AN HISTORIC MESSAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1845, 27 June 1918, Page 3

AN HISTORIC MESSAGE.

MEMENTO OF KITCHENER

While speaking on the subject of Hie convalescent sanatoria, for returned soldiers at Rotorua and Hanmer, at the unveiling of a Roll of Honour at the Limvood Schoolroom (reports the Lyttelton Times), the Hon. (1 W. Russell said he had a cable mcsage to read, that would he made public at that gathering for (he first time.

Taking a pink paper from among a number of documents, the Minis-i ter said that the wards at the King George Sanatorium at Rotorua were called Anzac and Suvla, and when it came to naming the wards at the Queen Mary Hospital at Tlanmer, he had cabled to Lord Kitchener, asking for his consent that one of the wards might he called after him,' and to seek the consent of General Joffre that his name might he accorded to the other. That paper he held in his hand was Lord Kitchener’s cable message in reply. It was despatched from London on 31st May, of Ifllfi, but owing to it being mislaid on the Atlantic cables it did; not arrive at Government House until 4th June. It was doubtless among the last messages Kitchener had sent, as on the day before itsarrival here he was lost when His Majesty’s ship the Hampshire went down off the Orkneys. The cable stated;

“Hanmer Hospital: Request that wards be named after Lord Kitchener and General Joffre, Appreciate, highly suggestion. It gives me much pleasure to assent. Regard as great privilege to have name thus associated with gallant New Zealand troops, with their fine • record of service. Joffre says lie is profoundly touched at honour which New Zealand has done him. He will be proud of knowing that a ward for sick and wounded of troops who have fought so brilliantly bears his name.

“(Signed) KITCHENER.”

Mr Russell concluded that he intended to have the message framed and placed in the museum, where it would be one of the most important. in our national archives.