NEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE

Otago Witness, Issue 3259, 30 August 1916, Page 42

NEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE

FOURTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS. ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION. WELLINGTON August 26. It is officially announced that the Fourteenth Reinforcements have reached their destination, all well. STRENGTHENING OUR FORCES. WELLINGTON, August 22. A rumour has been current among the soldiers in camp for some days that thj 'Government is sending an extra reinlorcement draft shortly. The Minister of Defence stated tonight that the Government had no such intention. It had been agreed, howe/er, mat New Zealand should furnish nidi for unother batScry of artillery to join the Expeditionary Force at the front as soon as their training was complete. This means that the recruits registered on the waiting list for the artillery wi's be called up rather -coner titan otherwise would have been the Case. TUNNELLING ENGINEERS. Ro : .n r orcor:ients for the Tunnelling Company of Engineers will, according to a memorandum issued by headquarters, Wellington, bo required at quarterly intervals jnti at an increased rate. The registrations jpf »,iit-abi<; men will be accepted for service in '•:!« particular unit, the ages to be 21 to fO years. In addition to skilled tunnellers a small percentage of unskilled men will bo taken for each reinforcement draft, but if possible all should have some practical experience in either tunnelling or mining. Coal miners will not be accepted. Th« next draft will be called up about the beginning of October. MEN WANTED FOR SAMOA. Men are wanted for Samoa. They will require to report at Narrow Neck Camp, Auckland, on September 4, and wiil leave Auckland a few days later. As the time is ihort they will not receive leave after going into camp. MEETING OUR OBLIGATIONS. VOLUNTARY SYSTEM SUCCESSFUL. WELLINGTON, August 27. The Hon. Mr Allen, commenting on tho London Times's reference to conscription in New Zealand, said he looked upon tho article as designed for political purposes. We had not conscripted a singlo man in New Zealand. Four reinforcement drafts Were in camp under training, and two moro Were, fully ready to be called up—all under |ho voluntary system. We wero thus fully

j ablo to moot all our obligations in maini taming the strength of our forces oversea. \ It was ridiculous to suggest that New Zeaj kmcl was not doing as well under the volun- ! tary system as any other part of the Emj pire. Mr Allen airro pointed out that, while |, New Zealand had boon thus meeting Imj perial obligations in the matter of men, ! our Territorial system of training had been kept going fully and efficiently. REINFORCEMENT DRAFTS. WELLINGTON, August 28. The Minister of Defence asks alt Recruiting Committees in New Zealand to keep up their effort to find men for the reinforcements. It is idle for the advocates of compulsion to say: —"Lot tho Govern- . ment put tho Military Service Act into force," because tho Government is not yet ready to do this and cannot possibly be ready for some time. it is hoped that I everything will bo ready by October. Pre--1 parations are now complete for tho enrolI ment of tho Expeditionary Force Reserve, | and this will occupy a fortnight. AftcrI wards some time will be occupied in the classification of the enrolment cards and ■ the compilation of tho district rolls. This I time may be long or short, but it is hoped I now that it may bo short. There was a ; shortage in the 20th draft just : called up, but this is causing no anxiety. No difficulty will bo experienced in getting ; that draft up to strength, but if there are j heavy shortages in the remaining drafts to bo called up before the conscription machinery is ready some embarrassment might be caused. There is a good chance that compulsion may not bo needed until : long after October, but until then it will ! not even bo possible for the Government to ! conscript without ballot, as the Act proj vides, some of tho brothers out of shirking , families. SOLDIERS' PAY. j WELLINGTON, August 28. ! The annual conference of the New Zealand Federation Patriotic W 7 ar Relief Societies adopted a resolution urging that the pay of members of the expeditionary forco should be 5s per day for tho first month instead of 4s. ! Tho Minister of Defence, in reply to tho letter conveying this resolution, states that tho Cabinet has decided that, with the I coming into op"rat:on of the Military Serj vico Act, the rato of pay of members of : tho expeditionary forco shall commence in ; full from tho time of their coming into camp, and there shail lie no deduction for tho first month in camp. TRANSPORT PUTS BACK. : WELLINGTON, August 24. A transport, with a recent draft of reini forcements on board, put into Wellington I this morning on account of overheated bearings in the engine room. The vessel will i sii.il again soon when repairs have been j effected. Tho health of the men on board ; is good. HEALTH OF TROOPS. i FURTHER DEATHS AT TRENTHAM. (Fkom Our Own ConnESPONDVJNT.) WELLINGTON, August 22. A statement regarding the health of tho ' men in camps was made by Surgeon-general

