When the time came for departure there was a keen contest for the honour of being the last to leave.
The following paragraph from the Wellingtonian (Wellington College Magazine) apparently settles the question: "Most of us remember Captain Guy Powles, who is an Old Boy, and was, before the war, our area officer,'' states the Wellingtonian.
"He went away with the Main Body, and after being promoted major, has now reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Great as this distinction is, we have something to be still prouder of. When the heroic Anzacs reluctantly evacuated their hard-won positions at Gallipoli, Lieutenant-colonel Powles was in command of the last 34 men to leave Anzac. He himself was the last man to step off the shore into the boat.''
Lieutenant-colonel Powles, who is a son of Mr C. P. Powles, was in the Birthday Honours list for the D. S. O.
• Another advance was made last week in the price of rabbits which are now selling at 6d per pair.
Prior to this month last year the price was only 4d, and at the beginning of June it was raised to 5d.
To give some idea of the extent of the rabbit industry in the Roxburgh district it may be stated that under ordinary circumstances the average daily output of rabbits numbers from 5000 to 6000.
But on account of the disorganisation in shipping and the consequent shortage of space in the freezers the average this season has been considerably reduced.
• The Otira Gorge Hotel was burned to the ground.
A strong wind was blowing at the time, and the building, being of wood and fairly old, was soon destroyed.
Practically nothing was saved, and the inmates escaped only in their night dress.
The licensee, Mr James Boban, is a heavy loser.
The building, the property of Mr D. Moynihan, was insured for £500, but there was no cover on the stock or furniture.
• A despatch from Aberdeen (Washington) on April 21, to the San Francisco Chronicle says:- "What is believed to be a record passage from New Zealand to the North Pacific was completed here last night by the schooner Golden Shore, 51 days from Wanganui. Captain 'Fairweather' O. T. Olsen, formerly of the schooner Alumni, is in command of the Golden Shore. He is well known for fast trips, and because of his many fast passages gained the title among shipping men of ‘Fairweather' Olsen. The Golden Shore will undergo repairs, and then ship to Willapa Harbour to load.''- ODT, 10.6.1916.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
