New Zealand

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 191, 21 January 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

MARCH PAST OF THE NEW ZEALAND FORCES. A MEMORABLE SCENE. ENJOYED BY RACE-GOERS. Hy Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Trentham, Yesterday. The march past of the expeditionary \ ices encamped at Trentham at the Wellington Racing Club's meeting to-day was a memorable scene and will long be remembered by those who witnessed it. Between 3000 and 4000 men took part, comprising the whole of the third, fourth, and fifth reinforcements and the Samoan relief force. The men are a likely-looking lot, well tanned by their open-air life, and swing along with an ease that denoted that the military training undergone was beginning to tell its talc. As they paraded past the stands and enclosures there was a good deal of cheering and admiration was generally expressed at their business like bearing. They wr-'e headed by the camp band playing martial music, and at the rear of the procession was the Army Service Corps, Ambulance and Veterinary Corps, anf other units. This was the first and only opportunity of seeing the men all together. The troops are the guests of the Wellington Racing Club at luncheon, and the hospitality was much appreciated.

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY. INCRIMINATING CORRESPONDENCE. DUERKOP COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

Wellington, Last Night. iAt the Magistrate's Court this afternoon the hearing of charges against Heinrich Wilhelm Magnus Duerkop, produce merchant, of Auckland, of trading with the enemy, was concluded. Duerkop was further cross-examined on the letters which had passed between him and Gustav Witt, of Hamburg. One letter contained the phrase: "If damage occurred to the goods on the way to Hamburg, the South British Insurance Company would be liable." Prisoner explained that "Hamburg" was due to a Blip of the pen. Rotterdam was intended.

Another letter, written by Duerkop, stated that Germans in New Zealand were being reproached for brutalities by German soldiers in Europe. He himself had to act diplomatically, but he hoped the war would soon end, and the issue be favorable to Germany. Replying to questions, Duerkop said he had not sent goods anywhere except to a Dutch firm. He had been advised that he could legally do this. Insurance and shipping companies accepted business to Rotterdam in the ordinary course of trade, and his only object in sending the goods to Holland was to minimise hia losses. This concluded the case, and Duerkop was committed for trial.

MILITARY BASH HOSPITAL. APPROVED BY AUCKLAND MEDICOS. Auckland, Last Night. The Auckland division of the British Medical Association, at a meeting held to-night, carried a motion, approving of the scheme for the formation of a military base hospital at Trentham, and pledging the cardinal support of the members. A eoloction was taken up in the room, and about £650 was subscribed, including one donation of £SOO.