HOSPITAL SHIP MAHENO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3227, 19 January 1916, Page 52

HOSPITAL SHIP MAHENO.

STATEMENT BY MR ALLEN

WELLINGTON, January 17

" The Now Zealand Government did not bring back the hospital ship Maheno to New Zealand," said the Minister of Defence to-day. "We handed the vessel over unreservedly to the Army Council to be utilised in the best interests of sick and wounded soldiers. The military authorities on the spot knew what service was required and where the ship should be. We did not control the movements of the Maheno while she was in the Mediterranean. We were informed from London that the ship was coming back to New Zealand with invalided men, but the Defence Department wa6 not responsible for bringing her back." The Minister added that the original Intention of the army authorities had been to send the Maheno to New Zealand with cot cases. Finally, it had been decided to send back enteric cases, which were the cause of the embarrassment on the hospitals owing to the presence of " carriers " among them. The New Zealand Defence Department had not exercised authority at all in the matter. That hospital ship staffs are liable to transfer to camps and to the ordinary ambulance corps is shown by the fact that the staff of the Maheno has been removed from the ship and transferred to the ambulance. As soon as their three weeks' leave expiree, the men who returned on the Maheno will have to go into camp at Trentham. PERSONAL NOTES. Mr T. M. Haalett, M.A., Otago University, who was secretary for the Australasian Students' Christian Movement until 1914, and then wont to America to study at the Oberlin College, Ohio, has gone to England to offer his services. Major P. J. Wain, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, who was wounded at Gatlipoli, and invalided to England, has obtained a first class pass at the Hythe School of Musketry, where he took the course during his furlough.

Mr Wylio (inspector of schools under the Southland Board) hoa received a further cablegram from England advising him that his son (Captain Thomas Wylio, R.A.M.C.) has lost his right eye and has shell wounds in his arm and logs. Ho is still in Franco and improving rapidly, and will bo shortly removed to England.

Mr H. C. Mac Gibbon, son of Mr Colin Macgibbon (Dunncvirko, and formerly manager of the Rank of Now South Wales at Gore), has enlisted with the Ninth Reinforcements.

Mr H. 6. Rosovear, who left for Trontham on the 13th, was on the eve of his departure presented by his employers and fellow clerks with small tokens of their esteem, and wished good luck nnd a. safe return. Mr Rosovcar, who has been studying for the bar, is the second son of Mr E. A. Rosevoar, who is woll-known in this city, to offer his services for his country, his" elder brother having already given his life in his country's cause. Mrs Domigan (Gore) has received cable advice to the effect that b.er husband, who wa3 wounded at Gallipoli on August 7 and sent to England for medical treatment, has now boon fully restored to health, and has rejoined the forces. Captain Domigan

cabled from Ismailia, on the Suez Canal. In a letter written by Captain Domigan on November 11 at sea, which was received a few days ago. he stated that ho had boon promoted to the rank of major, but did not know then where, lis destination would bo. CHAPLAIN DORE. WELLINGTON, January J 4. The Rev. Patrick Lore, chaplain to the forces, mentioned in the cablegrams as having been awarded the Military Cross, was ono of the two Catholic chaplains who left Now Zealand _in October, 1914, with the Main Expeditionary Forces. Ho was attached to the Auckland Mounted Rifles, and landed with them when they arrived at Gallipoli. Chaplain Dore was an indofatigable worker in his own sphere, and ever at hand to assist in any branch of the work. Hie name was a household word among the lads at Anzac, by every ono of whom he was beloved. Chaplain Dore was hit while aiding a wounded man under fire on August 21, and was taken to the Military Hospital at Devonport, England, where he was lying at the last advices. Chaplain Dore is a native of the South of Ireland, and when about 30 years of age he came to New Zealand, about five years ago, and was stationed at Palmeiston and Foxton. Ho was an enthusiastic sportsman, and excelled in several branches of athletics. SERGEANT-MAJOR BO ATE, D.C.M. Sergeant-major Boate, D.C.M., has evidently had an adventurous career. Ho served in the South African war as an Imperial soldier, and had also seen service in other parts of the 'world. It is said that on his first volunteering with the New Zealand forces he was '' turned down," but, not discouraged, he tried again, and left with the Otago Second, and on his arrival in Egypt was attached to the South Otago Regiment Reinforcements, and was at the first landing at Gallipoli. He was accidentally wounded by a bayonet, and was taken to hospital at Alexandria. 4n interesting incident is related of his return to the Peninsula. On his arrival at Anzac his regiment was serving at Cape Helles, and, as one soldier who knew him well, relates, Boate went up to Wacher's Ridge to have a snipe "on his own." He was immediately accosted by a sentry, and asked who he was. Boate replied that he was a member of the South Otago Regiment, and the sentry thereupon asked him why he was not at Cape Helles, and arrested him as a 6py. Boate was taken back to the beach, but had no difficulty in proving his identity. "He was jolly lucky that time," significantly remarked a soldier who witnessed the incident. Boate was of a cheery nature and rather accomplished as a flute player, and entertained the boys in the trenches with martial music when things got a bit lively. The hall mark was placed on him by a returned soldier thus: He was a jolly good fellow."