THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 24

THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

NEW ZEALAND'S RESPOMSE A CHRISTMAS GREETING. TO NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS OVERSEAS. REQUEST FOR NEW ZEALAND PRAYERS. Th Rev. Wm. Saunders (chairman of the Congregational Union of New Zealand) has received the following message from the Hon. J. Alien (Minister of Defence), and asks all Congregationalists throughout the dominion to accede to Mr Allen's wishes: " 1 gratefully recall the assistance rendered to me last Christmas time by the various church organisations in bringing to the notice of the public the Christmas message which I sent to our soldiers and sailors on active service, and shall be very glad nuked if you can sec ycur way to assist mo similarly this Christmas. The following is the text of a message I am sending to the various officers commanding New Zealand troops overseas:—' To New Zealand's sons and daughters across the seas.— Christmas greetings from your countrymen, wlid arc proud of your splendid achievements, and who are in continuous union with you in spirit and thought. Make this union' more real by joining with us wherever yon may be at 8 o'clock on Christmas morning, at" which hour every New Zealand' -r has been invited to pray for you* protection and contii ued success, for the restoration to health of all sick and wounded. for comfort to those who suffer, and for your safe return homo after the work you set yourselves to do has been accomplished and a lasting and honourable peace has been Avon.' " Will you kindly notify as widely as possible, that all people in New Zealand are specially invited to carry out at 8 o'clock on Christmas morning what is indicated in the message. "J. Allen, "Minister of Defence."

TWENTY-FOURTH REINFORCEMENTS. The draft from Otago for tho Twentyfourth Reinforcements is not half-filled by volunteers. At Kensington on Thursday evening no volunteers presented themselves. TWENTY-FIFTH REINFORCEMENTS. AUCKLAND' QUOTA FILLED. AUCKLAND, December 12. The Auckland quota for the Twenty-fifth Reinforcements has been filled under the voluntary system. MAORI DRAFT. Advice received from Wellington intimated that as over 120 recruits are required for the Maori draft it is hoped that Otago will contribute a proportion. Apart from this, 100 Maoris are needed for each of the next three months, camp to be entered on the first week in each month. MOTOR BOAT PATROL. Following is tho last draft of New Zealand recruits selected for the Imperial Navy Motor Boat Patrol:— Sub-lieutenants: R. A Adams. Auckland; C. Armitage, Auckland; B. W. Beaumont, Auckland; G. F. Bothamley, Wellington; G. Thome George, Auckland; R. W. Gunson, Auckland; J. W. Stubbs, Auckland; L. M. Hare, Remuera; H. E. Goodwin, Wanganui; G. C. Maltby, Tauranga; H. Hamilton, Wellington; T. Pierard, Wellington; J. S. Hinds, Christchurch; H. A. Rhind. Lyttelton. .Chief motor mechanic: P. C. Loasby, Christchurch. The draft leaves towards the end of the month. , WILLING~SOLDIERS. CTIRISTCHURCII, December 13. The medical examination of the first ballot men is proceeding steadily. A large number of men are presenting themselves, and hi every case, they appeared quite prepared to do their duty in the event of the doctors passing them. MILITARY SERVICE. GREYMOUTH, December 15. At the Grey Patriotic Society's meeting to-dav tho following motion was carried unanimously : ■" That this patriotic society appreciates tho itepe which the Government is taking to carry out the Act in connection with the recruiting question." The chairman (Mr J. E. Perkins) said those up against conscription were up against everything. It was decided that the motion be forwarded to tho Government. CONSCRIPTION OF MEN. REMARKS BY MINISTER OF DEFENCE. Last Tuesday afternoon tho Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, after expressing his thanks to Patriotic Associations for their work, touched briefly on tho important question of conscription. He said ho know there was an opinion in the country that no man ought to be conscripted. But how were they to secure tho necessary reinforcements unless they had conscripted men? Even now, they would not conaci ipt men if a sufficient number of volunteers came forward every four weeks. They were only conscripting men because they were iorced to do it. If the provision respecting soldiers' liabilities which the Government proposed to make added to the number who volunteered, well and good. For himself, however, he was of the opinion that tho fairest, most, equitable, and most democratic way to secure men for service was by tin ballot. Ho would go further and say that the fairest and best way to secure the labour wanted for the country was also to secure it by ballot, if labour would allow them to do" so. That, of course, was only his own view. The Minister added that this was a tirno when the Government wanted the united action of the country behind it to enable it to carry out tho obligations placed upon the country. Tho lion. Mr Paul said, as to national

service, if the Minister understood him to say ho thought labour would submit to industrial conscription without any sacrifice being put on any other section of the community outside the working population, he wished to say ho did not think for_ an instant that labour would submit to it. His idea from tho beginning had been that so soon as they understood the country would need conscription of life they should have had something approaching national service for the rest of the community.

