MAIN EXPEDITION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 74, 24 September 1914, Page 8

MAIN EXPEDITION

FUNCTION AT NEWTOWN PARK AN HISTORIC CEREMONY 2500 SOLDIERS ON PARADE A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. An official farewell was tendered at Newtown Park this afternoon to the Wellington section of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, which is proceeding to Europe, and to the- national units which have ac-sembled here from all parts of Now Zealand. It was the greatest event that has yet been celebrated in the city as the outcome of the present war, and the citizens of Wellington certainly responded to the occasion. The whole of the city and suburban schools were closed for the day, and most of the business places observed a half-holiday, with the result that the population turned out en maase to do honour to our soldier sons, and to wish them "God speed," success to their arms, and a tafe return. Shortly after one o'clock the streete •were thronged with people making their way to Newtown Park — men, women, and children, on foot, by tramcar, and motor-car, and any other vehicle that could be brought into requisition. It was an impressive sight, and there was no mistaking the patriotic mission of the participants. The -wearing of patriotic badges by adults, and the carrying of miniature nags by members of the younger generation were specially noticeable, showing that the boys who were selling them in the streets during the morning must have done a thriving trade. These, however, were far from beirig the only incidents that marked the occasion.- Detachments of th« Expeditionary Force, Territorials, and Cadets, and the various military and city bands were to be seen from one o'clock onwaTds making their way to the common rendezvous by various routes. SCENE' AT NEWTOWN PARK. The weather, which had been dull and threatening throughout the morning, cleared up somewhat, and at 2 p.m. showed signs of rapidly charing up. By 1 p.m. quite a large number of people had taken up points of vantage in Newtown Park, and their numbers were quickly swelled into thousands, until by 2.30 it was estimated that there must have been at least 20,000 people present. The eastern, western, and southern slopes surrounding the level enclosure were thronged with dense masses of spectators, while the carriage drive was also so thickly packed in places that it was difficult to move, notwithstanding the efforts of the police, territorials, and cadets to keep it clear for traffic. It was, indeed, a record crowd, which far exceeded any that has been previously seen in Wellington. At a quarter to two the following bands took up their positions upon the parade ground : — The Wellington Expeditionary Force's own band, the sth (Wellington) Eegimental , Band, the Tramways Band, Salvation Army Band, Mission Band, Mission Boys' Band, Pipe Band, and the Natives' Association Band (Lieut. Herd). FLOWER OF NEW ZEALAND'S ARMY. The various detachments of the expeditionary Force were not long in making their appearance, and as they swung into the enclosure and took up their positions in front of the western steps, forming a hollow square, they evoked .general admiration, both for their physique and fine soldierly appearance. They •were beyond question the finest body of men of such dimensions that has ever been seen in Wellington. The reason is not far to seek. The Wellington district units, comprising the mounted and infantry regiments, have been drawn almost wholly from the country regiments — from the Tararuas and Ruahines, and from Taranaki, the King Country, and the Manawatu. They are squatters' sons, small farmers' sons, the sons of artisans, and, business people in the smaller country towns ; there are backwoodsmen and stockmen among them ; and they are largely the sons of soldiers (Maori War veterans and others), with the fighting blood in them. As far as the national units were concerned, these were drawn from all parts of New Zealand, and, being picked men, compelled the same admiration as was expressed for the men of the Wellington regiments. When the troops appeared on parade this afternoon the public found them to be a fine, stalwart body of men, well set up, ami well- bronzed after their sixweeks' period of training in the camp. As the troops took up their positions the assembled bands enlivened the proceedings by playing various popular airs. THE FORCE ON PARADE. The various aims of the Expeditionary Force represented on parade, together with the names of their principal commanding officers, were as follow :—: — Headquarters. Commander : Major-General Sir Alexander Godley, K.C.M.G.. C.8., p.s.c, Imperial General Staff. General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade : Lieut. -Colonel W. G. Braithwaite, D.5.0., p.s.c, I.G.S. - Adjutant-General : Colonel E. W. C. Chaytor, T.D., p.s.c, N.Z.S.C. 1 Assistant Quartermaster - General : Lieut.-Colonel J. J; Esson, sth (Wellington) Regiment. Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance. Commander : Lieut.- Colone-1 C. E. Thomas, V.D. Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment. Headquarters: Lieut.-Colonel W. Meldrum, 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles. Major: Major J. H. Whytc, N.Z.S.C. Adjutant: Captain V. A. Kelsall, N.Z.S.C. Squadrons : Queen Alexandra's 2nd (Wellington West Coast) Squadron, Major J. M. Elmslie in command. 9th (Wellington East Coast) Squadron, Major S. Chalmers. N.Z. Field Artillery Brigade. Headquarters — Commander: Lieut.Colonel G. N. Johnston, R.A. Adjutant: Lieutenant J. M. Richmond, R.N.Z.A. Batteries: No. 1 Battery, Major F. Symon, R.N.Z.A., in command. No. 2 Battery, Major F. B. Sykes, R.A., in command. No. 3. Battery, Major 1. T. Standish, R.N.Z.A., in command. j Field Artillery Brigade Ammunition Column. Captain: Captain F. G. Hume, R.N.Z.A. N.Z. Field Troop Engineers. N.Z. Infantry Brigade. Headquarters— Commander : Colonel F. E. Johnston, Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment). Brigade Major : Major A. C. Temperley, Norfolk Regiment. Wellington Infantry Battalion. Headquarters. — Commander: Lieut.Colonel W. G. Malone, 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles). Major : Major H. Hart, 17Ui (Riiahine) Regiment. Adjutant: Captain M. M'Donnell. N.Z.S.C. Companies.— 7th (WelKngtcu JVetfc

