N.Z. WAR CORRESPONDENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 November 1918, Page 6

N.Z. WAR CORRESPONDENT.

< November 14. A divisional church parade _ was held this morning to celebrate - the cessation of hostilities. The troops were formed by brigade and phraded in drill order- without rifles. The service took the form of a solemn act of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the armistice and included a prayer of invocation by the Bishop of Nelson the reading of Psalm 126 by the Eev. Watson, a lesson from Ephesians 2 by Eev. Hardie, and a prayer of thanksgiving by Father Segricf. The Second Canterbury Band played hymns and the massed bands played the National Anthem. The service was most impressive. An officer, on behalf of the Eed Cross, paid a visit to New Zealand prisoners of war in Switzerland, 15 in number. The prisoners were being ■well looked after and were attending the educational classes started for British prisoners. Though they had a hard time in Germany, they had not been cruelly jireated, but they had seen others, especially Belgians cruelly dealt with. The officer visited a hospital for French refugees near Geneva, subsidised by the New Zealand Government The hospital had done good work. The French were very grateful for all that had been done.

During Ms visit to France, -s tlie officer selected a rest house for New Zealand officers, a villa that used to I>© the summer residence of the late Joseph Chamberlain, near Cannes, being leased for six months for this purpose. During his tour, which included a visit to the Division, he arranged for the supply of Red Cross comforts. The Bishop of Nelson, in the capacity of chief Anglican chaplain, has been on a lengthy visit to the New Zealand troops in the field during the fighting in and- about ILe Quesnoy. He stayed at one of the field ambulances through which 500 wounded passed, cheering and helping officers' and men and attending to the dying. He says his experiences has greatly increased * his confidence in human nature, and he has been greatly impressed with the magnificent way the men have risen to the great crisis of their lives. They are, he says, wonderful fellows.