THE SIXTEENTHS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17250, 18 August 1916, Page 8

THE SIXTEENTHS.

VISIT OF SECOND DRAFT.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION

TRIUMPHANT MARCH THROUGH

CITY.

Tho remaiuder of the Sixteenth Reinforcements passed through Christchurch yesterday morning, and although it might have been feared that the previous day’s reception would havo taken the edge off yesterday’s proceedings, there was happily no falling-off in public enthusiasm, a.nd the troops had a great reception and a warm-hearted send-off.

The first draft went right through by the first express, the men being mostly strangers to Christchurch, hut they were all furnished with a Lady Liverpool gift parcel apiece, and sent south with a very good opinion of the city’s generosity. The men, some 300 strong, were spoken of by those who, were on the station as a very fine body of men.

The second portion, comprising about 550 men, reached the city at about 8.55 a.m., and left again about two and a half hours later. THE AR,RIVAL.

A somewhat chilly atmosphere greeted the arrival of tne Maori at Lyttelton. The vessel was abreast of the moles at 6.20 a.m., and a few minutes later was made fast alougside No. 2 wharf. Her after-deck was crowded with men clad in khaki. All appeared in the pink of condition, and their happy faces, tanned by the outdoor life in the north, bore a striking testimony to tho success of their training. In all, the Maori carried nearly five hundred passengers, some 294 being soldiers. It was first thought that the men would disembark immediately on arrival. but that was not the case. The lit.tlo contingent had a long train journey ahead of them, and, as it was intended' to make Ashburton tho first stopping place, the authorities decided to give the men their breakfast on board the ferry steamer, a decision that met with general approval.

At 7.16 a.m. the men were ordered ashore, and were lined up on tho ferry wharf. They were then ordered to entrain in tho special carriages standing in tho railway yard. Liko the precision that marked ..the operation the previous day, tho order was carried out without a hitch, and at 7.50 a.m. the train, hauled by a big A.B. class engine, moved away amidst some enthusiasm.

During the time the Maori's contingent were being attended to the Monowai, with her five hundred._ men on board, put in an ax>pearance. The vessel was an imposing sight as sho drew alongside the wharf. Sho made fast about 7.45 a.m., but although tho men were to parade in the city, the authorities again thought it advisablo to appease tho soldiers’ appetites, and consequently they had breakfast on board. At 8.15 a.m. tho men were paraded on No. 3 wharf, and had a hearty reception from tho largo crowd that congregated in the vicinity of the vessel. .Each man carried a small kit, and tho smart appearance of tho soldiers was favourably commented on. By 8.30 a.m. the men wero all on board a second special train, a.nd five minutes later left the port for the city, where a hearty welcome awaited them. As was the case on tho previous day, tho lady supporters of the Lyttelton Red Cross Society were in evidence. Some twenty ladies arrived with a supply of apples, lined up on the side 'of the railway carriages, and as soon as the men took their seats the ladies passed apples through tho windows. No ono had any occasion to want, and before the trains moved away tho men did not fail to show their hearty appreciation of tho hospitality of their Lyttelton friends. Tho efforts of the ladies were in every way successful, for some three thousand apples had been distributed during Wednesday and yesterday.

THE MARCH THROUGH THE STREETS.

The Mouowai’s men arrived at the station at 5.55 a.m. and were marshalled in the railway yard, where a formal inspection was made by Colonel Chaffer, Officer Commanding tho Canterbury Military District. Afterwards the troops formed up in readiness for the march through tho city. The Cadets’ Band, of drums, fifes, bugles and brass instruments, mustering nearly fifty strong, headed the procession. Tho crowd at the railway station was dense, and there was a big crowd throughout the route. The men, evidently, were delighted with the reception, and especially with the fervid enthusiasm of the school children. Generally speaking the men were of . a lighter type than some earlier reinforcements, but they had a certain wiriness which caught the eye. Wednesday’s route was taken to Victoria Square, and the sun came out to warm tho day, although a cold wind blew over the city. IN VICTORIA SQUARE.

•Although the attendance in Victoria Square was perhaps not so great as it was on the previous morning, the scenes were much more demonstrative. Flags around the rotunda served the double purpose of a wind-break and gave a touch of colour to the sunnundings, and many in the crowd carried small flags. Shortly before ten o’clock, the oft-repeated cry, “ Here they arc,” proved true at last, and headed by the Cadets’ Band, which was playing the Russian National. Anthem, tho Sixteenths marched into the. roped enclosure. The fours were not kept with military precision. The number of Canterbury boys in tho ranks proved too strong a temptation to their proud and excited relatives, who quickly captured an arm of a khaki-clad brother or cousin, and were determined not to let their ‘‘capture” freo until obliged. Those in. command had no desire to check these reunions, and tho proceedings throughout wore of a social, free-and-easy, yet lieart-stirring naturo. Ladies hastened with their baskets, laden with fruit, cigarettes and chocolates, and gladly distributed these among the men—friend and stiaugei being served alike.

