The enemy made a special effort to break our line, which they hoped had already been weakened by the attacks of infantry.
Our troops were subjected to the heaviest bombardment yet experienced.
This was followed by an assault by the First and Fourth Brigades of Prussian Guards, picked troops brought specially to act against us to force their way to the point where previous efforts of the infantry failed.
The attack was pressed with the greatest bravery and determination.
Owing to the gallantry of our troops and the splendid resistance against overwhelming odds the attempt to penetrate Ypres was repulsed.
The weight of the enemy's advance enabled them to break our line at three points, but the enemy were hurled back and prevented from gaining further ground.
Immense loss has been inflicted on the Germans.
Seven hundred dead were found behind the front trenches alone.
The casualties suffered by advancing against our line under a heavy enfilade of fire was enormous.
Our casualties were heavy.
During last week the general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company issued a circular to members of the company intimating that those who desire to volunteer for the front will be relieved of their duties on half-pay during the whole period of their absence abroad on military service.
This privilege will be extended to members of the clerical pursers', officers, and engineers' staffs, and those who leave on service will be provided with employment on their return.
The reasons for this action are that the present indications seem to show that success will only be achieved by the British arms after a prolonged struggle, and by a large accession of men in the field.
The circular concludes: ''On the issue now being fought out in Europe our future here depends.
"The call for men is urgent. It will without doubt be fully answered, and we trust that the conditions herein set out will remove the difficulty of any who, up to the present, may have been prevented, through financial reasons from responding.''
It is understood that a gratifying response has already been made by members of the company.
• At a very opportune time the New Zealand Sugar of Milk and Casein Company has, during the past few days, placed the first refined sugar of milk manufactured commercially in this country on the market, which, owing to the war, was practically bare of this product.
The company is to be congratulated on having achieved this in spite of many obstacles.
In view of the fact that most of the milk sugar which found its way into England and the Empire generally was manufactured in Europe, and as that source of supply to the Mother Country has been closed for some time, owing to the war, it is the intention of the company to extend the scope of its operations at the earliest opportunity.
The quality of the product being manufactured at Edendale (the company's refinery) is, we understand, of a very high quality.
The company hopes to be able to export its product in the course of a month or so, by which time New Zealand will be adequately supplied. - ODT, 16.11.1914
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
