Abergavenny Chronicle

SPLENDID WORK OF OUR AIRMEN IN FRANCE. MANY ENEMY PLANES DOWN. The following reports from Sir Douglas Haig have beem issued by the Preea Bureau:— Saturday, 10.40 a.m. A successful raid was carried out by Lan- cashire troops early last night in the neigh- bourhood of the Ypres-Staden railway. Eleven prisoners were taken by our troops, and our own casualties were slight. Hostile artillery has bpcn active in the course of the night north of Lens and opposite La Basseo and Wyteehaetfv Saturday, 9.5 p.m. Raids carried out by the enemy at dawn this morning in the neighbourhood of La Vaquerie and CherLsy led to sharp fighting, in which a number of casualties were in- flicted on the hostile parties, A few of our men are taiasing. The enemy's artillery haa keen more active to-day in a number of eec- tore, particularly south-west of Cambrai, BMtih and north of Less, and in the neigh- bourhood of Passehendaele. On the 15th inst. the weather was again Overcast and misty, but our aeroplanes car- ried out several reconnaissances. A few bombs were dropped and machine-gun fire was opened on the enemy's trenches and on various other targets behind his lines. Last night our machines dropped bombs on Menin lanway station aud sidings, and on hostile aerodromes and billets. One German machine landed intact behind our lines, and its occupants were taken prisoners. All our machines returned. Sunday, 9.43 a.m. A few prisoners were brought in by our patrols during the night north-east of Hargi- court. Except for some hostile artillery ac- tivity in the neighbourhood of Passehendaele tivity_ is nothing further of special interœt to report. Headquarters (France), Sunday, 9.35 p.m. Early this morning the enemy raided one of our posts west of La. Bassoo. Hiree of our men are missing. Another raid attempted by the enemy in the neighbourhood of Poclcappelle was suc- cessfully repulsed, leaving prisoners in our hands and a number of German dead on our wire. Hostile artillery has been somewhat more active than usual during the day in the St. Quentin, Lens, aud hmentières sectors, and also north-east of Tprcs. FIGHTING IN THE AIR. I Oh the 16th inst. the weather was very fine and visibility good. Our aeroplanes car- tied out observation for the artillery all day, and took photographs of the enemy 's rear lines and aerodromes. Hostile billets, rail- way stations, and troops, were bombed and engaged with machiiie-gun fire throughout the day. A large-calibre German gun was also bombed, and in the course of the day over 5i tone of bombs were dropped by us on different targets. Fighting machines on both sides were most active, and frequent attacks were made by the enemy on our bombing, photographic, and artillery machines. In air fighting fourteen German machines I were brougnt down, and seven others were driven down out of control. Our anti-air- craft guns shot down two other hostile machines, one of them being a large bomb- ing machine, which carried four men. This latter machine fell in our lines, and its four occupants were taken prisoners. Another German aeroplane, making tho sevente-enth accounted for during the day, in addition to those driven down out of con- trol, landed near one of our aerodromes, and ite occupants were also taken prisoners. Five of our aeroplanes are- missing. During the night of the 16th-17th inst. our machines dropped 400 bombs on hostile aerodromes in the neighbourhood of Ghent, Tournai, and Laon. The railway station and sidings at Conflans (fifteen miles west of Metz) were also successfully bombed from a low height, bursts being observed in the eidinga. An our machines returned. ENEMY RAID REPULSED. Monday, 10.4 a.m. A lwstile raiding party was driven off during the night by one of our posts in the neighbourhood, of Gavrelle. A few pfisoners were taken by Portugue-se troops in the neighbourhood of Neuve Chapelie. Patrol encounters, in which the enemy euSered casualties, took place also early in the night in the Messincs sector. The enemy's artillery has shown some activity south of the Arras-Cambrai road and north of Lens, and in the neighbour- hood of Zonnebeke. Monday. 9.57 p.m. During the night a party of the enemy at- tempted to raid one of our posts east of Epehy, but was driven off by our rifle and machine-gun fire. Hostile artillery has been active south- west of Camhrai in the neighbourhood of Ar- mentieres, and also south-east and north. east of Ypres.

PRISON FOR EX-M.P. At Bo'.v-otreet Police-court on Saturday, Sir John Dickinson resumed the hearing of the three summonses against Mr. Arnold Lupton for being in possession of leaflets, for aiding and abetting the printing of them without the printer's address, and for publishing and disposing of them. S. H. Street, a Streatham printer, was summoned for printing and publishing them, without his name and address appearing on them. According to the prosecution the leaflet con- tained matter that was "wicked and mis- chievous." The magistrate fined Street £ 52 10s. and ten guineas co^ts on the first summons, and X10 and five guineas costs on the second. Lupton was sentenced to six months impri- sonment in the second division. Notice of appeal was given.

