NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCES (LETTER FROM MAYOR OF ALBANY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, RELATIVE TO EXEMPLARY CONDUCT OF) IN ALBANY.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, H-19a

H.—l9a

1915. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCES (LETTER FROM MAYOR OF ALBANY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, RELATIVE TO EXEMPLARY CONDUCT OF) IN ALBANY.

Laid on the Table of the House of Kej/resentatives by Leave.

Sir,— Town Hail, Albany, 10th July, 1915. From time to time we have had the pleasure of receiving in our harbour and town the representatives of New Zealand on their way to the front. I was very much surprised on being informed by one of my Councillors last week that several of the last contingent informed him that the New-Zealanders in passing through were supposed to have misbehaved themselves in Albany, and that the civic authorities had asked that they be not allowed ashore. I hasten to write and remove this statement, which is absolutely false. I beg to inform you on behalf of the town that the men behaved splendidly during the whole of their stay in our port and town, and their behaviour has reflected not only credit on their officers and themselves but on New Zealand. They have been most exemplary, and I feel almost incensed that such a stigma should be cast on the men, seeing that they have behaved so well in every respect. It has been my pleasing duty to associate with most of the officers of every contingent, and they themselves have been well satisfied with the behaviour of the men. The last contingent particularly were allowed a latitude of two days, and there is nothing but the highest praise expressed by all the citizens as to the conduct of the men. Many of them were received into private homes, and this is a true record of their behaviour. I may say that the citizens are arranging, should any other men arriving here be allowed ashore, to take them to their private homes, and they are also arranging public functions for them in the shape of meals and music. I trust you will accept this in the spirit it is sent—to contradict a misstatement on behalf of the noble men who are going to fight for the freedom of the Union Jack, and whose behaviour it is a pleasure and honour for me to report has been all that could be desired. I have, &c, The Hon. the Prime Minister of New Zealand, H. Boisinson, Mayor. Wellington, N.Z.

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