MAORI BATTALION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 22, 26 January 1940, Page 6

MAORI BATTALION

OVER 400 LEAVE FOR CAMP

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, January 25.

j Drawn from all parts of the province, Auckland members of the main body of the Maori Battalion travelled south tonight to go into camp at Palmerston North. The total number of all ranks was 432. To connect with trains in the far north, Bay of Plenty and RotorUa districts today a number of men had spent the previous day in travelling, some over roads impassable to motor traffic. Relatives and friends gathered with them at various stations, and amid singing and cheering, laughter and tears, the men were warmly farewelled The largest group of 203 men came from North Auckland.". In the early morning they assembled at Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Whangarei, Dargaville, and other centres, and travelled by service cars and motor-buses to the most suitable stations to catch the,express train from Opua to Auckland. Delayed by a minor derailment at Swanson, the express did not reach Auckland till 6 48, over 1J hours late. The special train had, been kept. waiting,. and to adhere to schedules a quick transfer of the men was necessary. Amid the crowds that were assembling for the departure of the Limited express the troops were marched in single file through the station concourse, taken into the refreshment, rooms, given tea and a bag of sandwiches and cakes, and marshalled a few minutes.later on the platform. At 7.10 p.m. 22 minutes after they had arrived, they were again on their journey. Groups of recruits from the Hamilton and Paeroa areas.of the Northern Military District'joined the tram, at Frankton and- other Main Trunk stations. These comprised men from all parts of the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Rotorua districts.