NO NEW RETAIL SHOPS. The Ministry of National Service an. nounces an Order under the Defence of the Realm Regulations which came into force on Monday. The effect is that no new retail trade or business, or new branch of any existing retail trade or busines6 may be established unless a licence has been obtained from the Minister of National Service. The expression "new" Eens established after the date of the cr" 71, and "new branch" means opening at aiises not pre- viously used by the retail- or such purpose or setting up a line or department not pre- viously carried on by the retailer.

MORE WOMEN WORKERS. The official "Labour Gazette" states that it is calculated that 700,000 women are now employed cn munitions work and 650,000 on other industrial Government work. There are now d0,000 engaged on work for Govern- ment in commercial occupations and trans- port. Over 1,413,000 men have been directly replaced by women.

MUNITIONS MINISTRY CHANGES. Sir William Weir has be^n appointed a member of the Munitions Council in charge of aircraft production, at the same time re- taining hid position on the Air Council. Sir Herbert Hambling has vacated the office of member of the Council in charge of finance.

Charlie, the pet seagull of the Bishop ot Ely, who had been a feature of the palace garden for the past twenty-six years, has just died at the age of thirty-five. The Australian Administrative Headquar- ters, London, state that while it is not the policy of the Administration to encourage the marriage of Australian soldiers outside Australia, every possible assistance has alwavs and will always be given to persons interested who desire" to ascertain the bona fides of Australian soldiers who contemplate marriage in the United Kingdom. The address of the headquarters is: 130, Horse- lerry-road, Westminster, London, S.W. 1.

GERMAN AIRMEN FOLLOW LINE OF RIVER. I GOTHA BROUGHT DOWN. I On Sunday morning the following state- ment was issued by Lord French, Com- mander-in-Chief of the Home Forces:— About half-a-dozen enemy aeroplanes made the mouth of the Thames about 9.45 p.m. last night, and carried out an attack against London. All were turned back save one machine, which penetrated into the capital along the line of tho river, and dropped a single bomb in the south-west dis- trict about ten p.m. This bomb demolished a house, and buried an invalided olffoer, his wife, and two chil- dren. Several other bombs were dropped by the raider in the eastern outskirts on its way in, but no serious casualties or damage are reported. An attack which was delivered againat Dover about 10.45 p.m. was driven off, some bombs being dropped in open country. Several of our pilots engaged the enemy. One of them fought an action over the Kent coaet, and shortly afterwards a large enemy maehine was peen from the shore to crash into the sea. Police reports of casualties and damage have net yet been received, but are appa- rently light. OFFICER'S FAMILY BURM). I The single bomb which was dropped on London hit an old and substantially-built house in the grounds of a charitable institu- tion, occupied by an invalided officer and hia wife, their five children, and the officer's sister, who, it is believed, were downstairs. The house was demolished. An adjoining one-storey building was partially wrecked, but in that instance the residents had gone to a local dug-out, and so escaped. I SUNDAY NIGHT. I There was another raid on Sunday night. The following early report was issued:— Hostile aeroplanes came in over the Thames estuary shortly after 10 p.m., and proceeded towards London. Some bombs have been dropped in the capital. The raid is still in progress. THE CASUALTIES. I On Monday morning the following com- munique was issued: Last night's air raid appears to have been carried out by six or seven enemy aero- planes, of which only one penetrated into London. The first raider passed the Isle of Thenet about 9.45 p.m., and proceeded up the Thames eetuary into London, crossing the capital from south -east to north-west. Bombs were dropped in various districts be- tween 10.40 and 10.55 p.m. The remaining raiders, which attempted to reach London from the north-east across E«veex or from the east along the line of the River Thames, were all turned back. This was supplemented in the afternoon by the statement below: The casualties caused by last night's aero- plane raid were: Killed.—13 men; 3 women. Total 16. Injured.-27 men; 10 women. Total 37. The Press Bureau states that: The total casualties caused by the aero- plane raid on Saturday night, February 16-17, were: Killed.—3 men: 5 women; 3 children. Total 11. Injured.—1 man; 3 children. Total 4. RAIDERS BEATEN OFF. I Another attempt was made by enemy air. men on Monday night, but they failed to penetrate the London defences. Lord French's communique, dated at midnight, stated Hostile aircraft crossed the coast of Essex shortly after nine o'clock to-night, and pro- ceeded towards London. None of the raiders penetrated the de- fences, and so far no damage or casualties have been reported. KILLED IN AN ARCHWAY. f Two bombs dropped in Sunday nig ht a raid struck the upper part of a hotel within a few yards of each other, and fell close be- side it. but beyond throwing down some ornamental stonework and (shattering many windows they did very little damage to the structure. A lady who was in the building died during the night from shock, but none of the other occupants received any injury. A number of people had gathered in an archwav close to where the bombs fell, either for shelter or to watch the raid, and the ex- plosion caused havoc among them, several being killed, while others were badly in- jured. Two girls employed in the hotel went out- side to see the shells bursting, and were amongst those killed.

