THE EMPIRE'S CALL

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 37

THE EMPIRE'S CALL

NEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE Cl MEN, ARRANGEMENTS FOR RE-EXAMINA-TION. Over 5000 First Division reservists, formerly classed as unfit, are to bo re-examined by the Speoial Cl Medical Board during the next four months. They are First Division volunteers and men who were called up in the sixth and subsequent ballots. A substantial proportion of theee men doubtless will be passed into the Cl camp for the training that may make them fit for active servioe. The re-examination of rejeoted First Division volunteers will be completed by May, and tl}e reexamination of rejected Second Division volunteers will bo undertaken after the calling up of all the ballot men in their olass. A large draft of Cl men -will leave Dunedin for Featherston camp by a special train on Tuesday, 15th inst. The strength of the draft will be upwards of 250 men, all from Otago and Southland. DATES FOR ENTERING CAMP. WELLINGTON, Januery 4. The next recruit draft—the 36th Reinforcement* —will enter camp between February 5 and February 9. No drafts will be mobilised during January, but a draft will be taken into the Cl Camp between January 15 and January 18. LETTER FROM GENERAL GODLEY. General Bir Alexander Godley, in writing to the Hon. Sir James AUen, mentioned that he had recently paid a visit to some of the large hospitals in London. He called at Walton and Oatland hospitals and found everything in excellent order. The thing which pleased him most was the work for limbless soldiers, which was being

carried out under the supervision of Captain Richards, ■ Now. Zealand Army Servioe Corps. The change in the attitude of the men towards trades was most marked. Typewriting, shorthand, and carpentering were being taken up enthusiastically. He had also visited Brockenhurst Hospital, and found it working very well. The institutions ho had visited compared very favourably with the best of similar institutions anywhere. He had also visited Oodford and Sling, and saw the physical training classes at the former place, which were excellent, and had improved greatly since his previous visit. On the fourth day of his visit he went to seo the New Zealanders at St. Dunstan's Hospital, an institution for the blind, and was greatly pleased with what he saw. He also heard good accounts of the working of this .institution from Sir Arthur Pearson, and was quite satisfied that the men there were well looked after. DEATH OF RETURNED SOLDIER.

A returned soldier, named Edward Sainsbury (11345), who belonged to Queenstown and followed the occupation of a farmer, the nerfc-of-kin being Mr Egbert Sainsbury, died in the Hospital on the 4th. The deceased returned to New Zealand by the troopship Marama two trips ago, has been an inmate of the Hospital ever since. The military funeral on Sunday afternoon was witnessed by large numbers of the public. Sainsbury, who was a young Queenstown farmer, .went away to the Avar with the Twelfth Reinforcements, and was in the Somme battle. He suffered for many months with trench fever and' a wound in the shoulder, and returned to New Zealand on a hospital ship some four months ago. Since then ho has been cared for in the Dunedin Hospital, but he passed away last Friday. Two brothers of the deceased soldier went away with the Twenty-seventh Reinforcements. WIDOWED MOTHERS' PENSIONS. AUCKLAND, January 6. A deputation from the Soldiers Mqthers' League interviewed the Hon. A. M. Myers and protested against the old age pension being taken into account in fixing the military pension to widowed mothers whose sole support is killed. The speakers declared that every consideration was given to the young wives of soldiers at the expense of widowed mothers. Soldiers' widows received 30s per week and could earn as much more. A mother had to live on 15s per week. The deputation asked that widowed mot/hers receive & pension of 30s per week, exclusive of the old age pension. Mrs Kessell said she was 61 years old, and had five sons at the front, yet she was debarred from receiving any separation allowance, and, because she owned a home, was refused the old age pension. Mr Myers expressed his sympathy with the league's views. The Government was fully sensible of its responsibilities to mothers. As to soldiers and their other dependents, it had been blamed for not giving enough to wives, and now tho deputation said it was giving them too much. There would be a Cabinet meeting on Monday, and he would then bring the representation's before his colleagues. BACK FROM THE WAR. A hospital ship reached Port Chalmers about fi.y.o o'clock on New Year morning with a number of returned soldiers—a list of whom has already appeared in the Daily Times. The men were met and welcomed by officers of the Defence Department. The men for Central Otago were despatched with the 7.52 a.m. train from Dunedin, and those for the north and south lines went on by the first expresses in each instance. _ . There is one in-patient for the Dunedin Hospital—Private T. C. Roid, whose next-of-kin is W. S. Reid, of Wakatipu Mills, Arrowtown. The cot cases for Dunedin Hospifcal'were— Second Lieutenant L. J. Gardner (noxt-of-kin. James M'Ewan. Gore), Private R. F. Berwick (Mrs W. J. Berwick, Harbour terrace, Dunedin), Private Thomas Dunford (W. Dunford, Bayfield, Anderson Bay), Ser-

