FAREWELL TO THE TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22908, 3 January 1940, Page 8

FAREWELL TO THE TROOPS

FINAL PARADE IN err y

ALL UNITS TO MARCH THROUGH STREETS TO-DAY ‘ N The city will have its final opportunity of saying farewell to members of the Ist Echelon „of the Special Force this morning at a parade ending in Crhnmer square. The parade is expected to be one of the biggest gatherings of the sort the city has known, as more than 2000 men, now at Burnham camp, will take part in the march through the city and the final function, as well as members of other branches of the military forces and city bands. : Prominent along the route selected for the-march of the soldiers through, the city will be a small detachment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, some of whose members are already playing an important part in the, con J flict overseas. A detachment of three officers and 80 airmen will line the section of the route between the Bridge of Remembrance and the King Edward Barracks, in Cashel street. Wing Commander G. S. Hodson, A.F.C.. will be with the official party at the final farewell in Cranmer square. - ' Special trains will bring the 20th Rifle Battalion and the 27th Machine Gun Battalion from , Burnham, and motor transport will bring the Divisional Supply Column, _ the Motor Transport Company, the Light Aid Detachment the Field Ambulance, and the Field Hygiene Section to the city. Units moving to Christchurch by motor transport will enter - Christchurch by Riccarton-avenue, and move via Tuam street, Fitzgerald avenue (west side), and Moorhouse avenue (north side). The head of the column will be timed to reach the railway station by 9.30 a.m. Units arriving by train will form up in line in Moorhouse avenue on the north side of the street at the intersection of Moorhouse avenue and Manchester street. „ ■ , The band of the Ist Canterbury Battalion, the City of Christchurch Highland Pipe Band, a’hd the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry Band will parade, an the Woolston Band will form up at the Bridge of Remembrance and play the troops past the saluting, point at the corner of the bridge. Marching bands will cease playing when they reach the intersection of Cashel and Colombo streets, and will resume playing in Montreal street. Route Through Streets . .... The route for troops on foot has been fixed as follows: —Manchester street, High street, Cashel street, Montreal street, to Cranmer square (where a halt will be made). Kilmore street. Victoria street, Colombo street. Cathedral square. High: street. Manchester street to station. The route for the motor transport column will be:—Manchester street. High street. Cashel street. Rolleston avenue. Park terrace. Kilmore street. Victoria street. Cathedral square. High street. Lower High street, Fitzgerald avenue and Moorhouse avenue. _ ... The National Military Reserve will line, the route from the Bridge of Remembrance eastwards on, both sides ot the street, and as soon as the motor transport column has passed writ march to Cranmer square via Cashel and Montreal streets. At the Bridge of Remembrance the Woolston Band will fall in &t the head of the National Military Reserve and play them to Cranmer square. Parade ■ Order Lieutenant-Colonel L. M. Inglis. M.C.. V.D.. commanding the 27th Machine Gun Battalion, will command j the parade. When the officer commanding the district comes on to the parade he will be received with a general salute, the band of the Ist Canterbury Regi-ment-playing the first bars of a slew march. After the salute the massed bands, will play “God Defend New Zealand.” The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.) and other speakers will then address _the troops. In conclusion. - Colonel P. H. .Bell will bid farewell to the troops. At the conelusion of the addresses the massed bands will play - “God Save the King, followed by “Auld Lang Syue. The bands will then move to the head of their respective units, and .the. troops will move off via Kilmore .street to the railway station. The National Military Reserve and Returned Soldiers Association will be dismissed at J Cranmer sauare when the troops have moved off. . , „ Trains for Burnham

Trains are timed to leave Christchurch at 12.10 p.m. and 12.30 p.m.. arriving at Burnham at 12.30 p.m. and Units which arrive by 'motor transport will move via High street. Lower High street. Fitzgerald avenue. Moorhouse avenue until they reach the position from which they started, ana ■Will' then embus as soon as they are ready, under the command of Major E. J. Stock. Commanding the 2nd New Zealand Divisional Supply. Column. and will move off under his orders via Moorhouse avenue Deans avenue, and Riccarton road. Special passenger trams will leave Lyttelton, for Christchurch at 8.45 a.m. and 9.50 a.m. ~ , In the event of wet weather the addresses will be given in. King Edward ■ \ Burnham camp will be open-to visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. to-day. and special trains will be run for the convenience of the public. As on previous occasions, no cars will.be permitted to writer the camp_but there is. ample parking accommodation opposite'the camp. The train leaves Christchurch at 1.20 p.m. and returns from Burnham at 4.45 p.m* ’ ■