EDITOR FINED £100. I At Bow-street Police-court on Saturday, Mr. West F. de Wend Fenton, editor of the "World," was fined £100 and 10 guineas costs for publishing information that night be useful to the enemy. Prosecuting, Sir A. Bodkin said that the paragraph com- plained of was mainly composed of a confi- dential notice from the Press Bureau. No doubt defendant read an article by Colonel Repington in the "Morning Post," and then must have referred to the official notice is- sued by the Bureau which had been received by him. Mr. Travers Humphreys expressed regret tli at through inadvertence, his client had contravened the provisions of an admitted 6alutory Order, and he apologised.

I CONFIDED IN DETECTIVE. I Detective Rutherford, whilst standing at I King's Cross Station, was accosted bv a man who asked for a light. They got mto con- versation and walked together. On the way the man said, "I'm very near on the rocks, and I am out to do a burst." He described his last "burst," and said, "I can get rid of cigars, clothes, and jewellery, but it's too quiet here. It would be all right if there was a fog." The detective then arrested him, and he was sent to gaol for a month at Clerkenwell Police-court on Saturday.

LADY DALMENY FINED. I At Northampton Police-court on Saturday, Ladv Delmenv was summone d for a breach of the Petrol Restriction Order. She was stopped when motoring into Northampton, and told the police-officer she was taking a saddle into Northampton to despatch to a friend at Leighton Buzzard. She offered to go back, and did so. The Bench considered there was a technical offence, and imposed a. fine of one guinea. ————— ——————

I SOLDIER'S DISTRESSING ACCIDENT. I An accident of a particularly distressing character has occurred to an "H.E. private named Charles Edwards, of Blackwood. Edwards lost the sight of one eve in the I war, and while spending a furlough at home lost his way in the darkness, i 0 He walked into some iron railings in the darkness. One of the spikes entered his re- maining eye and destroyed the sight.

The Metropole Hotel, Bradford, with a warehouse and other adjoining premises, have been bought on behalf of the Young Men's Christian Association, to serve as a war memorial. Surrey Appeal Tribunal has upheld the :eal of the military representative against the conditional exemption granted to G. Schumacher (36), Clans A, secretary to Sir k. K. Rollit, chairman of the Inspection Committee of the Trustees of Savings Banks. Sir Albert t3aid without him he would have to seriously consider resigning the chairman- ship of the Inspection Committee on account of his age. Leave to appeal was refused.

