PATRIOTIC ENTHUSIASM.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 186, 6 August 1914, Page 4

PATRIOTIC ENTHUSIASM.

ENROLMENT OF VOLUNTEERS. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Tbo first flush of war fever at the news of Great Britain's probable participation in the European war had worked off in Wellington by to-night. Last night the imminence of conflict bad raised tho patriotic enthusiasm of the streets to the point of general explosiveness, which found outlet In the waving of flags, national songs,, and cheers. This afternoon the actual announcement of hostilities between England and Germ.my afforded another opportunity for loyul excitement; but such boiling over demonstration bas its limit, and this evening, though the niperature of youthful paraders in the :.iain thoroughfares was still far above normal, a much quieter tone prevailed, the more serious aspects of the situation making for soberer thoughts than those which prompt the waving Of hats, and the raising of noise. A good deal of the more demonstrative outbreaks took place this evening in the vicinity of the Garrison Hall, where several territorial companies were on their usual parade. After drill, the railway corps keyed up things a bit in the streets by marching through the town, headed by their bugler, and giving voice to patriotic refrains, interspersed with their company cry "We are it," tickling the temper of the multitude mightily. In Post Office Ppuare a member of the Victoria College Rifles harangued a willing crowd on the popular text "Britons Never Shall be Slaves," the assemblage adding harmonious variety by singing "God ssve the King," and the "Marseillajse" L'p at tho drill hall, meanwhile, volunteers for active service were being invited from "C" company of the Wellington regiment, which had paraded 190 strong. Of these no fewer than 68 volunttered for expeditionary service, the number being made up of 6 commissioned officers, 8 non-com-missioned officers, and 54 men. As other companys parade, volunteers will be daily invited, and, as the process will be going on in all centres, it is anticipated that the authorities will very soon have more than enough men from which to select the 7000 or 8000 required for active Imperial service.