Cable News by Mall

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 113, 6 October 1914, Page 7

Cable News by Mall

The following items, published in a section of the Australian Press, are to hand by the last mail:— AROUND ST. QUENTIN. GERMAN RIGHT TURNED. ■ WHERE THE DEAD MEN LIE. NINE MILES OF DEAD BODIES.

London, September 24.

The French left, after desperate fighting, succeeded in turning the German right.

Nine miles of German dead were in the trenches, and between Peronne and St. Quentin the French artillery combed out the enemy's trenches, the German heavy guns, stationed on the heights behind, mowing down Joffre's troops, who unswervingly stormed the position. Contrary to their custom, the Germans waited in the trenches, and the Frenchmen stabbed and killed with their bayonets until their arms were tired. But they gained the position, and entered St. Quentin, where there was savage fighting in the streets until the enemy was finally beaten out.

iA French chasseur Who has returned to Amiens describes the fighting at St. Quentin. He said:—■ "It was hell out there. After three days' fighting, there were 9'/ a miles of bodiea. The noise of the shells was liko an express train dashing through a railway station. "We were lighting over the same ground until the corpses of friends and enemies made the way impassable. Then we would fight on in another direction. "When they are threatened with the bayonet the Germans sham dead, but the French wore not deceived. They stuck the bayonets into them and made them squeal like pigs until they were really dead."

TREXCHES MIXED.

BODIES BLOWN SKY-HIGH.

"PALMER'S NEURALGIA CURE."

SHELLS AS PAXACEA. London, September 24. A corporal in the Lincolnshire Rcgi ment writes:—

"It's not only on the' sea that the Germans use mines. Nearly all the approaches to their trenches are mined for 200 yards, and some even for 1000 yards. "A British infantry battalion, supported by French infantry and cavalry, fought its way to the enemy's trenches. They formed for the last rush, when suddenly a terrific explosion occurred, and the air was thick with bodies blown Bky-high. Those who escaped re-formed, and, sweeping across the intervening space with a ringing cheer, cleared tn« trenches with the bayonet. "A Highlander named Palmer was in the trench nearly mad with neuralgia. A German shell burst and knocked him senseless. When he recovered the pain had gone. The German shells are now called 'Palmer's neuralgia cure.' "The German troops who have not met the British are easily detected by the bold way they go into action. The others, knowing what to expect, advance gingerly, like men sneaking into the 1 vestibule of a church to rob the collec-tion-boxes."

BELGIAN RELIEF FUND.

By Telegraph.—Pree» Association. Invercargill, Last Night.

"Daffodil Day," which took the form of a» organised effort to Taise funds to supplement the Belgian Relief Fund, was a great sucees3, being; favored with splendid weather. Two motor processions were held, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, when the combined effect of blazins headlights, flutteiring flags, the coloring of the cars, and} the 'brilliant Street lighting produced an effect unique in picturesqueness. The street collections produced about £330, in addition to which a special donation of £SO was received late in the evening from Kirk and Co. A doll's house, donated by the daughters of Dr. Hogg, was sold four times, and realised £24 10», while an aged and corpulent bulldog was sold five times, realising £4 15s. Other auctions produced about £lO, in addition to wliich the proceeds cf two picture houses must be added, so that the fund is likely to benefit to ■she extent of £450 when all returns are 18.

The Newall road settlers (per Mr J. 0. Robinson) have forwarded ua the sum of £4, being the proceeds of a social held on September 25th in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund. We liave handed the money to the treasurer of the central Relief Fund. In forwarding an account of the social, a correspondent says there was, considering the wet night, a fair attendance. The Ducker family kindly supplied the music, extras being played by Miss F. Corbett and F. Burgess. Mr A. Rookes acted as M.C. A very enjoyable evening was spent. , THE PATRIOTIC FUXD. The Prime Minister Jias written to Mr .1. B. Hine, M.P., as follows: "I desire to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of tho 29th ultimo, enclosing bank receipt for £lOl 9s ltd, and also copy of resolution passed by the committee of the Tarata Patriotic Fund. On behalf of the Government, I wish to express our warm and cordial thanks for the generous contribution mado by the residents and settlers of Tarata. Their patriotio action is heartily appreciated by us, as it must be by yourself as their representative. I liave Tnad much pleasure in forwarding the bank receipt to the Paymaster-General, to be lodged to the credit of the fund, and the amount to bo expended in accordance with the wishes of the subscribers." ,