The Editor's Bivvy

In this issue appears the first of a series of "Army Sketches", by Major A. B. Paterson. The author of "The Man From Snowy River" has already contributed several poems to the Maga, notably "The Army Mules", which received special mention in reviews of our first number, in the Australian press. By the way, two Queensland newspapers have each filled three columns with articles and illustration from the "Kia Ora Coo-ee".

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We extend the glad hand to Gnr. R.G. Duns-muir, R.F.A., a clever artist who also turns out good verse and prose. Samples of his work you'll find on other pages; we hope to have more next month. In a letter he says; "Whilst in Cairo recently, I got a copy of the 'Coo-ee', and have since thought, that some of my drawings might be acceptable.... As one of the Lowland Jocks, I've always had a soft side for the 'Din-kums', and would be pleased to do all I can in this line."

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The pages of Australian Officials photographs published in recent issues were arranged and decorated by Cpl. R.A. Watson, R.E., who, prior to his enlistment in 1914, was an artist on the staff of Andre, Sleight and Anglo, London. He joined the Bedforshire Regt, and later tranferred to the Royal Irish Rifles, with whom he served in Serbia. Wounded, he was sent to Egypt, and after being discharged from hospital in 1915, he was attatched to the Survey of Egypt Department, as a draughtsman.

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"Aussie" has turned up again, as merry and bright as ever, in a khaki cover. We crib the following par., by "Buckshe Bombardier", from the "Aussiosities" pages, for it has an Egyptian flavour: "The sympathetic Digger who climbed Napoleon's (?) monument at Cairo and attached a nose-bag full of feed to the horse's head, is evidently still loose. T'other day he blew into a certain Boche-blighted town, where, in the Grand Place, there stands an imposing statue of one of France's patriots. Noticing that the effigy had been struck in several places by pieces of Fritz's ironware, he clambered to the top, and carefully placed a tin hat on its head and a gas mask at the alert position on its chest."

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The Second Jewish Battalion is out with an illustrated magazine, entitled "The Judean". It contains articles and verses, a "National History Column", wherein the Big Black Ant is humorously discussed, and the first chapter of a serial, "The Chronicles of Phileas." From "The Bonds of Jewish Unity", by Captn. R.N. Salamon, we quote the following:

"From Egypt the Israelites went out to gain Canaan, to Egypt a remnant returned, when they had lost it; and from Egypt again are mustering the hosts of Israel, who, under the flag and with the generous help of Great Britain, are preoared to regain and hold their age-long heritage."

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An article on troop journals, in the "Chronicles of the N.Z.E.F.", gives the "K.O.C." honourable mention:

"Absolutely one of the best troop papers which has ever come my way is 'Kia Ora Coo-ee,' the monthly magazine, now about eight months old, of the Anzac Mounted Division, and a splendid paper it will be to keep. Again, it is more Aussie than Digger, running along in that free-and-easy, brisk and happy style which belongs only to our Aussie comrades, and which makes it no less welcome a member of the N.Z. family."

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Sooner or later, every editor receives a threatening letter as the result of something he has published. An epistle which has just reached our bivvy threatens violence if we dont publish a certain contribution. The letter begins: "To hopp on the point strait away (we give the original spelling) the K. boys of the No. 1 of I 've made me a bet that I couldn't get a bit of stuff in that paper the 'Kia Ora Coo-ee' blokes make. 'Ere goes". We regret that we cannot find space for the item immediately following, but we give the last part of the letter: "We all

Apres La Guerre, or Force of Habit.

wish the 'Kia Ora Coo-ee' the best of luck, and the boys say I ought to do that thing you call writin', for some one. Best wishes". The sting lies in the tail: "P.S. Dear Editor: If yer dont blinkin' well publish this I'll......". An accompanying sketch depicts the writer in two attitudes, entitled respectively, "Me if you do it" and "Me if you don't". In the first case, our would-be contributor is drinking our health and saying, "Good old Editor"; in the other, he is "shaping up" and shouting, "Gott strafe Editors". We've got camouflage clobber handy, in case of eventualities.

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The success of the souvenir volume, "Australia In Palestine", is assured. Every unit has shown keen interest in it, and thousands of copies have been ordered. Many drawings and photographs, and some excellent literary contributions, have been received by the editors. It has now been decided, however, to delay publication, in order that articles and illustrations dealing with the recent operations may be included. Thus the book will form a complete record of the campaign, from the fighting on the Suez Canal to the crowning victory.