THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16411, 3 January 1919, Page 6

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

CHRISTMAS IN HOSPITALS. (From Captain Malcolm Ross. Official War Correspondent with . the Now Zealand Forces in the Field.) By Cable. December 26. The festivities at the Now Zealand hospitals wero marked by moro than the usual gaiety. There has been recently a considerable reduction in too numbers of patients ns no wounded men are now coming through, and the majority of patients tvre those whose more serious wounds are slowly healing, or who are victims of influents. ■Concerts, dinners, and dances made tho day pass cheerily. _ The _ wards were gaily decorated, prizes being given for the most artistio. Santa Claus visited each ward, and eveij digger woke to find something in his stocking. At> Walton-on-Thames in tho evening thoro was a brilliant scene, when tho medical officers, sisters, nurses, and patients dined in the large hall. Speeches were made by Sir Thomas Maclieneio. General Richardson. Colonel O'Ncil, Matron Wilson, and others. It is now announced that the division will not form part of the army of occupation in Germany, so demobilisation will prooeeil moro speedily than .was originally anticipated. General Richardson, after a brier visit to the division, will proceed to New Zealand in connexion with demobilisation arrangements thero. If the Allies send a force to Russia there will be no New Zealand contingent, and it is understood that any New Zenlanders volunteering will havo to join tho British Army.