The Editor's Bivvy

The old pen, which has been in our bivvy on active service almost from the day of the Maga.'s birth, is half inclined to refuse duty, as if it were wise to the tact that the words to flow from it now will be the last for the "K.O.C." There is no pleasure in writing a farewell. A little while, and our bivvy will be vacant. But, if Fate is kind, we shall meet again, in the Southlands, many whose hands we have clasped in friendship here.

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Letters received since the announcement was made that the December issue would bring the Magazine's career to a close, express regret that this must be, and are full of kindly wishes which we heart-ilv reciprocate. One of our English readers, a corporal in the R.E., writes as follows:

"I am sure there is a general feeiing of regret that the conclusion of hotilities should inevitably cause the 'Kia Ora Coo-ee' to cease publication; for we had come to regard it as a permanent institution. We, from the mother countrv, will miss it perhaps more than the Dominions' men, because you will always have the Sydney 'Bulletin' as a medium for the exchange of reminiscences between those who have m rched over the same sand, sheltered in the same hods, scrambled up the same mountainous tracks, sweltered in the same heat, and been in Cairo together; whereas, when you sail south, and we Englishmen sail west, we, who have marched and fought with you since those fateful days of Easter, 1916, will feel the break as one always leels parting with old, tried and trusty friends when there is no prospect of reunion. Therefore, I am sure there are many who would like to see—in your last number, befote the final handshake is given —the sugge-ti"n of a periodic reunion in spirit, in an anniversary publication, or some such way."

An annual publication of the kind suggested would certainly be popular, but the difficulties of producing it are manifold. Our friends of the Bntish Isles can be assured that, though we meet them never again, they will not fade from memory.

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The manuscript for the souvenir book, "Autralia In Pilestine". will be forwarded to the Commonwealth shortly, and it is hoped that it will be published before Easter. The articles, verses, stories and illustrations have been selecred with great care, and the volume will be of high quality from cover to cover.

Lieut.H. Bowden Fletcher, D.F.C., whose articles, signed "Recco", have been a popular feature of the "Kia Ora Coo-ee", has completed the manuscript of a book dealing with the life and work of the Light Horse in Sinai. "Boundary Riders of Egypt" will be published by the Australian Authors' A gency, Melbourne. Lieut Fletcher, born 1890, was an auctioneer in Sranthorpe, Queensland. He enlisted in January, 1915, and left with the I2th. L.H. as Squadron Sergeant-Major. He served for font months on Gallipoli. In February, 1916, he was promoted R.S.M., and in July of that year got his commission. He was wounded in the second Gaza stunt. In August, 1917, Lieut. Fletcher joined the Australian Flying Corps.

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The Official Correspondent A.T.F. writes: "In my report of the capture of Amman which appeared in the last number of 'The Kia Ora Coo-ee', I stated that the men of a New South Wales Regiment were first into the town. This was a mistake. The first

church of the nativity.

troops to enter were from the 5th. Light Horse (Queensland), commanded by Lieut.-Col. D. Cameron, D.S.O. I regret the injustice to Queensland."

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Major Oliver Hogue, A.L.H., has received a cable from London, stating that his third book, "The Cameliers", is being published by Messrs. Andrew Melrose Ltd. His two previous war books, "Trooper Bluegum At the Dardanelles" and "Love Letters of an Anzac", have both run into several editions.

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Pte. J.R. W. Taylor, editor of "The Jackass", journal of the 1st. A G.H., sends greetings from France. We are glad to learn that his magazine has proved very successful He thinks well of the "K.O.C.", deeming it a well-balanced publication. We pass the compliment on 10 our contributors.