He shelled our front line, searched the roads and battery positions, and bombarded the villages, in which many civilians are still clinging to their homes. Among the casualties was an old woman. A shell landed in her bedroom and blew off part of her leg and foot.
We were aware that the enemy had brought up against us the best part of a new reserve division, which had not been as yet in the great push, and his artillery preparation indicated that he was about to attack. At 9 o’clock his advancing troops were seen through the drizzling rain and mist, advancing from south of the Serre road on a front of 2000 yards. They probably overwhelmed some of our outposts, which were held by only a few men.
At first the enemy came on in parties of fours and fives. Immediately the New Zealand rifles rang out, and our machine guns began to stutter with deadly effect, and the German groups quickly melted away. These advance parties were followed by other waves, but they were met with withering fire, and nowhere did they get nearer than 200 yards to our trenches.
Not content with their machine gun and rifle fire, so eager were some of our men that they ‘‘topped the bags’’ and advanced to meet the foe in No Man’s Land. — Shrapnel.
Juvenile offenders
Three lads, aged 10, 11, and 14 years of age, who recently escaped from a home at Andersons Bay, and have been followed up by the police, who were guided by a number of cases of wanton damage and petty pilfering, were captured yesterday morning. On Sunday evening, it is alleged that they broke a pane of glass in Mackenzie’s shop in George street, and stole therefrom a number of articles, such as pens and pencils. Later in the evening they visited a bakery, into which they broke and stole some bread. They then went to Ravensbourne and made a raid upon Barclay’s store. It was here that Constable Mackenzie got upon their track and pursued them, whereupon they got away into the bush, followed by Constables Mackenzie, Parkhill, and O’Shea. Two out of the three were caught in the bush but the third made for the water-frontage beyond Ravensbourne and went the length of pretending to make a stand against Constable Mackenzie. Finally he plunged into the harbour and was caught by the constable when he had reached deep water and was going down. The three boys were taken to the police station, and will be brought before the magistrate this morning.
Mosgiel traffic problems
At the Mosgiel Borough Council meeting last night attention was drawn to the fact that motorists were breaking the borough by-laws regarding speed, lights, etc. It was resolved to draw the attention of the Otago Motor Club, local car owners who plied for hire, and the local police to the matter. Only yesterday a car was driven up Gordon road at a speed not much short of 60 miles an hour. The glaring lights on motors prove a menace to ordinary traffic. Signboards have been placed at various points, and the town is well marked for the guidance of motorists as to speed. The nuisance of cycling on footpaths and riding bicycles without lights at night was also commented on. — ODT, 9.4.18