—— DESTROYER'S FIGHT WITH THREE ENEMY CRUISERS. The following account of the action in the North Sea last October, in which the British destroyer Mary Rose attempted to defend the convoy committed to her charge, ie compiled from oSicial 5OUICe6 His MajesY'6 ship Mary Rose left a Norwegian port in chargo of a west-bound convoy of r,,rch?.t ships in the afternoon of October 16. At dawn on the 17th flashes of gunfire were sighted astern. The captain of the Mary Rose, Lieutenant-Commander Charles Fox, who was on the bridge at the time, re- marked that he supposed it was a submarine shelling the convoy, and promptly turned hia ship to investigate; all hands were called to action stations. Mary Rose had increased to full apeed, and in a short time three light cruisers were sighted coming towards them at high speed out of the morning mist. Mary Rose promptly challenged, and, receiving no reply, opened fire with every gun that would bear, at a rango of about four miles. The German light cruisers appeared to have been nonplussed by thia determined single- ,handed onslaught, as they did not return .the fire until the range had closed to three miles. They then opened fire, and the Mary Rose ifeld gallantly on through a barrage of bursting shell, until only a mile separated her from the ëneniy. Up to this point the German marksmanship was poor, but as the British destroyer turned to bring her tor- pedo-tubes to bear, a salvo struck her, burst- in in the engine-room and leaving her dis- abled, a log on the water. All guns, with the exoeption of the after one, were out of action, and her crews killed or wounded; but fthe after gun continued in action under the directions of Sub-Lieun'ant Marsh. R.N.V.R.. 38 long as the gun would bear. The captain came down from the wrecked bridge and passed aft, encouraging and cheering his deafened men. He stopped be- side the wrecked remains of the midship gun and shouted to the survivors of its crew i "God bless my heart, 1008, get her going again, we're not don" yeUn get her enemy were now pouring a concentrated fire into the motionless vessel. One of the boilers, struck by a shell, exploded, and through the inferno of escaping steam, smoke, and the vapour of bursting shell, came that familiar, cheery voice: "We're not done yet." WITH COLOURS FLYING. I As the German light cruisers sped past. two able seamen (Able Seaman French and Able Seaman Bailey), who alone survived among the torpedo-ftubes' crews, on their own initiative laid and fired the remaining tor- pedo. Able Seaman French was killed im« mediately, and Able Seaman Bailey badly wounded. Realising that the enemy had passed ahead, and that the 4in. gun could no longer be brought to bear on them, the captain wept below and set about destroying hia cyphers. The First-Lieutenant (Lieu- tenant Bavin), seeing one of the light cruisers returning towards them, called the gunner (Mr. Handoock). and bade him sink the ship. The captain then came on deck and gave the order "Abandon ship." All the boata had been' shattered by shell-fire at their davits, but the survivors launched a Carley raft and paddled clear of the ship. The German light cruiser detailed to nd. minister the coup-de-grace then approached to within 300 yards, and poured a succes- sion of salvoes into the already riddled hull. The Mary Rose sank at 7.15 a.m.. with colours flying. A CHEERFUL SURVIVOR. I The captain, first-lieutenant, and gunner were loot with the ship, but the handful of survivors, in charge of Sub-Lieutenant J. R. D. Freeman, R.N., on the Carley raft, fell in some hours later with a lifeboat be- loning to one of the ships of the convoy. Sai rinIT and rowing they made the Norwe- gian coast some forty-eight hours later, and were tended with the utmost kindness by the Norwegian authorities. All survivors unite in testifying to the cheerful courage of the senior surviving officer, Sub-Lieutenaut Freeman, throughout the last phase of this ordeal. Able Seaman Bailey, who, despite sovere shrapnel wounds in the leg, persisted in taking hia iturn at the oar, is also speci- ally mentioned for an invincible light- heartedness throughout. Unhappily, there is no record of what was in the mind of the captain when he made that single-handed dash in the face of such preposterous odds. The convoy which was m his charge lay ahead of him, and, as he apparently supposed, was being attacked by the gunfire of a hostile submarine. When, on rushing to the rescue, he realised that it was to meet not a submarine but three of Germany's newest and fastest light cruisers, it is conceivable that the original intention of rescue was not supplanted in his mind by considerations of higher strategy. He held on unflinchingly, and he died, leaving to the annals of his Service an episode not less glorious than that in which Sir Richard Greville perished.

THE GOVERNMENTS RECORD. f In the courso of a reply to Mr. Herbert Samuel, who, in the House of Commons on Wednesday, criticised the Government's re- cord, Mr. Bonar Law gave the following figures showing the actual work done by the Government during 1917:- ( 820,645 more men passed into the Army- 731.000 men and 804,000 women placed ia industrial employment- 1,000.000 additional acres brought into cultivation. 850,000 additional tons of cereals pro- duced. 3,000,000 additional tons of pota-toea grown. Number of guns in France increased b, 30 per ocnt. Supply of airplanes multiplied two and a-half times.

MORE MEN FOR SHIPBUILDING. I Answering Mr. Alden, in the Rouse of Commons, Dr. Macnamara said that arrange- ments had been made whereby some 20,000 men in the Army suitable for shipbuilding work would be made available for work in shipbuilding yards. It was anticipated that they would become available at the rate of 1.000 per week during the latter half of this month.

LORD FOLEY DEAD. I Lord Foley, sixth baron, has died at fris residence, Ruxley Lodge, Claygate, Surrey, at the age of sixty-five. Lord Foley was a bachclor. and the barony passes to his cousin, Gerald Henry Foley, who was until recently a second lieutenant in the R.F.C., an accident while flying incapaci- tating him from further service.

PREMIER A GRANDFATHER. I Mr. Lloyd George has become grandfather. Mrs. Richard Lloyd George, wife of Major Richard Lloyd George, the Premier's eldest son, has given birth to a daughter at Cric- cieth. Mother and child are doing well.

