THE MAORI CONTINGENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 21 May 1915, Page 5

THE MAORI CONTINGENT.

EARN GOLDEN OPINIONS IN

EGYPT

WANT TO FIGHT ALONGSIDE

NEW ZEALANDERS

THEIR DESIRE COMMUNICATED

TO LORD KITCHENER

WELLINGTON May*2o. The Hon. James Allen has received from Major-General Godley a. report dated March 29. Major-General Godley said the Maoris had been made very comfortable in camp, where they were situated near the New Zealand expeditionary force. They appeared to be pleased with their quarters (this was before the contingent had left for Malta). . -

Writing again on April 2, Major General Godley said the Minister would

•iiav<iiJieatd ;Ma»ris liad beetot :|^d§x^^;fc>f^altai",i-::; After: paving seen r -tjfem.'i;.Hßv-;;.^s;.: % veTy/. disappointed they wer^ not, going with, the expeditionary fotcby ras-he believ.ed' they would have done ,welliTh^iywere leaving for Malta that nighCJSince their arrival in Egypt they had behaved extraordinarily well, and had earned golden opinions by their appearance and smartness ana general efficiency. Everyone thought well of them. They were sorry they, were not going with the New Zealanders. He had got the High Commissioner and Generals Birdwood and Maxwell to go to the camp and see them, and they had been given a great reception, the Maoris dancing a naka for them. Since then Major-General Godley said he had received the following letter from Sir J. G. Maxwell: "Will you let the Maori contingent know that in accordance with what I told them yesterday I have both written and telegraphed to Lord Kitchener that it is their desiro to' sc-rve and fight with the New Zealanders. I think they will be a valuable reinforcement; don't you?" The Defence Minister states he intends from time to time to communicate to the Maori members matters in connection with the Maori contingent. NAPIER, May 20. - The Rev. A. Grant. Moderator of the General. Assembly 'of the • Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, at the request of the Life and Work Committee, has appointed Sunday, June 6, as a special day of intercession in connection with the war.

. WELLINGTON. May 20. Advice has been received by the Defence authorities of the death of Lance-Corpora 1 James Lovell, of the Samoan relief fbrce, from pleurisy and cardiac complications. His next-6f-kin is his brother. William Lovell, who resides, at Calcutta, India.