[Page 153]
[Letterhead of the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply & Sewerage]
Sydney, 8th October, 1914.
Dear Sir,
At a meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply & Sewerage held this morning, it was unanimously decided to advise you how delighted the Members were when the information reached them that you, their Secretary, had succeeded, as the officer commanding the First Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, in capturing German New Guinea, and so adding to the prestige of Australia to the Empire.
In assuring you of the Board's appreciation of your action in presenting the German flag to the citizens of Sydney, it is earnestly hoped and trusted that all will continue well with you, and wish you good luck.
Yours sincerely,
[indecipherable]
President.
Colonel Holmes, V.D., D.S.O.,
Officer Commanding 1st Australian Expeditionary Force,
Rabaul, New Guinea
Ackd 27.10.4