SOLDIERS’ LETTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1917, Page 1

SOLDIERS’ LETTERS.

LIEUT. LED DON’S ENPERT- , ENCES.

Writing from France on Aug. 2Sth Lieut. Seddoti says:

“Just a lino to tell you bow plea: -d f am that the Education Board,, the School Committee and the staff and children of the Hpkiktika School received my gift of Admiral Beatty’s autograph photograph so cordially. I certainly will try and get them some other worthy souvenirs, of the AA'ar. The speeches road well and the night spirit was there all through. 1 was delighted the boys and girls got a holiday.

"“AVe have been having a rough time of it lately with wot and cold weather. I had a patrol out the other night and did a prowl round No Man’s Land. Patrolling is different here from Armeiitieres for the space between the lines is greater, aud there are swamp s and a river. Sergeant (Mick) Aleßride and a party were with me and once when we were noses down in the grass with machine gun bullets whizzing over ns we had a good laugh when I suggested that duek-sliooting at Gkarito were preferable. Sergeant Aleßride lias done very well and is a born patrol. It teemed heavens hard and if Fritz had only kept quiet we could have imagined easily wo were back on the Coast Being out for the- best part of the night wo returned, and 1 lay for most of tlie next day in my dug-out wrapt in thought and my one blanket- while like “Little AA’illie” my one and only suit was drying in the breeze.

“Its great work patrolling but lately there have not been many clashes Fritz preferring, wise man that lie is to stay at home .

“Sergt. George Holder is n°"‘ Quarter- A Taster Sergeant of tlie 13th Company and will do well. “Don’t forget about the supply of sox, wet feet are pretty prevalent- here. Keep up the supply, please. Cheero.” CHAS. HARDING WOUNDED. A letter has been received from Private diaries Harding, from AVnlton-on-Thames hospital. He reports having put in a good time with tlie infantry, when lie was sent back to assist in the food supply department. The first night after duty for which lie was earning extra pay, when enjoying a game by wav of recreation a shell on ploded nearby and he got a piece of

shrapnd in the knee and had to he taken away on a stretcher. Some of hisi comrades were in a worse plight Me w as sent eventually to Walton-on-Thanns hospital near London where ho was in company with Horace Bonar, who he said is lying wounded and booked for return to New Zealand. Charley was making steady progress himself hut unable to walk.

A cable just to hand reports this soldier had been sent to a clearing depot in the South of England - It is not unlikely lie may be returned to New Zealand shortly.