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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
May 29, 1917
Page
5
Flooding across Balclutha, Stirling, Otanomomo and Inchenlatha floods farms and rail lines. Barnego and Riverside lose hundreds of sheep and cattle. families shelter on roofs as banks burst. Rail bans and rescue boats aid isolated residents, with weather remaining unsettled.
Advices from several parts of the province say floodwaters are rapidly receding and danger of further damage is past. Losses of stock in back country are mentioned, but overall damage is not extensive. Railway communication has been restored on some branch lines and is to be fully restored tomorrow. heavy rainfall is confined to back-country.
Gore received another daytime flood when the Mataura river rose quickly after 4 am. Shops and offices flooded up to their ground floors while tradesmen moved goods to safety. The town’s light and power failed, but damage was slight compared with 1913. River fell in the morning as up-country reports noted rapid decline.
Hood waters fell last night with water in shops up to 16 inches deep while some shops remained eight inches under. Families found shelter in the Free Public Library as cleaning begins and stock losses are feared, especially near Mataura River.
Washington reports President Hoover stresses higher wheat output to secure a minimum bread ration for the Allies. He notes 250 million bushels of other cereals are required and that Russia, Romania, Argentina, and Bulgaria are cut off, with Australia and India limited by shipping. Australia could aid via Panama and Buenos Aires routes.
Alfred William Coleman a coal miner from the West Coast who was convicted last month of inciting to a seditious strike at Fairfield appeared for sentence. He had been working since and the Crown left sentencing to the court. The magistrate postponed final penalty and ordered Coleman to return for sentence when called.
The board met this morning with chairman Tucker and members Reid Christian Lill and others. They noted a general account credit of £250 7s 4d and a loan balance of £6000, plus confirmation of accepting a Department of Agriculture lease offer for Ashburton station at £198 15s 4d yearly. The National Efficiency Board urged utilizing senior pupils on farms during holidays to aid labour shortages, and the headmaster will handle replies. The girls hostel plan was approved with Mrs Simpson's Grey Street house leased until 1918 with option to purchase. Building repairs were ordered for rainwater ingress, and a visiting committee was appointed. Accounts of £258 6s 5d were approved for payment.
In Christchurch on a route to Wellington, the Acting-Prime Minister disputed claims Britain bars men aged 44 and 45. He said New Zealand does not take such men unless fit and that England would not send them to France. Sir James Allen discussed medically unfit camp dismissals, noting leave without pay and pension options via standard boards. He denied plans to retire from politics despite aging.
The Hamilton taxi driver case surfaced with Robert Jasper Crago accused of assaulting Edward Henry Peebles and stealing a bicycle and clothes. Clarence Kelly and the prisoner escaped from custody before expiry. Crago pleaded guilty to theft and was convicted. other charges were entered not guilty and a jury trial was requested. Trial set for June 5.
A United Press report says Japan plans sending a large force to the Russian front while American troops may deploy to France. Sir Douglas Haig reports repulsing raiders near Cherisy Lens Armentieres Wrytschaete and seizing prisoners.
May 28 Sydney report says the Full Court refused the appeal of Lord Mayor R. D. Meagher for reinstatement on the solicitors' roll. The case drew wide interest given his multiple appeals since being struck off in 1896.
The Wellington roll lists soldiers with wounds reported and statuses including dead on arrival Sergeant Pope A and Private Braid 8 among others. It records names of privates riflemen and corporals, notes wounded embarked for England and those remaining with units, and includes MAGRI CONTINGENT entries with Mika W and Pawata R among personnel.
Washington reports an authoritative source states that Japan will dispatch armies to the Russian front as part of wartime support. The bulletin is dated May 28 from Washington and relayed via Reuters telegram.
Melbourne May 28 The Food Commissioner reports a butter census showing sufficient first trade butter to meet requirements until spring, removing the need for imports.
A May 28 dispatch reports the Red Cross Council investigating charges against the Greek Queen for allegedly refusing to aid wounded Venezelists. In Madrid a May 28 Liberal rally drew twenty thousand to express Entente sympathy amid government resistance to ban the demonstration.
Senator G F Pearce appeals to the government for 5000 recruits immediate replacement of 5000 First Division survivors still fighting. He says they ought to be here on furlough to return to Australia, urging consideration of his suggestion.
London reports German submarines are active against Irish fishing fleets along the south and southeast coasts. Many fishing boats have been sunk, with further losses feared as the campaign continues.
German declaration warns that all Irish fishing boats will be sunk within a month and that coast villages will be shelled. The notice was received on May 29 at 12 55 p m. The report notes German threats targeting Irish maritime towns and fishing fleet.
The tally to the start of May lists Dead 2,106 Wounded 15 85 Missing 102. The wounded figure excludes those who returned to trenches from September 1916 to February 1917.
Wellington May 28 A War Regulations amendment extends protection to officers warrant officers non commissioned officers or men of the expeditionary force under the Expeditionary Forces Act 1915. Protection applies to those in receipt of military pay or those who have served two months in the force.
A Wellington list shows many named soldiers listed as severe cases including Monson P Captain Alexander J Corporal Anderson R W Trooper Atinson L and several others with ranks such as Private, Sergeant, Sapper, Driver. The scattered OCR reads include numerous misspellings and partial names, indicating a wartime hospital bulletin with multiple service members reported in critical condition.
