THE MARAMA.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1916, Page 8

THE MARAMA.

REPORT OP RETURN VOYAGE. ' : CABLEGRAMS NOT YET CONFIRMED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan. 24. During the last week or two private cablegrams received in New Zealand from members of the staff of the hospital ship Marama have indicated that the vessel was about to return to New Zealand, '.'.'he Priui.» Minister, referring to (his matter a feiv days ago, stated that the Marama was proceeding from Egypt to the United Kingdom with a full load of sick and woun led soldiers, and that ho had 110 information regarding her subsequent movements.

No further official information regarding the Mamma's movements is yet available, but there is substantial reason to believe that a return voyage in the near future is in contemplation. The ending of the Gallipoli campaign is understood to have left the Mperial authorities with a surplus of hospital ships, since at no oflier point is it necessary to evacuate sick and wounded men by sea direct from, the Frenches. The British hospitals contain many New Zealanders who arc classed as "cot cases," and are not fit to travel on ordinary transports. Prior to the departure of the Mahcno for New Zealand it was reported that she was to bring a large number of these cases, but, as a matter of fact, she brought practically none.