Now it is laid down that picture postcards and photographs which represent docks, harbours, shipyards, defences, ammunition works, prominent buildings, monuments, or other features in or near towns and populous districts which might afford landmarks to enemy airmen are likewise forbidden.
No letters with photographs may be sent to any foreign country, and exposed but undeveloped films are absolutely tabu.
While these restrictions are daily becoming severer - and nobody would think of questioning their propriety - it is strange to find the authorities themselves giving out in the papers ''sailing instructions'' to mariners which in quite a number of cases tell the enemy something definite which they want to know.
All the papers published the other day an official notice to mariners telling them of some new danger in trying the pass westward through the Pentland Firth, which separates the Orkney Islands from Scotland.
• During the course of an appeal case in the Wanganui Supreme Court, a witness said that at Ohakune there were people who always had their eyes on the railway station looking for cases of whisky, and were not satisfied until they had found where it went to, and until they had helped to drink it.
His Honor (Mr Justice Edwards) remarked that it was a very unsatisfactory state of things.
''Unfortunately it is the case,'' said counsel.
''In that case prohibition - straight out downright, positive prohibition - is required in some places,'' replied his Honor.
''Perhaps some licensed houses are required,'' suggested counsel.
''It seems to me that some respect of law is required,'' retorted his Honor. He went on to say that, if what the witness said was true, it was something shocking to any well-constituted mind.
• A Dunedin gunner writes as follows from Gallipoli, under date October 13:- ''Things continue to be quiet here, and the weather is fairly good. We had a rough night a few days ago, which showed us that our shelters were not up to the mark, but in the morning the beach was strewn with timber. You can bet it did not lie there long. The result is that we have all got pretty decent quarters now. Another chap and I have a place measuring inside about 8ft x 9ft, roofed with 12in x 2in planks, covered with ground sheets, with solid uprights and sandbag walls. Got a proper hinged door, which was on the beach also, off a ship, so we don't care if it snows. The tucker problem is solved, I think. There is an arrangement by which we can get milk, eggs, oatmeal; in fact, anything, from a canteen ship at one of the islands every week. Each man puts in his requisition, and the Brigade Headquarters arrange to obtain the stuff, value of which is debited in paybook. It is an English canteen, and prices are very reasonable. We expect the first lot in a day or two. I hope it works all right. There are a great number away sick, and we are a different crowd from what we were in Egypt. I think the infantry and mounted will be back here before long with the new crowds from New Zealand. You seem to be doing well in raising money and getting troops, which is good. Everything is now pretty well in readiness for the winter, in the event of our having to put it in here, and we should be comfortable enough.''
- ODT, 4.12.1915.
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