FIFTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 16082, 6 April 1916, Page 6

FIFTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS

SENT FROM DUNEDIN TO-DAY.

AS FIFE A BODY AS ANY OF THEM.

DUNEDIN SUPPLIES FOUR ABOVE THE QUOTA.

MINISTER APPEALS FOR 108 MORE

TO FILL UP SHORTAGES

The send-off to the Dunedin and South Otago and Southland quotas tor the Fifteenth Reinforcements, which, are now being mobilised all over tho Dominion, look place this morning, the public turning out in largo numbers to witness the official function at the Railwar Station.

One could not help but notice that there was more heart in tho send-off than has been the case with recent functions. 'The Milton ami Invercargill men arrived by tho first express, and while they were entertained at morning tea tho Dunedin men, who had been addressed by Colonel. E. B. (Smith, marched in from 'the Drill Hall at Kensington. Soon after they entered tho enclosure the southern quota tiled in, and the civic function commenced. It was, as has been indicated above, of an extremely hearty nature, and whenever there were cheers wanted there was a hearty response.

In view of the fact that recruiting has beei. more brisk of late, it might have been confidently expected that the district would have been able to furnish a full quota, but such is nob the case, although Dunedin lias nunc than fulfilled its obligations. A.s a matter of fact, -Major IMoiler was able to send forward four extra men, hut Invercargill reported a shortage of 18 and Milton 11. The position as regards Oamaru would not ho known until late tliis afternoon, but it is expected that there will be a shortage of about 35 —a

rather big deficit for any on© group. The shortage for the whole Otago district will therefore be something above 50 men ; but in view of the fact that a large number of men arc enlisting daily, it is hoped that the military authorities will be able to send forward .sufficient men by Tuesday to make up the shortage. It will be seen by tho Hon. Mr Allen's speech that there is also a need for men to make up shortages in previous reinforcements.

Oue thing that caught the eye of the crowd was tho fine physique of tho men. They made, a. splendid showing, and with the training they will receive ja the training camps they should speedily become first-class soldiers. A medical officer remarked that he had not seen a finer draft go forward.

The entertainment of- the southern men at morning tea by the Otago and Southland Woman's Patriotic Association was to the full ns liberal in every respect as on previous occasions, and the women again took car:: that, parcels of refreshments and other good things were nlaced in the can-ages for the use of the men.

AT THE STATIOX

The crowd in Anzac square was fully as iurge ns at any previous send-off, and a line tone of heartiness pervaded the as-

scmblage. At 11.20 the recruits entered the enclosure. headed by the Maori Hill Band, under Condnetor J. Simpson.

The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. J. Clark) prodded, and proceedings opened, as usual, with the National .Anthem. His W'or-hip said iu the course of his address ; The. citizens of Dunedin have cause to he verv proud of our swing men, for to-day we arc sending with this reinforcement every man that was required from Dunedin, (Applause.) ’ 'This shows that the people arc aroused to the reality of the war, and feel that the- time has i ome when everyone must do his duty. When month after month we a-scmhle to -ay good-bye to another reinforcement the uppermost thought in our hearts must be. that the men are going to tight for you and me —not alone, for honor and glory and the Empire. though they will be doing all that, but fighting for us just as much as if the Duns wore hammering at our gales, for if the Germans win it will mean as much to us in this City as it moans to the people in the .Homeland. Let us show our appreciation of these men by giving them three ringing cheers. Now, then, ail together. (A great round of cheers was the response.) Men of the Fiitccnth. on behalf of the City I hid you God-speed. "You carry with yon our heartfelt good wishes, and we shall earnestly pray that God will protect you. You are setting out for a lengthy march which we hope will end in the citv of Herlin. (Cheers.) We know that von will do your duty, and worthily uphold the honor of those who went before yon snd bought at Anzac, and once more show the enemy how the Now Zealanders can fight, and make the foe dread to find New Zealanders against them. (Cheers.) We feel confident that nothing you do, on the field or off it, will bring discredit to onr land and our Empire. Your example will be an incentive to every one of ns who cannot go to try to do onr dutv to King and country. (Applause.) 'The Minister oi Defence is here, and ho lias kindly agreed to address yon. the Hon. .Tas. Allen, who was greeted v lun much applau.se as ho ramo forward, marie an inspiriting speech, from which we make the following extracts :—Soldiers who are about, t-o go into the training eamp. L congratulate you heartily. The umpire appreciates the sacrifice you have already made. The citizens feel prove! of you. Yon will find when you get into camp that yon will come under influences that will be of groat value to you. You will at once realise that vou are not single individuals, that you are mates thero with those who with'yourselves rea- ■ ise what has been done by the men who went before yon, and the' great sacrifice they have made. (Applause.) You will realise tins m the camp, and I know from wuat the previous reinforcements have done that every man among you will give .dl the energy he possesses to equip himse!t for tno work he has to do. 1 hope you will get there in time to heln to reckon with onr foes, to help to keep Hie banner of New Zealand and of the. Empire living L know jhat if you got the chance yon will not bo lacking. (Applause.) The reinforcements wo aro sending to-da.v arc by no means behind the others’in physique mid f know they are, not behind any in the desire to do their duty. (Applause.) T congratulate you, and wish you joy in wair training, and success when yon eel out of New Zealand. Your mates'will' he ei.id to see vou when you get there, and vou will find there great loaders who will he glad to see you, and you will leave friends in Now Zealand who believe in yon. (Applause.) To the people of Duneoln I extend my most hearty congratulations. You are sending away to-dav four men more than your quota—four men more than were asked for. (Great applause.) Y T et this group wants 51 more nu'ii to make up tho full quota from our military district for the 15th Reinforcements. Wo want these 51 men to-day or to-morrow. I ask yon to find them. Dunedin has done its duty, and more than its duty, and I heartily congratulate tho Gjty, and now I ask that the other parts of Otago or Southland, or wherever the shortage is, in tho district, should supply these 51. Owing to shortages and wastage Otago was a few days ago short by 95 men in prey ions reinforcements. To-day I Hiat shortage is reduced to 57. So that with_the 51 wanted for the. Fifteenth and Die 57 needed to make up previous reinforcements wo require a total of 108 more men at once. I feel proud of my provim-c and of my City to-day. Dunedin has done splendidly. The organisation set on foot by the Government has had a good effect, and I venture to say that Canterbury will do well also, for it is well organised. 1. look to tho honth Island to show that by organisation and work we can avoid snortages altogether. 1 am proud that Dunedin has supplied four men more than. ii’Jr quota, and I shall be more .proud ifj.

