GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3994, 29 July 1915, Page 3

GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS.

DOINGS ON GALLIPOLI. OFFICERS’ HIGH TRIBUTE By Telegraph—Special Correspondent " WELLINGTON. JUy ’2B. A very interesting news letter about happenings in Egypt and 1 at the front in Gallipoli has been received by the Minister of Defence from Colonel Esson, A.Q.M.G. at the New Zealand base at Alexandria. In the course of his remarks, he says; Our laris have behaved most gallantly and their fighting qualities are recognised and appreciated at their True worth by the high commanders-. In minor matters of discipline they are -probably behind the regular soldier, but as fighting men they appear to be rather more resourceful, and equally courageous and determined. Tho doctors all say that, they suffer less from shock when hit and, with few exceptions, their first des.re is to get back to the firing line us soon as possible. The feeling between officers and men is excellent and on many occasions I have, heard wound- d m n speaking of their officers with confidence, pride, ami affection. The value of discipline is clearly rcccgrsed by a majority of the men and what appeared irksome during the prolonged and trying stay in Egypt, is now understood and appreciated. The food, supply is good! and, during the weeks I was on the Peninsula, I never heard one single complaint as to either quantity or quality, although f freely mingled with the men and lost no opportunity of inquiring and seeing that they were well cared lor. NEW ZEALAND’S HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY. The wastage of equipment during war is positvely appalling and large parties are constantly employed iu the rear of tire trenches conveying discarded material to the. depots we have established., where it is constantly in demand. , Wei were all deeply tou-clicd at too Fortitude displayed by the people of New Zealand on" learning of our casti|a 1 ties. There are few homes into j which sorrow has not eomojmd, at ; tho conclusion of the war, New Zealand will have a very heavy .respon- ! sibility to face in providing for the doi pendents of those killed in action, also | a large number of crippled and ma m- | ed men who will be seriously handicapped in life’s battle by the loss of j eyes, limbs, and by injured health. Everything possible is being done for j them” here and generally we have much reason to he grateful to the medical services and to a host of willing workers wiiose services are so freely given. INCREASED POSTAL FACT LIU ES. The postal staff has been doubled and. increased facilities afforded. Great difficulty existed in the way of locating wounded men. The rush was so great and men were so widely dispersed that it took some little time to find out where they were, but, to meet postal requirements, l instituted a card system, which is working very well. Each hospital is visited and two or three postcard: forms are left with each man or filled in for him, sa that the Post Office is at once notified of ally change of address. The forms set forth a man’s name, rank, and unit, the Jiosiptal and the ward of the hospital in which lie lies. It. is a big task fishing out letters for wounded in Eng.and, .Malta, Lemnos and different parts of Egypt, in addition, to letters for the base details, but- mail matter is being promptly sorted and distributed. Some complaints are made of delay in the transmission of parcels, which, I understand, first- go to England by a cargo steamer and then find their way uiu-k here. This .perhaps can he remedied in New Zealand. In selecting men for tlm. Army Pcsrai Service, a fair sprinkling elsenior men with experience of handling these mails should be included. Wo have rather too many juniors, mainly drawn from country offices.

COUNTRY. HELD BY NEW ZEALANDERS. It may interest you to know that the country held by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps is not unlike the ridge running betwe.n Khandallah and the . Oluuvu valley. Kanban. The scrub is mostly dwari holly, r 1 1 0(!odendrons, Medito rr a nca 11 heath, and a small species of p'-ne, which varies from three to eight- feet in height, affording excellent cover for snipers. Although there arc small springs, tire water question, is rather a difficult one and supplies are landed lrom the ships in barges specially built lor the purpose. From the time we landed until I came away we were being vigorously shelled and-- the casualties in the rear, the trenches, and amongst the Army Service Corps anil both divisional headquarters were heavy. The surgeons here find the- X-rays apparatus a wonderful help. The position of bullets can be located to a nicely am* they aro extracted without the murderous probing that was found necessary in previous wars. ‘'One cannot stay here without the chance of meeting shrapnel cr a. sui perks bullet,” wrote General God lev on June 2.' “They talk of the casualties in France, but 1 do not fancy that at any time they have been anything like what they have been here in comparison to the numbers of men engaged. In my division alone, which landed 8543 strong, I have had 4250 casualties and the Australian division’s proportion is, J behove, higher, but wo manage to keep going all right and enjoy this delight!ul climate and our daily* walks round the. trenches'as far a.s we can.” Those New Zealanders and Australians have fought splendidly and arc never so happy a.s when they are goino- for the Turk with the bayonet. The Turks fight well and it is the greatest mistake to underrate them or not to think that they are a pretty formidable enemy, but I hope that, all the same, the reinforcements coming may on aMe ns soon to make a start for Constantinople.

market indicates a most satisfactory state of affairs, but as already _ indicated the crux of the question is delivery of tops, machinery remaining unsatisfied. It does seem a scandal that 64’s. tops out of last London soles should cost no more than 2s BJd‘ — often not that—and the same to ho worth to-day 3s 7d. but this price has been made.’ Wo shall he much surprised if there is not a very radical change when a greater output of tops takes place. Crossbreds are all very fi rra.