NURSES FOR WAR DUTY. THE MAHENO'S STAFF. WELLINGTON, December 15. . Tho following nurses have been selected for the staff of the hospital ship Maheno (third commission): —Matron, A. Bagley (Training School, Dunedin); iSisters—O. M'Kinnoy (Wellington), C. iSteele, and D. E. Giifncy (Auckland); Nurses —E. H. Grant (Dunedin), M. J. Cameron (Wanganui), A. E. Bennett and K. C. M'Kay (Christchurch), C. MacFarlanc, N. Ansenne, and C- I. Burke (Waikato), M. Jackson (Auckland), A. M'Kenzie (Gisborne), M. H. P. M'llwraith (Mercury Bay). The following 25 nurses, who have been specially asked for, will leave by other vessels at an early date: —Sister E. Barnes (Nelson), Mrs E. A. Parkinson (New Plymouth), Misses F. Hart (Wellington), L. K. Scanlon (Palmerston North), B. Watters (Auckland), N. Mandeno (Dunedin), J. D. Matheson (Australia)., R. C. Makey (Dunedin), N. Slater (Nelson), E. E. Beattio (Wellington), M. M'Gee (Auckland, J. N. M'Ghio (Dunedin), A. C. M'Kerron (Invercargill), S. G. Barr and I. C. Ancell (Gisborne), E. F. Fitzgerald (Wellington), E. Beer (Dunedin), N. M. Jensen (Christchurch). ANTI-CONSCRIPTIONISTS AGITATION AMONGST COAL-MINERS. GREYMOUTH, December 14. All the coal mines in this district are working full time. It appears that there is nothing to disturb ordinary employment in tho way of working conditions. The Labour organisations, however, are holding meetings throughout tho Grey district, passing resolutions asking for the repeal of compulsory military service and the taking of a referendum on the subject. Mr Webb, M.P., and Mr Howard, of Christchurch, aro tho principal speakers against conscription. APPEALS. With regard to the first ballot the number of appeals received by the Military Service Board from Dunedin alone total 57. With 22 additional appeals lodged, Balclutha is providing a fairly large batch. THE OTAGO PATRIOTIC FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST.

ATo be applied to the Wounded Soldiers' and Dependents' Fund. BELGIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST.

SERBIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST.

THE RED CROSS MOTOR AMBULANCE FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST.

OVERSEAS CLUB & SOLDIERS' ROOMS AT HOKITIKA. There was a large gathering in Hamilton street, Hokitika, on the 12th inst., when the Hokitika Branch of the Overseas Club formally opened the rooms secured for the club, and also the rooms which the club has arranged should be at the service of soldiers of the past, present, and future as a club room. The premises are comparatively new, are centrally situated, and have been made cosy. In the entrance hall are notice boards and other conveniences. The front room on the right entering is the Overseas Club room, and behind it is the Soldiers' Club room. Both rooms are modestly furnished in a homely way t and there are some pictures lent by friends. The decorations arc uniform,, and both rooms give a vorv restful and comfortable impression. On the left is a public lounge with buffet and refreshment side-room. Hero light refreshments will be dispensed,

also_ ice creams for tho summer season. Behind the lounge are the culinary quarters, where the comfort of visitors will be attended to.

The singing of the National Anthem, opened the proceedings, and Miss Moore, the secretary, unfurled the flag to be flown over the building, which the Senior Cadets', who mustered in force under Sergeant-major-Atkin, D.C.M., saluted. Mr D. J. Evans 1 ; president of the Overseas Club, said the day was an appropriate one for the celebration, being Queen Alexandra's birthday and t&O anniversary of Wostland province." He asked tho public to accord' the support that wouldi enablo them to keep the rooms open permit nently. He concluded by reading apologies for absence from the county chairman, Mr J. A. Murdoch, and Mr J. Mandl, tha latter forward in g the substantial cheque or £2O towards the funds, the announcement being received with a hearty round of applause. Addresses were also -given by Mr Grimmond (Mayor of Ross), Mr G. Ai Perry (Mayor of Hokitika), and Mr L. F. do Berry- Miss Perry then cut tho silk" ribbons across the doorway with a pair of silver scissors presented to her as a memento: of tho occasion, and declared tho rooms open.

