He would not reach his twentieth birthday until October of next year. He had enlisted at the age of 16, leaving with the Fourteenth Reinforcements, and had seen 13 months’ service in France. His father and uncle had also been on active service, and while his father was in hospital in England the son had gone across on furlough. The authorities had then been informed that he was under age, and he had subsequently been sent back to New Zealand on duty. The father and uncle had also returned, and been discharged as unfit for further service. The mother was suffering from heart trouble, and the application was being made on her account, and because appellant wanted an opportunity to learn to earn his living. When he had enlisted he had just started work as an office boy. Even if he were sent back to England; said appellant, he would not be sent back to the front until he was 20 years of age. The board decided to grant leave until appellant’s nineteenth birthday, in October, when the application might be renewed.
Farewell social
Following their established custom, the members of the Otago and Southland Women’s Association last evening tendered a farewell social to the men of the Forty-third Reinforcement draft, which will leave for camp this morning. The gathering which was held in the Art Gallery Hall, was on similar lines to those observed in connection with past socials of farewell, and the proceedings throughout were entirely appropriate to the nature of the occasion.
Lower Clutha floods
The present winter has been an exceptionally fine one in the matter of weather (says our Balclutha correspondent), the first really wet spell being experienced during the latter end of last week. Heavy rain set in on Thursday, and continued practically without cessation until Saturday morning. Showers fell at frequent intervals on Saturday, but slackened off considerably during Sunday, and by Monday morning the weather had become fine, although exceedingly cold.
From Thursday evening until Sunday morning the ground quickly became water-logged, and several of the lower-lying portions of the town were transformed into miniature lakes. The various streams in the district rose rapidly. The Waitepeka River overflowed its banks at the bridge, and the road was submerged for about a chain. A considerable area of land in this locality was inundated. The Puerua River rose about 6ft on Friday, but receded quickly the following day. A considerable portion of the low-lying country was inundated.
Military home opening soon
Preparations for the opening of the Red Cross Convalescent Military Home are going forward steadily, and everything will be in readiness for the official opening on the 26th inst. On Thursday, June 27, the home will be open for inspection by the public between 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Arrangements have been made for a street collection and sale of produce from stalls on that day in aid of the home. — ODT, 18.6.1918.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
