FOR THE 18th DRAFT

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 153, 29 June 1916, Page 8

FOR THE 18th DRAFT

CANTERBURY DOES WELL.

A highly satisfactory position has been achieved in the raising of the 18th Reinforcements, a large surplus having been sent into camp in place of the usual shortage and all accumulated shortages having been wiped out.

Wellington Military District after making up previous shortages sent in 55 infantry over requirements, but out of these six were rejected as medically unfit, thus reducing the district's surplus to 49.

From the information so far available it appears that the Canterbury District has done even better. Group 11 (North Canterbury) has sent forward 88 men. and Group 12 (Nelson and Marlborough) 61. Telegrams received report that 142 are coming from Group 10 (South Canterbury) and 225 from Group 9 (Christchurch City), which makes a total for the Canterbury Military District, exclusive of Group 11a (West Coast) of 516. The quota required from Canterbury District for the 18ths and to wipe off previous shortages being 463, Canterbury has thus sent in 53 men in excess, with those from Group 11a (West Coast) still to be added. Of the 85 to be sent by Group 11a it is probable that about 60 of these will be infantry. Therefore, if these 60 materialise it is probable that the excess for the Canterbury Military District will be over 100 men.

Up to noon to-day no information was available regarding the Otago quota, which is due to arrive to-morrow, but from reports received it is anticipated that Otago's quota of 298 infantry will come into camp at full strength. Of the four military districts Auckland is the only one that has sent in a shortage. This amounted to two noncommissioned officers for the 20th infantry and 16 men for the 18th infantry. Four of the men sent forward from the Auckland District being rejected as medically unfit, the Auckland shortage has thus been increased to 22.

The position for the 18ths is thus regarded as specially good, and forms an excellent tribute to the state of recruiting throughout the Dominion under the Recruiting Board's scheme, especially in the Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago districts. The surplus infantry, it may be mentioned, have all been accepted in camp, and will be put into training forthwith.