New Zealand.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 39, 17 February 1915, Page 5

New Zealand.

COLONEL RICHARDSON.

Per Press Association

Auckland, February 16.

Major A. A. Corrigan returned to New Zealand by the Riveriua. Leaving Wellington on July Ist, he visited Montreal and England on private business. In London he was attached to the Naval Brigade, and was gazetted as Major in the Royal Marines, which afterwards became the Royal Naval Division, and consisted of a force of 24,000 men, who were afterwards to be available for Lord Kitchener’s army if required. In the meantime they were placed at the disposal of the Admiralty. The organising of that division was carried out by Major G. S. Richardson, of the New Zealand Staff Corps, and he was afterwards mentioned in despatches for his very brilliant services at Antwerp, being promoted •to the rank of Lieut-Colo-nel. “I know his services are very highly appreciated by the Admiralty,” stated Major Corrigan. “He spent an exceedingly strenuous time and exhibited that military capacity which he was regarded to possess when in New Zealand. I have heard of his splendid work in Antwerp. In the confusion resultant upon the crumbling of the defences, Colonel Richardson stood out in a very marked way. I heard from one of tiie staff that he arranged the retirement of one brigade whose salvation seemed hopeless. He stood by the brigade near burning oil tanks, and his coldness and extraordinary facility in the handling of men resulted in the bridge being kept open for the passage of the troops, much tvs of life being thereby prevented. He was a staff officer of General Pams, who had been in command of the brigade. He was seen trudging along the route,of the retreat carrying on one shoulder a bundle belonging to a Belgian refugee and- a Belgian child «u the other. A motor car at his disposal was crowded with Belgian women and children. The Qilonel’s hearing suffered from the fearful effects of the bombardment of Antwerp.”

NATIONAL RESERVE IN NAPIER.

Napier, February 16,

At a public meeting to.night it was decided to form a branch of the National Reserve in Napier. The meeting was very enthusiastic.

ENGINEER’S CAMP.

Turakina, February 16

The North Island Railway Battalion of New Zealand Engineers, under Lieut.-Colonel Barclay, is now in the camp of instruction here. There is a full muster of permanent instructors. Technical work was started yesterday. Much valuable knowledge will be the result of the week’s work.

THE “MARRIED’S” RESPONSE

BILITIES.

Hamilton, February 17

Owing to the growing disposition of married men to join the Expeditionary Force, and expecting the. Defence Committee to provide for their wives and children, the local committee decided to write to the Defence Minister, asking the Government to refuse the services of married men who leave their wives and families inadequately provided for until the services of single men are exhausted.