In tho evening the Overseas Club gav© an "at home," which was largely attended. Music, cards, and conversation, with refreshments, served to pass a most enjoyable evening. The hostesses were Mesdames Evans, Brocklchurst. Williams, and Butland. The building will be managed by the Overseas Club, with which will be associated a sub-committee of the soldiers, who will assist in directing the social side. MisS Evans will have charge of the rooms. Much credit is due to the energetic committee of tho Hokitika Branch of the Overseas! Club, and especially to Miss Moore (secretary), who all worked hard in realising the object aimed at by the club —that of providing a comfortable and homely meeting place for soldiers in conjunction with the club's headquarters.

RED CROSS SOCIETY. . The ladies in charge of the Red Cross stall are to be congratulated on the succe6s of their Christmas effort, £137 16s 8d beingrealised. Included in the sum are the following donations : —Miss Logan (Kelso), £10; Mr W. F. Edmond, £5; Mr J. F. Keid (Elderslie), £5; Mrs Batchelor, £2. Miss K. M'Lean desires to thank the ladies who have helped! throughout the year, all those who have contributed either money or goods, and the publio which has so generously supported the stall from its inception. OVERSEAS CLUB. A meeting of the Women's Committee was held on Monday night, the president (Mrs Lindo Ferguson) in the chair. It was reported that a handsome sum had resulted from the entertainment in His Majesty's; Theatre. The committee resolved to cable" £IOO of tho money to the Overseas Club in London for the benefit of soldiers on active service. A sum of £lO is also to be expended in comforts for returned soldiers in the Dunedin Hospital and at the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium. A committee of three ladies was appointed to distribute tho comforts in the Dunedin Hospital. It was decided to close the rooms on Friday, and to reopen in the first week in February. On Wednesday afternoon Mrs Ferguson (president) and Mr.s R. Martin (chairwoman) entertained the Women's Committee in Miss Mendelsohn's tea rooms. The monthly meeting of tho Executive Committee of the Dunedin Branch of the Overseas Club was held on Wednesday evening last. The usual report from the Women's Committee showed that there had been a large amount of work carried out during tho month, 13 cases having been shipped for Belgium and for our soldiers. ANZAC CLASS AT MIDDLEMARCH. On the 7th inst. the fortnightly meeting of the Anzac Red Cross sewing class was held. This was the last meeting till after the holidays. Since the class began in May £B6 2s 4d has been received, and £4S 9s lid has been spent on material for Red Cross work, leaving a balance of £37 12s sd. The number of articles made was 134-3 which have been passed over to the Middlemarch Patriotic Society to be forwarded to the Early Settlers' Hall, Dunedin. BRAVERY IN THE EIELD. Tho Military Medal for bravery in the field has been awarded to Sergeant C. G. Wilson, a brother of Mrs Caldwell, Enfield. Sergeant Wilson, who is now recovering from his second wound, is one of four brothers at present on active service. Among the recipients of the Military Medal is Corporal C. H. Green, of the 2nd Field Company, New Zealand Engineers, who is a son of Mr H. T. Green, of Braithwaite's. Dunedin. The incident which led to the honour beng conferred is incidentally referred to in a letter couched in modest terms which has been received by his father. The wall of a parapet behind which Corporal Green and four others were situated was blown away by an enemy shell, the five being buried by the debris. By a supei•human effort Corporal Green extricated himself, and at once set to work to extricate his comrades, which he succeeded in doing. Gunner W. J. Brown, elder son of Mr William Brown, of the Otago Farmers' Cooperative Association, whose name is in the list of New Zealanders awarded the Military Medal, was born at Mornington 23 years ago, and was educated at the High Street School. Ho was two years in the B Battery, which he joined when little over 17 years of ago, and a year in the C Battery, Invcrcarfill, where ho was when war was declared. Ho left with the Main Body, and served throughout the campaign at the Dardanelles, where he was slightly wounded. He left Egypt for Frnnce in April with the New Zealand Division, was wounded about October 23. and is now in the 2nd General Hospital, London, and is reported to be progressing favourably. JOTTINGS. A Press Association cable message from Perth states that the name of the New Zcalander who was drowned through the swamping of a motor launch, which was given as Sergeant-major Duncan Cameron, is now given as Cameron Duncan M'Kenzie. A summary of the Tokomairiro Ladies' Patriotic Committee's efforts on behalf of the Lady Liverpool Fund during the year shows that several cases have been despatched to Dunedin headquarters for the benefit of this fund, containing 662 pairs; socks, 63 muslin helmets, 20 day shirts, 20 flannel undershirts, 137 balaclavas, 13 mui»