Henderson to-day. Ho expressed regret that another death from cerebro-spinal meningitis had occurred at Trentham. This was the case of a man named Brown, of the 19th Reinforcements. He was in hospital for 11 days suffering from measles, and yesterday developed cerebro-spinal meningitis of a malignant type, and died at 9.30 this morning. Of the five other cases of meningitis at Trentham four were getting along well, while the fifth, which was serious, had shown a distinct improvement. So far there had been no more cases of suspected meningitis at Trentham. "I made a most careful inspection yesterday of the hutments to be occupied by the 17th Reinforcements, and 22nd noncommissioned officers. They have been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and whitewashed inside, and the drains adjusted so as to render them as sanitary as possible. They were perfectly 6afe for men to go jnto. Considering the amount of ram. the camp seemed dry, this applying particularly to the roads. Of three 10ft deep pits that have been dug at both ends of the camp one was dry, whilo the other two had no more than an inch of water in them The remaining hutments are being treated the same way, and will be available for occupation later on. This morning about 25 men of the 17ths were on sick parade. One was a case of suspected measles and the others mild complaints." Surgeon-general Henderson added that the Featherston meningitis case had become critical, and there was another suspected case of meningitis from tho 18ths'. Otherwise- the report from Featherston was satisfactory. August 23. The improved weather conditions are, says Surgeon-general Henderson, having a marked effect on the health of the men in camp. Many have been suffering from colds owing to continued wet weather, but if the present fine spell is maintained a few days longer the minor ailments will disappear. Of five cerebro-spinal meningitis cases at Trentham, two are now out of danger, and the others are distinctly improving. THREE MORE DEATHS. WELLINGTON, August 26. Private O. H. Challies, _ Nelson, Nineteenth Reinforcements, died to-day at Featherston from pneumonia followingmeasles. Private R. M. MTntosh, Nineteenth Specialists, died yesterday at Trentham from broncho-pneumonia and measles. August 28. The death is reported at tho Featherston camp Of Pri 'te Albert Grover, 19th Reinforcements, from broncho-pneumonia following measles. VALOUR B FAY A E DEI). Two members of the New Zealand staff of tho National Bank of New Zealand have ben decorated for bravery in the field—namely, C. R. G. Bassc.it (Auckland), who won the Victoria Gross, and Corporal B. N. Tavender (Ohristchurch), who won the D.C.M. Mr Robert; Logan, on behalf of the directors and shareholders of the bank, at (lie annual meeting in London, congratulated theso young men on their welldeserved honour, and stated that a grant of £IOO had been made to Bassett as a mark of appreciation for his distinguished conduct.

