New Zealand

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 243, 23 March 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

LETTER FROM CAPTAIN HALSEY.

Wellington, March 2'2. Following is an extract from a private letter written by Captain Lionel Halsey, li.X., to the Countess of Liverpool, in which he conveys the most sincere and appreciative' thanlcs of his ofliccrs and men for' the Bum of money so generously contributed by the people of this Dominion in response to • her Excellency's appeal on behalf of H.'M.S. New Zealand:—

"It is now over eighteen months since we in this, ship regretfullv left the shores of New Zealand, and never can any of us forget what was done' for us during our stay in the Dominion, and for that reason alone <we have always felt that we are a part of the Dominion. But in addition to this we have been constantly reminded by kind and thoughtful acts that, although, our ship may be out of sight, she is never out ,of the minds oi the people. This crowning act- of generosity only confirms our (knowledge, and we in our turn have always endeavored and will always endeavor to repay the Dominion for foe confidence reposed in ua."

WELCOME TO SAMjOAN CON-

TINGENT,

Wellington, March 22. The Samoan Contingent,. which returned to-day under Colonel Fulbon, was accorded a hearty welcome. The men were addressed by Messrs Massey, Allen, and the. Mayor, each of whom referred to the service rendered to the Empire in the occupation of Samoa. It is understood, that the majority of the men have volunteered for service with the New Zealand expeditionary force and will leave with the reinforcement drafts in the near future. The returned men will be taken to Trentham this afternoon, and granted leave to-night, until probably after Easter.

COURT-MARTIAL AT GREYMOUTH.

Greymouth, March 22.

Private Gibbons, wEcr was kept in police custody from Monday till Friday last, was courtmartialled in the Totara Flat camp on Saturday, charged with (1) absenting himself from camn without leave; (2) breaking away from the. military police when under arrest, thereby creatine a disturbance in camp; (3) "assaulting a sentry* wmle the latter was in the execution of his duty. Accused pleaded guilty to charges one and two, hut claimed that lie had no opportunity for obtaining the evidence of a witness, who had returned to Canterbury, on the third chnrge. This charge' was withdrawn. Gibbons was sentenced to 14 (lavs' military detention on-'Ripa Island. The camp of the 13th Regiment was struck on Saturday.

TO HELP BELGIUM. Dunodiri, Last Xi«ht. A meeting of woinin, convened by the Mayor, was held to-day to consider ways and means of affording relief to the Belgians. It was stated that O'tago and Southland were exected to find onefifth of the proposed wublic subscription of £SOO per month in New Zealand. It was decicTcd to divide the city and suburbs into 198 blocks and make a .personal canvass for funds. A large number of lady collectors will be enrolled for the purpose. BREACH OF WAR REGULATIONS. Wellington, March 22. Under the War Regulations Act. William Stephens was fined £5 to-dav_for supplying a member of the expeditionary Force with a bottle of beer for consumption off licensed prerpises. It is the first case of the kind under the recently gazetted regulation.