A HEARTY SEND-OFF.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 156, 1 July 1916, Page 13

A HEARTY SEND-OFF.

LONDON FAREWELLS "OUR BOYS." (From Our Lady Correspondent.) LONDON, May 18. Tie route from Liverpool Street «taon to the Alexandra, North London , ' opular theatre, was beflagged on Friay. Thousands lined that long, straight ■vo-mile highroad from the railway ?rminus, in order, as their bunting lid. to "Welcome the Anzacs" and bid :cm Ood-specd to their own grand coun•y "down under." But no Anzacs cam-; iy some unforeseen mistake, the change [ plans was not announced, and tht ew Zealandere from Grey Towere. ornchurch, were taken by special traro i Rectory Road, near their destination -pood, perhaps, for the sick men, bul i the public, ah! what a disappointment -disappointment even to tears. But the pent-up energy broke loose m tolce Newingion around the theatra hat bit of monster London had an Anic Day of ite own. All along Stoko Road flags were hung itoh indowo, and people cheered wild)/ hile the more boisterous threw confetti t the passing soldiers. Mrs. Rita Fiskc ntertainod the men at the theatre, ami was a very happy little farewell party. ir John McCall was in the chair, and 1" ■ad a telpjrram from Sir Thomas Macenzie, indiratlng his regret he was pre ented from joining in the gathering fldy Birdwood'e presence was greetec ■ith the utmost enthusiasm. Mr van. the Premier of Queensland, rt ?ived a great welcome. This was th< rst opportunity he has had here oi ddreesing any number of Anzacs, and h< poke glowingly of their famed deeds You have given Australia and New Zea md a now password," he said. "Aprf. ."< will be the great Australian day ir ears to come. I hope that, when th« trugp-le j s over, Gallipoli will be one o; he places that will remain British soil ■nd Australaeia may well claim it. ' ope a great mausoleum will be raieec here." The programme was -a long medley— 11 g-ood thijige. The Anzac artists eanf nd played and whistled, Iwa eaaf liiori songs, to tbe- intense delight c* 11. From amidst the long array o: alcnt, wiio made-a happy time for thiien to bear away in their recollection* J the Old Mother Gauntry, one migfci mention Mrs. Craddon, Mr. Bomei Gardner, the Misees Mabel Maneon *nc I May, Mrs. Rawline,. Mesars. W. S 'ercy and Cecil Wray, and Lanee-Coi loral Roberteon. Big crowde waited outiside the-theat r i c greet the men as they left. Then vas a touch of sadness here. From • i iear-by school little faces could be ccci >Mfiscd- against the window in faxewefl Xranven -va.*ped handkerrfiiefs^ —€ber« nere Sew men in the crowds—and a-littl< jronp eturfced siaging "Shonld AiiK be Forgot," and the teen hat "were eeen. were not in tbe eyes 0 rmliana only.