tho 108 men, now asked for will come forward quickly. To the men who aro going I would say this: Ido not ask you to avenge tho fallen, but I do ask you and trust to you to carry on the’ work they have done in fighting against military despotism, wickedness of all sorts, and murder—for our foes have murdered people. We all congratulate you and wish you every success. (Applause.) Chaplain-captain W. Gray-Dison made a- speech, of which tho following is a sunimary :—“1 feel it to be indeed an honor to have been asked to address a few farewell words to you in the name of Christ and tho Church. You have had tho wisdom to recognise that you live in a great time and to determine that you will not yourselves be less than the time in which you live. We honor you for your enlightened devotion. May God'bless it and confirm it and deepen it and turn it to tho most triumphant ends. It is truly a_ great world that confronts you—a world big with the possibilities of the mightiest upheaval in history. Wo can all hear the crashing of this upheaval, but it is your privilege to make for the very thick of it, and to carry into the very thick of it the thing in life—-young manhood. And this young manhood you carry, as tho poet sings, out of the very lap of tho dawn, from those pioneer mountains which first greet the rising sun :—• On holy mountains, out of tho lap of tho dawn, The dew of Thy young soldiery offers itself to Thee. ' Carry with you tue purity, the strength, the beauty, the irresistible sweep of the rising sun marching upon the mountains ! Your conflict is without doubt light against darkness, and yon stand for tho Approve yourselves, then, sons of the light, for nothing can be more contemptible than to profess to fight for tho light while personally implicated in tho things of darkness. Let your character be without reproach, like that of tho good knight- .Sir Galahad, who lost himself to find himself at tho (, ross. Itcst Assured that no crusaders of medieval romance ever undertook a- holier warfare than yours. Theirs it was to capture an emptv sepulchre; yours it is to see to it that out of the sepulchre of the world which is now being crucified there shall arise a now world of righteousness, and truth, and freedom such as men have never seen before. Be, then, yourselves righteous, true, free. God speed yon. God uso you gloriously in your patriotic service, and bring you back to ns in triumph.

\ou young crusaders go to battle singing And wo. who listen to your song, may know Again the bells of Freedom will bo ringing. As they were, rung a hundred years ago. Ay, and better far, for the grandest times aio before us, thanks to the Christian warfare of such as vou.”

Lieutenant Dobson attended to the entraining, and it bad to be done smartiv, for the civic function stretched out ‘a little longer than usual, and the train started within a minute, of the men reaching the platform.

ROLL CALL.

DUXEDIX MEX.

The following is the list of names of the men who went forward from tire Dunedin group :