geant G. W M. Irvine (John M'Leod Irvine, Ramsgate, England), Private William J. Roberts (Mrs R. Forth street, Dunedin), Private William C. Roberts (Mrs B. Roberts (Queen street, Dunedin). and Private Joseph Plever (A. Plever, Milton). There was one cot case for Oamaru —Private W. Williams (D. Williams, Waitaki). Cot case 3 for Invercargill Hospital—Sergeant T. J. Egan (Mrs M. Egan, Wairio), orporal G. S. Dick (Mrs B. Dick, Lawrence), Private J. G. Greene (J. Greene, Kaitangata). A. D. Lindsay (J, Lindsay, Otautau), Alex. M'Neeco (J. M'Neece, Waikiwi, Invercargill). James Walker (J. Walker, North Balolutha).

ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER DRAFT. AUCKLAND, January 3. Draft No. 130 has arrived. It consists of 442 mounted men, who are invalided, including 43 Thore are no serious cases, all being walking cases. The majority were put out of action at the battle of the Somme, and a smaller proportion at Messines. Most of the men have been for a lengthy period in English hospitals and oonvalesoent homes, and aro returning to New Zealand for final discharge. The draft is in charge of Lieutenant-colonel Gardner, D.S.Q., who returns to fill the post of deputy quartermaster-general. The men have benefited greatly by the trip. Three sisters returned on duty, including Sister gilmer, of Hamilton, who received the oyal Rod Cross for work on active service.

ARRIVAL OF FURTHER DRAFTS. AUCKLAND, January 4. A draft of invalided soldiers which arrived this evening comprised five officers, one niuee, 380 other ranks, including 37 Main Body men, in addition to one nurse and five officers returned for duty. There are 22 cot cases, all suffering from pulmonary affection. None has lost limbs, but 12 have lost the sight of one eye. An officer and four men, who were married in England, are accompanied by their wives.

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND MEN. The following are the names of the Otago and Southland men who arrived in Dunedin on the sth inst. by express train from Christchuroh, under the charge of Captain Lacey, D.T, (the addresses are those of the- next-of-kin) : Captain George Hepburn Ferguson, telegraph expert, St. Clair. William Jules Borland, cook, Dunedin. William Booth Geeson, carter, North-East Valley. John George Hay, cabinetmaker, North Dunedin.

Edward Healey, labourer, South Dunedin. Robert William Johnson, labourer, Dunedin.

Joseph Jordan, labourer. Thomas Joseph N: Jacques, cook, London. George Henry Luckhurst, packer, Melbourne.

Henry William George Vernon, printer, South Dunedin.

Leonard Stuart Watson, shepherd, Dunedin. Herbert Patrick Wilson, painter, Dunedin. John M'Creury, shop assistant, Roslyn. James Victor Marks, labourer, Dunedin. t>onald Matheson, boxmaker, Dunedin. Reginald Wilfred Prout, labourer, Mornington. Allan Albert Richardson, ironmonger, St. Kilda.

Thomas Rodden, sheepfa-rnier, South Dun edin.

Samuel Saunders, watchmaker, South Dunedin.

William Albert Templeton, jeweller, Dunedin.

Alfred Edward Trinder, horseman, Dunedin. Francis Robert Turner, picture operator, Oaversham.

John Anderson Tcdd, farmer, Papatowai. David Ainott, mill contractor, Portobello. James Strong, moulder, Port Chalmers. Alexander Sinclair, labourer, Mosgiel. Herbert Edward Hurndell, labourer, Waikouaiti.

