CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1918, Page 2

CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES.

THANKSGIVING SERVICES

(From Captain Malcolm Ross, Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Field.)

November 14,

A divisional church parade was' held tlliis morning to celebrate the cessation of hostilities. The troops were formed tip l)y brigades, and in drill order without rides. The service took the form of a solemn act of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the armistice, and included a prayer of invocation by the Bishop of Nelson, the reading of Psalm exxvi. by tee Rev. Watson, the lesson from Ephesians ii. by the. Rev. Hardie, and prayer of thanksgiving by Father Segrief. The Second Canterbury Band played the hymns, and massed bands the National Anthem. The service was must impressive.

PRISONERS IN SWITZERLAND

An officer, on bdbalf of the Reel Cross, paid a visit to tho New Zealand prisoners of war in Switzerland, lifteen in number. The prisoners were being well looked after, and were attending educational classes started for British prisoners. Though they had a hard time in Germany none had been cruelly treated, but they had seen oUhers, especially Belgians, cruelly dealt with. The officer visited tho hospital for French refugees, near Geneva, subsidised by the New Zealand Government. The hospital had done good work, and the French were very grateful for all that had been done. During his visit to France the officer selected as a rest house for Xevv Zealand officers a villa that used to bo the summer residence of the late Mr Joseph Chamberlain near Cannes, Hie premises being leased for six months for this purpose. During his tour, which included a visit to the Division, lie arranged for a supply of Red Cross comforts.

VISIT OF BISHOP OF KELSON.

Tho Bishop of Nelson, in Ws capacity of chief Anglican chaplain, lias been on a lengthy visit to Xew Zealand troops in -tlie field during the fighting in and about l.e Quesnoy. He stayed at one of the field ambulances tiirough v, bich 500 wounded men had passed, cheering and helping the officers and men and attending to the dying. He says his experience has greatly increased his confidence in hunmn nature, and flie has been greatly impressed with the magnificent way men have, risen to this great crisis in their lives. They are, ho says, wonderful fellows.