THE AUCKLAND CONTINGENT.

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

THE AUCKLAND CONTINGENT.

FOR EXPEDITIONARY FORGE. ONE THOUSAND KEN ALREADY AND MORE TO FOLLOW. MEN WHO HAVE SEEN SERVICE. Apart from territorial*, 6o keen has been the rush of volunteers to enrol in the force for home defence (or for service abroad if required) that up till midday to-day more than one thousand applications had been received quite apart from those that will come through the recognised channels from members i of the territorial forces. Tlie proclamation that has been issued by the Defence Department makes it quite clear that preference is to be given to volunteers from the R.NJZA.., the N.Z.S.C., the N*Z.F.S,, and the territorials. Applications from volunteer territorials are to be made through their commanding officers, and ihave not yet been assembled, since the order was posted only in the small hours of this morning. These applications that have been received have come from a constant stream of young men who called in this moring at "the office of the groap commander. They are not attached to any territorial company or to any other branch of the service", but they are putting in their applications under the clause which says:—"Failing a sufficient supply of volunteers from these (that is '"territorial") sources, applications from others with previous military experience will be entertained."

The supply of application forms ran out by midday, and clamorous demands were made from the group office for more. It must be noted, too, that this number refers only to the Auckland (city) group office. Returns have still to be forwarded from the group commanders at Hamilton, Whangarei, and Paeroa. If these "outsitle'' applications, as it were, are any guide as to the number that'mav be" expected from the ranks of the active territorial, then it will be seen that the Auckland military district has risen with wonderful spontaneity to the call for volunteers. It may be mentioned as a matter to be specially noted, that no application which is made direct to the •minister, will be entertained. The application* must be sent through tbe proper channels as set out in the notice. A meeting of the Auckland Mounted Rides Reserve has been called for tomoroow evening in the non-com.'s rooms at the Drill Hall to decide what action shall be taken in view of present hostilities. All ex-members of any mounted rifle company have been invited to attend.