Stories of plans and sketches being in their possession got about, and their movements were watched by an interested few.
That the husband possessed a German uniform there was no doubt, as he occasionally spread it about the furniture of the hotel to air.
He spent some time in the district, fishing and deer stalking, and eventually departed for the homeland.
About 18 months afterwards he and his wife returned to Temuka and purchased a small station at Cannington, and took up his residence in the borough of Temuka.
Soon after his second arrival he expressed the opinion that war between Germany and other powers was imminent, and his reason for disposing of his estates in Saxony and coming to New Zealand was that he appreciated the British freedom as against the system of military serfdom in Germany.
After the war broke out rumours were spread about this man - to the effect that he was seen at early hours of the morning on Milford Beach, that lights were seen on his Cannington estate, and so on.
As the war progressed, the advisability of removing this man, Kurtzell by name, was discussed by the citizens, and eventually he was removed to Somes Island.
His estates having been sold, with his livestock and other property, he was permitted to return to Temuka several times to sign papers and clear up his affairs, but the last stay has extended for a few weeks.
The residents, again thinking his presence a menace to the peace of the district, and possibly to his own welfare, communicated with the Prime Minister, and Kurtzell went north by the second express.
• Writing to his friends in the dominion, a New Zealander of high military rank now in France says: "I have been out all day picking up the lay of the land and seeing that the men are comfortable. They are all quite happy, billeted about the farms. The Taranaki men, appropriately enough, are mostly in lofts above the cows, and get quite keen at milking time. A lot of the men are helping about the farms.''
• At a combined gathering of Methodists, held in Trinity Church last evening, the chairman (the Rev. S. Griffith) introduced the matter of the 6 o'clock closing of hotel bars, and said he would ask the Rev. C. Eaton to propose a resolution which would be telegraphed in the name of Christ to Parliament now assembled.
Mr Eaton then moved as follows:- "That this gathering, representing the Methodist churches of Dunedin and suburbs, in view of the strong public opinion in its favour, urges the Government to take immediate steps to bring into force legislation for the closing of hotel bars at 6 o'clock, as a measure essential to economy and efficiency, and the playing of a worthy part in the present great crisis.''
The motion was carried unanimously.
• The difficulty of getting apprentices to some industries was referred to by the Hon. J. Barr at Tuesday's sitting of the Arbitration Court at Christchurch.
Mr Barr remarked that many boys drifted into shops, lawyers' offices, drapery establishments, etc., and this tendency had its roots in a non-appreciation of the dignity and nobility of manual labour.
Mr Justice Stringer expressed concurrence with Mr Barr's sentiment, whereupon the latter remarked that people must be taught that all honest labour was noble - even ditch-digging.
• The new aeroplane constructed locally by Messrs Walsh Bros., and Dexter at Kohimarama Flying School, was out last Saturday for its first flight, Mr V. Walsh being pilot.
The Roberts engine developed great power, and the machine attained a high rate of speed.
At times the Curtis aeroplane and the new machine were out over the harbour together, and their evolutions were watched with considerable interest.
The pupils who are qualifying for certificates under the Government scheme for sending New Zealand airmen Home are making excellent progress. - ODT, 16.6.1916.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
