They have, however, captured Bapaume. Refugees from the evacuated territory state that they were warned in ample time by the British, and that everything of value was removed. The British line, we are told, is everywhere intact, despite German claims to the contrary. Apparently the struggle that is taking place is as yet indecisive. One report mentions positions that changed hands more than once, and while fortunes fluctuate in this manner the German claims are probably premature. Prisoners state that the heaviest blows have yet to be struck, but this may be taken with more than a grain of salt. Meanwhile allied officers, men, and publicists, are calmly confident of the issue of the stupendous struggle now in progress, and the morale of the men is evidently all that could be desired.
Soldier settlers
The Prime Minister has received a communication from the Under-Secretary of Crown Lands that to March 19 a total of 634 soldiers had taken up land under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, the total area being 417,207 acres, the average of 660 acres indicating that a good number of the men have gone in for sheep farming. Settlement generally has been satisfactory, and considerable use has been made of the provisions under sections 3 and 4 of the Act, which enables the erection of cottages on holdings similarly to the provisions of the Workers' Homes Act. The chief difficulty of applying these provisions to the present has been the cost of building material, especially iron.
Chance encounter
In relating the splendid war service of New Zealand ladies at Home, the Rev. H. N. Roberts informed an audience at Woolston on Saturday night that on one occasion he came upon a huge motor car, with a pair of little legs sticking out from it. Knowing that there must be something attached to the legs, he made further investigation, and out wriggled a young lady in overalls, covered with grease and grime. She said, ``How do you do, Mr Roberts?'' and seeing the look of surprise which came over his face, she added: ``I used to play golf with you at Shirley.'' It was only then that, under her begrimed disguise, he recognised the daughter of a well-known and highly-respected citizen of Christchurch.
Reclaimed ground sale
The Harbour Board at its meeting yesterday decided to place on the market a large area of the reclaimed ground beyond the railway station and in the vicinity of the wharf. The area to be offered includes five blocks, which comprise in all over 60 sections of land. As a special inducement to purchasers, the board has agreed to offer the sections at a price equivalent to 25 percent below the rental fixed by the valuer.
Hawks and chickens
The predatory habits of hawks in regard to chickens are generally recognised, but that they will tackle full-grown poultry was exemplified on a Wakapuaka farm recently, when the farmer caught a hawk making off with a white Leghorn hen. A well-directed shot with a bullet caused the marauder to drop his prey and make off. The farmer got his gun and waited, and on the return of the hawk later had the satisfaction of ridding the farm of a most undesirable visitor. - ODT, 27.3.1918.