IXFAXTRY. —Civilians.—

Da.vid Aehcr, Albert William Austin. James Aitken. Alfred Frederick Beisfel. Albert Joseph Bell. Alexander Bennett. Alphoneus Clark. John Walter Lyall Combs. Paul Davies. 'William Daniel Drew. Edward Grotty. Thomas Stanley CdckVmrn. Joseph Dyer. Robert Govmaek. George Gailand. Peter Cray. Hugh Scott- Harm,-ih. Alfied Henrv Heather. Stanley Robert Hill. Robert. J.awrie Hutton. Thomas Ingram. William Keenan. Joseph Kitto. Charles Mere, Kirke. Malcolm M'Leocl, James M'Cljjnont. Robert Ross M'Donald Frederick Digby Mailing. James Mnnro. William Mathesnn. Thomas Grettnn M'Kenzie. Alexander Rankin M'Kcnzie. John M’Tntvre. Arthur William Markay. David Morton. Xcil Xeili. Charles. Victor Ogier. Richard Patrick O'Brien. Percy Oliver. Allred Pollowc. Thomas Reynolds. William Wallace Smith. ■Sidney Bach Smith. John Campbell Smith. Arthur George Smith. John Sullivan. James Swanson. Robert Steven. Robert Piwde Turnbull. Kenneth West fold. James Wvllie. George Wyllio. Walter Alexander Wyllio. Peter Kenroth Low. John Maguire. Samuel Harger. Frederick William Arbnekle. IXFAXTRV. --Terri tnrials.—■ William Jules Berlaiul. Richard Brown. Edward Arthur Barnes. Albert James Bryant, Robert Gilbertson Bowie. George Frederick Chapman. Francis Henry Coatsworlb. Taylor Duke. Simon Dick. T-d puis James Guyton. Percy Thomas Gentleman. Alfred Thomas Greig. Joseph Arthur Gibson. Sbywirt Robert Hall. William Henry Harris. William Ireland. Charles William James King. John Francis Kitto. William Wallace Knox. ’William Taylor Millar. Thomas Marr M'Arthnr. William Miller Lnrimer. Bernard Joseph Mnrnin. James Mitchell Marshall. John Lennon M'Bride. Campbell M'Cord. Archibald M’Millan. Harry Hunter Orford. Henry Robertson Parslow. Ernest George Pratlley. Robert Hall Rogers. •Tames Henry Traill. Robert Good Percy Turnbull, Harry George Turnbull. Mathew John Thompson. William Taylor. Geoy Gibson Thompson. James Henry Treloar. Robert Gordon Torrance. Felix Tregartban. Frank Turnbull. Robert Alexander Wilson. Wilfred Charles Waldron. William Robert Wilson, James Wisharl. Peter Draper. James Emerson M'Donald. William Jury. EXO INFERS. •—Territorials.— Stanley M.-n-william. Leslie Rabbidgo. Civilians.—

James Lillie. Fydney Thomas Smith. MOUNTED KIFLES, —Civilian.— David PolloF.

—T err i tori a!. Farqv.hnr M'lvor Sutherland. ■ARMY SERVICE CORES, —Terri to rial— Horace James Baucliaxi,

ARTILLERY. —Territorial,—i Harold Leslie Campbell. Gilbert Cooper. Cecil Hunter. Jolm James Stevenson Miller, James Thomas Millow. Francis Clarence Watson, Richmond Pledger.

—Civilians.— Archibald Coleman. William Clark Liddell. X.C.O.s (17th REINFORCEMENTS)

—-Mounted Rifles.—

Leslie M'Kay Paterson

—lnfantry. Ix'onard Robert Bishop. Frank Iriilton Cameron, Leslie Galbraith. James Kirk. Arthur Ernest Stevens. Norman I/conard Francis Wood

SOUTH OTAGO MEN

The following are tho names' of the men who entrained'at Milton this morning; Hall, L. J. M'Millan. W.G. Agnew, J. Pringle, D. bpivey, A. E. Scoboll, C. F. Deal, j. R. Ayson, IV. IE Smith. A, L. Anderson, W. D. Ayson, I>. H. Black, J. W. Barber, IV. G. Connack, J. H. Carlin, J. Colling, G. Clearwater, F. 3.1, Fogerty, J. Cooper, F. F. Garven, B. Gallon, J. H. J. Hay, F. Honery, J. Johnston, P. S. Hi;liver. J. ],atham, I). B. Jones, 0. Leyden, J. F. Lytlle, I). D. MTvenzie, M. Morgan, A. C. Morrow, W. J. T. Mntheson. A. G. Moore, C. A. Philips, T. Parity, J. S. Rankin, L. Smith, G, A. Simpson, J. E. L. Sheat, A. J. Stranger, K. E. Tripp, W. J. Tweed, J. M. Tavlor, J. Weir, R. S. Weir, Win, Wards. J. R. Williams, C. IT. Williams. J. R. Williamson. W. Beange, G. ' M’Donald, E. I). Falconer, G. T.

PORT CHALMERS SEND-OFF

Nine recruits left Port Chalmers to-day for Trentham. On Wednesday evening they were tendered a public send-off in the Town Hall, and it was a very successful gathering. The recruits ‘were D. Asher, H. Campbell. A. Coleman, A. Greig. J. Miller, W. Biddle, E. Pratt ley, M. Thompson, and C. Watson, _A pleasing programme was submitted. The first portion consisted of songs, recitations, brief speeches, then tea. was handed round by the Women’s Patriotic Committee, and dancing followed.

WEST COAST,

OREYMOUTH. April 6. Notwithstanding the extra largo draft of infantry, the 15th Reinforcements mobilised to-day only 14 short, the smallest shortage on the West Coast since December last. Seventy out of 84 required were secured.