A CHINESE CUSTOM. I It is a custom in China to invite a depart- ing migistrate whose rule has been popular to leave a pair of old boots for suspension in a prominent place as a hint to his suc- cessor to follow in his footsteps. It is a considerable honour to be asked to leave these boots and the people make the request all the more eagerly because they believe in the efficacy of the hint.

Captain Ian Ure, a nephew of Lfcrd Strathclyde, has been killed in action. Harrogate Corporation has decided to .re- name its Kursaal as "the Royal Hall." Dr. Waldo, the City of London coroner, has investigated sixty-eight street fatalities during the past twelve months. Lord Kennedy, chairman of the Scottish Land Court, has died in Edinburgh, aged Bixtv--three. Mr. Adamson, M.P., has been re-elected chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Pa.

Pruning Clematis Jackmani.-Prune th< varieties of this valuable Clematis, which in addition to the popular violet-purple- flower Jackmani, include Gipsy Queen, Snow White, Star of India, and Ville dE Lyon. This will increase the vigour of the plants cut back. It is quite worth while reducing last season's shoots to one-half their length or even one-third their pnt length, Dianthu.3. — Though strictly speaking hardy biennials, the Japanese and Indian pinks are more often treated as annual, sowing the seeds in a heated greenhouse about this daite. Vigorous young plants are then available to plant outside in a sunny bed or border and in the rock garden dur- ing May. Dianthua thrive best in a well- drained, sandy soil. Thero are many rich and varied colours in the two sections, Bianthus Heddewigii (the Japanese pink) and D. Chinensis (the Indian pink). Heliotrope for Summer Bedding—To obtain plants for bedding out, a start should now be made with propagation. The old roots lifted for the pur p ose of supplying cut- tings will grow quickly if placed in warmth. Select suitable growths as they be- come fit and prepare them as cuttings Have ready a number of boxes filled with a sandy compost over a layer of leaves; in these insert the cuttings, not thickly; if given plenty of room no further transference will be necessary. Place the boxco when filled into a heated frame or other structure. Keep closed till rooted. In order to obtain bushy plants pinch out the tops. Flowers should not be permitted to develop until the plants are in permanent positions. Rudbeckia.—Popularly known as the Cone Flower, this is a valuable border flower, and is prized by many amateur gardeners for cutting. The plants thrive in most soils, especially when well tilled and manured. This is a good time to lift and divide the clumps if the soil is in a suitable condition, also to purchase roots from the florist and plant in the border. The beat sorts are: speciosa, 2ft.; maxima, 4ft.; Golden Glow, 6ft. Fern Spores.—The raising of ferns from spores is an interesting and effective method of increase. The fronds should be gathered just as they commence to discharge their spores; if the fronds are laid on a piece of paper in a dry place the spores will soon bo shed in the shape of fine dust. The soil prepared for their reception should be baked in order to kill any moss therein; it must be made level in" a pot, and the spores sprinkled on thinly. A pane of glass should be laid over the top. Alpine Toadflax (Linaria hepaticaefolia).— Toadflaxes need to be planted with discre- j tion, as most of them spread quickly and may choke choice plants of greater beauty. An excellent one for the rockery is L. hepa- ticaefolia. It is a creeping plant with small leaves and lilac or purple flowers. Put it in a place where it is strictly confined by stones well sunk in the ground and cemented for about four inches from the top. Then there is littLo fear of its spreading. Preserving Celery.—Any celery left un. used will, if still left in tho ground, tend to deteriorate from decay occasioned by snow and rams. In order to extend the usefulness of this vegetable over a much longer period, chooee a fine dry day and I lift, all remaining. Clean away the soil j adhering to the stems, also remove any of I tho latter showing d(}ay, and all foliage if any remains. Leave them exposed to the air I for a period to dry, then store in perfectly dry sand in an open shed for preference. If I no moisture or damp reaches them they will keep firm and crisp for several weeks. I The Week's Work.—If the soil is suitable for lifting and dividing the several species and varieties of aconitum. do this now. The plants thrive in most soils, preferably of a moist nature, in sun or partial shade, and are generally recognised as one of the best perennials for the confined town and also suburban garden. Spiraea Anthony Waterer is the best dwarf spiraea for front of the shrubbery in the amateur's garden. The average height is 2ft., the dwarf, bushy plants producing attractive crimson flowers from July onwards. To prune, cut out the thin wood and reduce the thicker young shoots to one-third or one-half their present length. Take care of all trimmings of her- baceous plants and prunings of fruit trees for the sake of burning them for their ashes. These, if kept dry, will prove useful for many purposes in the garden. For supply- ing potash for fruit they will prove particu- larly valuable. They should be kept as dry as possible, or much of their value as manure will be washed away. The ground ought now to be prepared for strawberries if spring planting has to done. When the surface is dry the land may be roughly broken up. d7 fsome old manure can be dug in at the same time the young plants will be helped considerably. For the present leave the ground as rough as possible, but directly the surface is dry it should be trodden firm and planted. Now is the time to make a planting of white Jerusalem arti- chokes, and to all who have not yet tried these we should remind them they are altogether superior in size and flavour to the better-known pink variety. As this vegetable is a certain cropper, its extended cultivation is much to be desired. Where the surface was left in a rough state after trenching, a good forking over now will be an advantage, in order to break down the largest lumps. On no account aim to get a smooth surface yet. The full exposure to the winds of the next few weeks will act most beneficially upon the soil and crops sown later on. Soot and Lime.—These in mixture are use- ful for dusting over gooseberries and cur- rants for preventing the attacks of birds on the buds. It is essential that some means be taken for stopping them or the bushes may be denuded of buds in some districts. The soot and lime will be found of service in encouraging the growth of both trees and bushes. Vines in Flower.—Where vines are in flowed it will be necessarv to pay special at- tention to ventilation. The stems ought, tc bo slightly tapped in the middle of fine days to assist in fertilising the flowers. Fires must be kept going, but overheating must be avoided. When the pollen is dry it may be dispersed by means of a camel hair brush passed lightly over the branches or by gently passing1 the hands down the bunches Shy-setting sorts can be greatly helped by brushing them with pollen obtained from other sorts.

