NEW ZEALANDERS IN LONDON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 287, 13 May 1915, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS IN LONDON.

INTERESTING LETTER FROM FORMER GOVERNOR. "WORKING FOR OUR BOYS." Lord Plunket, who will be well remembered in New Zealand as one of its recent Governors, still retains close association with the Dominion. This is quite evident from a letter recently received by a, Wellington gentleman. Lord Plunket is executive'chairman of the New Zealand war contingent association, and his letter shows what good work it has already been able to accomplish. "The association has collected about .•£!M>()I) in England from New Zealanders or those connected with New Zealand. This is not bad when it is remembered that we have been most particular not to ask for a penny from the British public, believing that by such a policy we are keeping in touch with the sentiment of the people of flic Dominion, who wish to bear the cost of their contingent entirely themselves. Nor have we issued any appeals in New Zealand, as we know you have good use for your own patriotic funds. We have looked after all the stray New Zealand officers and men who have joined the Imperial Army, or who have come over here invalided. We have 'mothered' the 250 New Zealand 'boys' who joined the contingent in London, we have sent out a lot of comforts to Egypt, and tons of newspapers, etc., and we have in readiness a suitable convalescent home for the men and another for the officers when they join the forces in the fighting line in France. Now we are in a dilemma, as presumably a number of the contingents are in Turkey somewhere, but T dare say we shall work out a plan to deal with their interests. We are also acting as intermediaries for the Dunedin, Auckland and other Patriotic Leagues, who have asked us to purchase things for their men and execute various commissions. Altogether f think we may fairly claim to be a really useful adjunct to the more serious work in which the New Zealand Government is engaged.

"f hear the best accounts of the New Zealanders," continues the interesting letter. "Their keenness on drill, their steadiness in as they have faced fire, and their general appearance and behaviour—it is an honor to work for them."

The letter also mentions that another former Governor of New Zealand, Lord Ranfurlv, is, in spite of his great grief in the loss of his son, working assiduously at his branch of the Red Cross St. John of Jerusalem, of which lie i> secretary.

Lord Plunket, in addition to the activities already mentioned, sometimes acts as sergeant of the special constabulary in London, and, amongst the other duties, he has at intervals to guard Buckingham Palace. He confides to his correspondent that it was pretty cold Work at night. Writing of his former aides, who are well known in New Zealand,'he states that Captain Braithwaite is on the Tfcadnuarters Stall', and Captain Shannon and Oaptan Gathorne Hardy are with their respective regiments at the front. Captain Shannon was in the trenches when the Germans blew up it section, killing three of his brother officers and a nuin-l-er of his men. Captain Shannon luckily was at the other end of the trench, but, adds Lord Plunket, he had some hand-to-hand fighting and did some splendid work.