ONLY THE INFANTRY ENGAGED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 275, 30 April 1915, Page 5

ONLY THE INFANTRY ENGAGED.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WOUNDED. From si reliable source a Daily News reporter gathered last night that the New Zealanders landed in the Dardanelles on Sunday. Only the infantry of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were sent to the Dardanelles, the mounted men remaining in Egypt. Our informant also stated that arrangements had been made to send the wounded New Zealanders, who would be able to return to the fighting after treatment, to the base hospital to be established near the scene of- the fighting, while those whose wounds would prevent them participating further in the war will be sent back to New Zealand as quickly as arrangements will permit!

NEWS IN NEW PLYMOUTH. SPEECH BY THE MAYOR. PRIDE OF THE PEOPLE. The news that V:ie New Zealanders had participated in the successful operations at tlie Dardanelles released enthusiastic rejoicing in New Plymouth yesterday morning. Flags wei;e flown from the Government buildings and other places, and a half-holiday, >vaj observed uy Government offices. Miarly in the afternoon news was circulated that the jMaypr, had received a telegram from the Prime Minister, which his Worship would read at the Good Templar Hall at 3 o'clock. By this time a large number of people had assembled at the hall in anticipation that the Mayor's message would throw further light on the part played by the New Zealanders, but the telegram only confirmed the news received earlier in the day.

Addressing the gathering, his Worship said that towards the end of August last year news was'received in New Zealand from England that the people of Great Britain would he glad to have the assistance of men from this Dominion in the war that Great Britain was engaged in, and everyone knew our men had responded to that call in a magnificent manner. (Applause.) New Zealanders had no doubt whatever that the men who went away in answer to the call from the Old Country would do very great credit indeed to New Zealand when the time came for action. There had been within the last month, or two reports of some small actions which had taken place in Egypt, near the Suez Canal, but for some little time the public had been in the dark as to the doings of the New Zealanders. It had 'oeen assumed that they would be leaving Egypt and that they would be taking some more important part in the struggle. That day they "had received some definite news, and it) gave Mr. Wilson, as a New Zealander, veryi great pride indeed to be there at the request of the Prime Minister to make this statement—

His Excellency the Governor has telegraphed me that he has received the following telegram from the Secretary of State: "His Majesty's Government desire me to offer you their warmest congratulations on the splendid gallantry and magnificent achievement of your contingent in the successful progress at the Dardanelles." _

The Mayor-went on to say that there could be nothing which could give New Zealanders a feeling of greater pride than to read such a message as he had just delivered. The New Zealanders had acquitted themselves in the spirit' of British soldiers, and the people must have the greatest feelinir of pride that their countrymen now at the front had shown themselves to be the men that the people had expected them to be. (Applause.) These New Zealanders were doing deeds worthy of their fathers, who had made this country. "I cannot say any more,," concluded his Worship, "but I will ask you to give three cheers for these men who have done us such great credit."

Three cheers for the men were given heartily and the gathering dispersed.