BIG PARADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 191, 13 August 1940, Page 8

BIG PARADE.

THIRD ECHELON. LEAVE AFTERWARDS. Arrangements for the parade of the Third Echelon on Saturday are similar dn all respects to those of the Second Echelon, with the exception that after the march through the city from the Domain to the wharf sheds the troops will go direct to the railway station after lunch. The salute a* the Domain will be taken by Colonel N. W. McD. Weir, N.Z.S.C., officer commanding the Northern Military District. Later, as the battalions march past the Town Hall the salute will be taken jointly by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, and Colonel Weir. Important to next-of-kin and friends is the fact that after the troops have had lunch on the wharf no leave will be granted. After a short "smoko" the battalions wity march direct to the railway station to entrain for Xgaruawahia and Papakura camps. The public will not be allowed on the railway platforms. On the arrangements as explained this afternoon it appears that relatives and friends will have no opportunity of speaking to the men at any stage of the parade. However, to compensate for this the camps will be open to the public all day on Sundav. It is.expjected that large numbers of vifiit6» will take the opportunity of .spending some hours with the trainees. Lunch will be served in No. 17 shed, Central wharf, by women of the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Society. The public will not be allowed in the wharf 6hed during luncheon. The train for Xgaruawahia will leave at 2 p.m., followed by three trains for Papakura, the first leaving at 2.10, and the others at ten-minute intervals. Troops will be drawn up on parade at 11 a.m.. on the Domain cricket ground, with the Papakura camp band and other bands. Afterwards, the march to the waterfront will be by way of Grafton Bridge and Queen Street. When the Second Echelon paraded eome mouths ago leave was granted to all ranks after luncheon, and the city was full of soldiers throughout the afternoon and early evening. However, some difficulties were experienced in reforming the parade after dark, and it has been decided on this occasion that leave cannot be granted.