NEW ZEALANDERS IN PALESTINE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 284, 15 June 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALANDERS IN PALESTINE.

HOW THEY AHE FARING. Comparatively little is being heard just now of the work of the New Zealanders in Egypt and Southern Palestine. An interesting referenee to what they are doing is contained in a recent report from one of tlte four field secretaries representing the Young Men's Christian Association there, Mr P. M. Velvi'n, who says that the work which our fj'oys in the X.Z. Mounted Brigade have been doing all along seems to have been overshadowed by greater events in France.

"Judging by the various reports to be read in the New Zealand papers," ha says, "one would be almost inclined to think that thero was nothing in tho nature of an olfensive l)eiiig conducted out here at all. My one regret ia that regulations compel me to retrain from enlarging upon the work and the nature of tiiQ hardships which these men have endured and are still called upon to endure.

"1 iiavo been with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade over six weeks now, and have had a great time with the fellows. I opened a canteen with them, and also a big recreation tent as well, with piano and library. Band concerts, male voice choirs, lectures, Bible Class meetings, and study groups and voluntary services have figured in the programme. Some 23 cases of gift goods arrived last week, and were sent tmt from Brigade Headquarters. I have also""lnst rue ted Mr Gillies to forward from Cairo some £9 worth of cigarettes, chocolates, etc., for one of the squadrons, the money having be,en sent for this by the Auckland Patriotic Committee. Some of the Comforts Fund money could he used here to good effect, and as there is also a large rumber of our men in the Camel Corps for whom nothing ins yet been done, a little help iu this direction would be very highly appreciated, and remind them that tliev ore not forgotten by the people at home."'

The demand for land in this district (says tlio Stratford "Post") is stated by local land agents to be phenomenal and many sections are finding new owners at enhanced prices. A farm on th Finnerty road, Ngaere, was sold this week for £6O per acre, a price which is making adjacent landowners rub their hands together in glee. Another agent reports having a mortgage on the Sole road, inasmuch as he has sold more than half of the land on that road during the past four or five weeks. His record of land sales for that period was £30,000. This agent reports that the new settlors on the road are firstclass, and give promise of being aequisitnns to the district. The old settlers, it is also pleasing to note, are not leaving the district, most of them having taken up their residence in Stratford.