Mr G F Inglis of the Otago Daily Times reporting staff has accepted a post as publicity agent for the Y M C A. W K Watson leaves Ashburton to represent the Ashburton Co operative Dairy Company at the South Island Dairy Association Conference in Dunedin. The induction of Rev T Todd into St Johns Presbyterian Church Lyttelton occurred Thursday with a large congregation and interim Moderator Rev John Paterson presiding. Miss A Pollock-Smith of Carew reports her brother Private T P Smith badly burned in a German dugout explosion but improving as expected.
The British Admiralty announces a group of experts joining Sir Eric Geddes department. General Collard will oversee construction and purchase of merchant ships and transports, while Sir Vincent Raven will focus on strengthening manufacturing power and related details.
London reports the Japanese ambassador says the war strengthened international bonds and comradeship in arms. He notes Japan's sweep of German naval forces from the Pacific and Indian Oceans and battles against Mediterranean pirates.
May 29 report from Sydney notes Minister G. A. Beeby weighing a plan to unite all shipbuilding unions into a single group with no work demarcation. Each worker would receive a guaranteed living wage during slack periods until reemployed.
Melbourne news notes that married men accounted for 17 percent of total enlistments while single men under 21 made up 14 percent. The report is dated May 29 and was received at 11 15 a.m.
A General Headquarters dispatch dated May 29 describes Folkestone as the target of a recent air raid. The report identifies Folkestone’s gunport, watching-place status, and coastal position 7.5 miles from Dover and 743 miles east-southeast of London. It notes railway and steam packet links and a fishing harbour serving herring and mackerel fleets amid a 40,000 population.
The Government Meteorologist warns of south easterly winds strong to gale at times and continuing cold showery weather. Rain in Ashburton yesterday totals 2.31 inches with 44 points after nine a.m. No frost at Domain station and Mayfield reports heavy rain Sunday night easing Monday.
News from Melbourne reports a heavy loss in Sheep Hills where seven tons of sheep were killed in a single night. Authorities note a plague of mice affecting the region and causing substantial damage to livestock.
Messrs Wilkie and Co stationers Punedin issue a new war map showing the Western battle front from Rheims to Belfort. Available at all booksellers it marks all localities where fighting has occurred or is in progress. Akaroa offers daily motor service from Christchurch at 25s return with tariff for returned soldiers.
The Federal Committee of the British Medical Association seeks government approval to conscript doctors for service abroad if three quarters of the association vote in favor in the current referendum. The proposal was received May 29.
Gishorne May 28 Ralph Hale aged 14 fatally shot with a pedal rifle at Mangakuna Bay. A Native boy, shrinking, unloaded the rifle and shot Hale in the head. At the inquest a verdict of death by misadventure was returned.
Amsterdam dispatch reports official notice that Germany will shortly seize bronze and brass house fittings, the seizure described as unavoidable. The announcement was received May 29 at 10 a.m. local time.
Fragments indicate a children's product claim backing a peppermint cure for cough relief. Text shows marketing language with prices and product hints but lacks clear efficacy or clinical backing.
In Wellington on May 2 the eighth ballot proceeds with 8545 names to be drawn. The Thirty-second Reinforcements face a 1898 shortage, the largest yet, while voluntary districts total only 379 recruits nationwide. Canterbury districts provide 17 recruits, West Coast funding noted. First Division has enough men for three more ballots, exhausting in 12 weeks, prompting home service re examinations and exemption revisions before the Second Division draw.
The remedy for croup is Chamberlains Cough Remedy. It is popular in homes, safe and harmless, and widely sold. Parents of young children should keep a bottle, especially in dry cold weather when croup is most prevalent.
May 27 dispatch reports further Allied gains near Fontaine les Croiselles and the Coreuil River. Four enemy planes were shot down and four Allied aircraft are missing. A May 28 update from French HQ describes three weeks of stubborn defense on the Californias Plateau and its strategic importance for controlling eastern crest lines overlooking the Aisne and Arlette valleys.
In the Champagne area on May 28 the enemy launched two attacks on Teton and penetrated lines before being driven back. A third assault near Casque was broken. Heavy artillery action characterized the sector with ongoing bombardment and counterbattery activity.
A huge London demonstration features 12 platforms with resolutions praising workers for backing the war effort and liberty. Lloyd George and Labour Minister J Hodge send appreciative letters as marchers gather at the French Embassy and await Allied leaders’ responses.
London May 28 The Northern Counties Weavers Society with 200000 members accepted employers offer of a 10 percent wage rise starting July. Earlier a message said the union would suspend work on May 26 if a 20 percent increase was not conceded, signaling a threatened strike that was averted.
Government plans to buy large autumn surplus meat and store carcases in cold storage to conserve the winter meat supply.
London dispatch reports Ambassador W B Page announced an American mission is en route to discuss the transportation problem. He stated the preliminary expeditionary force would soon land in France to assist the Allied effort.
London dispatch reports Italian newspapers praising the right wing attack as forces reach the foot of Hermada Hill near Hermada Hill described as 1000 feet high with steep slopes and four castle like summits. emphasis on the offensive success and terrain.
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