TROOPSHIP TOFUA.

Grey River Argus, 28 October 1915, Page 6

TROOPSHIP TOFUA.

NEW ZEALAND WOUNDED RETURN DUNEDIN, October 27. The military and medical authorities got through the arduous task of the i.-x--amination of the men of the Tofua and compilation records most expeditiously by 8 • a.m. The work of disembarkation is (10.30 a.m.) practically completed. Every, thing worked without a liitch. Dunedin rather excelled itself in ex- ! tending a cordial welcome, to the soldiers. The weather was glorious, and a general forenoon holiday was observed. The long line of route from the wharf to the new Drill Hall at Kensington was crowded with citizens, interspersed with many, bands. - • Cheering was continuous . throughout. The soldiers were conveyed in motor-cars, which, going at a brisk pace, took fifteen minutes to pass a given point. Tlie concourse was impressed by the brightness of the soldiers, who had benefited remarkably by the splendid voyage on the Tofua. At the Drill Hall, where a civic reception was held, the men received an ovation. . ' The enormous Drill ILn.ll was filled for the. civic reception. The arrangements were admirable. The Maoris received a particularly enthusiastic ovation. The speakers were Hons. J. Allen and G. W. Russell and the Mayor. The Primate offered a prayer of thanksgiving. Mr Allen said that if, for every soldier disabled, two more of the same breed volunteered, everything would go on all right. Mr Russell stated that the men would be nursed back to thorough convalescence, and when • they had attained the same j mental, and. physical fitness as at the time jof enlistment they would be offered an | opportunity either to return to the front or be given employment under Mr Herdman's department in the poultry or' fruit industries, or, he hoped/ dairy farming. He had. given instructions to the medical officers not to be too hard on the men during their convalescence. The men left, for north and south by special trains at 11.40 and 11.50 a.m. The soldiers on their departure received a great send-off from a crowd of over 5000. The northern train should reach Christoliurch shortly after 8 p.m. The destinations of the men are as follows : Canterbury 88, Wellington and Nelson 23, Auckland *91, Southland 29. "NO MERCY." * GERMAN SOLDIERS' SPIRTT. WHAT LETTERS REVEAL. LONDON, October 24. The French Embassy issues the text of a letter found on a German body, stating- that when the Germans captured a French trench nn September 14th it was so crowded that it seemed "full of fleas." "We took no prisoners," the letter says. "One has grot to finish off this vermin. It was a most bloody affair." A second letter found on another body, describing- the same agrair, confirms the former letter. "We bayonetted the lot." it says. "I showed no mercy. These filthy French must be stamped out. They must either sigru a peace or all be killed." AIR RAID IN BELGIUM. AMSTERDAM, October 25, Airmen bombed Lokeren and Termonde. and several German soldiers were killed. DECEIVED. GERMAN STAFF OUTGENERALLED. LOSS OF 140,000 IN THE CHAMPAGNE FIGHTING. PARIS, October 24. The official Eye-witness with the French Headquarters, reviewing- the Champag-ne battle to October 3rd, says 140,000 of the enemy have been put out of action. The French preparations were so skilfully made that the German General Staff thought the big effort Avas to be in Alsace, and consequently massed important forces there.