James Aitken, labourer, Invercargill. ■ Alfred Archibald Moir, carter, Invercargill. Francis Joseph O'Cc-nnell, bricklayer, Invercargill. James Newton Preston, carter, Invercargill. . Thomas William Stevenson, hardware assistant, Gore. James Andrew Wilson, labourer, Gore. Norman White, .engineer, Invercargill. John Howden. .farmer, Waikaka Valley. Reginald Alexander M'Kinnon, farmer, Riverton. Henry Wyatt Roberts, sawyer, Round Hill. James William Baird, farmer, Otatara. Timothy Cairns, farmer, Heddon Bush. William Blake Cox, farmer, Kauana Bay, Southland. James George Sutherland, labourer, Longbush.

•Sergeant James Maurice Bailey, farmer, Hilderthorpe. Corporal Donald James Boss, engineer, Hillgrove. George Stuart, labourer, Livingstone. Edwin William Brooke, miner. Shag Point. William Henry Barkley, butcher, Victoria. William James Marsh, miner. Kaitangata. Sergeant Wm. M"Ghoe, miner, Kaitangata,. Corporal Thoma 3 Moore Bulfin, farmer, Lawrence. Corporal Duncan Edward Chisholni Taylor, plumber, Milton. Norman Murdoch M'Donald, cheesemaker, Bfflclutha, Eric George Chatterley, farm hand, ILngland. ~ , , m Charles Francis Chandler, labourer, lapanui. _ David Gibson, labourer, Kelso. Alexander Haugh, farmer, Edievale. John Edward Hay, clerk, Romaliapa. Major Fleming wires the Defence Office that all the above are walking cases. DRAFT 129. A Press Association message from Auckland states that the draft of soldiers who returned on Friday included 16 second lieutenants, who are to Join future reinforcements. Fourteen of them originally went to the front with the Main Body, and several have been on active service during the whole period without being wounded. The following is a list of the Otago and Southland men, the addresses given in each 'case being the place of residence of the next-of-kin:— Captain James Ayson Marshall, medical practitioner, Dunedin. Douglas Craigie, clerk, Mornington. _ William Black Anderson, commercial traveller, Dunedin. James Nathaniel Duggan, drainer, Victoria. William Thomas Dowdle, labourer, Maori Hill. , T , j George William Murrow, cook. Ireland. Walter Kedzlic, farmer, Halfway Bush. Michael Fahey, labourer, Moa Creek. John Fox, farmer, Pine Hill. William Fraeer, factory hand, Dimedin. Thomas Henderson, blacksmith, Roslyn. Henry James Matthews, gardener, England.

James Lee O'Connell, fireman, Rojlyn. Thomas (Smith, labourer, Maori Hill. John Simmons, grocer, Dunedin. John Wqlsh, shearer, South Dunedin. George Tomkins, labourer, Hyde. Colin Cowan, labourer, Dunedin. Sinclair Allan Beaton, labourer, Dunedin. James Hubert Scott, farm labourer, England.

Fox (corporal). Sister May Chalmer, Upper Kew, Dunedin. Thomas Joseph Hanly, Ravensbourne. Second Lioutenant Frederic M'lvor ( station hand, Auckland. James Gray, miner, Green Island. John M'Gil.l, labourer, Roslyn. James Ross, carter, Walton Park. Robert Francis Coyle, sawmillsji Otautau. William James Coyle, painter, Otautau. Robert John Foster, grocer's osiiatant, Thornbury. Corporal William Treloar, farmer, Awaru* Plains. Patrick Duggan, rabbitcr, MandeTlllo. Charles Ernest Giles, oil engineer, Bluff. Robert Norman France, farmer, Gora. Joseph Gardon Haggart, farmer, Got©. Wilham M'Kenzie, fitter, Clifton. Harry iSievwright, labourer, South Inver> cargill. T°L in herald Hamilton, clerk, Mataura. Tt J indla y> blacksmith, Inveroargill. John Gourley, labourer, InvercargilJ, William Hinton, grocer, InvercargM John Edward Bodkin, farmer, Alexandra. Stephen Boer, gold miner, Gimmerburn. William Garner Gordon, gold miner, Queenstown. r t William George M'Aughtrie, shepherd, Kurow. George Francis Wise, hairdresser, Pukouri Junction. , Joel Clayford (? Cayford), farmer Oamaru.

