100 YEARS AGO – 1916

A London cablegram states that Kingi Hamana died at the Walton-on-Thames Hospital. He is said to be the first Maori soldier to have died in England.

The morning’s casualty list contained the name of Second Lieutenant A R Sutherland. The Lieutenant was a one-time resident of Hawera and served his time in the engineering profession at Mr J Hopkirk’s Foundry.

News was also received in Eltham that Trooper A Campbell had died of wounds received. Trooper Campbell was for some time in the employment of Mr Creswell Grocer, Eltham and was aged 22 years.

The Opunake casualty list contained the names of W Peters, J Sievwright and Sid Hickey.

London: General Sir Douglas Haig states: ’’The enemy counter attacks in the Thiepval area were severely handled and repulsed. We captured 29 heavy guns and heavy vitzers, 92 field guns and field howitzers, 103 trench artillery pieces and 397 machine guns.’’

The Austrian Government has confiscated the barley and potato crops and the output of beer has been reduced by 94%.

Residents of Hawera and districts learn with deep regret of the death in action of Alfred Arthur, eldest son of Mr & Mrs AT Wills of Denby Road, Hawera. He was only 20 and very popular on the football field, being a promising three-quarter.

Soldiers who also died of wounds were Henry Wilson, Charles Langdon, I Watts, TF Goddard, P Woodford, A Wills, Eric R Hardley and AL Reid.

A real estate advertisement on the front page read: five-roomed residence, replete with all conveniences (pantry, scullery, hot and cold water, gas, wardrobes, linen press, copper and tubs). Price £650.