American vessels have been sunk and American lives lost, but these incidents have always been smoothed over under the name of diplomacy, thanks to the readiness of President Wilson to ask for and listen to explanations, and the prolific protestations, misrepresentations, and promises emanating from Berlin. Outwardly Germany has made some specious show of observing her pledge to the United States Government in reply to the specific threat from Washington that if she persisted in prosecuting relentless and indiscriminate warfare against vessels of commerce by the use of submarines the United States would break off diplomatic relations with her. Germany has cared little for the feelings of other neutral Powers, but she has been palpably reluctant to drive the United States to extremes, though sailing all the time as near the wind as the pusillanimous attitude of President Wilson would permit. But now Germany has deliberately thrown aside the mask so far as America is concerned, and thrown her pledges to the winds. She appears to have some hopes that the war will settle down to a great starvation match wherein submarines may play an important part in securing for her peace terms more favourable than she could otherwise hope from the Allies. That she is bent upon destroying as much of the world’s shipping as possible is seen in her cynical claim to have the right to sink British hospital ships, which she avers are used for the transport of munitions and troops.
• Mr C. H. Ensor, president of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, states that keas are more troublesome amongst the flocks on the Canterbury ranges now than they ever were before in his experience. He has known them to come into the yards and take toll of the sheep there. He estimates in one case that keas accounted for 50 sheep out of 4000, and he believes that, on the whole, they are doing more damage than the snow. His sheep are suffering from their baneful activities at Whiterock, St. James’s, and Snowdale. In some places shepherds and musterers use captive keas as call-birds. These, by their loud, hoarse cries, attract other keas, which soon come within range of guns. For these keas he pays 2s 6d a head, but for keas in other parts, where there is not continuous human habitation, and where call-birds are not used, he pays 10s a head.
• Close on a ton of black currants was taken from Simson’s garden, Queenstown, this summer.
The work of picking this fruit provided an avenue of employment for some Balclutha young ladies, visitors to the town. Quite unselfish motives prompted the ladies to undertake the work, the remuneration received being entirely devoted to Red Cross or Wounded Soldiers’ Funds. The gooseberries growing on the hills would in their season provide employment for idle hands and a good sum could be made for patriotic purposes.
• The story of the devotion of a sheep dog is related by a visitor from the Bay of Plenty district. Two years ago the owner of the animal left Whakatane for the front, leaving it to be cared for by friends. Every day since, the faithful animal has gone to meet the Opotiki coach in a vain search for his absent master. The daily journey of the dog is a source of great interest to the residents of the town and to visitors. — ODT, 3.2.1917.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
