THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1919, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

CHRISTMAS IN HOSPITALS. FESTIVITIES iMARKED BY UNUSUAL GAIETY.

(From Captain Malcolm Ross, Official War Correspondent with the N( vZtaland Forces in the Fold ) By Cable, Dec. 26. The festivities at the New Zealand hospitals were marked by more than the usual gaiety. There has been recently a considerable reduction in the numbers of as no wounded men are now coming through, and the majority of the patients are those whoso more serious wounds are slowly healing, or who are victims of influenza. Concerts, dinners and dances made tlie day pasa cheerily. The wards were gaily decorated, prizes beißg given for the most artistic. Santa Claus visited each ward, and every "digger" woke to And something in hi'., stocking. At Walton-on-Thames in the evening there was a brilliant scene, when the medical officers, sisters, nurses and pai tients dined in the large hall. Speeches were made by Sir Tlomas Mackenzie, General Richardson, Colonel O'Ncil, Matron Wilson and others. It is now announced that' the ■division will not' form part of the army of occupation in Germany, so demobilisation will proceed more speedily than was originally anticipated. General Richardson, after a brief visit to the division, will proceed to New Zealand in connection 'with demobilisation arrangements there. If the Allies send a force to Russia there will be.no New Zealand contingent, and it is understood that any New Zealanders volunteering will have to join the British Army.