THE NEW ZEAUNDERS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1917, Page 3

THE NEW ZEAUNDERS

CHRISTMAS AT THE FRONT

WELLINGTON December 24

Thq following message has been roceived from the New Zealand official war correspondent, Mr. Malcolm Ross : “Christmas draws near, and the thoughts of all our soldiers on this side of the world go out to their relatives and friends in New Zealand, and to their comrades in arms, who are fighting in the Holy Land. Official Christmas greetings have already been received from New Zealand, and similar good wishes sent from here. These you will get through the ordinary channels.

“Last Christmas we spent in a comparatively quiet part of the front lino and in villages where we could entertain the children. The dying year sees us in a devastated gone where there are few peasants and fewer children, hut every effort has been made Lo provide our troops with good cheer on Christmas Day. Many gifts from New Zealand have already safely arrived, and will he greatly appreciated in all the camps and in the hospitals both hero and in England.

“Christmas preparations are well in hand and there will he no lack of entertainment-. Both the corps and division generals ha ve sent kindly messages to those under their command and those in England and'Palestine.

The Divisional Guards recently visited various hospitals along - the front in Northern France, in which considerable numbers of our wounded and sick are now treated. All ’ spoke in terms of high appreciation of the w<yk of the doctors, nurses, and; orderlies, also of the interest displayed in their welfare by the 'Australian Red Cross. Our own stationary piospitnl which has a unique war history continues to do excellent work.