Of nineteen German officers engaged, there are only eleven accounted for. Three others escaped wounded.

The German losses in rank and file are heavy.

GERMAN CRUISER TORPEDOED. SIX MILES FROM HELIGOLAND.

Submarine E 9 has returned safely after having torpedoed a German cruiser believed to be the Hela, six miles south of Heligoland.

MEN OF SOUTH AFRICA WILL DO THEIR DUTY. AN INSPIRING MESSAGE. The Governor-General of South Africa cables to the Secretary of State for the Colonies: “The subjects of the King in South Africa are firmly resolved to fulfil their sacred duty by assisting with the resources at their disposal to bring the terrible war which has been forced upon His Majesty to a speedy and successful conclusion.”

HOME DEFENCE CORPS.

FIRST MUSKETRY DRILL. There was a very encouraging muster at the first musketry drill of the Horae Defence Corps, held at the rifle range yesterday. Thirty of the new members of the corps were present and nine old Rifle Club members were in attendance as coaches, their services being very much appreciated by those members entirely new to the rifle. However, a good number of the members were fairly familiar with the rifle and some fair scores Avere put up. On the dther hand, as was to be expected, there Avere some exceedingly small scores, the red flag, indicating that New Zealand and not the target bad been hit, Avas used pretty freely on some men. At the Avorst the tyros who pumped their tAventy rounds into the hillside learnt how to. load and unload, Avhile at the same time they were Avell grounded by the old Rifle Club members in the essentials of good shooting. Members placed themselves on the firing line by a number of means, tAvo motor cars, motor cycles, push bicycles, traps and hacks being used for transport purposes, Avhile a good number Avent doAVii on shanks’ pony. A shoot has been arranged for Saturday afternoon for the benefit of members unable to be present yesterday. FolloAving are details of the shooting of the top scorers yesterday:—

SECOND FOOT DRILL. Tho second foot drill Avas held in the evening, Avben the attendance Avas again very good, and much improvement Avas noticeable in the evolutions. The next parade"takes place on Monday evening next. JOTTINGS. HEARD IN A RESTAURANT.

A man entered a restaurant and asked for some ‘Turkey” Avithout “Greece.” You must be a “German” the Avaitress said, no, replied the man, I am “Hungary.” A man at an adjoining table hearing the discussion interjected Avith —Here don’t ‘Russia” or she AA'on’t ‘SerA'ia.” As be did not seem inclined to leave Avhen lie had finished, the Avaitress said, Avhy do yon “Roumania.” He replied, I Avant “Samoa.”

Then to croAvn all he tendered in payment a “Noav Guinea,” so she told him to go to “Heligoland,” as he Avas “Budapest.”

200 300 XL Rifleman B. J. Peters 24 23 47 11 C. H. Rogers 22 24 4(3 11 S. G. Rimmington 27 19 46 11 E. Townley 25 20 45 11 F. Cramer 23 21 44 11 R. B. Anderson 25 19 44 11 C. Elford 29 13 42 11 T. Richardson 23 18 41 11 A. J. Davey 17 22 39 11 J. Boon 18 21 39 J J R. Willis 20 19 39 C. Sole 19 19 38 11 L. Bush 17 20 37 11 J. S. Horton 18 18 36