A fine of £ 250 and 100 guineas costs were imposed on Martin Bros., machinery mer- chants, Manchester, for disposing of tools for other than war purposes. Wm. A. Thury was fined X15 at Feltham for permitting disorderly oonduct at his coffee-house at Broad-street, Teddington, which, it was stated, was frequented by girls and wounded soldiers. Sir George Cave has accepted the presi- dency of the Surrey Ladies' Swimming Club, which has started life-saving classes in addi- dition to other new activities.

RAID OFF tOVEt, I ENEMY DESTROYERS SINK EIGHT PATROL BOATS. On Friday the Secretary of the Admiralty issued the following statement:— A swift raid waa made by a flotilla of large enemy torpedo-boat destroyers at about one o'clock yesterday morning on our patrol forces in the- Dover Straits. The following craft, which were occupied in hunting a submarine that had been sighted in the patrol, were sunk: Trawler—James Pond. Drifters-lamie Murray, Clover Bank, W. Elliott, Cosmos, Silver QueerL. Veracity, and Christina Craig. o After having sunk these vessels the enemy destroyers returned rapidly to the North before any of our forces could engage them. The sound of the guns awoke dwellers in towns on the south-east coast. The firing lasted 'for about an hour, and was very violent. From the high" ground the flashes of the guns could be seen. The enemy craft | are believed to have belonged to the Zee- brugge flotilla. The enemy was favoured by the darkness and haziness of the weather in the Channel, of which they had evidently taken advan- tage in order to make another attempt to cut the line of communication with France or to sink transport or hospital ships. In this attempt they failed. In the afternoon pathetic scenes were wit- nesed when the bodies of a number of the men killed in the action were landed. The bodies were taken to the Market Hall. The men, who all belonged to the trawler and mines weeping section of the Navy, were, it is believed, killed by shell fire. CHILD VICTIM OF BOMBARDMENT. I At Dover on Monday an inquest was neki on Gertrude Mottman, a thirteen, killed in the submarine bombardment of the town. Her mother stated that on hearing the first explosion she rushed upstairs to get her four children down. While she was in the bed- room a shell exploded there, but she escaped. The child died about half-an-hour later. Tho I jury returned a formal verdict and expressed sympathy with the mother.

NEW PALESTINE ADVANCE. ——. .——. TWO MILES PUSH ON SIX MILES I FRONT. War Office, Friday. Pale.,itine.-On February 14 our line was advanced on a front of six miles to an aver- age depth of two miles, on either side of the village of Mukhmas (lIt miles north-north- east of Jerusalem). Little opposition was ex- perienced. A minor enemy enterprise against one of our posta about four miles north-east of Jerusalem waa repulsed after coming within bombing distance, and a few prisoners were taken.

