LETTERS FROM PALESTINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1917, Page 7

LETTERS FROM PALESTINE.

TROOPER TAPP O'NEILL, From ''Some'whero in Palestine," under date of March 17, Trooper Tapp O'Noill, writiug to Mr. T. Buchanan, says:—it being my turn to write, as Cliff "coughed up" last mail, I am doing so. From papers to hand I notice that you are all having a succesful season in the land of the golden cow, with high prices for stock and produce, but still I guess that the cockies. like most other folk, are not satisfied. -Your letters of December 19 and January 10 arrived a few days ago by last mail, which now seems to get to us about every three weeks. Since writing last we have left Sanaia desert behind us and are now in .Palestine, in the province; of Syria. Needless to say you know how historic this land is—one of the earliest parts of the earth known to man, and also of Biblical fame, concerning which, no doubt, yon will know more than X do. The boys here have taken very keenly to deep reading, and any book relating to this country is eagerly looked for, and our various Padres have at different times given us interesting lectures re Sinai and Palestine's early history, which we enjoy immensely. At the moment we can hear our aircraft guns shelling our "daily hate," ; also the report of the latters bomborders given "stand to arms"—so must wait for a while before can write any more.

Am back again after scuttling along the 'beach—"no pills for us" (meaning bombs from Taubes),.but they had a good look at us —\ ./y clear, calm day. This is a daily occurrence, and it is also a daily occurrence to see from half to a dozen of our planes give Jacko some "hurry up" in return,, we having ten planes to every one of his. We are still following the beach line and camping along the shores of the Mediterranean, the weather getting warm enough for us to enjoy the swims when opportunity offers. All the towns or villages—Arab or Syrian—seem to hug the coast. The country we are passing through is all under cultivation as far as the eye can see, barley being the principal crop, also pats and green fodder for the stock. The green pastures, it being spring h&e—give a pleasing effect to the eye after the months of eternal drifting sands of the Sania desert, and also reminds one of home to seo the "Hocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, donkeys, etc., also even the kitchen cat and chickens. Upon the latter wo have cast envious eyes, but so far I have not been able to get hold of any wandering chicken, although it would fit the pot Al. From the natives we are able to buy eggs and oranges at about one penny each, so we have that little luxury to add to the plain bub nourishing daily fare. Tho niggers have the usual wrappings of cloth around them and are all bare footed. In tho hot weather they have a little lesa clothes on! Their women are tho usual Arab type—not what you read in story books—having feet as big as the camels. Anyhow, their beauty would not disturb your sleep. So far we have not come acroSs any of the decent harems, though I believe some of the Sheiks have them.

At present our duties are mostly confined to night outposts and-what wa call ;'stunts." On the latter we usually have breakfast a(i 2 a.m., leave camp at 3 a.m, and travel 30 miles or so, being 10 hours in tho saddle. We go out and see how and where Jacko is progressing, and exchange greetings per the medium of lead. A short time ago we were in a lively corner for a while, coming up to Jftcko's trenches, and at dawn we lost on a man and had a dozen wounded but soon got our machine guns to work and gave him some ''hurry up" Last week I believe the heads had it all cut and dried to give them another smack up at a similar position to Rafa. The da'/ before Jacko got wise and retired still further back, until now lie is well in his own back yard, having evidently retreated before our gradual march. Apparently he intends to keep out of striking distance of our Tommy infantry, who are dead anxious to havo a crack at nun, The TQmmiea have literally dug their way up the Canal, making redoubts, etc., to protect the railway. On late stunts WP have had sotpe hunting, as each farm is separated by a ditch and bank fence, the latter being about three feet high. Those horses that could or would not jump over had to climb or bruise their way across, and we had some good 'laughs at the antics and spillj some of them had, The Turks seem to be getting it pretty warm everywhere just now, General Maude taking Bagdad, the Russians to tho north, we along the coast, and the new King of the Arabs, near Mecca, in the east. .Prisoners we get herp st(y thP ■war is lasting toe Jong for Turkey, as they at tfie outbreak were promised it would be for only six months Also Allah seems to havo deserted them, at least their earthly one—Kaiser Bill—haß

done bo, and can give Jacko no further assistance. the >beach after tea, and when the sun is setting, you will see many of the boys walking Siowly along with their backs bent gazing intently among the stones on the bea'di. They are not 'mac-moon" (mad) but looking for ancient coins—before tlio time of B.C. Several have had lucky finds. Cliff and I have been at this gitino also, anil have half a dozen to send you, about the size of Od. I saw one that one of our hoys discovered about the sizo of 2s with writing and figures very distinct on it.

As regards the 'weather it would appear as if the rainy and cold weather were over, and the heat and Hies coming back in all their glory. Some of the flics are all too tame and affectionate. Captain Rait has gone back to New /"aland (writer saw him last week and he spoke of coming to Waitara to give a lecture). He left the JRegiment a month ago to go back to a staff position. Cliff and the many boys you know here are all we'll.

Wonder if there is any chance of your posting a few pounds of butter over. It ■would be quite safe in an airtight tin. Never mind how salty it is made. Some of the boys have received it here, and Cliff and I would enjoy it very much. P.S. —While out on a stunt yesterday we were close to the" town of Gaza (this has inco been taken), population somewhere about I -believe. We could see the walls of the city, mosques, etc. This is the place where ■Samson of' old, the strong man, carried off the. gates of the city that held him prisoner; also here it was that he regained his strength and pulled down the pillars of the palace in which the Philistines were dancing and making merry, causing his and hundreds of the dancers' deaths. The Queen of Sheba lived somewhere in these parts, also Solomon had his most wonderful palace of palaces, ancient or modern. Here the Arabs plough with the old time wooden .plough, drawn by a camel or two cows, or even a camel and cow combined. They just scratch the soil for about three inches deep by about six inches wide. Under date March 21 the writer further says:-—Have jifst heard latest orders. At the end of the week—two days from now—we are going out on a five days' stunt and smack up. It may bo old news hy tilie time this reaches you whatever the rest may be. We are to carry two days' hard rations for ourselves and horses., the camels taking the other three days. (This, no doubt, was the march to Gaza where the troops were successful in taking that city).; Lance-Corporal Cliff Tate wrote a few lines at the same time and reported all well He also sent along another , batch of curios, a Turkish fastener, some pieces of armlets thai were taken from a Sheik's tept, a number of very ancient Egyptian coins, a Turkish one, and some rather nice pieces of stone from the shores of the Mediterranean; also an ancient horse shoo nail.