OUT OF BOUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1916, Page 3

OUT OF BOUNDS.

"ISOLATED" SOLDIERS' ESCAPADE, "DISCOVERED IN RAIDED PREMISES, HOSPITAL GUARD RESENTED. (From the Auckland Star). When the police raided certain premises in Upper Symonds Street at a late hour on Saturday night they found among the occupants three soldiers who had returned earlier in the day by the hospital ship Maheno, and who were supposed to be in isolation at Hospital annexe. These men were enteric convalescents, and their escapade suggested that loose methods must be prevailing somewhere in the control of the 189 men who were ordered to isolation direct from the hospital ship. The incident may be dismissed for the time being, however, by stating that the trio were given a severe lecture by the raiding officers and ordered immediately back to their deserted be<i» pending further developments.

discontent wide seated. It would seem from extensive inquiries that the ailteiiipts to isolate this large body of men lias at various stages partially failed. In the first place, .something in the nature of an uproar was caused on board the Maheno when an announcement was made two days before arrival that all the enteric cases wero to be isolated at Auckland. The men pointed out that at Colombo and Albany they had been given their liberty and allowed to come in contact with anyone and everyone. While in Colombo they had been taken for scenic motor-car rides, by the European residents, entertained at their houses, and subsequently allowed to sleep in the barracks with the garrison. No question had been raised as to danger from enteric. After a medical examination at Albany all were allowed ashore to partake of meals at the Town Hall and wander at large. But the officials were adamant. They were approaching New Zealand, and regulations must be adhered to. FIXED BAYONETS RIDICULED. A further sore point with the soldiers was that on arrival in Auckland they wero without current cash. Before going ashore at Colombo each had received an advance of 10s from his pay, but the attractions of that Oriental resort had fully accounted for the limited amount of pocket-money. Consequently when they reached the hospital annexe, they' found that they were unable to send telegrams to their relatives—"collect" wires being refused without guarantee—and neither were they allowed the use of (telephones. The first signs of open resentment were noticed when the returned soldiers found a military guard with fixed bayonets on the steps of the annexe. This led to facetious remarks and outspoken criticism of New Zealand methods. "What's good enough for Colombo and Albany ought to do for Auckland. This is the worst slap in the eye since leaving," and similar remarks proceeded from the men. They ridiculed the use of fixed bayonets in a hospital.

FLIGHT BY NIGHT. When darkness had fallen it was found that some of the men had escaped through it he windows, scaled the lio'spital fences, and left the neighborhood. At this stage the Acting-Medical Superintendent (Dr. A. McGregor Grant) called the soldier patients together anil asked them to "play the game. 1 ' He recognised that if they had made np their minds to go out it was impossible to keep them in under the conditions that prevailed. At the same time he appealed to them to remain, and promised that every man would be examined next day. He further stated that a good proportion of them would be liber ited within a couple of days He understood exactly how they felt, and sympathised with them accbrdingly. It was very evident that the words of Dr. Grant caused a favorable impression, for the men applauded and cheered without restraint. Furthermore, there was at once a general movement towards the beds which were awaiting them. When "lights out" was blo\yn the reported escape of some of the men was confirmed by empty beds, but by next morning some of them had returned. In some instances it was evident that the soldiers were the worse for mistaken hospitality in places where liquor is sold.

DANGER OF CONTACT. Repeated concessions had been made to ithe soldiers in the matter of extending the boundary within which they were supposed to keep. Whereas on their arrival the guard was on the front steps, a little later it was ordered a few yards further out. Again, yesterday morning the bounds were extended to embrace part of the ornamental ponds in the Domain grounds. This had its ludicrous aspect for the guard was apparently blind to the fraternising of soldiers with outside visitors. An order had been given that none of ithe patients was to approach within a couple of yards of visitors, but some of those present, like the birds in the trees, might have seen khaki-clad lads actually embracing visiting lassies. It is furthej understood that residents in the vicinity of ( the Domain had inquiries yesterday from returning Boldiers concerning the way to the Domain.