GREAT PARADE

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 86, 9 October 1915, Page 6

GREAT PARADE

FIVE THOUSAND SOLDIERS MARCH THROUGH THE CITY STIRRING, IMPOSING SCENE. THE TROOPS HEARTILY CHEERED The march of the 7th Reinforcements and Ist and 2nd Battalions New Zealand Rifle Brigade (the Earl of Liverpool's Own) through the principal city streets this afternoon was generally acknowledged as being the most stirring and imposing spectacle that has yet been seen in Wellington. With over 5000 troops marching along in a seemingly never-ending column, it was likewise the greatest martial display, and afforded further convincing proof of the big efforts New Zealand is making towards securing victory for the Allied arms. The departure of these troops, in fact, will bring the total number of men New Zealand has despatched to the front up to 30,000, with thousands more to follow at regular intervals. RECORD CROWD ASSEMBLES The elements, fortunately, were pro-, pitious. Although the morning broke with a dull, overcast sky and misty rain falling, the weather cleared up nicely towards midday, and the troops and the public were presented with a fine afternoon. The city was gaily bedecked with' bunting, which lent additional colour to, the scene, and helped to make the occasion a still more memorable one. Shortly before 2 p.m. citizens began to take up their positions along the line of route, and soon thronged the streets in their thousands, flocking into the city from all points of the compass. By 2.30 (when the column was timed to move off from Government Buildings) Lambtonquay, Willis-street, 'Manners-street, and Cuba-street were so densely packed with spectators that it was difficult to pass along. A record crowd had assembled, and that it was bent on giving the troops a good reception was evident by the eagerness with which everyone looked forward to their approach. The handling of such a great concourse of people was, of course, a difficult problem for the authorities, but, thanks to the assistance of the Wellington Garrison troops and senior cadets, who lined portions of the route, and the suspension of the tram service, those in charge were able to prevent the progress of the great khaki colnmn being impeded. GREAT ARRAY .OF BANDS The head of the column left Government Buildings well upon the appointed time, the order in which the various arms proceeded being as follows : — 7th Mounted Rifles. Artillery. Ist Battalion. New Zealand Rifle Brigade. 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade. 7th Infantry. Army Service Corps. Field Ambulance, i Veterinary Corps. . Throughout the column, which stretched out to over a mile in length, no less than nine bands were distributed, playing well-known, martial airs. Included' in the number were three military bands — the big Rifle Regiment Band, Txenthain Camp Band, and the sth (Wellington) Regiment Band, with its full complement of drums and brass instruments. The other bands comprised Jupp's Band (National Reserve), N.Z. Native Association's Band, Mission Band, Salvation Army Band, Waterside Workers' Band, and the Wellington Pipe Band. With all these bands playing the liveliest music and the sight of thousands of soldiers marching along, all of them going forward to do battle for their country, the spectators were deeply stirred, and gave the troops a reception which ha-s been unequalled in Wellington for its heartiness. They cheered them vigorously along the whole route, and when the troops reached their destination to proceed to their quarters gave them a greater ovation still, the scene being one of unprecedented enthusiasm. The Mounted Rifles, who headed _the procession, wero a specially fine body of men, the physical equals of any that we have yet despatched to the front. Of the artillery, infantry, and other arms the same may be said, the general physique of the men and their splendidly' fit condition" evoking the admiration of the ■ crowd. That New Zealand, after fourteen months of war, should still be sending away such magnificent troop 6 caused no small astonishment, but it is readily explained in the excellence of the country's recruiting system, which enables only men of the highest standard of physical fitness to be obtained in regular drafts. New Zealand, as a matter of fact, is the only portion of the British Empire which has not yet had to lower the standard originally set for its troops. Not only was the physical stamina of the men highly commended, but their equipment also was freely praised, being spick and span, and the best the country can produce. "THE SEVENTHS" GREAT SHOWING The Seventh Infantry looked the most imposing through carrying their arms with bayonets fixed at the slope. They presented a great array of steel, which flashed wickedly in the sun, and told of the work to come The marching of the Mounted Rifles was good, considering that they had only been in training for a short period, but that of the Infantry was fine. They were the men who had been over the Rimutakas! The public noticed it, and applauded accordingly. ' THE NEW BORN BATTALIONS While the public were greatly interested in the 7th Reinforcements, the men who are going forward to: maintain world-famous regiments and battalions in the field, they were specially curions to see the Rifle Regiment (The Earl of Liverpool's Own), formerly known as "The Trents." These battalions having been cradled in Trentham but four months ago, have yet to win a name for themselves in Europe. That they will do so those who saw them to-day cannot doubt. They were of the same high standard as the Reinforcements and those who have gone before, and plainly had the regimental spirit thoroughly ingrained in them. They marched magnificently. Being a rifle regiment, they carried their arms at the trail, and otherwise could be plainly distinguished by the diamonds and squares surmounted by the Liverpool coat of arms they wore on their bands. Out of compliment to the regiment, of ■which he is honorary colonel, His Excellency the Governor (the Efirl of Liverpool) rode, at its head, .and was accorded an ovation by the populace along the line of route. After the excellent work he has done for the country in the formation of the National Ministry and in connection with the Hospital Ships, this recognition must have been gratifying to the King's representative^ _TJ^_jnejU. jtop. jffftCft.

given a rousing reception, which showed the confidence the public of New Zealand places in them when they get to the front. The Rifle Regiment paraded as a complete unit, with its own Signalling Corps, Army Service Corps, and Band, making a total complement of 2500 men. In other words, it is not dependent upon any other unit in the field for looking after its requirements. The whole regiment marched as light infantry, and generally presented a smart, soldier-like appearance, which would have won the approval of the Rifle Regiment at Home. "AS TO THE MANNER BORN" The 7th Infantry and the Rifle Regiment, indeed, marched as to the manner born, earning the equal praises of the populace. The column from Lower Cuba-street passed along Jervois-quay to their quarters. The general verdict at the conclusion of the parade was that a finer body of troops than the 7ths and the Rifle Battalions never marched through Wellington.