GALLANT NORTH ISLAND OFFICER. General Godloy has written to a resident in Rangitikei about Colonel Young, as follows:—" You must all bo very proud of Colonel Young, the Marton man. You realise- no doubt that ho has got three rewards, the C.M.G., the D. 5.0., and the Legion of Honour, and he has earned every one of them most thoroughly. lie has proved himself to be qu : to one of our best officers, and has always been in the thick of every fight that wo have had—the landing, the fight when the New Zealand Brigade went down to Cape Holies, and tho battle of Sari Bair, and the evacuation." Or A. Martin writes also: "You remember Youn,g, of Marton. Ho is out hero commanding the Cantcrburys—is a Lieutenantcolonel, a 0.M.G., a D. 5.0., and a Legion of Honour. Had a walk round his front trenches yesterday. Ho is just the same genial soul." MILITARY CROSS WINNER, LIEUTENANT RIDDIFORD'S GALLANTRY. The following interesting details in connection with the heroic conduct of Lieutenant Richard Riddiford, which resulted in his being awarded the Military Cross, are taken (says the Wairarapa Times) from a letter written on July 4- from "Somewhere in Franco" bv Private William Leach, son of Mr and Mrs R. D. Leach, of Masterton: " Some of our boys had a fearful time of it the night before hist. They made a raid on the Germans, who had got wind of it, and were waiting for them with machine, guns, rifle grenades, and hand grenades, and there were these poor devils lying out in No Man's Land with these things lobbing all around them. Anyway, they got into tho German trenches and stuck a few Germans, but had to get out of it—the firo was too hot. Forty out of the Ruahines were in it, and they lost 20 killed and wounded. Lieutenant Riddiford and Sor-geant-major Frost have been mentioned in despatches for bravery. They went over nine times, tho two of them, and each time brought back a wounded man. T think both of them will get the D. 5.0., because the firo was hell all the time. I believe they begged 'Dick' Riddiford to come in, but ho refused to come in until ho had found every Ruahino man. At roll call there was one man unaccounted for, and ho wanted to go back and look for him, but ho was blocked. They found this man last night, and he was as blind as a bat is in daylight. The Germans attacked tho Aueklandcrs last night. but were beaten back badly. They let them got to our barbed-wire entanglements, then they poured the lead in and let the grenades go in hundreds. They came at this three times, and only about a dozen got into our trenches, and wo soon had thorn threaded on the end of a bayonet. IN FRANCE AND ENGLAND. LETTER FROM GENERAL GODLEY. WELLINGTON. August 24. News of how New Zealand army affairs are at tho front and in England is contained in a letter just received by the Minister of Defence from General Godloy. Mr Allen gave tho following extracts from this letter to a reporter to-day: "The conditions hero, though in many ways easier than in Gallipoh, are more trying to anyone whose nerves are not quite right on account of the frequency and weight of the enemy's A great deal of time has been given to the organisation of tho dontal work here, and it now seems to bo running smoothly and efficiently. I have ioappointcd tho Rev. J. A. Lu.xford to bo principal chaplain to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force again. I saw him at Hornchurch, and although ho has only one leg, he will be able to do the work, and to advise General Richardson as regards all chaplains' matters, and to co-ordinate the whole lot. "While at Home I visited Hornchurch, and found everything going on very well there, but the Command Depot, as it is called, was just about to bo transferred to Codford St. Mary, near Salisbury Plain, which I quite agree was a better arrangement. I also went to see the training establishment at Salisbury Plain, and found_ the men there very comfortably located in huts. I wont to see the Now Zealand hostel,, for which they have taken three corner houses in Russell square, quite near to our headquarters office. It should bo a great boon to our men. (This is tho hostel for which tho Now Zealand Government has provided £4OOO for establishing and maintaining for a year.) Our offices are excellent, and I think very well run with a minimum of staff. Colonel Myers is acting as A.D.M.S. assistant to Dr Parkes, Fitzherbert is managing records, Hntclien the pay, and Loyien tho "ordnance, and all of them, I think, aro doing quite well." Tho convalescent depot at Epsom was also inspected by General Godloy, who reports that he found it an excellent institution, well managed by an Imperial officer named Colonel Kilkelly. Some huts had been set apart at Epsom for New Zealand soldiers, but General Godloy states that there is some doubt about our retaining them, as they may all be wanted for Canadians. In that case, the Now Zcalanders will get instead a convalescent depot at Hornchurch. General Godloy expresses tho opinion that small convalescent homes, such as they had in Egypt, are not necessary or desirable, as they will get much better results by having their efforts concentrated and co-ordinated. He went over the convalescent hospital at Brocklehurst, and thinks that with two hospitals—one at Walton and the' other at Brocklehurst—and a convalescent home at Hornchurch, together with a training establishment, at Salisbury Plain, there is every reason to believe that tho men will be well looked after, and that the interests and co-ordination of forces will bo well maintained by headquarters in London. GIVEN COMMISSIONS The following members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force are tho nominees for commis-zions m tho Imperial .Forces for June, 1916: 7/491 Sergeant Dawson, Canterbury Mounted 11 isle Regiment. 12/231 Sergeant-major Cameron, Auckland Battalion. 2/570 Gunner Drury, Divisional Artillery. 5/270a Sergeant Hood, Divisional Train. 25/231 Rifleman A. C. Mudford. 4th Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Commissions in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force have boon granted to tho following non-commissioned officers and men serving at the front, and returning to New Zealand to join reinforcement drafts:—

