SOLDIERS' CHRISTMAS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2654, 28 December 1915, Page 5

SOLDIERS' CHRISTMAS

HOSPITALITY AT HOME LAVISH FESTIVITIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Gojiyrislit London, December 26. Every Australian and New Zealaiider in Britain spent Christinas merrily. All- - have been diligently pre-, paring for months to ensure that none should -be- overlooked. This necessitated the most elaborate organisation, iii order to cover men isolated in the provincial hospitals, but the Australian and New Zealand Red Cross and-War Contingent Associations, and the Natives' Association, arranged for the Australasians in English, hospitals to be given special comforts. Tho principal functions" were ill London, Plymouth, Bosfall Heath, Harefield, and Walton." Invalids, convalescents, and "reeovere'ds" were made to feel that Christmas without the southern sun, far from their homes end ill a wan atmosphere can still be merry. A dinner for Australians at tho Hotel Cecil was largely attended and was a splendid success. Many jovial Australian and Now Zealand parties were held at the Carlton, Piccadilly, Criterion, and at other hotels there were lavish festivities. Soldiers thronged tho Anzac Buffet, where, all day long, there was a continuous lively entertainment. Two hundred and fifty New Zealanders dined at the Midland Hotel, the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, who presided, said he was proud of the New Zealand heroes. Ho read Mr. Massey's greetings, also General Biidwood's message: "Good cheer, boys, from- all your comrades in the firing line. Return soon, and we will see this through together." . Mr. Mackenzie presented Miss Ada Crossley with , New Zealand's coat of arms.

_ Lord I'lunkat, who ivas given an ovation, congratulated tlie New Zealanders on their gallant exploits and wished them good luck. Mr. Cecil Wray, formerly of Wanganui, distributed cigars from the residents of Kakatahi. The boys l cheered shouting "Good old Kakatalii." Mr. Mackenzie and his daughter and Lord Plunket visited Acton and Walton, where forty Maoris were' the guests of Mrs. Scott. They cooked pork, pigeons, eels, and kumeras in a Maori oven in theback garden. Acton suburbanites rushed to the windows when the Maori's war whoops, signalling Mr. Mackenzie's arrival, were heard. Crowds gathered and watched in t wonder the hakas, with the accompanying ferocious contortions, listened to the hunting and lovo songs, sampled the Maori's turkey, which they pronounced excellent, slid marvelled at the result from a heap of earth' and hot stones. Tho Maoris continue the feasting to-morrow. At a dance in the evening tliore were lively scenes. In the festooned wards at the V&U011 Hospital, the patients clicered Mr. Mackenzie, and his son, wlio visited every' bed. A concert party of entertained tho men. ENTERTAINED IN SYDNEY. Sydney, December 26. Returned soldiers had lavish Christmas entertainment ovorywhere. ■