U-BOAT SHELLS DOVER. I 30 ROUNDS FIRED: 8 CASUALTIES. I Lord French on Saturday issued the following:— Fire was opened upon Dover by an enemy submarine about 12.10 this morning, and continued for three or four minutes. The shore batteries replied, and the enemy ceased fire, after discharging about thirty rounds. The following casualties are reported: Killed.—One child. Injured.—Three men, one woman, three children. Slight damage was caused to house pro- perty.

LIVED AND DIED TOGETHER. I Two brothers, Walter and Thomas Maggs, whose death is announced in the "South London Press," literally lived and died together. Both were educated at the Printers' Orphanage. Both worked for the same firm, one aa printer, the other as compositor. Both had good voices, and they always sang duets. Both were married on the same day, their respective brides being sisters. Both lived in Brixton, their flats adjoin- ing. Both joined the London Regiment, and they went to the Front together. Both got leave after twenty-one months' fighting, and they came home together last December. Both returned on December 29, and or January 19 both were killed by the same shell.

NEW LONDON MAGISTRATE. I Mr. Henry "William Disney, Recorder tv Great Grimsby, has been appointed a Met politan Police Magistrate to fili the v;n;a,ni'y caused by the death of Mr. Hedderwick. It was announced at the North London Police- court that Mr. Waddy, who has sat at West- minster since last year, will succeed the lata Mr. Hedderwick at" the North London Court. ————— o —————

ABSENTEE'S THEFTS. I At Bow-street Police-court, sentence of twelve months' hard labc. r was parsed on Robert Fergerson, an from tho Seaforth Highlanders, on charges of steal- ing X30 worth of articles irom a flat ho had rented. Prisoner had posed as a lieu- tenant, and there were other similar charges against him.

HARBOURED GERMAN PRISONERS. I I Three women were sentenced to imprison- ment by the West Hartlepool magistrates for harbouring two German civilian pri- soners who escaped from a camp in Flint- shire. One prisoner had obtained a sea- man's discharge book. It was stated that both men could speak English well.

CAPT. BALL'S BROTHER SAFE. I Lieutenant Cyril Ball, R.F.C., brother of the late Captain Albert Ball, V.C., who was reported missing since February 5, is now known to be a prisoner in German hands, and in good health. His father, Alderman Ball, of Notting- ham, received the news in a cable from Switzerland.

"Accidental death" was the verdict at the City of London coroner's inquest on Arthur Edward Hughes, barrister-at-law, who was knocked down by an omnibus in Fleet- street. The jury held that tha accident was due to darkness.

OFFICER WHO FOUGHT TO THE LAST WHEN SURROUNDED. "The extraordinary coolness of this herolo officer and the accuracy of his information enabled dispositions to be made just in time to save the line and avert disaster." This gallant officer is Lieutenant (Acting Captain) W. N. Stone, who has been awarded the V.C. When in command of a company in an isolated position 1.000 yards in front of the main lino, he observed tho enemy massing for an attack, and afforded invaluable informa- tion to battalion headquarters. The attack developing with unexpected speed, Captain Stone e?nt thrœ platoons b?ck aM remained with the rearguars himself- He stood on the parapet with the telephone under a tremendous bombardment, observing the enemy, and continued to send back valuablfe information until the wire was cut by his orders. The reorguard was eventually surrounded and cut to pieees, and Captain Stone was sftn fighting to the last, till he was shot. MADE THIRTY SURRENDER. Twelve new V.C.s are announced in the "London Gazette." Seven are unfortunately dead. Temporary Lieutenant (Acting Captainj R. W. L. Wain, late Tank Corps. Though bleeding profusely from his wounds he refused the attention of stretcher-bearers, rushed from behind his tank with a Lewis gun, and captured the strong point, taking about half the garrison prisoners. Private W. Mills, late Manchester Regiment, Oldham. When, after an intense gas attack, a strong enemy patrol endeavoured to rush our posts, the garrison of which had been overcome, and, though badly gassed himself, he met the attack single-handed and continued to throw bombs until the arrival of reinforcements. While being carried away he died from gas poisoningu Other recipients of the Y.C. are Captain (Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) N. B. Eliott- Cooper, D.S.O., M.C., Royal Fusiliers; Lieu- tenant (Acting Captain) G. H. T. Pton, M.C.. late Grenadier Guards; Temporary Second Lieutenant J. S. Emerson, late Royal Inniekilling Fusiliers; Sergeant C. E. Gourlav, M.M.. R.F.A. (West Kirby); Rifleman A. E. Shepherd, K.R.R.C. (Barnsley); Private (Lance-Cerporal) J. Thomas, North Stafford. shire Regiment (Manchester); Temporary Lieu- tenant T. Wallace, R.F.A.; Second Lieutenant S. H. Boughey, Royal Scots, and Lieutenant H. Mackenzie, D.C.M., Canadian Machine Gun Corps.