flers, 58 pairs mitts, 126 handkerchiefs, 80 knitted face-cloths. In addition, £IOB 3s 3d was raised for this fund. The following letter has been received by Mr A. P. Knight, late of Milton, from Lieutenant Kyne, 7th Buttery, New Zealand .Field Artillery, relative to the death in France of his son. Gunner Ernest Knight, who enlisted with the 7th Reinforcements-: " Being a section commander in the 7th Battery, N.Z.F.A., I am writing to you concerning the death of your son, Gunner E. P. Knight. Your son was in my section of the battery, and was killed in action on the afternoon of September 15. His death camo as a great blow to the officers, noncommissioned officers, and men of tho battery, as he was such a splendid fellow, and it would be very hard to find a more popular man anywhere. Ever since the battery was formed he was always about the first man to volunteer to do anything ho could see had to be done, and a braver and a better man could not be found. At the time he was hit he was. carrying out duty along a telephone wire during one of the greatest attacks that the British "have ever launched against the Germans. He was brave at any time, but on the afternoon in question lie was carrying out his work so thoroughly and under such trying conditions that one officer who witnessed his work put in a report abont his brave conduct, recommending him for a decoration. On behalf of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 7th Battery, I express our very deepest sympathy in your very sad bereavement." NEW ZEALAND ARMY. APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS IN THE FIELD. The following appointments and grants of temporary rank to officers serving in the field have received approval. MOUNTED TROOPS. AUCKLAND MOUNTED RIFLES. Lieutenant-colonel C. E. R. Mackesy is granted the temporary rank of colonel (dated September 14). NEW ZEALAND FIELD ARTILLERY. To be lieutenant (dated August 14), Second Lieutenant E. F. H. Knowles. NEW ZEALAND ENGINEERS, DIVISIONAL SIGNAL COMPANY. To be second- lieutenant (dated August 26), 4/513 Sergeant G. D. Alexander. INFANTRY. WELLINGTON REGIMENT. To bo lieutenant (dated September 1), Second Lieutenant R. H. Dodson. OTAGO REGIMENT. Lieutenant A. IS. Falconer is granted the temporary rank of captain (dated August 22). To be lieutenant (dated July 5), Second Lieutenant J. Thompson. NEW ZEALAND RIFLES. To bo captain (dated February 3), Lieutenant H. Eastgate. To be second lieutenants (dated August 26)—23/814 Sergeant W. Lonsdale, 24/643 Sergeant E. T. Olds, 25/67 Company Ser-geant-major O. E. Randie, 26/787 Sergeant E. P. Greatbatch. OTHER BRANCHES. NEW ZEALAND ARMY SERVICE CORPS. Second Lieutenant A. W. Nisbet is granted the temporary rank of lieutenant (dated August 2). NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL CORP 3. Major L. E. Barnett is granted the temporary rank ot lieutenant-colonel (dated Beptember 13). To be majors: Captain R. N. Guthrie (dated March 1), Captain T. D. M. Stout (dated Juno 2), Captain (temporary major) J. G. Mitchell (dated June 2j, Captain H. M. Buchanan (dated September 18). To be captains: Lieutenant (temporary captain) A. M. Marshall (dated November 1, 1915), Lieutenant (temporary captain) D. G. Matheson (dated November 1, 1915), Lieutenant (temporary captain) J. K. Venables (dated November 1, 1915), Lieutenant (temporary captain) J. A. Pottinger (dated December 1, 1915), Lieutenant (temporary captain) W. A Fairclough (dated December 1, 1915), Lieutenant (temporary captain) M. G. Louisson (dated December i, 1915), Lieutenant (temporary captain) A. Robertson (dated December 1, 1915), Lieutenant (temporary captain) W. J. Barclay (dated January 1), Lieutenant (temporary captain) F. A. Bett (dated January 1), Lieutenant (temporary captain) W. 11. Unwin (dated June 24), Lieutenant (temporary captain •E. M. Wylie (dated June 24), Lieutenant G. W. Matthews (dated July 1). To be lieutenants (dated July): Second Lieutenant H. B. Mackenzie, Second Lieutenant J. Hoad. NEW ZEALAND ARMY PAY CORPS. To be major (dated August 1), Captain S. J. Bolton. x\PPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. PROCEEDING ON ACTIVE SERVICE. His Excellency the Governor has approved of the appointment of the undermentioned officers proceeding on active service. New Zealand Expeditionary Force, with tho ranks stated against their names' with effect from 6th December, 1916, unless otherwise specified:— STAFF. Captain Percy William Skelley, New Zealand Staff Corps. MOUNTED RIFLES. Second Lieutenant William Ilenwood Johns. Second Lieutenant Colin Dea.m. Second Lieutenant Frank Leslie Murray. NEW ZEALAND FIELD ARTILLERY. Second Lieutenant Henry Francis Cotter, sth (Wellington) Regiment. Second Lieutenant William Chirnsidc. INFANTRY. Major Edward Shcrson (lieutenant-colonel in Home unit), New Zealand Field Artillery Captain Adam Morrison Rattray, New Zealand Post and Telegraph Corps. Captain Arthur Wilhert Short. Lieutenant Walter Bruce Johnstone, 11th Regiment (Tarnnaki Rifles). Lieutenant John Oswald Webber, 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles. Lieutenant James Pcnniket, 4th (Waiknfo) Mounted Rifles. Lieutenant James M'Rae, 9th (Ilawke's Bay) Regiment. Second Lieutenant Francis George Painter. 10th (Nelson) Mounted Riflef. Second Lieutenant Richard Edward Andrew. Second Lieutenant Arthur Stanley Tonkin.

