Contingent leaves New Zealand

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VIII, Issue 2, 1 April 1915, Page 68

Contingent leaves New Zealand

Scene at Ship's Side

In the genial sunshine of one of Wellington's most charming Indian summer days, the fifty nurses who are to serve with the British nursing service sailed from Wellington m the Rotorua for England at noon yesterday. In another land, under skies which are not so bright and mayhap m surroundings which are not conducive to gladness, these women of New Zealand will doubtless have work to do which will make the heaviest call on their courage and steadfastness. When this happens it may help them to endure bravely all thatfmay come to them and recall their last minutes with the people of their own country. It was a magnificent farewell that was given to the nurses by the Wellington people, and hy their own visiting friends, just such a send-off as everyone was prepared to say the brave little band deserved. For one coxild not look over the faces of these young women and have any suspicion that a single one of those grey cloaks covered a faltering soul. They looked, as they doubtless are, a capable lot of women, who were offering for the noblest work that women csii do ; slid offering with a knowledge that the work will be trying, but also with a determination to do. It was a contingent of which New Zealand has a right to be proud, end one that will asET.redly acquit itself with honour. Surely the beneficent spirit of Florence Nightingale must have been drawn earthwards to contemplate the tribute offered by an appreciative people to her modest successors — that band of quiet workers following m the wake of her grand and noble mission. An hour before the ship sailed the nurses had arrived or were going on board, most of them bearing bouquets or parcels, obviously the parting gifts of friends. And the whole of the wharf by the steamer's side and the decks of the ship as well were crowded with people, all proud to do honour to the nurses. No demonstration had been organised, but theie was a good deal of pent-up cheering and song m that multitude that would have found ready enough expression if a lead had been given. The Patriotic Society had arranged for Jupp's

Band to be present, and it played appropriate music, enlivening the last minutes and drying many a pair of eyes trying to look steadily through tears at the little grey colony over the deck railings. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen) and the Minister of Public Health (the Hon. R. Heat on Rhodes) both went on board the ship to wish the nurses goodbye individually. Doubtless the Prime Minister would have been there also, but he was absent m Christchurch. A presentation bouquet from the Patriotic Society — a beautiful basket of blooms — was handed to Miss Maclean, who is m charge of the party, by Sir Joseph Ward, who expressed at the same time the heartiest good wishes which the gift was intended to express. Miss Maclean said that they were all a little sad at the hour of leaving, but they were all ready to do their best to uphold the honoui of New Zealand. A little knot of people had congregated while the ceremony was m progress, and after it was over there was applause and cheering. * On the wharf the cheerful strains of " Tipperary," " Soldiers of the King," " Rule Britannia," played by Jupp's Band, enlivened the last few minutes. The nurses, from the upper decks, detached from the bouquets which they held long streamers of many-coloured ribbons, the ends of which were picked tip by their friends on the wharf below, and by and by, like glittering gossamers m the kindly sunshine, they tailed down m dozens — light chains of friendship. Then the band struck up "The Girl I Left Behind Me," always the most affecting of parting airs, but the whimsical incongruity of the situation brought forth smiles oa faces near to tears. The order of "All ashore ! " had been given, and the gangways were up. The big ship began to back out, snapping the web of ribbons, and, amid cheers and a waving of handkerchiefs and to the tune of " Auld Lang Syne " from the band, the Rotorua slid out from the wharf, and set out on her long voyage.

The trained nurses who sailed on the Rotorua other than those selected and sent

by the Defence Department as part of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service, were Nurses Dobson, Gill, Benjamin and Baker, late of Christchurch Hospital. Miss Smart, late of Auckland Hospital, and Well known as a private nurse m Auckland, and Nurse Bilton, late of Napier Hospital. These nurses have gone privately at their own expense for the purpose of offering

their services at the War Office when they reach England, with the hope that they also may be permitted to help m the good work of caring for our sick and wounded soldiers. They are to be admired for their patriotic enthusiasm which has led them to make very considerable sacrifices for which they deserve the very warmest appreciation.

Extracts from "The Dominion,'" "N.Z. Times," and "Evening Post."