ENLISTING THE MAORIS.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2463, 3 October 1914, Page 4

ENLISTING THE MAORIS.

FER PBEBS ASSOI IATION. Gisbonie, October 2. Tho local Maoris have thrown themselves heart and soul into tho arrangements for tho projected Native Expeditionary Force., and to-day, when the Gisborne contingent of 16 was selectedj some hundreds came forward. They were magnificent stamps of men, in some cases standing as high as 6ft 6in, and weighing as much as 16st without an ounce of fat iipon their bodies. They were pressing forward eager to be selected, to go anywhere and fight anybody for the King and Empire. It was quite pathetic to see the look of disappointment which came over the faces of those young giants when told that the weight limit was 12st and that no one over that weight could be selected. Dr. Scott, medical examiner, declared it was a positive sin to have to reject some of the magnificent stamps of manhood offering, for the simple reason that they were over the weight limit set. Among the volunteers were a number of stalwart walrines, who became quite indignant when they were told that ladies could not be accepted. "I can shoot as well as any man who ever walked," declared one Maori maiden, who expressed utter scorn for the incomprehensible ways of the pakeha in despatching an army of men to fight without their women being there to look after them. "How te poor Maori going to get on with I no' one to cook for him?" asked another who had volunteered her services for tho commissariat department. When told that the army had men cooks, her look of scorn was eloquent. GIFTS FOR MORE TROOPS. Wellington, October 1. The Countess of Liverjiool forwards the following letter to the press: So soon as the Expeditionary Force has left New Zealand I intend to publish through the medium of the press the manner in which the fund has been disposed of. As all are aware, there will be reinforcements to be provided for, which will be drawn from all four military centres, but which will be located previous to departure at Trentham. These men, I understand, will proceed to the front at certain, stated intervals, and I intend to utilise the balance of the money which is at my disposal to deal with these objects. In the case of anyone having articles which they are proposing to utilise for these reinforcements it will be best, in order to ensure proper supervision, and in order that they may reach the detachments for which they are intended, that they should be sent to the Town Hall, Wellington, addressed to "Her Excellency the Count-ess of.Liverpool, c/o the Mayoress, Town Hall, Wellington."