NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 236, 26 June 1915, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

RETURNING NEW ZEALANDERS, METHOD OF TREATMENT. WELLINGTON, June 24. In reply to a question to-day regarding th G sick and wounded New : Zealanders who are returning by the steamer Willcchra, the Minister of Defence said that the men on arrival would be examined by the Director ofi Medcial Service (Dr Purdy), and afterwards they would bo classified and handed over to Colonel Valentine, Director of Military Hospitals, who, having made his previous arrangements, would allot them accordingly to wire-. tlrar it was necessary for them to undergo hospital treatment to the various hospitals already in Now Zealand. Dr Valentine had ascertained what accommodation there was available in all the hospitals and was keeping in touch with them to ascertain what accommodation was available from day to day The men returning, said Mr Alien, would he met in Wellington and if necessary a hospital train would be organised. Those who were to go to Wellington would be left there and the others would be detrained at the various hospitals on the way to Auckland. Those fit to go to their homes would b e sent there at the Government’s expense. If there were convalnot fit to go to their homes, the Director of Medical Hospitals would out of the numerous offers made to the Department fix them up in convalescent homes. He iwould select the homes most suitable, equip them where necessary, and put the men into them. Under its new organisation, said Mr Allen, the Department was capable of running the whole of the service itself Mid all it desired was that where the public could help by sending extra comforts for the men in the hospitals and convalescent homes, they would do so. They could not be allowed to interfere in the administration, but the Department would be grateful for their help in the direction indicated. They might keep in touch with the men in the hospitals and convalescent homes and an occasonal visit under supervision, would do no harm, though indiscriminate visiting could not be allowed. NEWS Or 'CASUALTIES. MINISTER 1 3 STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, June 24. The Minister of Defence, Hon. J, Allen, was questioned to-day regarding the delay that has occurred in reporting many - of the casualties amongst the New Zealanders at Gallipoli. The Minister said that any delay that had occurred was unavoidable. “I think,” he said, “that everything possible is being dciig to get the news of the casualties through at the earliest possible moment. The record office at Alexandria is doing exceedingly well and the people ar e being extremely well served. Never, in fact, have they been served so well in any previous war.” Questioned as .to whether any special measures' had been odpoted at Gallipoli for facilitating the despatch of the news.of casualties, Mr Allen raid that so far as he know the only record offices there were those attached to tr.s forces. H e did not know whether any supplementary record office had been established there, but he believed that the neves was being sent through as quickly as possible. It was pointed cut to the Minister that news of some casualties had come by. mail from a chaplain, the Rev. 0. J. King-Bush. Mr Allen said, that he knew nothing concerning this matter. The contents were quite unofficial and he had not any knowledge as to whether it was reliable. SALE ■f‘ ARY PUNISHMENT. A BAD CASE. AUCKLAND, This Bay. At the Magistrate’s Court Gerald Joseph Holt did not appear in answer to his wife’s plaint for separation, maintenance, and the custody of children. Th e wife stated that her husband shad given her only ten shilling.- since 1 Christmas. He was, she said, standing outside the Court when shg entered. Mr Kettle, S.M., granted an order for separation and 25/ a week maintenance, and also gave the wife custody of thp children, and, ho added, under section G2 of the Destitute Persons Act, Holt would hs sentenced to six months' hard labour.,