NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2673, 20 January 1916, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

WELL TREATED AT HOME.

, It is evident from a letter received in Wellington that New Zealand soldiers are thought well of in the. CJnited Kingdom. [ Gunner Joseph Kenny, of Wellington, who went to the war with the New ZealamtMain Body, served his turn on Gallipoli, and was afterwards invalided to England. When convalescent he and an Australian friend took a run' across to, Ireland. An indication of the little kindnesses extended to them in Ireland is given in a letter received in Wellington by Gunner Kenny's mother from a Dublin lawyer. The latter met her" son by chauce, and writes to assure her that he is quite well. The letter runs': "They were on their way to catch the night boat, and I happened to get into conversation with tEem on a tramrar. As they had three or four hours to wait before the steamer started, I asked them to come home with me for a cup of tea and a smoke. They were good enough to come, and spent a couple of hours with my wife, my daughter, and myself round the fire. It was the first time I had ever ventured to .offer any such hospitality to wounded men, though I had often felt, inclined do so. lam glad to be able to tell von that your son is in excellent health, and in the best of good spirits. He has quite recovered from his wound. He has taken part (and played his part Tjrell) in the finest fighting the world has ever seen, and every reason to be as proud of him as ever a mother was of her son. I am far past the age for military service, and deaf, but it has been a source of real pleasure to me to be able to show even a little of the gratitude which we all feel to your men who have done such deeds for the Empire and in defence of OUR homes. Your son experts to be sent back- to Gallipoli soon, as the doctors have passed him as fit for service again, -and I assure you he has my very best wishes for his success and for his safe return home afterwards. He and his friend were most enthusiastic about -the pleasant fonr or five days they had spent in Ireland, and it did me good to hear how they spoke of the way our people had treated them. I am not what is called a "religious" man at all, but I do pray that God may keep your son in His care, and send him back to you when his work is done."