Second Lieutenant Stuart James Sampson, Ist (Canterbury) Regiment. Second Lieutenant Joseph Wadfield West ley Sheppard Second Lieutenant Percival James Palmer. Second Lieutenant Guy Minnittee Lucas. Second Lieutenant Victor George Parkin. Second Lieutenant Thomas Arthur Blyth. Second Lieutenant Louis William Bassett. Second Lieutenant Edward Norman Grimwade. Second Lieutenant Allen Morpeth, Second Lieutenant John Thomas Deehan. Second Lieutenant Jas. M'Culloch Boyne. Second Lieutenant Allan Keith Robert shaw. Second Lieutenant Michael Bernard O'Connor. Second Lieutenant Charles M'Lelland Bathgate. Srcond Lieutenant James Park. Second Lieutenant Philira Williamson. Second Lieutenant William Girwood Haftic. NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL CORPS. Captain (temnorarv major in Home unit) Hugh Earnshavv Finch, M. 8., B.S. Oxford, D.P.PI. Captain Geoffrey Stuart Moore, M.R.C.P.. Eng., L.R.C.P., Lond. Captain Casement Gordon Aicken, M. 8., 8.5., N.Z., F.R.C.S., Eng. Captain Geoffrev Bruton Sweet, M. 8., M.S. Syd. NEW ZEALAND CHAPLAINS DEPARTMENT Tho Rev. Henry Steele Oraik, Chaplain to the Forces (4th class). NEW ZEALAND RIFLES. Lieutenant William Esmonde Lennox, Napier, N.Z. Garrison Artillery (Auckland Division). Lieutenant Albert Josiah Glasson, 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles (Reserve of Officers). Second Lieutenant Henry Alfred Millard. Second Lieutenant Arthur M'Kee. Second Lieutenant John George Concanon Wales, New Zealand Rifles. Second Lieutenant Hugh Nelson Jickell, New Zealand Rifles. Second Lieutenant Lewis Morvyn Fairbrother, New Zealand Rifles. Second Lieutenant Charles Stanley Brown, New Zealand Rifles. Second Lieutenant Snencoley Walker, New Zealand Rifles. Second Lieutenant Henry James Angus, Now Zealand Rifles. PIONEER UNIT. Second Lieutenant Arthur Tewawata Gannon, Unattached List (b), General List. MEMORANDUM. With reference to the notice published in tho Now Zealand Gazette No. 126, of 9th November, 1916, appointments of officers proceeding on active service, tho name of Second Lieutenant Arthur Stanley Tonkin is deleted. THE ALLEGED DESERTER. WHAT A SOLDIER SAYS. When some newspaper articles appeared a few months ago stating that a resident of the Carterton district had deserted to the enemy in France, a Masterton young lady wrote to a s-ildier friend who was on the spot, asking if the allegations were true. In a post-card just received (says the Wairaropa Times) the following paragraph appears:—"Yes,—it is quite true about . Ho went across to the Germans just at daybreak, and about 8 o'clock a German camo across to our lines and told us all about it, and that Fritz was going to strafe us at 9 o'clock. He did strafe us, too. It was as hot as 'ell; some of the boys were blown clean out of existence. There were a lot of gas cylinders in tho trench, but, as luck would have it, Fritz did not hit them. The part that hurts is that .he is put under tho roll of honour as missing." MESOPOTAMIAN HOSPITALS. A SAD TALE OF SHORTAGE. A resident of Dunedin received yesterday a letter from her sister, who is in charge of a Red Cross hospital tent containing accommodation for SO patients at Amara, which tells a distressing story of the shortage of supplies for the use of the invalided members of tho Expeditionary Force in Mesopotamia. The letter was written on October 13. In it tho nursing sister writes: ' The only thing I shirk is taking round dry bread to the enteric patients. Fancy trying to fatten an enteric with nothing to do it on! The men are very good on the whole, but they realise there must be bad management somewhere. They always look for some better food in hospital; now they have had no porridge for three mornings. Strange to relate, the shops in Amara, in the bazaar, have goodly supplies of stores. I believe they get them up by privato mnhallas, but it seems awful that the supEly and transport cannot feed tho troops. 1 avo been buying jam and tins of potted meat for my men, and my other sisters have helped ; and we have managed to give them something to help the bread down, if it is only a taste, and they are very grateful, for the bread is not exactly sweet homemade, and is bad enough for those in health. Everything is so dear. I got the men some tiny tins of potted meat, and it cost 7s 6d; and we got them jam for breakfast one morning, and I gave them bovril spread on the broad. If you can get any Red Cross folk to send us anv stores, please do so. for I guess they will always be acceptable, not that the present state of affairs can Inst, but comforts are alwa.vs short. O'ur matron came back from her holidnv to-day. and looks so well. She brought back about £2O worth of stores for our men. and we had chutney with our 'bully' to-dav. and it was real good; but £2O worth will not go far with 60 women on the. staff. T feel I want to let everyone know we haven't enough stores, arid there are so many who would be eager and willing to send some little thing, and every little helps." In a later letter, dated October 18. the nursing sister states that the situation had been much relieved, as butter, eggs, and bacon had arrived. RED TRIANGLE IN LONDON. The following extract, is taken from a letter sent by a member of the local Y.M.C A., now in training in England:— " The Y.M.C.A. is doing a good work. The New Zealand section has a hut. called the Shakespeare Hut, which is very nicelygot up with writing and recreation rooms, and a buffet open night and day. You