James Anderson, labourer, Sydney. . Patrick Kiely, railway surfaceman, Oamaru. Wm. Robert Auld, clerk, Waitahuna. Ernest Bisset, farmer, Kaifangata. James Cairns, miner, Blackball. Leonard Wilford Gribben, carpenter, Kaltangata. Moses, Parr, miner, Kaitan.gata. Charles Dick, labourer, Owaka. Eric Molyneux Mosley. clerk, Stirling'. Wm. James Lindsay, farm labourer, Momona. Charles Ronald Otte, farmer, Tuatapere. Wm. Hugh M'Kay, farmer, Riversaale, James Murdoch, labourer, Mafcaura, Michael Bernard Fahey, farmer, Invercargill. . Wilbert L. Hotop, sheep farmer, Cromwell. Ronald Grant Borrie, farmer, Papakaio. Hamilton is a cot oase for InvercargiU, and Tomkins is a walking case for Dunedin Hospital. DRAFT No. 134 AUCKLAND, January ft. A vessel bringing 730 mqn, comprising draft 134, arrived this morning. There are no serious cases. Twelva second lieutenants have returned for duty after training in the Officers Corps. About half have been wounded, the balance Buffering from illness, including a high f>ercentage with pulmonary troubles following gas poisoning. Between 40 and 50 are minus a limb, and a number have lost an eye. The southern cases will go south, by special train to-morrow afternoon.. THE OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND MEN. The following is a list of the Otago and Southland men : Lieutenant Thomas David White, butcher, Roxburgh. Lieutenant George Swan, teacher, gielSecond Lieutenant John Alexander Gow, farmer, Wingatui. Second Lieutenant Roy Thompson, telegraph linesman, InvercargiU. Second Lieutenant John Nevin Walsh, clerk, Dunedin. Nurse Annie Munro Rose, Dipton. Robert Abbott, labourer, Mornington Lance-corporal Peter M'Laughlin Allan, seaman, Port Chalmers. Samuel Allan, labourer, InvercargiU. Lance-corporal William Anderson, farmer, Riverton. Joseph Henry George Andrew, labourer, Roxburgh. Lance-corporal Joseph Cecil Aahton, carter, Dunedin. James Beirne, timber worker, Dunedin. Walter Belcher, farmer, Waitaki South. John M'Kenzie Boyd, farm labourer, Queenstown. Frank Andrew Reynolds Brown, bank clerk, Dunedin. William Bruce, labourer, Musselburgh. Lyndsay Hubert Bull, tinsmith, Oamaru. Walter Bycrs, labourer, Brydone. John Douglas Oallaghan, farm labourer, Wrey's Bush. Matthew Dobson Calvert, farm hand, Dunedin. Robert Campbell, labourer, Mornington. " Charles Reginald Collins, farmer, Wendonside. Stephen Cooney. labourer, Dunedin. Sidney James Crawford, carter, Roslyn. Alphonsus Culling, farmer, Hillgrove. A. Davies, commercial traveller, Dunedin. James Dee, engineer, Millburn. Sergeant William Andrew Duggan, warehouseman, Matakanui. William Fletcher, woolclasser, Gore. Levin Francis Foulston, painter. Gore. Andrew Fyfe, fitter, Dunedin. Joseph Ferrin Garside, brassfinlsher, Mornington. Nathan Greaves, motor mechanic, Otakou. John Norton Grieve, motor meohanio, Waiawiwa. James Guy ton, painter, Burkes. John M'Causland Hamilton, civil servant, Ph> ff - , ™ « James Ewart Hannah, reader, Bluff. Walter Eraser S. Harniess, drrvef. Roslyn. Cecil Hnzlett, merchant, Dunedin James Hickey, bushmati, Morpeth, Central Otago. Sergeant Philip Sidney Hill, farmer, Port Chalmers Lance-corporal Robert Morrison James, farmer, Kakanui. Arthur Stanley Jeffs, hardware assistant, St. Kilda. Martin Joyce, labourer," Dunedin. John Kearney, farmer, Mossburn. Frederick Ralph Littler, farm hand, Dunedin. John Norman M'Arthur, fireman, Opono. Lennox M'Beath, labourer', Oarnarn. James Aloysius P. Macdonald, labourer, Dunedin. Thomas M'Donald, farmer, Wyndham. • Michael Burkeman M'lnerney, cook, Winton. Archibald Alexander M'lntosh, stud groom, Wyndham.

