MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1918, Page 6

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE VICTORIA CROSS. AWARDED TO A NEW ZEALANDER, LoniJcn, Oct. 22. The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Sergeant Samuel Forsyth, of the X«w Zealand Engineers, for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. In an attack which was nearing its objective Forsyth and his company came under heavy machine-gun fireThrough his .dashing leadership and total disregard of danger three machinegun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoner before t'iiey could inflict many casualties.

During the subsequent advance Forsyth and his company came under the heavy fire of several machine-guns, of which he located two by a daring reconnaissance. In an endeavor to gain support from a tank Forsyth was wounded, but in the face of very heavy fire he endeavored to lend the tank to a favorable position. The tank was, however, put out of action. Forsyth then organised the tank erew and several of his men and led them to a position where the machine-gunners could be outflanked, and always under fire, brought about the retirement of the macliineguns and enabled the British advance to continue.

At this moment a sniper killed Forsyth. Throughout his courage, coolness, and great powers of initiative proved an invaluable incentive to all and saved many casualties.—Aus-N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

BRITISH EMPIRE METALS. London, Oct. 23. The Morning Post understands that negotiations are proceeding for the formation of a purely British company with an authorised capital of five millions to carry on the business connected with winning, treating, and disposing of metals within the Empire, principally copper, tin, lead, and antimony.—Aus.NZ. Cable Assoc.