get a good food there, bettor tlian at the Central Y.M.C.A. The Central Buffet closes at 10 o'clock, and when I got in late driving I always went to the onakespcn.ro Hut and had a good 'tuck-in.' 1 think they have room for some 5(Xi men at the Shakespeare, and everything up-to-date, with showers, etc., O.K. They have quite a number of huts all over London, somo of them not so largo as the Shakespeare, some just beds, and others just for recreation. Ever since I have been here they have all been very full, and sometimes we have as many as 700 men ai this building alone. They have a fleet of oara at night, which start after the busses stop running, and meet all the trains and take the soldiers to the different huts, or if all are full, to some boarding house. So the men are all looked after, and goodness knows they need it. London is a fast shop. Of course there is always a certain crowd no one couk! look after, but on the whole they arc not bad, and one sees very few drunks about. There has been a big crowd of Canadians here, and some of them seem very decent fellows.

"Then at 9.30 a.m. they have a drag that takes those who want to go round the sights of London ; each day they take a different part, and nearly every night, there is a concert or something on. " The New Zealand section has bought a Crossley car, and for the last few days 1 have been running tho New Zealand Y.M.C.A. Commissioners, Messrs Smeaton, Jamieson, and Yarney. about "Wo drove out to Hornchurch the other day, where the New Zealand Hospital is; the Y.M.C.A. are putting up a hut there. In fact wherever there is a body of men you will find the Y.M.C.A.. The hospital is very nicely situated about 25 miles out of London, and is in a nice quiet part. I saw one or two there that. I knew. I saw Mr Sargood also. I think he is looking after the Australian Y.M.C.A., and Messrs Smeaton and Jamieson are looking after the New Zealand. " Before I left home T used to hear how cheap things wero in London, but T have found things very dear. When I came here first they used to charge Is 3d for lunch not as good as wo used to get in Dunedin, and now they charge 2s. and every mortal thing is very expensive. How these men suppo't a family on 30s or £2 a week beats mo."

THE LATE DR MARTIN". A FINE TRIBUTE. Surgeon-general R. Porter. C. 8., whose letter is dated "In the field, October 10, 1916," writes as follows to the British Medical Journal: " I hope you will be able to grant me a small space to pay a slight tribute to the memory of the late Major A. A. Martin, N.Z.M.C., of whose death from wounds in action I have learnt with the deepest regret. " I first mot Major Martin in September, 1914, during the battle of the Marne. He had been sent up to the corps with which I was then serving, and I posted him to the 15th Field Ambulance. It was not long before he proved his worth. Those who had the opportunity of seeing the work done by Martin in the shrapnel-ewcpt village of Missy, on the Aisne, and later in an hospital civil et militaire behind the lines, will never forget the fine qualities he displayed; whether removing wounded from under heavy shell-firo to a place of safety, or performing some of the most difficult operations known to surgery under the most trying conditions, his fearless courage and fine judgment were abundantly proved. " Personally, I shall never forget, his surgical work in the hospital in question. The operation work which he did amongst the apparently helpless cases was magnificent, and stamped him as a skilful operator of the