Paris: The newspapers, commenting on the arrival of the Anzacs, pay a warm tribute to the bravery displayed by them hitherto.
Le Journal says: "There is not a finer title to glory in this war than theirs gained on Gallipoli. Their sacrifices proved vain, but they gained undying fame, and history will tell again and again the story of the great deeds of these improvised soldiers from the Antipodes, who struggled vainly to wrest the key of the Dardanelles. These brave men of Anzac are now to partake in our battles, and will find here brothers-in-arms worthy of them.''
A Highland officer states: "There is a consensus of opinion that the Australasians are the finest troops ever seen on the west front, and are the best clothed and equipped men to be found anywhere. They are big, strapping fellows, with no surplus fat, and they will play the Dickens with the Huns. They are well disciplined, though their discipline is not quite on the same lines as ours, being more elastic and better suiting the Anzac spirit of freedom.''
A photograph showing endless lines of Australians marching past General Joffre during his inspection has arrived in London. One untalkative Australian, when asked if Flanders was better than Gallipoli, replied: "Better? Why, you can get beer.''
•It is proposed to present, in the name of the people of Otago, a modern aeroplane as an Empire Day gift to the Imperial air flotilla. A similar project has been undertaken in Auckland, and it has, in fact, been suggested that each of the larger towns in New Zealand should make its own gift of an aeroplane to mark the anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria.
It is contemplated, however, that the "Otago'' biplane will, through the liberality of residents in the country as well as of the citizens of Dunedin, be a provincial gift.
The cost of a 100 h.p. Gnome-Vickers gun-mounted bi-plane, which is a superior type of machine, is 2250; and this is the sum which it is hoped to raise. Subscriptions to the fund may be sent to the office of this paper, and an acknowledgment of the sums received will be made through our columns. So far 697 has been raised.
•A special train bearing an unusual freight arrived at Oamaru on Saturday, its cargo consisting of 2000 cases of rabbits from Central Otago. Owing to want of ships to bear away frozen meat, all the refrigerating works are becoming so full of carcases awaiting shipment that it has been found impossible to receive rabbits.
Under the circumstances the only course available has been to utilise the freezing chambers of the dairy factories. The Taieri and Peninsula Company's freezing chamber at Dunedin has already been filled, and the large cargo that reached Oamaru on Saturday has gone into the freezing chamber of the company's local factory.
•Within the memory of the oldest settler no better autumn has ever been experienced in Southland. So mild has the weather been hereabouts (says the Clifden correspondent of the Riverton paper) that there is still a growth in the grass - the young clover coming through as if in spring time.
The gorse fences are beginning to flower a second time during the one season. The same is also to be noted in regard to the broom. In the fruit gardens the apple trees and currant bushes are again bursting into bud.
These will naturally receive a severe check when the frost comes along, and in consequence the fruit for next season's crop will be somewhat limited.
- ODT, 12.5.1916.
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