Janv:s M'Kay, storekeeper, Lawrence John M'Kay, engine-driver, Lumsden. Alfred Ernest M'Lanaohan, labourer, Green Island. Arthu..- David M'Laren, farmer, Balclutha. Charles M'Lennan, labourer, Dunedin. Harold M'Leod, farm hand, Dunedin. Clarence Charles Maugher, carpenter, Dunedin. ' Onslow John William Hayhew, Oamaru. Robert Metcalfe, bookkeeper, Dunedin. Herbert- Joseph S. Metford, clerk, Dunedin. Alfred Charles Morgan, farmer, MosgiM. Lance-corporal Gavin Murdock, teamster, Mosgiel. . Thomas Secular Nicol, ploughman, Kaikorai. / __ ~ John Frederick Noblo, farmer, Waikawa Valley. - ~ . James Don Peden, surfaceman, Maori Hill.

Victor Persen, farmer, Clinton. Arthur Henry Pctchell, grocer's assistant, Riverton. Ernest George Pollard, labourer, Wakapatu, Colac Bay. John Christopher Potts, carpenter, Tapajnui.

Andrew Ramage, cook, Invercargill. William Reynolds, teamster, Waitahuna. George Victor Robertson, labourer, Morn iiigton. Dan Patrick Russell, fruiterer, Dunedin. J-ohn James Ryan, surfaceman, Henley. Albert Edgar Saunders, telegraphist, Sawyers' Bay. Lance corporal Alexander Edward Sawers, presstii, Dunedin. Jarms Scoullar, compositor, Dunedin. Henry Joseph Simmonds, miner, Caversham. - . Sergeant Ernest Sinclair, plumber, Kaikorai.

Ccc:l Stevens, painter, Mataura. Robert Dcuglas Story, shepherd, Mimihau. Lance-corporal Charles Taylor, farm labourer, Dipton. Thomas James Irving Thomson, mill hand, Kcm-thi, Southland. Godfrey .'.lfred Toms, orchardist, Roxburgh. Albert: George Weavers,' sawmill hand, Tuatanere. - William Alexander Wilkie, labourer, Wyndham. "Vernon Winton, butcher,. Riverton. William Wright, clerk, Balclutha. . Jam« Wvllie, labourer, Dunedin. Rkhard York, builder,'St. Kilda. RETURNED SOLDIERS. WELLINGTON, January 7. In reply to an inquiry from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association as' to the opportunities offered to returned men to acquire their own homes, the general secretary of the association has received a statement from the Prime Minister to the effect that land may be acquired in suitable sites for residences and that houses may bo erected thereon and disposed of to discharged soldiers on very favourable terms, similar to those provided for workers' dwellings. The Prime Minister also intimated that the necessary conditions were under consideration, and it was expected that the scheme would be put into operation shortly. SOLDIERS COTTRT-MAR-TIALLED. The proceedings of a district court-martial held at. Trenthai* Camp on December 19, on the. undermentioned! soldiers, having been confirmed, are promulgated in camp orders : Private J. W. Clapham, Details, found guilty of disobeying a lawful.. command ! given by his superior officer, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour. Lance-corporal P. L. Lynch, Details-(late 32nd Reinforcements), found guilty of deterting his Majesty's service and losing by neglect his equipment, clothing, and regimental, necessaries, was sentenced to 112 days' imprisonment with hard labour. Private O. Lynch. Details (late 15_th Reinforcement*?), found guilty of deserting his Majesty's service, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. Private- A. H. Mitchell. Details (late 31st Reinforcements) found guilty of deserting his Majesty's service, was sentenced to 90 clays' detention. , Private S. Robinson, Details (late 32nd Reinforcements), found guilty of deserting his Majesty's service, was sentenced to 112 days' detention. Private C. L. 0. Childs, Details (late 32nd Reinforcements), found guilty of deserting his Majesty's aervice, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. EX-GER-MAJSr CONSUL INTERNED. AUCKLAND, December 31. Carl ScegOicr, German Consul at Auckland tir.-ti: the outbreak of war, was arrested to-dfty and conveyed to Motuihi for internment". ll<s was previously interned in February, 1916, but on the ground of ill-health released Tn the following June. BRITISH SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS- BABIES. On behalf o: the committee of then Royal Society for the Health of Women and Children, Mrs R. W. Gibbs, 33 Manor place, acknowledges with thanks a number of parcels, sonic material, and cash. From-several letters received from grateful recipients of the bundles previously sent, the following is an extract: "Kindly accept my warm Blanks, also please convey the same to the kind friends through whoso generosity we are indebted for the lovely clothing vvi: have been enabled to pluce In the hands of soldiers' wives for their babies. It was touching to see their gratitude, and I know that they will use the clothing e-arefullv." It is hoped that it will bo possible to send another box Homo early in tho new year. Some deserving cases brought under our notice in Dunedin have also been helped, and a . number of articles were given away at Christmas to New Zealand soldiers' wives, most of these being presented specially for this purpose by some members of the Taieri Women's Patriotic Association. PERSONAL. Major John Richmond Oowlea, M.C. (killed in action) took part in tho Sawioa Expedition, and was in command of th« ••ompany that took possession of Vailimn-, the residence of tho Gorman Governor. He returned to New Zealand and. proceeded to Epypt as captain in the First Battalion, New Zealand Riflo Brigado, taking part in three engagements ajrainet tho Sentisai. Major Gowle-a subsequently left for Franoe, where he gained