highest order. Arthur Martin was one of the most sympathetic and tender-hearted of men T have ever mot, and still ho did not know what fear was in the midst of danger. During the time he was with us a sentence in his very readable book, ' A Surgeon in Khaki,' sums up his life: ' The surgeon sees the seamy side of war. He comes close to the men struck down in the field—helpless and bleeding and in pain. He stands by them in the dark hours in hospital, and by their bedsteads when they die.' "Many who worked with us in these days have ' crossed the bar'; none of them will be remembered more affectionately for qualities of heart and head than poor Arthur Martin."

THE AUSTRALIANS. ENEMY DEVICE TO CAUSE DISSENSION. FALSE NEWS CIRCULATED. (From Captain C. E. W. Bean, Official Correspondent with Australian Forces.) British Headquarters, France. Nov. 26. The Germans, in statements to neutral papers, are trying to make use of the fact that the Australians have boon engaged in very hard fighting at Pozieres and elsewhere, with one object only—namely, to make mischief between Australia and the Mother Country. This is part of their new effort to leave no stone unturned during this winter by which they may win the war. The statements about the hard fighting are partly true. But the whole point of them —the insinuation that British troops have not been thrown into equally hard fighting, but have been preserved while the Australians were sacrificed —is utterly false, and the Germans know it. The Australian divisions have the honour of being counted with the best on this front, and have been used in the same way as other famous divisions. They would havo been aggrieved, and would be aggrieved to-day, if they were treated as inferior to any others. It is true that recent attacks have been made in very heavy difficulties. They were made by British and Australians side by side, and it so happened that the heaviest of the recent fighting fell on English, Scottish, and Irish divisions. The Germans have for some reason from the first tried to magnify the fight of November 5. They previously stated that it was a battle of the first class, involving enormous losses, and they now state that it was made by throe Australian divisions, regardless of cost. I watched that attack from start to finish. It was made by less than throe complete Australian battalions, together with English regiments, which had some success near the butt. The Germans state that the "futile attacks" now being made are only undertaken to bring prestige, overlooking the fact that they havo al&O brought in 7000 German prisoners. The Australians have fought hard, and

have suffered along with other good soldiers. and the bitterest insult that could be put upon them is that the Germans should take up their case for them. They know perfectly well that any statement which the Germans make regarding them is made with the direct intention of helping Germany to win. and their own side to lose. The statement is made simply because the Germans do not want more Australians opposing them, and think they can cause these divisions to fall below strength by creating dissension within the British Empire. They know how important it is to do this, and they are trying to harm Australia, not to help her. Tho Australian has a capacity which the Germans never understand for standing bv his mates in a fight through thick and thin. He does not speak of them as two German officers spoke to mo the other day of Austrians "Oh. tho Austrians cannot fight. They are no good as soldiers."

