GALLIPOLI TO MESSINES.

Taihape Daily Times, 9 July 1918, Page 4

GALLIPOLI TO MESSINES.

There was a very fair attendance at the Town Hall last night to listen to the pictorial lecture “From Gallipoli to Measanes.” delivered by Chaplain* . Ca The speaker was rfollowed with absorbed attention as he told of the trip of a New Zealand contingent from New Zealand to Egypt, illustrating their various experiences by some excellent lantern, slides of photos taken by himself. Afte- dwelling for some time on historical scenes in Egypt, he passed swiftly to the landing on Gallipoli, exhibiting some instructive pictures' of incidents en route. Arriving at Gallipoli he illustrated the landing of the New r, Zealanders at Arl Barnu, explaining the almost insuperable difficulties they encountered, but which, after an appalling loss of life, they accomplished. After "describing the life in the trenches and dug-outs on the peninsula, he - showed the progress of the forces, and the successes they achieved, and how the capture of the peninsula might have been accomplished but for the misfortunes of theSuvla Bay forces. After describing the evacuation, he followed the N&w Zealand forces to France, showing pic. tures of the beautiful, intensely cultii vated parts of Southern Prance, which he said were replicas of the northern portions no wtorn into shell-holes and devastated by the horrors of war. It was, perhaps, when he reached the present war zone that the interest of the audience was most excited. Armentieres, Fleurbaix, Estaires, Neuve Eglise, Nieppe Forest—scenes of the recent fighting were passed in rapid review by the lecturer, who explained most vividly the operations of the contending forces, both in the earlier campaigns and the German offensive since March 21st last. Scenes of destruction and desolation were pictorially illustrated and described; the wanton ruin accomplished by the Hun invaders of historical buildings which can never be' replaced, were shown In a manner which brought home to those present the awful realities of war. Illuminating sidelights were thrown on the life of the soldiers, their unfailing cheeriness, the operations of the Y.M.C.A., and the dangers to which non-combatants were exposed during tbe performance of their duties. The lecture was interspersed with touches of .quiet humour, all the more welcome because of tbeir naturalness. Mr, Blamires was listened .&}■ _ with, rapt attention throughout,his lecture has brought home to the audience what the horrors of war real, ly are. . '

Mr. J. R. Cunninghame proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Blamires for his very able lecture; which was carried by acclamation. The singing of a verse of the National Anthem brought the lecture to a close.