the Military Cross for a daring and successful raid in '.lie Sommo. He was promoted major, decorated by the King, and after 10 weeks' "training at Aldershot rejoined the New Zealand Rifle Brigade as second in command), and finally was placed in command of the Divisional School for Officers of the New Zealand Division. A few days before he fell the Minister of Defence forwarded to Major Cewles the riband of the 16 years' medal for "long and efficient service," tho medal itself being forwarded to his father at Khandallah, Wellington. Lance-corporal W. G. T. Sims (killed in action, December 3, 1917) enlisted at Invercargill and left with the Seventh Reinforcements. He saw service in Egypt and France,, taking part in all the fights in which the New Zealandters were engaged. Prior to enlisting h© followed the building trade in Invercargill, where he was well known. He was in his 30th year, and leaves a widow and four children, the youngest of which he has never seen.

Private Alexander Anderson, killed in action on the 14th ult., was the fifth' son of tho late Mrs Charles Anderson, of Tuapeka Mouth. He was 42 years 'of age, and) left New Zealand wiiih the Twelfth Reinforcements, and had therefore been on active service in Franoe for a little over two years. Ho was born at Tuapeka Mouth, where he received his education, and was engaged in farming operations until he enlisted. He was well liked by all with whom he came in contact, and was' of a kindly and obliging disposition. Severely wounded by gunshot on December 2, Sergeant James Barnett has since had to have three fingers of his right hand amputated and his ?eft eye removed. Sergeant Burnett is a rative of Dunedin, and his parents, Mr and Mrs Wm. B-arnett, live in Smith street. Sergeant Barnett was well known as an officer of the Customs Department here and in Wellington, Bluff, and Invercargill. He sailed as Company Sergeantmajor with the 26th Reinforcements, and is new at Bror-kenhurst Hospital. His wife, a daughter of Mr and Mrs J. D. M'G-ruer, of Invercargill, is living at Gladstone, neajr Invercargill. Private David Marshall (killed in action on December 8), was a son of Mr David Marshall (Milton). He worked principally, in the Milburn district, with the threshing mill ■and at farming pursuits, and was a genial young man and highly popular. Memorial services were conducted at Milburn and Clarendon last Sunday as a tribute to his memory. Captain Ivan Spedding, N.Z.M.C. (Mosgiel), writir { to the mother of Private Denis Healy, who died from wounds sustained on October 14, states that the deceased soldier was wounded while attending on the battlefield as a stretcher-bearer to other men who had suffered wounds. " He, with the other.stretcher-bearers, did magnificent work, and I thought" Captain Spedding says, " i would like to let you know how much we all appreciated what he did." Among other letters received by the bereaved mother regarding the splendid service rendered by the stretcher-bearers is one from a- workingmate of Private Healy, who writes concerning him: ''Believe me, he was out on his own. I never knew anyone to work so hard before, and he nevw flinched from his duty. He was game to the last, and the company all have the highest praise for him." Brigadier-general W. G. Braithwaite, commanding the Second New Zealand Brigade, has written to Mrs John M'Loan, of Ranfurly, condoling with "her on the death of her husband, Lieutenant 2.1 Lean. He pays a high tribute of. respect to, and admiration for, the deceased officer. "He set a great example of devotion to duty to those under him," 'Brigadier-general Braitbwaite writes, "and his death is very severely felt by myself and his ba.ttalion. He died of pneumonia, the result of hard work, strain, and exposure, brought on entirely "by tire conditions of active service, and accentuated through over-exertion in taking food and munitions forward to the 2nd Otago Battalion during the battle of September 23—October 4. Never once did any man in the • Second O'tago Battalion fail to receive his water aud rations on any day or night during that trying period, and it was entirely owing ,to ycur gallant husband's untiring efforts and devotion to duty, regardless of himself, that this work was accomplished night after night. Under unspeakable conditions of wet, wind, end mud, he went forward under heavy shell fire,, regardless of his own safety to see that others were fed and lived. I was very fond of him, and everyone who knew him, was also. He is the greatest loss possible to this brigade, and also especially to the Second Otago Battalion."

