ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1918, Page 3

ELTHAM.

. «r . (From Our Own Correspondent.) Eltham, March 2. Private Harry who left with the :2nd Reinforcements, writes cheerily to his relatives here regarding matters at the front. He also states that £"> i) was received from one of the New Plymouth funds and "cut up" between those in the New Zealand Stationary Hospital staff in Flanders. He says that one and all, nurses included, were delighted with the gifts. He would have liked to have personally written to those resppnsible for the donation, but all he could ascertain was that it was from a New Plymouth committee, and being a Taranaki boy made it feel like coming from home, especially coming at Christmas. Under the circumstances, whilst he does not know the identity of the committee, he says that tho kindly action gratified many a weary nurse and orderly. Andrews has had. a most varied eNperience •n iho trenches at Galiipoli. Salonika, and Flanders, and also a spell whikt in the convalescent stage at hosp : tal duties. It does not fall to the lot of many soldiers to have been wounded at Oal!ipoli, then submarined In the Mediterranean (the Marquette), nine hours in tin* water, a spell at Salonika, and then the mud and slush of Flanders. Deapte these experiences he keeps a still upper/ lip, and seems more concerned over the welfare ot those in Eltham than his duties :ri the trenches. Whilst writing of Private Andrews, it may be mentioned that a cousin, Con-ductor-Sergeant B. Sh-ardlow. of VVanganui, has had a wonderful experience. Being a cornet player of repute, and an f'X-niemiber of Wellington and Wartganut bands, he has control of the first W' I ;linnton Regimental Band. Members of the band have to take their spell in the trenches like' others, and then, when relieved, give concerts behind the lines. A few months hack he was badly wounded, and thereby hangs a tale. It ap-. pears his band was close to the front, trenches when a German shell landed: in their midst There were seven men in the "dug-out," three of whom were killed outright, three of the others wounded and young Shardlow hurled. He was ''found" and dragged out and a search made for the instruments. These were found, riddled with bullets and otherwise badly battered, and were sent to New Zealand. Relatives inform me that already they have been shown in Palmerston North, W«mgaitui, and elsewhere. Perhaps, in due course, they may come to Eltham. The promo: er;,o! the HorticultiWal Show and fete held on 'Wednesday and Thursday have every reason to be satisfied with the results (financially and socially). The weather was ideai on both days, and the support of the public quite up to expectations. It is some years "since a show t>r sports gathering was held, but tho success attending this week's -function, should encourage the promoters, tho. Anglican Church,-to repeat the pe/Tormanee next year.