INVALIDED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2686, 4 February 1916, Page 6

INVALIDED SOLDIERS

ARRIYE IN AUCKLAND IHE- ROTOKUA'S; CONTINGENT By Tolegrapb.—Press Association. \, ' '

. Auckland, February 3. Bringing with her seven -officers and I'JB hon-commissioncd 'officers'! and' men of tho. Expeditionary Kotorua arrived in port: early, this, morning from London,, via Cape Town and Hobart.

The men are all convalescents ' who have- beon under treatment in' English hospitals,-the majority being almost completely recovered, though .& tionrjvill be unfit for .further' militai\Y : service.- 'As they came : -:pff ,;;the; .boas the returned, men presented- a* fine appearance, in very marked contrast'with that of many previous drafts of .'invalids. • Almost without excoption .they woro a fresh and healthy complexion,, the. fruits of an English winter and a. long sea' voyage, ' and' showed every sign of smartness in dress and bearing. To an observant onlooker it Beemed as it they had felt it an honour to represent New Zealand in the Homeland, and had wished during their slay to appear in every way worthy representatives of the Dominion. Few, it might bo noticed, walked with sticks, but there were neither crutches nor bandages to bp seen. A number had plainly seen the end of their soldiering days, as an occasional sightless eye plainly showed, whilo a few more, it was learned, possessed eyes that, while outwardly unaffectcd, were of no further use to their owners. Apparently it had been the practice to send all eye cases to England, where they have bc-en receiving attention from the very greatest specialists! One man on the Rotorua was even attended by a surgeon attached to the Royal Household, who, however, was unable to save the sight of the injured eye.

'In general the voyage out was a pleasant one, and the weatheir uniformly fine. The Rotorua had aboard 425 civilian passengers, with whom the Boldierß wore on the very best of terms. Christmas was celebrated in proper style, and every child on board received a present, in addition to bonbons and sweets. In the evening a Christmas concert was held, Major C. B. Brereton (commandant) presiding, at which six Maori soldiers "did themselves proud" in Native love-songs, and one of their number (Private Ngaki) executed a solo ■■ haka. On' Boxing Day and again on New Year's Day uports were held, and' included events suited to people of all ages and both flexes. The arrangements were in the hands of Captain Hardham, V.C.,' and a small committee, who collected over £12 as a prize One feature of the trip was the publication of a bright littlo magazine, bearing the rather lugubrious title, '.'The Last Post."Officers and men are enthusiastic in their praise of the people who entertained them at Cape Town and Hobart. It was not known ashore that the Rotorua was calling at a South African port, but in a surprisingly short, space of time large numbers of citizens rallied forth with motor-cars and presents. All hands were motored round, and a free entertainment was provided for tho evening, while the officers were entertained at a Mayoral dinner. ;■ When the vessel left, the soldiers were loaded with presents such as cigarettes, tobacco, and fruit. Tho people of Hobart, too, were very hospitable. They met the boat with motor-cars, and took tho' whole party for a drive, also -providing afternoon tea and fruit galore. In tho evening all were , guests 'at a theatre party, and ta\d the vessel remained another day there would have; been many more invitations to accept. Major Hardham, who won tho V.C. ill South Africa, landed at Hobart.

Thero arrived bj' tho Rotorua . two English officers to join the New Zealand Staff—Captain H. A. Cooper, of the sth Lancers, 'who served six months in Flanders early in the war, and won tho Russian War Cross, and. Captain R. Neve, of the Essex Regiment, who was at the original landing on- V Beach, Cape Helles. He is a machine-gun expert.

Major Brereton, in charge of the men ■who returned by the Rotorna, states ttat the conduct of all has been excellent. It was a most enjoyable voyage. There were two bright diversions at Cape Town and Hobart. .Major Brereton was injured in the attack on Kritliia. Ho returns fully restored to health, and hopes soon to return to the scene of hostilities. Speaking of the Sast occasion he was in action, he said it was tho first time the New Zealandcrs had been in- a 1 stereotyped iattack. Till then they- had lieen fighting at Anzac. : On ibeing taken to Cape Helles with a battalion of Australians, they were, sent forward under shell fire. At first their Josses wore not great, but when they advanced from the trenches ithe Turks cut them down like rabbits. Major JBrcreton describes the Australians as the fiercest fighters on the face of the earth, and added: "And I think our jnen would do as, much , as tho Australians." ...

.WELLINGTON MEN ARRIVE TODAY. The Mayor has received information that the following sick and l wounded, (tvho reached Auckland by the s.s. Rotoirua, will arrive in Wellington this afternoon at 2.40, by the Auckland express:—lo/950 Nikel, 11,'3GG Ronald?on, 10/1664 Stidolpli, 6/8-12 Minola, 6/1379 Poiuton, 8/1174 Phillips, 8/2312 Sliarpe, 2/982 Cooper, 4/42 Richards, 4/99 a Fox, 2/355 Wood, 4(874 Yule, 2/1158 Pearson, 10/1917 Lieut. Miles, 13/732 Quinlan, 16/213 Tauwhare, 10/588 •Beattle, 10/1181 Bell, 10/2120 Dunlevy, 10/1565 Mann, 10/2442 Lawrence. There tire- also 44 for Canterbury and 41 for Otago. The Wellington and South Island contingent of the New Zealand soldiers who arrived at Auckland from England toy the Rotorua yesterday will he accorded a welcome by the Mayor (Mr. J. , P. Luke) after their arrival by the 2.40 p.m.. express.