NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 September 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

ALLEGED FALSE ACCUSATION. AGAINST A 'SUPERIOR OFFICER, MILITARY POLICEMAN CHARGED. WELLINGTON, this day. ■ Corporal William Arthur Doridant, of the Military Police, was tried at BuV kle Street Barracks on a charge that he made a false accusation against a superior officer knowing the accusation to be false. It is alleged the accused told four members of the Force on the night of August Ist last that Captain Charles Gray, Assistant Provost Marshal. Wellington, had been drunk while in the execution of his duty;

Accused pleaded not guilty. * Qaurtermaster Moore stated that on the evening of the date mentioned he was present in a room when accused received orders by telephone from Captain Gray in reference to the despatch of a patrol boat. Immediately afterwards accused said he "could nearly smell it over the wires.” When accused returned later with the launch he told witness his impression that Captain Gray was “Full” had been correct.

A number of witnesses called stated that had been with Captain Gray on the night mentioned and noticed nothing to suggest he had been drink ing. It was stated Captain Gray had steered the launch in rough weather in a seamanlike manner, ‘ Proceedings adjourned.

AN UNUSUAL GUN ACCIDENT WOMAN’S SERIOUS INJURIES TE KUITI, September 17. Serious injuries were sustained by Mrs. Wilson, wife of Mr C. K. Wilson farmer, of Piopio, and ex-M.P., for Taumarunui, as the result of an unusual shotgun accident which occurred on Saturday evening. A loaded gun was accidentally dropped near where Mrs. ; Wilson was standing. It discharged on striking the ground, and the charge lodged in her foot. She was removed, to the .Waikato Hospital, where it was feared an amputation would be necessary, but the hospital authorities to-day-hoped to be able to save the foot. PICTURES AND SCHOOLS, CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The Education Conference resolved that it is desirable that picture films should be used in schools, and that the Education Department should be asked to circulate films on the lines used in the schools in the United States;

DESTRUCTION OF WAR.

In writing of the present Allied offensive in France, Mr Philip Gibbs says: Perhaps the most dreadful record of the destructive power of modern war is to be found in the sites and ruins of hundreds of \ iilages and towns, and even of cities, oyer which the red waves of battle have ebbed and flowed for months: "I went into Arras. Arras is dead, but the beautiful corpse of the city that was once very fair and noble. It was sad to see the fresh mangling of stones that had already been scarred, the heaps of masonry that lay piled about these streets that were utterly deserted. I walked down many of them, and saw no living soul, only a f?w lean cats which prowled about, slbjpng close to the walls and crouching when ia. German shell came over with a rending noise. The cathedral and the great Palace of the Bishops were unroofed, with tall pillars broken off below the vaulting, and an avalanche of white masonry about them. They were clearcut and dazzling under the blue sky, and one was hushed by the tragic grandeur of those ruins.”