MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1918, Page 3

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

EXCITING AFTERNOON IN WELLINGTON. PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT PEACE HAD BEEN'DECLARED. At about 1.15 p.m. on Saturday, when the greater part of tiie population of Wellington was at luncheon, the air was suddenly rent by a clamor of steamer whistles and sirens, which wore kept going at full blast for a good five minutes (says the Dominion). Most people naturally supposed that war news of very great- moment had been received, and within a few minutes the whole city was in a ferment of excitement. Every house seemed to empty its occupants into t.ie street, women were heard-to shout out. "Peace has come!" "It must be peace!" "Germany has surrendered!' Girls and women hugged one another with shining eyes. "Thank (Sod, it has come at last!" paid one woman. "They would not bt so cruel to allow such a row for anything loss than peace, surely!" People who had telephones rushed to their instruments, but found that there vzas little chance of getting any answer from "Central." There was little wonder in that, for at the exchange, nearly every shutter fell within a minute or two, and the staff had one of the liveliest half-hours on rc2ord answering the aclls. "What are tho whistles blowing frr" was the general querv, to which the "hollo" girls replied: "Don't Know," or "Haven't an ideal" Such replies did not encourage anyone to believe that the war had come to an end; that Turkey had capitulated; or even that the Kaiser was dead. It was all very disappointing Gradually the news spread that the clamor was an alarm mobilisation of the Coast Defence Forces, and execrations loud and deep were to be heard on every hand at the idea that the Defence authorities should play upon the credulity of the public in such a gianner. Even those who were not in the least excited conceded that "it was an extraordinary wr.y in which to summon men to duty, and the general opinion formed was thst when the good news so eagerly awaited does arrive—as it must sooner or later —no means are left; in which to notify the public, near and far. Rejoicings were held in some of the clubs in town and in some cases military men, who happened to he present, were inclined to believe that war news momentous and satisfactory must hav» been received to justify such a demo'ii- ! stration. And all it. was intended for was to hastily mobilise a few tram-cn loads of troops, who assembled at tuc eastern end of Courtcfoay Place, whence they were transported to the forts. The mobilisation was ordered by Colonel G. P. C. Campbell, Coast Defence Commander, nnd the assembly on uutv was inspected by Colonel C. M. Oi'r.hon. Chief of the General Staff. Colon'..! Campbell and Lieutenant-Colonel M. M. Gardiner, Inspector Coast Defences. The turn-out was considered to b:.< quite satisfactory, 7a per cent of tin. full strength of the Garrison..-.Winery Division being at their stations one hour and a quarter after the alarm.