Sergeant Edric D. Reid (killed in action) was the elder son of the Rev. J. S. Reid, of Dunsandel, Canterbury, and late of Waitahiina. Ho received his education at Wailahuna and then at Ko.ia.poi, where he gained both a junior and a senior board scholarship. Passing on to the Boys' High School, Christchurch, he gained a senior university scholarship, which he held - till he completed the B.A. degree in 1915. Part of his time he acted as tutor at Gilby's Commercial School, and waa greatly esteemed as possessing teaching talents of a high order. The pupils presented him on his departure with a wristlet watch, suitably inscribed. Ho left New Zealand in May, 1916, with the Thirteenth Reinforcements, and was retained at a non-commissioned •officers' camp at Andover, England, where he topped the list in an examination in which there were about 300 competitors. He crossed to France "immediately after the Somme battle, and wkis engaged in most of the fighting since that date, espeaiclly at Messinos and Passchendaele Ridge. He fell in action on December 13. For 3ome years ho was a member of the Y.M.8.C., St. Andrew's, Christchurch, and an enthusiastic m-ember of the Bible class hockey team. He had before him a promising career, but has won his crown on the battlefields of Flaiiders. He had entered upon the twenty-third year of his age three days ere he was stricken down.

A touching tribute to the memory of Lieutenant Wm. N. Elliott, (Twelfth Reinforcements); killed in Prance on December 3, was paid by the Rev. D. S. Mason at a memorial service in the Presbyterian Church at Clinton, of which the deceased officer was a member, and in which he sang- in the choir, while he was also a teacher in the Sunday school. A young man of lofty ideals and/ high moral character, with every prospect of a promising career, Lieutenant Elliott was respected! by all who knew him. Since his death a brother has been wounded.

Lance-corporal Arthur j. Lind, killed in action on December 15, was the second youngest son of Mr and Mrs Lind, of George street, Dunedin. He was born in Tapanui and echicated in the District High School. He was apprenticed to a dentist after leaving school, but upon the removal of his parents to Dunedlin ho entered the postal service, in which he remained for 10 years.

Lieutenant, James William Hugh Bannerman, who died of wounds in France on December 23, was the oldest son of Mr W. Banner man, of the Bank of New Zealand,

and was born at Opliir in May of 1887. Ho passed through the primary school course at Invercargill, and after a period at the Southland High School ho went to the Otago High School, where ho took a great interest in the cadets, this leading to Ids taking up with Territorial matters, to which he applied himself with energy and success. He afterwards joined the staff of the Southland Daily News. On May 9, 1911, Mr Bannerman took over tho control of the Bluff Press for the Bluff Publishing Company, being appointed managing director and editor, a. position he continued to hold until ho was granted leavo of absence by tho directors to proceed on activo service. Lieutenant Bannerman gained his captaincy a short whilo before being posted to the 29th Renforcements as lieutenant. Tho deceased soldier was a representative cricketer, having played for both Otago and Southland, and there were few better known or mare popular sportsmen in Invercargill cricket, hockey, tennis, Rugby and Association football circles. In addition to being a. capable -journalist, Lieutenant Bannerman published a "History of Otago Representative Cricket," and also a book on "Early Cricket in Southland." Whilo at Bluff he went to endless pains to compile a history of southern wrecks, and his book, "Milestones of Southern New Zealand," has been widely quoted throughout the press of the world. Tp the .newspaper men of tho South Island Lieutenant Bannerman was very favourably known, and by them he was much respected for hia ability and his personal Dualities. Ho married Miss Nicnol, of Bluff, who is left with two young children.

