ANECDOTES OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3112, 16 June 1917, Page 6

ANECDOTES OF THE WAR

IjECTUEE BY TROOPER C. •~■ ■ MACKENZIE. At the Y.W.C.A. last evening Trooper Clutha Mackenzie told some anecdotes of the war. The room was tilled'to its utmost capacity, and Dr. Neinnan, M.P., presided. The chairman, in introducing the speaker, eaid that Sir Thomas Mackenzie and Hiss Mackenzie had worked hard for our boys in London, and Trooper Mackenzie had dono his share. Trooper Mackenzie said he wont away with the Main Body. He had had a really good time, and he could not understand anyono not wishing to go to the front; The speaker vastly entertained his audience with his accounts of his experiences, and was particularly'.amusing in his description of a luncheon given by the Sultan of • Egypt. Sir Thomas' Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, visited Egypt, 'and stayed at Shepherd's Hotel. Trooper Mackenzie was invited by his .fattier to stay at the" hotel. On returning" one morning after;'an ea.rly parade he found there was a great commotion, and after some inquiries he discovered that the Sultan had "sent him an. invitation'to'lunch. His Highness had some difficulty in finding out'the trooper's Christian name, for an ■ invitation could not bo sont without that. Trooper Mackenzie was unshaven, a.nd _ his uniform was liot'in the best condition. How. ever, the Royal motor-car was at the door and he went just-as he was. At Che Palace' he. was received by a guard, of honour, which ho thought was an extremely nice compliment'for a. trooper. Ho was shown into a room where there was a perfect epidemic of servants. In this Toom he was spring cleaned and I iea,fcher dusted by two servants, which seemed to be the correct thing when visiting an Egyptian gentleman. After this others camu in, and he found hunself Btanding near a pasha .in a brilliant uniform, and' to open conversation Trooper Mackenzie' said' to him. It s a, fine day." No one in Egypt makes such, a remark because it is always fine there. Tho pasha could not speak English and looked vacant when addressed. Another, from the Sudan, was ft little more intelligent, and Trooper Mackenzie managed to 3 converse with him. Later on he tnu presented to the Sultan, and then a move Us made for the dining hall, the.procession moTius according, to tne neatness- or humility of tho indmdual. The Sultan led, and Trooper Mackenzie came in' at the- tail. The dining .table was loaded With gold and si ver dishes, there was a succession-of meals.- ant there was c-S'-colv time to more than sample more tlian a? few of them. There, were pracricnllv three servants to each guest The Now Zealand trooper enjoyed the whole situation, and stated that the Siilt-ui hctot forgot him. for when he was lying wounded in Alexandria- H;s -Highness seat his aide-de-camp to make niqunnos, end' even when the trooper was lying wounded in London tho Sultan made innniries and sent kind messages. Trooper Mackenzie spoke interestingly of Dunstau. House, where blind soldjors tau'rnt trades and industries -under 'jho puidanco of Sir Arthur Pearson, who has been blind-lor eight or nine years. Ho spoke of the excellent work of the w'-.men in England, and expressed the epision that, the Allies were bonrol to win, notwithstanding the crisis ;e H-'is-"Vin the motion of Mrs. Peajson, president of tie Y.W.C.A.. seconded by Mffl. M'Clnr. * hearty vote of thanls was ncoiirded the lecturer. . : In rrttuniing thanks. Trooper MncKMi>:in said that those of us who were left owed a duty to those who had jnvontneir "lives for the Bmpixe, and that was to see that they did not make tho supreme sacrifice for a lot o[ wasters.. The lnoctinc oojidudod- with th? sinpnE or ...e Nationnl Anthem.