OFF TO THE FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 251, 14 July 1915, Page 4

OFF TO THE FRONT.

TO NURSE OUR WOUNDED. A TAIHAPE LADY. WITH VICE-REGAL CREDENTIALS. ■ ■ f The awful conflict of nations at present raging in Europe far exceeds all previous wars recorded in history, not only in its far-reaching effects, and th e vast numb dr of death-dealing instruments of war being used, but also in the magnitude of the armies engaged. It is not surprising, therefore, that unparalleled instances of bravery have been recorded from time to time at the front, as the result of which many a brav e soldier has been slain or wounded. And the world-wide nature of the conflict has also brought into existence a comparatively new factor, namely, the innumerable organisations throughout the world, whose objects to send succour and comfcA'ts to the wounded. These organisations have been augmented b> personal sacrifices of untold number, and-in both respects New Zealand well holds her own. Many of her subjects hav e given great , financial help, while many have gone to the front to do their utmost in the capacity of doctor, nurse or Red Cross officer. The district of Taihape may now claim, and be among those towns and districts from which such ihelpers hav e left for the front, for one of' the oldest and most well known residents of Taihape, Mrs Elizabeth Batt, will leave by the 12.30 a.m. express to-night en route for the front. Mrs Batt is the widow of the late Captain Batt, and although well on in years, sh e is enthusiastically taking this wc<rk of mercy and charity upon herself, and is anxiously awaiting th e time when she will be among our wounded New Zealand boys and attending their wants. Mrs Batt offered her serveies to the Government of New Zealand, and they have been accepted. She will take witn her the following letter of introduction from the Prime Ministdr, to the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London: —•- Prira e Minister’s Office, Wellington, .. . June 24th, 1915. Dear Sir,—This will serve to introduce to you Mrs Chas. Batt,. of Taihave; who is proceeding to England at ’’her own expense for the purpose of taking up work in connection with the nursing of wounded soldiers. The bearer is a lady of independent means, and is' prepared to devote her time and mdney to the obejet named. Any advice or assistance which you maybe able to extend to Mrs Batt in the direction of enabling her to have he>r services accepted by the Military Authorities will be highly avpreciated by ma.-—Yours truly, . W. F. MASSEY.

In order that sn© may travel ..with freedom in foreign parts. Mrs Bati has been provided by Earl Liverpool with a passport which reads as follows: '' ■' ’ ,

I, Arthur William de Brito Savile, I Earl of Liverpool, Governor and Gom-mandqr-in-Chief in and over His Majesty’s Dominion of New Zealand, and its Dependencies, Request, in the nam e of His Brittanic Majesty all those whom it may concern, to allow Mrs Elizabeth Batt, of Mangaweka, New Zealand, a British subject, whose signature appears in the margin, with (names of others travelling with he'r, if any) travelling in foreign parts to pass freely and to afford her everj assistance and protection of which she may stand in need. Given at Government House, Wellington, in the . Dominion of New Zealand, tihe twenty-ninth (29tb) day of June, 15)15

LIVERPOOL, Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, Mrs Batt is defraying all her own expenses and intends travelling third class, in order to conserve the additional money for a saloon passage, for the benefit of the wounded. She will he giving half of her private income towards the purchase of comforts, and the various hospitals of which she is stationed, Mts Batt will be taking with her letters from a number of school children, which are intended for any of th e wounded men, and if any resident of Taihape who has a. wounded relative or friend at the front, would care to entrust a letted to her, she would only be too pleased to deliver it personally, when she met th e addressee, and give him words of en- ] couragement, Mrs Batt has always taken a great interest in charitable work, and only a few months ago she despatched a large consignment of clothing to the Home of Compassion at Wellington. When she was in Wanganui some years ago, whdre she had a hotel, her charity was well known and many a poor fellow has been grateful for the help she has given him. Her present action In going to the front to nurse our wounded, is a clear indication that the spirit of Florence Nightingale Isnot by any means dead in women yet, and at a gathering of her friends last ‘ night, wishes were expressed for her safe return and that her work of mercy might be wld e and effective, Mrs Batt will Bail from Wellington by the “RemuraV direct to Tffnglau*.