"WITH THE NURSES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15501, 31 January 1916, Page 9

"WITH THE NURSES.

"VOLUNTEER SISTERS NOT WANTED." A pressman had an interesting chat on the train yesterday with Nursing Sisters Campbell and Morris. Sister ■Campbell has live or six week?,' leave, and Sister Morris one week's sick leave, and three weeks' ordinary leave, lioth nurses left Nov.- Zealand in tho Mahcr.o, and oa arrival in Egypt were posted to the I'lst General Hospital at Alexandria. They stated that when they lelt the pressure had greatly eased off, and the. nurses were having an easy time, but, last. August the rush was terrio!e. Surgical cases we-re coming in in constant streams, but there wore insufficient beds, and inmates of hospitals had to be pushed out into tents as quickly as jwssible, to make way for the fresh cases. A query .is to the Now Zealand volunteer sisters led to the information that they were not. wanted when they arrived. "1 feel very sorry for tr.ose girls, ' remarked one oi'the Sisters, who. added that the authorities wore trying to get them something to do. The North Island members of the Willochra's complement will leave Dunedin for Lytielton by the second express to-day, and catch the ferry steamer. Sixteen men who mis-sed tnc Willoehra at Albany, are arriving by the Tofua, which is due at Duncdm to-day. THE RECEPTION AT DUNEDIN. (rUESS ASSOCIATION IE I. KG RAM.) DUNEDIN, January 30. After being delayed outside the Heads all day by mist, the Willoehra' with lfti convalescents, came alongside the wharf at Port Chalmers on Saturday night, when the men were, given a cordial welcome. The Medical Board at once commenced its work, which was concluded at midnight. This enabled the Canterbury men ,to leave Dnneclm by special train at !) o'clocK this morning. The remainder of tne men wero accorded a public reception in the Art Gallery Hall this afternoon, when speeches were given by the Hon. •!. Allen, and Mr v'lark (.Mayor of IXiucdin), after which they wero entertained by the Otago WoTneu's Patriotic Committee. The North Island contingent and Southland scction leave Dunedin to-morrow morning. Tho majority of tho men are suffering from the effects of enteric fever. AT ASHBURTON. There was e, very large gathering on the Ashburton platform yesterday afternoon, to welcome tho returned soldiers. Tho Citizens' Defence Corps Band turned out in full force, and played a number of patriotic airs. The Mayor (Mr 11. Ga'.braith), members of tho Borough Council, and members of tho Ashburton County War Relief .Fund Committee, were present, and as tho train drew up at tho station there was much, cheering. Tho Mayor heartily welcomed the troopers generally, and warmly thanked them for the services they had rendered their King and country. * Those who got off at. Ashburton were:: Troopers B. Mc.Day, Private W. Cunningham, Private E. Tasker, and Trooper J. Harris. Tbeso men, after tho train had moved off, were accorded a most enthusiastic welcome, The Mayor, on behalf of tho Ashburton district as a whole, cordially thanked them for what they had done, and informed them that there was an ample fund available to relieve any case of need. He said that if any returned soldier required assistance he was not to hesitate to ask for it, and he suggested that all the returned troopers should form a club amongst themselves, appoint a secretary, and if tho secretary would advise the War Relief Fund Executive of any wounded soldier needing assistance, the case or oases would receive immediate attention.