WITHIN THE DOMINION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 248, 9 July 1915, Page 8

WITHIN THE DOMINION.

BACK FROM EGYPT. A TROOPER’S STORY. AUCKLAND, July 8. Looking quite fit again after a turn of scarlet fever, ccmcs Private A. Fraser, as a passenger by the Riverina, on •his waj r from Egypt to his home in Canterbury. He was invalided home along with about four hundred Australians and New Zealanders, but had to remain in quarantine in Melbourne for about six weeks. He is anxious to get to the front again, and with that end in view promptly presented himself at the local headquarters for the purpose of inquiry. Privat.fi Fraser went out with the main body, and he was under fire against th t -> Turks who attacked the Suez Canal on February 2nd and 3rd. He. was with the New Zealanders who served as reinforcements to the Indian troops at'Elferdan. The returned soldier says that the Turks were a very inferior lot —just stragglers, who hadbeen sent forward while the trained ‘ '•'■•ors were reserved for the Dardanelles. At least, that was the general impression. Th e Indians fought well, said Private Fraser, and had no difficulty in mastering the attackers. He also said that he left Egypt at the end of April, and when at Suez he heard that the Australasians had effected a landing at the Dardanelles, Private Fraser mentioned that scarlet fever was prevalent amongst tke troops in Egypt and that measles of a severe kind was very rife. The author!, ties, however, were handling the situation effectively. RESHUFFLING OF PORTFOLIOSMR MASSEY TAKES FINANCE. WELLINGTON. This Day. The re-arrangement of portfolios was referred to by the Premier last night, who said he would now take over the administration of the Finance Department. Mr Allen will deliver his financial statement, which is now' almost ready for presentation to Parliament. Mr Bell is practically controlling education, leaving Mr Allen free to administer the Defence Depart, ment.