New Zealand

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 16 February 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

OUR TROOPS IN SAMOA. Wellington, Last Night. The following wireless message dated 13th, lias been received from Colonel Logan, respecting the health of the New Zealand Garrison in Samoa.: Tlic health of the troops is good. The following are in hospital:— sth (Wellington) Regiment.—Corporal A. S. Crowther, hernia; Private W. Dixon, pnuemonia; Private F. Martin, dengue fever; Lance-Corporal Hurrell, dengue fever; Private H. Stubbs, rheumatism.

3rd (Auckland) Regiment.—T. E. Pelk, fever; Private E. Mills, septic- knee; Private R. J. Massicks, dengue, fever; Private G. Griffiths, tonsilitis; Corporal Overson, injury .to hip. Railway Engineers.—Sapper J. B. Elliott, dysentery: Sapper B. J. Furtv, varicose veins; Sapper J. T. Thomson, diarrohea.

New Zealand Medical Corps.—Private R. .J. Daniel, dysentery. Army Service Corps.—Private W. Brocklebank, jaundice. Signal Section. —Private J. W. Pearce, dengue fever. Ail are doing well.

TIIE PRICE OF LEATHER. Auckland, Last Night. ' At a representative meeting of business people affected by the high price of leather, it was decided to request the Government to prohibit during the currency of war the export of bides to any countries other than British possessions and the countries of Britain's allies. It was decided to approach business people in other New Zealand centres, with a request that they should support the appeal to the Government.

SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS. The Wellington committee of the Society for the Protection of AYoincn and Children enters a protest against the statement made by the Hon. James Allen, Minister for Defence, that the Government will not compel the members of the expeditionary force, to make provision for their wives and children. The committee wishes to draw the attention of the Minister to the action of the Canadian Government in refusing to accept men without, the consent of their wives, and the proclamation by the Australian Government compelling volunteers to make provision for their wives, children, or illegitimate children before enlising. The committee hopes that the New Zealand Government will take means to protect the women and children of this country.

TROOPS PARADED. NEWTOWN PARK CEREMONY. MAORIS' FINE APPEARANCE. Wellington, Monday. If the authorities in New Zealand are anxious to stimulate recruiting, they cannot do better than arrange for further parades of troops such as the one held at Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon. The. Maori contingent and a certain section of the troops who havo been undergoing training at Trentham during the last few weeks were inspected by His Excellency the Governor :.nd party, and the whole ceremony was a remarkably impressive G*ne. The feature of. the parade was the fine appearance of the Maoris. It was the first opportunity afforded Wellington people of seeing the Native troops, and it must i.e said that they, have left a very good impression. They appear to have, be< n through a moat stringent course.' of training, and on Saturday were ill fine form. They executed manoeuvres at the park vtith such precision and snap, that for their every movement they wars applauded by the live thousand odd citizens who had gathered to view tile ceremony. They were clad in "shorts," and were provided with helmets and coats of a lighter khaki than the sombre dull brown of the white troops. Each man seemed rather of a slight build than heavy-featnred, and this gave the natives a clean, athletic look which foreshadowed good work in the future. To see them standing side by side with their white brethren was indeed inspiring, and must have swelled all spectators' hearts with pride. As "King" Topia, the great Wanganui chieftain, said when hj? addressed them during the afternoon: "This is a new thing. The pakehus and we fought each other in the dark days, but to-day we go hand in hand."

lITR EXCELLENCY'S INSPECTION. The troops marched to the park in their respective units, the. Maoris bringing up the rear. ' As the Europeans swung into tlie park, they were loudly applauded, but when the Maoris arrived, they received an ovation for their spirited marching and generally smart appearance. An old wahine, receiving a special favour from the authorities, entered the enclosure, and chuckled with delight when her brethren arrived. She is said to be verging upon her ninetieth year, and has no less than eleven descendants in the Maori contingent.

THE VICE-REGAL PARTY. Ilis Excellency the Governor (the Earl of Liverpool) arrived at 2.45 p.m. The troops immediately came to the Royal s.-.Vite, and the first verse of the National *"t v "m was played. The Vice-Regal party 'onsisteci, in addition u» 2.<-

eellenev. 0 f the Prime Minister (Right lion. W. K. Massey), Sir Joseph Vendor of tho Opposition), Hon. James Allen {Minister ''or Defence), Colonel Robin (Officer Coniuinding the Defence

■Forces), Lieutcant-Colonel Gibbon (Chief of the General Staff), Lieutenant-Colonel Pilkington (Adjutant-General), Colonel Tate (Officer Commanding the Wellington district), Dr Pomare, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke), and the Hon. A. L. Ilerdman.

Ilis Excellency then made a complete review of the whole of the troops, who were drawn up in close formation for the Vice-Regal, Ministerial, and civic addresses.

B3TB1? A3M)T>ESSKS. His Krocllency, in a brief address typical pf the occasion, complimented the men on their fine appearance. He urged them n ot to grouse amongst themselves, nor let petty nonsense aggravate them. They had to remember that they were soldiers of a great Empire, with traditions to uphold. The Prime Minister, in the course of a short, impressive speech, observed what a remarkably fine thing it was to have the Native troops standing side by side with their white brethren. IJ<was sure they would prove themselves worthy of the warrior heroes of old.

Tile Hon. -Mr Allen and the Mayor of Wellington also spoke briefly to the men.

Te Heu Hen, the Taupo chieftain, and "King" Topia, of Wangamii, then impressively addressed their kinsmen in their native tongue, after which the whole of the troops marched past the Vice-Regal party, His Excellency taking the salute.

The streets were lined with people to watch the retur,, march, and the Maoris again provoked considerable enthusiasm.

RELIEF CROP AT WESTOWN. Some tim e ago tho Westown Patriotic Committee sowed a crop of oats, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to the Belgian Relief Fund, and now, as the result of their efToj-ts, there is to be seen a fine stack of oats, estimated to produce seven tons of chaff, which, owing to the shortage, should augment the fund to the extent of over £4O, Everything in connection with the crop was (lone free. Mr. Marfell gave the. use of four acres of land, which Mr. P. Langman ploughed, and Mr. J. Lovell worked up. Mr. Kniglit found the manure, and Mr. F. Watson the oats, which were sown by Mr. Chant. Mr. P. Langman looked after the ■ crop while it was maturing. A splendid crop resulted, and was reaped by Messrs Langman and lovell. The sheaving was done by a willing band of workers, wJio assisted generally with the harvesting at a huge working be 6, .the ladies being kept busy providing refreshments. Mr. Putt thatched the stack, the oats being saved in fine condition. Several who were unable, to attend, promised a day's pay, which will be utilised to pay the cost of chaffing and the supply of the necessary tags, so as to permit of the chaff being handed over to the committee absolutely free of all expense. It is probable that, a "harvest home" concert will bo held fit Westown, the proceeds to be devoted to the Poor in Britain Fund.