ORDERED OFF!

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1917, Page 3

ORDERED OFF!

Lord Liverpool Angry. An Extraordinary Outburst Christchurch, Jan 11 The “Sun” to-night published the following:—

Experiences out of the ordinary often fall in the way of pressmen, but generally speaking, unfailing oonrtesy is usually mat with, But the experience of a “ Sun ” representative to-day was one of the most, ex:raoi dinary, and certainly fbn moit humiliating, wbiuh ha* ever fallen to the lot of that particular person.

Instructions had been given to him to journey to the A. and P, Association’* show grounds at Addington to visit a camp there of members of the ambulance staff of the hospital ship Maheno. This corps iB undergoieg the finishing touches to its training

preparatory to the departure of the vessel. The proximity ot the camp to the city, and the opportunity thus afforded of studying and portraying the life and training which the Dominion troops now undergo, was an exceptional one, and also one whioh the public is keenly interested in, and have, of coursp. a right to know. Oa arrival at tha encampment, it was found that the troops wore being officially inspected by Hia Expediency the Governor, the Earl of Liverpool. With him were hie aide-de-camp and Colonel R. W. Anderson, the Camp Commandant, and his adjutant, M jor W. N. Bond. Of this inspection the “ Sun ” representative was an interested speotator, and made several written notes of the excellent bearing of the men, the smartness of their appeararce, and their excellent physique. The men were each presented with a lanyard, whioh His Excellenoy personally affixed to each particular solditrs’a shoulder.

While this inspection was in progress it was, of course, impossible for the “Sun ” representative to acquaint the adjutant, Major Bond, of his identity and business ; bnt an occasion presented itself, and the opportunity was taken to disclose this information to Hia Excellency’s aide-de-camp. The inßpeotion and formal ceremony’ concluded, the men were given the command to “stood easy.” His Excellency then addressed a few words to the meD, pointing out that previous drafts had set a high standard, and that the corps had thus a reputation to live up to. After speaking in this Btrain fora few minute?, during which the “ Sun ” repre?eutative made a short written note of the uttirances, His Excellency epok9 on tlie move* msntfl of the hospital ship after leaving New Zaf-.land. Information of this sort cannot be published, ofcoarse, n aer the War Regulations, and the reporter, recognising this facr, placed his notebook back in his pocket.

He had no sooner done this than his presence was evidently brought for the first time (o the notice of His Excellency, who, pointing to him, said—- “ That man there ! it, what is he doing here ?" This information, of course, was promptly supplied. It may be explained that the whole of the remarks were addressed and replies given in the hearing of the assembled troops. The “Sun” representative replied that he wag a presamar. “Then why the —-—are you here? it, by what right ?” came the forceful and heated reply of his interrogator.

“I was not aware that 1 was doing anything wrong, air !” was the pressman’s rejoinder.

“D it, eoms of my remarks to the men here have been on confidential matters,” was Hia Excellency’s retort.

“I recognise that, sir,” was the reporter’s reply. “and for that reason refrained from noting them.” Again came a stormy rejoinder from His Excellency, which bore down tha “ Sun” representative’s explanation of bis presence and the fact that the aide-de-camp had been aware of his identity. His Excellency concluded with : “ Take that man cut and off the pre-

mises.” Aa in compliance with this order, the “ Sun ” representative was being escorted off the scene be was overtaken by Msjir Bond, who quite courteously demanded that the shorthand cotes of H:s Excellency’s epeech should be handed over to him on bjhalf of His Excellency. These notes were promptly handed over, and the incident ended with the departure of our representative. It may be anded that the reporter referred to is a returned soldier, a j oung man who eaw considerable service on Gallipoli and was wounded there and invalided back to New Zealand on account af bis wounds.