OFF TO THE CAMP.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 28 May 1915, Page 4

OFF TO THE CAMP.

GOOD-BYE TO RECRUITS

A big batch of volunteers for the extra service battalion left Hawera by this morning's express train for the , "?**tham camp. The men paraded at the Drill Hall at 8.45 o'clock, and headed by the Hawera Citizens' Band, marcned to the railway station, where they ware given a most enthusiastic There was a large gathering "of the public, the military, and of the ischool children,'who formed a guard, of honor. Patriotic speeches were given by the Mayor (Mr E. Dixon) and other gentlemen. **•

The Mayor (Mr E. Dixon) said it was gratifying to see such a large company going away from this district to assist in defending the Empire. Some time ago, when the last draft of reinforcements was being forwarded, an appeal was made for fifty men for the next draft. The response had been splendid, for between 90 and 100 "men were leaving this time. The response in No. 8 group (Taranaki), which included Taumarunui and Ohakune, had been the finest in tbe Dominion. (Applause.) He referred to the magnificent deeds of the New Zealanders at the* Dardanelles, and said that the boys now leaving were going to their assistance. No matter how severe the test, he was sure the boys leaving Hawera would be true to the traditions of the men now on active service! On behalf of the citizens of Hawera he wished the boys Godspeed and a safe return. He was sure that when the time came they would do their duty loyally. He. appealed to those young men who had not already enlisted to do so, becaflse it was in numbers that the Empire was going to win. (Appose). The Mayor mentioned that for jrome time past the ladies had been busy preparing parcels for our boys. He would ask the company to give them three ringing cheers.

The request was heartily responded to.

The ReV: Jv- R. Shore expressed- hispleasure at having the privilege of taking'part in the gathering. Who could not imagine that there was anyone in the large assembly who would not be moved by the occasion? He was very much interested in the gathering, because many of the men were known to him, and ten per cent were members df his own congregation.. It was a matter for honor and pride that so many men had responded to the call from this district. The district had provided more than its quota of men, and this was a matter for gratification and congratulation. He expressed a feeling of admiration for the brave men who had done such glorious work at the Dardanelles, and the jieparting boys were going to help those men. They in Hawera would be constantly thinking of their boys far away, constantly praying for them, and they trusted that the lads would do their duty well, and that when the time came the people would be glad to welcome them home again. (Applause.) The t Mayor said that a debt of gratitude was due to those mothers whose sons were going away. They would feel the parting more than anyone else, and he would ask that three cheers be given for them. There was a hearty response. Mr J. B. Murdoch, chairman of the Hawera County Council, expressed his pleasure at being present at the ceremony. He was pleased to see so many men going to the front from the district, and he was sure they would uphold the honor of the country they belonged to, just as their comrades had recently done in the Dardanelles. Mr W. C. Dudley, chairman of the' Opunake Town Board, sDoke in appreciation of the boys going to the front, and said he wished that he could go. They were going to fight for New Zealand, their homes, and loved ones. All he could say to them was, "Go and do your duty. If you do as well as you do in football, I believe you will keen your end up." When they came back New Zealand would be ready to hold out her hand and say, "Boys, well done!" (Apolause.) _Mr LA. Bone, president cf the Hawera Chamber of Commerce, congratulated the young men upon their enlisting, and said the sympathies of all went out to those men who had i volunteered and through no fault of their own were rejected, and lost their opportunity of proving their mettle. Ihe call which had come from Britain had been loyally responded to from all parts of the Empire, and New Zealand, the smallest of the Dominions, was sending the best of her young manhood to assist the Motherlandmen she could ill afford to lose. New Zealand had lost 20 per cent of the men who were in the Dardanelles, and so more men were reouired to keep up the strength of the Expeditionary Force. It was, therefore, the duty of every young man who could go to do so. The people of Hawera admired the young fellows for the admirable manner m which they hatf answered the call. He wished he could ,go, for it he could he would be off to-morrow (Applause.) Major McNaught, grouo commander said he was quite satisfied that the men who had been selected for the front would do their duty a-s soldiers. Me would like to make an anneal to those who had not already "enlisted. Inere were 110,000 men between 90 and 40 years of age in New Zealand who were eligible for service, and of that number so far 21,000 had responded. The Empire was "un against it, and required the service of all Avho could possibly go to the front. The "Major's appeal was a stirring one, and references which he made to the German brutalities must have touched many a heart. The assembly then sang the National Anthem, and cheers were again given for "Our Boys."

As the train moved off there was a tremendous scene of enthusiasm—the playing of "Auld Lang Syne" by the band, the cheering of "the crowd, the sayings of good-byes, the tooting of the railway engines, and the reports of the detonators under the train, all assisted to make a most memorable scene. Many a, mother left the station in tears, but through it all there was a fine, courageous stoutness of heart.