LETTER FROM THE FRONT HOW THE NEW ZEALANDERS FIGHT. Writing from the Mend Hospital, Lymington (England), to hia mother at the Manse, Mamaku, Private Victor Rattray gives some impressions of the battle of the Sommo, and tho advance on September 15. He gives a sketch of tho first, second, and third waves, close behind each other, while farther back is the first support wave,

farther again the second support wave, and behind that the reserve wave. "At 5 a.m. our artillery opens up a hellish bombardment on the enemy—a really wonderful 3 ght, but for the danger. At 6.3 J a.m. you hear the order ' Advance.' The first wave advances at a walk, ju«t keeping fiity yards behind our barrage—that is, the lino of our own artillery's bursting shells. That is the way our artillery is worked. When we advance the artillery plays on No Man's Lund, and liits 50 yards every minute; wo follow when it lifts, ami lie down when it stops. It goes on like that till the German front line gets the artillery fire, and then comes the final rush. But remember, while the artilery is playing on the German front line we are 50 yards orf, lying down. When the artillery has been playing on the trench for one minute," to tho very second, it lifts. The infantry makes the final 50 yards rush at the double, and we gain th« German front line trench to find it packed with killed and wounded. This is the charge of the first wave, who hold the captured trench. The second wave passes, goes right through the firs> wave, and, with luck, gets as far as thfr German support trench; likow'se the- third wave goes through the second to tho German subsidiary trench. I was in tho third wave, but being a Lewis machine gunner, had to stay in the original front line trench, as it has to be manned with machine guns pretty slick. As a matter of fact, there was no trench left; our

artillery blew it to pieces. We had just to lie in the shell holes beside the dead, mostly Germans, who were lying about in hundreds. • Our artillery gives it to them particularly hot, while the tanks frightened the devil out of them. I am proud to say %ho Second Otagros took no prisoners. f . . Wo fought beside the Black Watch, and their motto, 'No quarter asked or given' was good enough for lis. One ol them said to me: 'Mon, but thac New Zealanders fight like H . Gie mo thao colonials, and we'll frighten the swine off the airth.' " The writer speaks of the great attention and kindness of the hospital and nursing Btaff, and a visit to Mrs Cornwallis West's mansion. He adds: "I am going to Hornchurch Depot for massage treatment. I ehall not, I think, get back to France till after Christmas."

Previously acknowledged ... £22,404 15 Proceeds of social organised by ladies of Tahatika a 7 12 "X. Y. Z." a 0 10 2 9 0 Total ...£22,412 17 11

Previously acknowledged ... ; 627,483 8 7 Residents of Benhar (20th contribution) 13 11 4 " F. F. B.". (November and December contributions) 1 0 0 "X. Y. Z." 0 10 0 " Warepa " 0 7 6 "J. H." 0 6 0 "T. B." 30 0 0 D.I.C. warehouse and workroom staffs, 46th contribution 8 0 0 Waitahuna Patriotic Committee 5 10 0 Employees of D.SA. £2 14 0 D.S.A., subsidy on above 2 14 0 — 5 8 0 "W. W." 0 10 0 " B. K. M.," monthly contribution 0 5 0 Collected by Mrs A. Ings, of 'East Taieri, four months' contributions 6 12 6 Manager and employees, Wanaka Station ._. 6 3 6 Wakatipian, monthly contribution v 1 0 0 Total i 627.567 12 6

Previously acknowledged £1758 0 Waitahuna Patriotic Committee 5 0 Collected by Mrs A. Ings, of East Taieri, four months' contributions 1 io 7 C Total £1764 10 7

Previously acknowledged ...... £2336 11 3 Proceeds of collection during song by girls at Mount Cargill School concert 2 0 0 J. A. Aitken, Waikaka Valley... 1 0 0 Total £2339 11 3