OUT OF BOUNDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2661, 5 January 1916, Page 3

OUT OF BOUNDS

"ISOLATED" SOLDIERS' ESCAPADE HOSPITAL GUARD RESENTED When the police raided certain promises in Auckland at a lato hour on . Saturday night tlioy found among tho occupants three soldiers who had ro. turned- earlier in the day by the hospital ship Maheno, and who were supposed to • be..in isolation at Hospital annexe (says the "Star"). These men were enteric convalescents, and their escapade suggested that loose methods must .bo prevailing somewhere in 'the control of the 189 men who were ordered to isolation direct from the hospital ship. The incident may be dismissed for tho time being, however, by stating that the trio were given a severe lecture by the raiding officer's and ordered immediately back to their de-serted-beds pending further developments. . Discontent Wide Seated. It would seem from extensive inquiries that the attempt to isolate this large body of men has at various stages partially failed. In the first place, something in the nature of an uproar was caused on board tho Maheno when an announcement was made two days ; before arrival that all the enteric cases were to be isolated in Auckland. -The men pointed out that at Colombo and Albany they had been given their lib-, orty and allowed to come in contact with anyone and everyone. While in, Colombo they had been taken for scenic motor-car rides by the European residents, entertained at their houses, and subsequently allowed to sleep in the barracks with the garrison. No question had been raised as to danger from enteric. After a' medical examination at Albany all were allowed ashore to partake of meals at the Town Hall and ■wander at large. But the officials were adamant. They /wore approaching Now Zealand, and regulations must be adhered to. Fixed Bayonets Ridiculed, A further soro point with the soldiers was that on arrival in Auokland thoy were without current cash. Be--fore going ashore at Colombo each had received an advance of 10s. from his pay, but the attractions of that Oriental resort had fully accounted for the limited amount of. pocket-money. Consequently when they reached the hos- . pital annexe, they found that they were unable to send telegrams to their relatives—"collect" wires being refused without guarantee—and neither were thoy allowed the use of telephones. lie first of open resentment were no-ticed-when the returned soldiers found a military guard with fixed- bayonets on the steps of the annexe. This led to facetious remarks and outspoken criticism -of New Zealand methods"What's good enough for Colombo and Albany' ought to do for Auckland. This is the worst slap in the eye since leaving," and similar remarks'-'. proceeded from the men. They ridiculed the use of fixed bayonets m a hospital. Flight hy Night. When darkness had fallen it was found that some of the men liad escaped through the windows, scaled the hospital fences, and left tho neighbourhood. At this stage the Acting-Medical Superintendent (Dr. A. M'Gregor Grant) called tile soldier patients together and asked them to "play the game." Ho' recognised that if they /had made up thair minds to go out it was impossible to keep them in under-the'conditions that prevailed. At the same time ho appealed- to tliem to -remain, and promised that every mau would be examined "next day. He further, stated that a good proportion of them would be liberated within a couple of days.. Ho'understood exactly how tliey felt, and sympathised with t.hcm accordingly. It was very evident .that the words .of Dr! Grant caused a" favourable impression; for the men applauded and cheered without restraint;'■ Furthermore, there was at once a general movement towards the beds which ■ were awaiting them. When "lights out". was , blown tho reported escape of some of the man was confirmed by empty beds, but by next morning some of them had returned. , Danger of Contact. R-epeated concessions had been made to the-soldiers in the matter of extending the boundary within whichthey r.-ero supposed to keep. Whereas .on Ibeir arrival the guard was on the front Steps, a little later it was ordered a jew yards ' further out. ; Again, . the Bounds were extended to embrace part of the ornamental ponds in the Domain grounds. This had its ludicrous aspect for the guard was -apparently blind to the fraternising of soldiers with outside visitors. An order had been given ■;bat none of the patients was to approach within a couple of yards of visitors,

but some of those present, like tho birds in the trees, might have seen khaki-clad lads actually embracing visiting lassies. It .is further understood that residents in tfio vicinity of tho Domain had inquiries from returning soldiers concerning the way to the Domain. MINISTER'S EXPLANATION. WHOSE THE RESPONSIBILITY? Some comment on the foregoing account of : the incident was made bv tho u Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister in Charge 0 of Hospitals, yesterday. >, "Of course thero was some natural i. resentment on the part of the men i. against being quarantined," said Mr. ,] Russell. "But as a matter of fact nino a of the men on the Maheno, who were r not sent to the hospital at all, overs stayed their leave at Auckland, went 6 to the Enteric Hospital lato at night, and asked to be given accommodation which was provided for them. It is . quite possible that tho men alleged to y have been concerned in this affair were . not enteric cases at all, but these other j men. About 20 men broke bounds on . the first night, but they all returned - to the hospital to sleep. I may explain that soldiors who aro placed in hospitals by tho military - authorities, and who break bounds or misconduct themselves, - have to be dealt with by the military s authorities. My Department does not s deal witlij the men as soldiers, but as . patients. All 'disciplinary control must r be exercised by tho military authori--1 tien." S.I 1 1 — s