Coast) Company, Major W. H. Cunningham in command. 9th (Hawkes Bay) Company. Major R. Young in command. 11th (Taranaki Rifles) Company, Major J. W. Brunt in command. 17th (RuaI hine) Company, Major E. H. Saunders in commancL Naval Transport Officers, Veterinary Officers and Chaplains. Altogether there were some 2500 members of the Expeditionary Force on parade, the total contingent which has assembled in Wellington comprising 142 officers and 2603 men, or 2745 of all ranks. Of the units on parade the Wellington Infantry Battalion was the largest with a strength of slightly over 1000 officers and men, while the Field Artillery Brigade and Brigade Ammunition Column came next with 700, and the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment next with something like 300, one squadron of the latter having pioceeded to Lyttelton, where it will embark. The balance of 500 was made up in the other units. INSPECTION BY THE GOVERNOR. The ceremony itself was as dignified as it was impressive. At 2.30 p.m., when His Excellency the Governor (Lord Liverpool) arrived, the whole of the assembled troops came to the Royal Salute, and the bands played the National Anthem. His Excellency was accompanied by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), the Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Allen), the Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward), and the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke). Others in attendance within the enclosure included members of both Houses of the Legislature. His Excellency then inspected the Force, after which he delivered a stirring speech in which he bade the troops good-bye. Speeches were also delivered by the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, the Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward), and the Mayor. The whole gathering then sang the well-known hymn, "Oh, God, Our Help in Ages Past," the crowd joining in heartily. The Rev. J. G. Chapman followed with the reading of a lesson from the Bible, and the Rev. W. Shirer then led in prayer, concluding with the Lord's Prayer, which was recited by all. The Bishop of Wellington pronounced the Benediction, which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Tho gathering was concluded with cheers, after which the troops marched past His Excellency in column of route. MARCH THROUGH THE STREETS. Emerging from the Park with the various bands distributed throughout the column at regular intervals, the troops proceeded to march through the city along the following route : Riddifordstreet and Adelaide-road, round the Basin Reserve, along Cambridge-terrace, Vivian-street, Cuba-street, Mannersstreet, Willis-etreet, and along Lambtonquay as far a 6 the Government Buildings. The streets were lined by thousands of citizens en route, and the troops were vigorously cheered as they passed by.