CHRISTMAS AT THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1917, Page 5

CHRISTMAS AT THE FRONT.

CARE FOR COMFORT OF NEW ZEAJOAM) SOLDIERS; (From Captain Malcolm Ross, Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces). Christmas draws near, and tW thoughts of all our soldiers on this side of the world go . out to their relatives and friende in New Zealand and their comrades-in-arms fighting in the Holy land. Official Christmas greetings* have already been received from New Zealand, and similar good wishes sent from here. These you will get through ordinary channels. ■

Last Christmas we spent in comparative quiet on part of-;the fhmt line and in villages where we-could entertain the children. The dying year sees us in a, devastated zone, whara these are peasants and fewer children, but every - effort has been made to provide our troops with good cheer on Christmas' Day. Many gifts from New Zealand' huve already safely arrived, and are greatly appreciated. In all the (snaps and hospitals in England Christmas preparations are weH in hand, and there winbe no lack of entertainment.

Both cofpa and division generafohave sent kindly uwaaagcfFtokthose under theiroommand, and to those in En/jtand and Palestine. A divisional general recently visited the -various hospitals in Northern France in which considerable nutobera of 'our wounded and sink are now Msg treated. All spoke in terms ofibigb appreciation of the work of the doctors, nurses, and orderlies, and-also ofthednterest displayed in their weß4»iby the*' Australian RetHCross. Our owa stoikmary hospital, which.has'had a.uniqu&xvar history, continue».«to do excelteat work. "