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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16433, 12 July 1915, Page 7

SICK AND WOUNDED. MEN ON THE WILLOCIIRA. DUE IN NEW ZEALAND ON THURSDAY. (Fro.m Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 11. A wireless men age received yesterday stated that the Willoehra, which is bringing' the returning sick and wounded soldiers to New Zealand, will arrive at Wellington on 'lhursday. 'the steamer is proceeding direct, from Fremantle to Wellington, and will not call at llobart, as was originally expected. i'lie Willoehra is bringing back about 281 officers and men. Of thciio 77 are hospital eases. This number is three less than that stated a few days ajjo, and it is presumed that three of the men have improved sufficiently to be listed amongst tho.se who are classed as fit. to proceed to their own homes or to convalescent homes. A list of the s:ck and wounded hiws been prepared, and a telegram was despatched to the next-of-kin in each case last evening. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes, who is administering this branch of the Defence Department, states that the list will bo made available for publication tomorrow.

The question of what will be done in regard to a public, welcome to the returning soldiers is _ obviously a difficult one to deal with, and it is probable that no definite decision on the matter will be arrived at until the Willoehra roaches port. Moanwhile, arrangements are being made as far as possible for a. suitable welcome in the "lown Hall should it be found convenient to assemble the convalescent soldiers there. It is probable that there will be no sitting of Parliament that day. MEN ON LEAVE. Men on leave from the Trentlmm camp "'ill have to report at the camps in which their units are now located. The Trcntham Regiment is at the Palmerston North Show Grounds, the Seventh Reinforcements Infantry t Waikanac. the Sixth Roinforcornonts, Mounted Rifles, tho Engineers, and a' 1 ? V°terinarv sections are at Tauherenikau. Adviccs will be given later as to the Sixth Reinforcements Infantry, the Artillery, and the. Army Service Corps units. LETTER FROM CHAPLAIN. A letter from the chapla.n aboard ii.M.S. London to tile relumes oi Private Hunter P. i' airouirn (ot the 14th Regiment), concorii:ijg wnom there \v u » received only tnc brier announcement that he nad been Killed, will aiiont consolation to others m the assurance it rnat the remains ot their hero.c dead aie being buried with reverence and loving care: —

H.M.S. .London. Care U.P.O. May 3. Dear Madam, —I believe you are ttic sisHunter L'. 14th Regiment, ■N.Z.J.'\ You will no doubt bctore you receive this have bad news ot his duatn from wounds received in action on May 2. 1 think you may be glad to hear he was buried at sea, on the evening of May 3, together with several other brave men who had given their lives tor their country. I read the church burial service over iiim, and the scene was as reverent and peaceful as you could have wished. He was buried some three miles out to sea, north oi the Gallipoh Peninsula, within sight of the land where he fought his last fight. The A us- I tralian and Ze-aland Korecs are doiiiy I splendidly hero, and compelling our au- 1 miration, though the price is heavy, vet the honour is correspondingly great. You must, ' M afraid, be feeling his loss keenly; but there are few men wno would not at least envy him the manner of his death With much sympathy,—Yours truly, Alfred ' \V. Ross, Chaplain, R.N., 11.M.5. London. READING MATTER FOR SOLDIERS. On Saturday a Daily Times reporter was shown a lino collection of books, which have been coming to hand freely during the past tew days, for use on the Hospital Ship and at thp front. The literature is being despatched regularly for propor distribution, and will undoubtedly be much appreciated by the soldiers and othei*3 engaged in military work. The secretary of the Expeditionary r orce Committee {Mr Hugh Mitchell) intimates that, although reading matter has been donated 011 a very generous scale, all will be needed, and he will be glad to receive further contributions, which may be a* Jlis office, at the (Stock Exchange Buildings. 0

N.E. VALLEY WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

The executive of this association is being encouraged in its weekly meetings by a steadily increasing number of volunteer workers. Consequently the . size of the parcels of finished articles forwarded to the fown Executive weekly is also increasing, ihanks to the splendid patronage the contributions at the recent organ recital funds are available for the purchase of the necessary material, and as the individual workers are aiming at turning out the best of work, this portion of the city is noblv doing its share in the women's great efforts towards adding to the comforts of our men who have gone, and are going to fight our battles. It is the intention of the association to hold an exhibition of work done by the members next Thursday. OVERSEAS CLUB. The committee wishes to thank all members of the club who assisted to carry out the equipment of the six beds for the hospital at Irentham. The whole equipment has been washed ready for use, and will be forwarded to Wellington on Tuesday. It is the club's desire to forward a box of comforts to our boys at the front. Socks, scarves, balaclavas, soap, and paper wili be gratefully received. The Belgian relief work is also being done, and several large parcels have been sent in. Members are again reminded that the club room in the Octagon Tea-rooms, Lower Stuart street, is open for work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and members of other branches visiting Dunedin will be welcomed at any time by the committee.. The following donations are gratefully acknowledged: — 5? n r n J ' M ' Ge °rg e . £2 2s; Mr J. M'Crae, i/2 2s; and parcels from two of Dot's little folk, Mrs Bastings, Mrs Robertson, Miss Thomson, Miss Clarke, and Miss Scarfe.