Private John Campbell, killed in action in France on October 12, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Hugh Campbell, of Wendon, Southland, and was 23 years of age at the time of his death. He took an activo interest in the affairs of his district, and was a member of the local Bible class, and also a member of the Order of Oddfellows. He was of a genial and kindlv disposition, and was much esteemed by all who knew him. He went to the front with the 24th Reinforcements, and had not been long in action when ho met his death.

Mr R. Millis, of Main road, North-East Valley, has been" advised by the Minister of Defence that his son, Private Ernest Andrew Millis, has been awarded the Militarv Medal for gallantry on the field. Rifleman Fritz Backholm, of Alexandra, hae been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field. Rifleman Backholm, who is 22 years old, left New Zealand with the 9th Reinforcements, and has been in several actions, including the Somme and Messines battles, being slightly wounded in both legs. He was born in Alexandra, and educated at the local school. He is the first of the Alexandra boys to be so honoured. Of the five sons who enlisted in New Zealand, Roy (a Main Body man) is still in the trenches, William was killed on the Peninsula, Ben was invalided home, and the youngest (Walter) is now in camp. JOTTINGS. The West Taieri branch of the Women's Association at Outram has closed down for the year, many of the members taking work home with them. Advice has been received that Private G. 0. L. Wilson, the well-known Canterbury and New Zealand representative cricketer, has been killed in action. Mr John Moriarty, of Middlemarch, has been advised by the Defence authorities that his son, Lieutenant D. M. Moriarty, is returning to New Zealand on duty about the Bth January. Included amongst 18 invalided soldiers who reached Wellington by a vessel on the 2nd, the only one for - Otago is Second Lieutenant H. W. Dunbar, whose next-of-kin is Mr D. Dunbar, Hampden. Defence Headquarters advises that the transmission of picture post-cards or pictorial representations of any kind, including Christmas and New Year cards from New Zealand to any neutral country in Europe, America, or to enemy countries is prohibited. This measure is taken as a war precaution. The Saddle Hill branch of the Otago Women's Association brought the year's operations to a close with a very successful stall at Brighton on the 29th. All members and friends responded ganerously, and the Brighton peopie and visitors saw that the stall was cleared. The sum of £lO 10s was taken at the stall, and £3 5s 6d was donated by a number of friends. The branch has closed down for a month, each member taking a good supply of wool for the holidays. ESCAPE FROM CAPTIVITY. A NEW ZEALANDER'S EXPERIENCE. Some particulars of the escape of Lieutenant Roy Fitzgerald, of the Gloucestershire Regiment, from a German internment cajnp are contained in a letter written by Sergeant Gerald Fitzgerald, of the 28th New Zealand Reinforcements (infantry), from England to his wife in Wellington. He was at Sling Camp when he was informed that he had four days' leave to go to London to meet his escaped brother. Ho went, and a family gathering resulted, consisting of Lieutenant Roy Fitzgerald, Captain Maurico Fitzgerald, R.F.E., Lieutenant J. Fitzgerald, now engaged in Tank work, Lieutenant Harold Taylor, R.E., Lieutenant Eric Taylor, from Codford Camp, and Nurse Eileen Fitzgerald, from Brockenhurst Hospital. Lieutenant Roy Fitzgerald joined the army at the beginning of the war and was awarded the M.C. for gallantry at the battle of the Somme. While wounded and unconscious in the Messines engagement he was taken prisoner While prisoners, he and another officer went to get water from a place a few yards from their enclosure, pretending to bo two " Tommies," who were their orderlies in camp. Once outside, they made a bolt for it while the sentry's back was turned, and evidently the German was too flurried to fire until they had got too far. Still in their uniforms they travelled, but only by night, having to hide in the daytime, a distance of 120 miles, which they covered in seven days They were not challenged until they were crossing the frontier, where they were fired at by a Dutch sentry. Their only food consisted of what they took away from camp, plus apple 9 gathered on the way. Their journey included swimming the river Ems. Their treatment in Germany was not as severe as wo have been led to believ*.. ,; provided they could bottle up their feelings at the overbearing manner of the German officers."

Lieutenant Fitzgerald's experience included 27 days in " clink" for a previous attempt to escape.