LATE WAR NOTES.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 89, 14 December 1914, Page 2

LATE WAR NOTES.

A war tax equal to a penny a gallon, has been imposed on all petrol used in the United States. Considering that over a million cars are on the roads in the States, a huge sura will accrue from this tax, but considering the difference in the price of motor spirit in that country and this, the American tourist has little cause for complaint; for petrol only costs him about half what it does in Australasia.

It is reported from Washington that during September, 200,000 barrels of gasoline and oil were exported from the United States to Norway, Sweden and Denmark. As the average monthly exportation to these three countries is 40,000 barrels, it is suggested that part of the shipments are finding their way to Germany? The closing of the North Sea should put a stop to this game. At present petrol is almost worth its weight in gold to Germany, and the stoppage of imports of petrol will undoubtedly shorten the war. In this respect the allies arc in a fortunate position, for they can ' all command ample supplies.

A report from Belgium by the correspondent of an English motor-trade jom’nal tells of a most extraordinary rise of a motor hood. It seems that a British patrol succeeded in capturing a German touring car in which two officers were seated. The motor had broken down and the officers were made prisoners of war, * In glancing over the car one of the patrol noticed a wire connection to the frame work of the raised top. Following the wire he pulled from under the seat a telephone receiver, and holding it to his ear, was dumbfounded when he could plainly hear a coming from nowhere in particular. The top skeleton formed the receiving wires of a wireless telephone station, and the message came from the nearest headquarters of the army corps to which the officers belonged.

Although we in this country are receiving but scanty official reports as to the progress of the war, those that have come to hand bear testimony to the excellent work that is being done by the British volunteer cyclists in the arduous- task of despatch-riding. So valuable have these young soldiers proved in maintaining constant, communica lion along the huge front of the allies in Northern France that we learn arrangements are in hand for largely increasing their numbers, a. new corps of motor-cycle despatch-riders, having a knowledge of the French language, being in course of formation under the control of J. 8 well-known English motorist. Although, as will readily be realised, many of the de-spath-riders have had no previous military experience, it is gratifying to road that those already at the front are not only carrying out their duties to the satisfaction of the military authorities, but that they arc showing great dash and bravery while travelling through districts infested by the enemy. There is no doubt that for despatch-riding work in country where good roads abound, the motor-cycle is unapproachable, its great speed, coupled with the fact that it needs only a single track, rendering it peculiarly well adapted for the purpose. Further more the riders of such machines are generally of a class that enjoy a little “sport," and we are glad to find that their ardour appears to be in no way damped, even when the “ sport! ’is coupled with the possibility of an encounter with the armed outposts of the enemy.