THE MAYOR’S WELCOME. After a few minutes the men stood at ease whilst a speech of welcome was made by the Mayor. Mr Holland said that he could tell the Sixteenths that no words from him were necessary to assure them that Christchurch citizens were, glad to welcome them to tho city. Their inarch through the streets had given the Sixteenths their first experience of modern warfare, as they had gone through a “ bombardment. ” of flowers and gifts of fruit and other tokens of good-will. The Sixteenths wore leaving New Zealand on a great enterprise. The honour of the Dominion had been entrusted to them, as well as the honour of those who had preceded them. Up could congratulate the Sixteenths on their excellent performances.. They had established records in marching and in shooting, and he had no doubt that they would put up another record, in getting to Berlin. (Applause.) When they reached tho front and joined the New Zealanders' already there, they might give the boys our kind regards. The men would not be forgotten. Ladies would continue to work on their behalf, and send them parcels regularly each month. (Hear, hear.) Once again he would thank the Sixteenths in the name jif..TJjiialckuudb dtiaeaa ipii.xe*

spond'ing to the Empire’s call, and he wished them good luck, God-speed and a triumphant victory. The Mayor invited the crowd to give the Sixteenths a cheer, and the response was most vigorous. A FAREWELL CHAT.

The men wero then handed over to the affectionate care of their relatives. Once again the cheerful buzz of conversation arose, and in small groups tho many ‘‘ last words ” and hand-shakes were repeated. The men from parts of the Dominion other than Canterbury had no reason to feel out of it, as every man of the Sixteenths was a centre of an admiring cluster. Small boys were proud to be taken notice of by a soldier, and' on-looking little _ girls were given coins and fruit. Their older sisters used their powers of persuasion to induce the Sixteenths to part with regimental buttons as souvenirs of the occasion, picture postcards were signed, and flowers wero exchanged as keepsakes.

Several “ fall ins ” wero necessary before the men could be. formed into anything like fours, and these were frequently twos or threes, and even sixes and sevens, the additional members of the ranks being mothers and sisters intent on marching to tho station. But at last the final company forced its way from the Square, and hurried on to catch up with the band, the crowds en route raising hearty cheers and farewells. THE DEPARTURE. The return to tho railway station was triumphal, although as a military spectacle it was rather ragged. Only the band and tho head of the column looked orderly. The men and their friends trudged along laden with flowers and fruit and mysterious parcels. School children along the route cheered shrilly. Every little while there was an applo bombardment, and m.uch dodging and catching over the heads of the crowd. At the railway station the men filed past tho baud. Each man _ was given a little Liverpool bundle in a green or blue hankerchief, and then for ten minutes or so there was an interminable hand-shaking. Finally the train commenced to pull slowly out of the station. Now it wa.s the turn of the soldiers to cheer, and they did so lustily. Tho train gathered speed through a wedge of people, and the last sight of tho “Sixteenths” was a travelling column of grey-black smoke as the biggest locomotive on the line carried them southwards to further triumphs.

AT ASHBURTON.

MAORI’S MEN MARCH THROUGH STREETS.

There was a large crowd at the Ashburton railway station yesterday morning to welcome the men of the Sixteenth Reinforcements, who arrived by the Maori. The train arrived at 9.50 and stopped about forty minutes, during which time the men detrained and, headed' by the Regimental Band, marched through the main streets. Tho Ashburton High School Cadets and tho Senior Cadets, in full strength, also paraded. The soldiers were welcomed by the Mayor, and a large number of books wore presented to them on behalf of the residents. Before the men left, tho Mayor cordially thanked them, through Captain Humphreys, the officer in charge, for having paraded tho streets, and said that ho felt sure it would give a big stimulus to recruiting. As the train moved off the men were lustily cheered ayain and again. Many of the men took with them floral and other souvenirs of tho visit to Ashburton. t

There was another big gathering at the railway station in tho afternoon as the special train conveying tho men of tho Sixteenth Reinforcements who had arrived by the Monowai approaches! the platform, and though tlie crowd was nob quite so numerous as that which had assembled to meet the 9.50 a.m. train, it was equally as enthusiastic, and tho soldiers received a great reception. The men did not detrain, but a stop of fifteen minutes was made and many of the men said good-bye to their Ashburton friends. Many presents of books, flowers and other souvenirs were handed into tho carriages, and the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith), on behalf of the Ashburton residents, had parcels of hooks and cases of fruit placed on board tho train. Mr Galbraith also conveyed the thanks of tho Ashburton residents to tho men for having offered their services, and wished them a safe return. The men were lustily cheered, and they heartily cheered in return as the train steamed out of the station on its way. south.

TEMUKA

At 11.25 a.m. yesterday a troop train containing the men of the Sixtjeonth Reinforcements, who arrived by the Maori, made a stop of fifteen minutes at Temuka. It was expected that the Temuka men would be on board and many preparations were made for the purpose of giving the soldiers a good time while the tram stopped. The station was decorated with flags. The children of the District High School. St Joseph’s Native and Milford Schools were lined up on a platform that had been specially erected for their accommodation. Behind them a huge sign bearing the words, “The Children’s Pled: Fight for our Liberty,” occupied a conspicuous position. The Temuka Brass Band was in attendance. Short addresses were given by the Mayor (Mr 'Frew) and by Mr C. J. Talbot, M.P. As the train drew out three hearty cheers were given for the departing soldiers. It happened that the Temuka men were not on the train. Relatives and friends were despairing of seeing them at all as -word had been received that the second troop train conveying the Monowai’s men was on no account to stop. Owing, however, to frequent and persistent efforts on the part of members of the Patriotic Entertainment Committee, the authorities finally granted the request that the second train should stop for five minutes only. This train arrived at 2.10 p.ra. The Mayor spoke a few words of welcome, and as on the former occasion, fruit, cakes and flowers were handed into tiie carriages. The train drew out amidst the. waving of flags and hearty cheers for the soldiers.