8/212 Sergeant J. M. Gillies. 4/533 Driver J. L. Bellcrby. 6/2605 Sergeant-major F. Dver. 11/66 Sergeant 11. N. Jiokell. 4/346 Lance-corporal S. Waymouth. 11/391 Quartermaster-sergeant J. G. Wales. EXAMINATION RESULTS. Following are the names of the candidates who passed and marks at the special examinations for first appointments to commissions held in the Reinforcement Camps in Juno and July:— FOURTEENTH HEIXFORCEAIEX'rfc:. New Zealand Field Artillery—Sergeant H. H Kirker 1255. New Zealand Engineers—Sergeant A. W. Larscn 1236. Infantry—C.S.M. C. Waterson 1197, Sergeant S. Davis 1159, Sergeant R. Worley 10G2, Sergeant C. B. Willis 933, Sergeant 11. S. Henrick 1051, Sergeant L. H. Deimiston 1146, Sergeant C. H. Holmes 1078, Sergeant L. F. Tisdall 981, Sergeant G. M. Lucas 941, Sergeant R. T. Harlyon 1074, Sergeant G. C. Laws 1171, Sergeant C. D. G. Lowler 1146. Sergeant Mc R. Cameron 1170, Sergeant li. A. Turning 1032, Sergeant A. D. Paisley 1121, Corporal A. Talbot 1235. C.S.M. N. F. Little 1312, C.S.M. J. N. Bullard 1154, Sergeant K. R, White 1101, Sergeant I. G. Pritchard 1143, Sergeant F. J. Traynor 1058, Sergeant E. J. Rose 1117 FIFTEENTH ItEIXFOBCEILEXTi?. New Zealand Engineers—Sergeant G. W. Eaton-Turner 1425. Infantry—Sergeant W. P. Aitken 1268, Sergeant. E. Davy 1267, Serseant E. N. Grimwade 1303, Sergeant A. Morpeth 1211, C.S.M. G. 11. Nieholls 1340, Corporal S. Walker 1159. C.S.M. O. G. H. Bobinson 1269, Sersreant H. Lawson 1234, Sergeant L. W. Bassett 1145. Sergeant A. Blyth 1257. Sergeant G. T, Weston 1260. Sergeant J. F. MT>addcn 1366, C.S.M. R. S. Halliwell 1222, Sergeant J. M'C. Bavne 1136, Sergeant J. T. Deehan 1204, Sergeant C. B. T. M'Clure 1224, Serjeant H. B. Patrick 1252, C.S.M. W. R, Lascelles 1242. Sergeant H. C. Smith 1145, Sergeant V. G. Parkin 1152, C.S.M. J. S. Marsden 1254, Sergeant P. F. Armstrong 1195. Sergeant A. K. Robc-rtshaw 1193. Sergeant M. B. O'Connor 1250, Sergeant C. S. Brown 1167, Sergeant C. Brook 1214, Sergeant W. Mann 1205, Sergeant L. M. Fairbrother 1117, C.S.M. M. J. Scott 1075, C.S.M. A. M. "Hannah 1078, Serjeant J. L. Hardy 1145, Sergeant E. C. Granger 989. The maximum of marks obtainable was 1800 and the minimum required to pass 900.