LETTERS FROM THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1917, Page 7

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT.

TRIBUTE TO A FOOTBALL COMRADE

In a letter to Mr. T. Buchanan, of Waitara, dated from Sling Camp on September i), the late Lieutenant Sid. Paul said that things at the moment were quiet, but quite up to date and ready for a brush. The weather was perfect and the writer prayed that it would keep so for another month, so as to enable them to perform what was in view. He stated that it was just about time that the weather was in their favor. He had had a good time in England and ( only hoped that he would soon be back on the Western front, as he was ever so much happier with the boys, and hoped he could stand up to it. The boys in New Zealand must now be nearly cltared up, and it is a marvel where they all come from. He was glad that the "heads" had awakened to the necessity of giving the first contingent u Iroliday to return to New Zealand. He felt sure that the Huns were now a beaten na. tion, but it would take some time before they were 'finally dished up. The late Lieutenant said it was very hard luck about poor old Reg. Taylor "going West," as he was a real good sort. "1 don't know his people, but you can tell them from me that he was one of the best and keenest soldiers in our forces, always ready to do anything at any risk, and that he- was of the sort that New Zealand could ill afford to lose." The writer was with him for a long period and knew what he was talking about. The death caused quite a gloom amongst the boys, as they all thought so much of Reg.

BANDSMAN "MICK" FEEK.

, Under date of August 30 Mick writes .that he has read the account of the an.nual meeting of the Waitara Band, and was pleased to see that they were still going, and thought there was a good deal of credit to Mr. T. Hughes, bandmaster. ,He wished the Band every success, and sent kind regards to the bandmaster and members, and expressed a hope that they would continue to carry on, also that he felt -sure that if they took an interest in their work 'they would be successful, TROOPER "TAPP" O'NBILL: / , Writing on August 30 for "somewhere in Palestine," Trooper Tapp O'Neill says ithat by the time the letter reached Waitara Trooper J. McEldowney, of Rerekapa, would also be there, as he had received a month's special leave of absence on business, and could give all the latest news. Referring to Sergeant Cliff Tato the writer expressed regret that a slight recurrence of malaria sent him out of the lines to the hospital in Cairo, but that in a letter received whilst writing this communication Cliff stated that he had made good progress and in a few days he would remove to the Aotea Convalescent Camp.