BRIEF VISIT TO MALTA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIX, Issue 283, 30 November 1915, Page 2

BRIEF VISIT TO MALTA.

DOMINION'S PATRIOTISM

NEWSPAPER'S TRIBUTE.

The New Zealand hospital ship Maheno is the subject of reference «in the Dnily Malta Gazette of September 20 last In an article headed "New Zealand and the War," the writer sa.ys :— -

"One of the finest hospital ships that have 'mchored in our harbors since Malta became a base hospital for the Dardanelles some five months ago was undoubtedly the New Zealand fillip Maheno. which arrived here last week and left again on its errand of mercy after a- couple of days' stay. The Maheno may be fitly described as the latest practical token of that intense patriotism of New Zealand, and its unalterable attachment to the grand Imperial connection, which, first shown m the free offer of a. battleship to the Mother Country— -the now famous New Zealand. * the first .Dominion gift to the Imperial Navy gloriously stood a fiery test during the boiith African war, and lias been sealed for ever-more during the present conflict, when the heroic troops of the Dominion, side by side with their Australian brethren * have written in characters of blood a soul-

s-tirring nnd; imperishable chapter, not only in their own history and that of the British Empire, but also in the annals of the civilised world. The Maheno is most luxuriously fitted; cots are provided for 388 sick or wounded soldiers, and, in case of emergency, the drawing-room, equipped for the use of the offipei's and nurses, could accommodate 60 more patient*. Complete in every detail, not oaly for the purpose for which it. is. primarily.intended,, namely, as a hospitju ship," but also from the point of view of comfort, is the briefest, -hint best, description of the Maneno. 11 speaks volumes for the patriotism ol ..New Zealand that the amount neeessjiry for the transformation of the -\uihon6: and its use as a hospital ship was raised by public subscription in the Dominion in a few days. The popular skipper of the Maheno is Captain D. McLean. During the ship's stay in our harbor, Captain McLean visited- All Saints' Convalescent Camp, where so ,many of his countrymen are recruiting their strength amidst charming and healthy surroundings,-and which is .under the efficient command of a New Zealand officer,. Captain Burton Mabin. What is more,; the skipper of the Maheno and the\ camp commandant at All Saints are very old dear friends—-but they had not met for. 20 years. The long separation, however, and the inevitable changes-wrought by the lapse of nearly a quarter of a century, have not availed to cool the ardent feelings of friendship and esteem .that bound '-.ho two gallant officer^:; and we may well imagine how lrSsirtily and eagerly Captain Mabin and Captain McLean, as they sat down to lunch in the ,'jfficers' mess, surrounded by a score of other officers* from different parts of the common Empire^■'■but all speaking the same tongue,' and animated by a common sentiment, spoke of old days, of the present crisis, of future ohopes, and of the extraordinary, but happy, coincidence which, afte> 20 long years' reparation, re-united them for a brief moment on the" hospitable shores of this little spot of the Mediterranean lake, divided from ; the . dear old' home by 13,000,liiiles.of ocean : and ■.lahd•;b.amers,:f3b'■ut^■nQne•:••^■.:fclle■■'■•less■.■.a^ corner, sm-^ll, but- ail-important, of that magnificent world-35nipire. pver which the sun never^sets!"