A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1915, Page 5

A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

COLONIAL WOUNDED AT tt<tt£S, Received Dec. 27, 10.30 p.m. London, Dee. 84. Every Australian and New Zealander in Britain spent Christmas merrily. Anglo-Australians had been diligently preparing for months to ensure that non» wero overlooked, and this necessitated the most elaborate organisation, to cover men in isolated provincial hospital?, but the Australian and New Zealand Bed Cross and War Contingent Associations arranged that the Australasians in English hospitals he given-special comforts. The principal functions were in London, Plymouth, Bostall Heath, Harefield, and Waltvii-on-Tbames. The invalids, convalescents, and those who have recovered were made to feel that Christmas, without the southern sun, and far from their homes in a war atmofphere, can still he merry.

The dinner for the Australians at the hotel Cecil was largely attended and was a Bplcndid success. Then wtre many jovial Australian and New Zealand parties at the Carlton, Piccadilly, Criterion and other hotels, where then WW* lavish festivities. Soldien thronged the Anzac buffet, and all day long ffceM was a continuous lively entertaJMMnt. 250 New Zealanders dined at th» Midland Hotel, Hon. T. Mackenzie presiding. He said he was proud of New Zealand « heroes, and read Mr, Masaey'a greetings, also General Birdwood's message saying: "Good cheer, boys, from sjl eomrades in the firing line. Return MOB. and we will see this through together. Mr. Mackenzie congratulated the New, Zealanders upon their gallant exploits, and wished them good luck. Mr. Cecil Wrey, formerly of Wang* nui, distributed cigars from the. resi-' dents of Kakatahi, and the boys cheered,shouting, "Good old Kakatahil" Mr. T. Mackenzie, his da.ughteTjjUiJ Lord Plunkett, visited Acton and -Wli ton. Forty Maoris, who were guesie ou Lady Scott, cooked pork, pigeons, eels. andlcumarts in a Maori oven in a 6»cV garden at Acton. The suburbanite* anxiously rushed to their windowsirhgn the Maoris gave war whoope signalling; Mr. Mackenzie's arrival.

Crowds gathered in wonderment »* the hakas and ferocious contortions, and hunting and love songs. They sampled the Maoris' turkey and pronounced It excellent, and marvelled at such a reault from a heap of earth and hot ;«t*»et. The Maoris continue feasting to-mow>« and will have a dance in the evenisg. There were lively scenes in the tot* tooned wards at 'Walton, where tfc* patients cheered Mr. Mackenzie and hit ' son, who visited every bed. A concert party of New Zealanders entttrtajatil the patients, ,