SOLDIER'S DRAFT LEAVE. The Secretary of the War Office announces: It has been decided to grant free journeys by rail to warrant officers, N.C.O.s, and men pro- ceeding on leave prior to embarkation for ser- vice in a theatre of war, irrespective of the time which has elapsed since the date of the last free journey. This decision will take effect from the date of the receipt of this instruction. Warrant officers, N.C.O.s, and men sent over- seas for temporary duty or for courses of in- struction are not eligible for tho above con- cession. In the event of a warrant offioe-r. N.C.O., or man being withdrawn from the unitf or draft proceeding overseas subsequent to his having had the benefit of embarkation leave with a free railway journey, he will not be eligible for a further free journey on leave until the period laid down in previous A.-C.I.m has elapsed.

PALESTINE AIR VICTORY. I War Office. Palestine.—Since the issue of the last com- munique on February 7, active operations have mainly been restricted to the Air Service. On February 12 a successful bombing raid was carried out by our Australian flying units on the railway station at El Kutrani, on i Eediaz railway, eighty miles north of Maan, J 1,0401b. of bombs being dropped. fourteen direct hits obtained on the station buildiligs, track, and rolling stock. All our machines re- turned safely. In the course of patrolling operations one of our aeroplanes was attacked by an enemy for- mation composed of fivo scouts and two larger machines. Two out of the five scouts were Ariven down, whereupon the remaining three broke off the combat. Our aviators then pur- tued the large enemy machines, and drove both If them down in the vicinity of Tul Keram.

CANNED MEAT PRICES FIXED. An Order has been issued by the Food Con- troller fixing maximum prices for canned meats of various descriptions. The Order fixes the price at which sales may bv made by importers, wholesalers, and re- tailers. F'< £ example, in the case of corned beef the i* jrters' maximum prices are 107s. and 100s. per case of 721b. for first and second grades, the wholesale distributors' prices are 110s. and 103s. per case, and the retail maxi- mum prices are Is. lid. and Is. 9d. per lb. —

HUSBAND AND WIFE ABSENTEES. 'At Hull Police-court a girl of eighteen was charged with being an absentee from the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. It was stated. that during her leave she had got married, and that she would not be expected to return. Her husband, a private, who has been twice wounded, admitted being absent from his regi- ment. Both were handed over to escorts.

NO RUSSIANS FOR ARMY. The Ministry of National Servioe announcea that it has been decided in present circum- stances to cease recruiting Russian subjects under the Anglo-Russian Military Service Con. vention.

POLAR MEDALS. The King has approved the grant of the Polar Medal in bronzo or silver, with clasp inscribed "Antarctic, 1914-16," to Sir Ernest Shackleton, Lieutenant Wild, and forty-two other officers and men who took part in the Imperial Trans-Antartic Expedition, 1914.- 16.

CARPENTER TO SHIPWRIGHT. An Order in Council announces that the titles carpenter lieutenant, chief carpenter, and carpenter, "which no longer correspond to the duties carried cut by those officers," are amended to shipwright lieutenant, com- missioned shipwright, and warrant ship- wright. The pay of carpenter lieutenants and chief carpenters is increased by Is. a day from December 14 last.

SACCHARIN INSTEAD OF SUGAR. The Ministry of Food states that under the Public Meals Order saccharin may be served in hotels and restaurants as a sub- stitute for sugar for sweetening beverages and foods, but it is undesirable that it should be used without the consumer's know- ledge. It is expected that increased sup- plies of saccharin at a reduced price will be available at an early date.

The Gamble Prize for 1917. offered for the best essay on some subject connected with moral and political science or history, has been awarded to Miss E. E. Power, Pfeiffer Fellow and Director of Studies in History and Economics, Girton College, for an essay, entitled "The Enclosure Movement in Eng- lish Nunneries." Mr. Hope informs Lord H. Cavendish- Bentinck in a written parliamentary reply that it has not been found possible to continue the despatch of supplies from this country to Russian prisoners of war in Germany. Disabled soldiers are to be taught fruit- growing at Worthing, where there are about 1,300 greenhouse*