THE 'FIFTH' MOUNTEDS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2486, 12 June 1915, Page 7

THE 'FIFTH' MOUNTEDS

CHEERED IN" THE STREETS RIDE TYYENTY MILES IN THE RAIN. "The Dandy Fifth," as the, Fifth Remforcemcnts have been called, are assembling in Wellington in sections, lhe Mounted Infantry came to town yesterday "to view the Carnival decorations," and were very much impressed with them. Their interest in tho heflagged city was infinitesimal, beside the eager onthusiasm and admiration evoked by the Mouiit«ds parade through the city streets between 11.16 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. yesterday. The column had loft the Trentham Camp soon after 7 a.m., and had traversed the twenty miles in a full kit, and misty rain soaked the weight into tho military greatcoats. With the rain descending thicker and thicker as it neared noon, giving the wood-blocks a black, treacherous appearance, and without a brass 'band to paint red, white, and blue emotions, the parade was a serious affair. Comment on the appearance of the "Fifth" troopers is superfluous—they are a magnificent lot of men, and most of them sit a horse as though suckled on pigskin. lAs the clatter of many hoofs penetrated to workroom, office, and shop, all business was immediately set aside in favour of a rush to the nearest door or window, and if the troopers could have heard the remarks passed on their appearance what proud men they would be. The cavalcade moved at a walk up Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Upper Willis Street, Ingestre Street, then ■down Cuba and Manners Street, back along tho Quay to Bunny Street, and to the waterfront. Though the weather was depressing, and the rain kept many people under cover, there was no mistaking the deep emotions that were awakened by the parade, of this splendid body of horsemen. and at intervals along the route volleys of cheers went up, bringing an answering smile from the men; shop girls waved their handkerchiefs and blew kisses to the troopers from shop and showrooms, and doubtless many a heartfelt prayer was sent upward for the safe return of one of the finest sets of mounted infantry that have ever left the oountry. CHEERING THE SOLDIERS (To the Editor.) Sir, —It is little enough to expect the people of Wellington to give a cheer now and again as the boys pass through the streets. Insteadj-of that, they line up, and with funeral silence regard them as they would a passing hearse. They never cheer, they never indicate .my enthusiasm whatever. Are they ashamed of being seen cheering? Or are they so much worn out with their daily and nocturnal rounds of gaieties that they cannot even raise a cheer P Whatever the cause is, the fact remains that the public of Wellington is a most undemonstrative . lot. —I am, ®tc., DISGUSTED TROOPER'S SISTER.