NEW ZEALAND ARMY'S CHRISTMAS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 309, 29 December 1915, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND ARMY'S CHRISTMAS.

MAIN BODY AWAY FROM THE FIGHTING LINE,

WELLINGTON, December 28. The following cable, dated Cairo, 25th inst., has been received from the New Zealand war correspondent, Mr. Malcolm Ross:—

"Under e.vtraordinary circumstances the New Zealand forces celebrated Christmas over a wide area of sea and land. It is not advisable to stato the location of the main body, but it will be satisfactory for relatives to know that the festivities, however simple, were not marred by the enemy's shot and shell. All had as merry a Christmas as possible under the circumstances.

"Tho New Zealand hospital at Cairo presented a gay scene. Over £>00 patients dined in the gaily-decorated wards, pulled crackers, and donned tlie paper caps they found in them. It was quite, a Christmas effect. Great turkeys, garnished with sausages, and plum puddings were washed down with real English beer, and disappeared as if by magic. For the men who were not strong there were chickens, custards, jellies and oranges.

"Each man on waking found that Santa Claus had left a well-filled stocking by his bedpost. The Auckland Mounted Rifles Band played in the afternoon grave and gay airs. Once it played "Old Folks, at Home," sending the thoughts of officers and men across a thousand leagues of ocean. Carols and services added to the Christmas touch."