A NEW ZEALANDER IN BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 89, 8 January 1918, Page 8

A NEW ZEALANDER IN BELGIUM

THE BATTALION QUARTERMASTER'S "LITTLE BIT." Sir James Allen is in receipt of a letter written in Belgium from his onetime private secretary, now Lieutenant F. G. Matthews. Lieutenant Matthews, in tlie course of a lengthy letter, states that there is not the smallest possibility of members of tlio New Zealand Expeditionary Force losing their characteristics or touch with their native land. He further states that 110 was acting as quartermaster of the battalion to which he was attached. Referring to the Hun gunnery, Lieutenant Matthews states that Fritz cannot approach the Dritish in artillery when their guns are in order, but'tho Huns' machine-guns and gunners have to bo reckoned with. It was at that 110 had his first experience of holding outposts. They saw no Germans, but their shell-fire at times was very hot. Some of the British companies lost very heavily, and tho company to which Lieutenant Matthews was attached lost its captain and sergeant-major, and for a few days Lieutenant Matthews was in charge of it. They were then moved to the hack area, and had a most peaceful time.

Referring to his duties as quartermaster, Lieutenant Matthews says ho has to attend to tho feeding, equipping, etc., and has practically to father the whole battalion. It was quite a big business rationing the men, and was rather trying at times, especially when the shells were flying. Bombing was a favourite gamo of tho Huns, and the writer was puzzled to know how tjiey had not hit tho quartermaster's camp, which they had attempted to do 011 more than one occasion. The troops where he was located wero well fed, and were as well cared for as possible. They were in good heart in spite of recent losses. He thought the British were a very philosophical race, "for they go ahead 110 matter what happens."

Quite a large quantity of gift goods caiuo to them from New Zealand. Jtecehtly 24 cases reached him at 5 p.m. At § p.m. tho same day the battalion had orders to be'ready, to move off at daylight next morning. He kept possession of the gift stud', but it was 110 end of trouble to do so, as tho transport difficulties aro so great. Tho 24 'cases referred to consisted of parcols from the Lady Liverpool committees. The parcels iu one lot, ! intended for individuals, were wrapped up in handkerchiofs, and consisted of eatables, such as tongues, toffee, etc. Another lot consisted of cornflour, and tins of milk, but as the battalion was in camp at the time such things wero of no use to the individual, so they were handed over to the camp cooks to bo issued as rations. Lieutenant Matthews considered that cornflour and preserved milk were most acceptable things to forward to individual soldiers, also jam, which never wont amiss. Both jam and-milk were issued as part of rations, but they did not get immense quantities of either.

A rescue that would have been a credit to expert adults was carried nut at New Brighton -on Friday morning by two Christ's College boys. About 11 o'clock (says the "Sun") a man who was swimming near the pier got into difficulties in a hole in front of the Life Saving Club's pavilion. The tide was running out, and there were strong currents swirling at the spot. Seeing that the man was drowning, N. Batchelor, aged 13 years, went to Mb rescue. He reached the drowning man, who was struggling violently, and a battle between the rescuer and the man commenced. Several times Batchelor got the man, and, despite his struggles, turned him on his back in order that he might tow him ashore. But the boy was not strong enough to hold the man, who, oil every occasion, broke the grip and turned on his rescuer, dragging him Deueath the airface. Batchelor, ail expert swimmer, and a member of the .New Brighton Surf Club, continued his efforts for some time, always releasing himself from the man's desperate clutches, tut being unable to hold him long euough to take liim ashore against the strong outward set of the current. Seeing that Batchelor was having a desperate struggle, P. Grant, another Christ's College boy, and also a member of the surf club, went to his assistance, and between them the boys managed to bring the man some little distance in towards,the beach. Then Mr. A. S. Legh and a. returned soldier linked hands and managed to reach those in the water. The bather was almost in extremis when brought to the beach, but was later able to proceed to his home. The action of the two boys is one of the pluckiest in the history of thibeach. To struggle, as Batchelor did, against a man at least twice his weight and strength, and to continue the effort in spite of repeated duckings, with the current taking one further and further from safety, caUs for courage and ability of no mean order, and had the bov been other than an excellent swimmer there can be little doubt that the man would have been drowned.