NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 March 1918, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

COOK STRAIT MINES.

LAID BY A MINE-LAYEE

WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. ,

The following statement has, been issued by the naval the New .Zealand Government, Captain P. H,-Hall-Thompson, with reference to tho. discovciy of mines in New ZealaiSf waters:

"In order to allay various rumours as to the origin and the type of the mines, it is pointed out that they are of a known and distinctly type and origin. They were firmly., moored in position, and it is only under very exceptional circumstances that', they would drift. They are not such as could be manufactured locally nor could any amateurs deal with them, and it may be safely assumed they were laid by a vessel properly fitted for the purpose by the enemy. It is practically impossible for them to have been laid surreptitiously by any neutral or other vessel which visited!" New Zealand, or other British ports, as the concealment, of the mines themselves, and the necessary structural apparatus for launching them, would bo* practically impossible. It seems clear, therefore, that they must have been' laid by a hostile enemy vessel properlycommissioned and organised for the work." FUTURE CASUALTY LISTS. NEXT OF KIN TO BE INSERTED. WELLINGTON, this djfc Arrangements have now been mad© 1 under which, in addition tothe name of the soldier the postal ad* dress of next of kin will be inserted 1 in Government casualty lists exhibited at Post offices. WELLINGTON NORTH. RESULT OF BYE-ELECTION. MR. LUKE RETURNED. WELLINGTON, Feb. 28. \ John P. Luke 2986 j H. E. Holland 2566 A. de B. Brandon 816 A. J. N. Poison 720 ' Informal 40 Total votes cast 7128