THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12864, 13 August 1914, Page 6

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

THE CAMP AT AWAPTJNI. Those who are in the habit of spending a few days' holiday at Manawatu Summer race meeting could they visit the course at Awapuni at the present time would have brought home to them the quick changes that take place in every-day life, and more especially how speedily the machinery of a nation works in time of war. It is only a few months ago since a large gathering assembled on the course for enjoyment but to-day will be assembled a gathering of men who will go under canvas to prepare to go to the j front at the Empire's call. When a Times representative visited the camp yesterday afternoon it was not to find everything in confusion but a well organised band of workers, under the guidance of Major Potter, putting the i finishing touches on the camp arrange- J ments in pouring rain. To those who were taking an active part in the arrangements it was no picnic. The grounds were wet under foot and were cutting up considerably in evefy avenue where traffic was concentrated. For the past four days operations were carried on under the direction of the Defence Department, Palmerston resi- j dents lending material assistance. Yesterday a team of 115 came from Feilding by motor cars, the residents in that town having placed sufficient motor cars at the disposal of the workers and a promise of four times the number if necessary. Operations were commenced at 9.30 to unload sleepers for the horse lines ami these had to be carried over the soft ground several hundred yards. The 23rd regiment of Senior Cadets, under Lieuts. Willoughby and Stockwell, 40 in number, also ably assisted. Early in the afternoon saw the completion of the erection of tents. The formation of the camp is as follows: —The Mounted corps are located opposite the Stewards ' Stand and the Infantry opposite the drive. The Brigade headquarters are in the south of the Infantry and the Engineers in another paddock to the left. The divisional ammunition corps are in the Manawatu Meat Coy.'s paddock, and the brigade ammunition corps in Mr Strang's paddock. Around the various quarters cook houses have been constructed and everything possible has been done so that the work of the camp will be carried out with efficiency. Captain Jickell with a willing staff tapped the artesian wells on the ground and yesterday afternoon under his direction saw the completion of a scheme which will give an adequate supply of water. Fifty members of the Ambulance Corps from Wellington arrived in camp yesterday afternoon. The other troops arrive It is almost impossible to realise the vast amount of detail that has to be superintended in arranging a camp. Amongst the important items are provisions for men, fodder for horses, straw for comfort of men, cooking, etc. Each department during the comparatively short time has worked with clockwork precision and to-day commences a camp which will long be remembered by Palmerston's younger generation. Up till yesterday afternoon the following men had enlisted: — , TERRITORIALS.

Regiment Officers Men 9th Mounted Rifles (Napier) 10 102 2nd Mounted Rifles (Hawera) 6 56 fitlr Mounted Rfls.(Manawatu)2o 134 7£h Regiment (Wanganui) 8 128 Bth Regiment (Napier) 8 176 11th Regiment (Hawera) 14 140 17th Regiment (Masterton) 8 172 D Battery (Wellington) 4 100 J Battery (Palmerston) 2 27 P Battery (Napier) 1 35 Engineers (Wellington) 2 59 Signal Corps (Wellington) 1 17 sth Regiment (Wellington) 22 211 Ambulance mounted (all companies in military district) 4 66 CIVILIANS. No. 6 Group (Palmerston) 18 484 No. 7 Group (Napier) 13, 419 No. 7a Group (Masterton) 10 250 No. 5 Group (Wellington) 34 1235 No. 8 Group (Hawera) 7 193 Totals 192 4009 PATRIOTIC GIFTS. Following are additional gifts to the Department:— Major Osborne-Lilly, horses from farmers in Pahiatua district. Mr A. R. Bryce, Marton, has offered his car, seating 5, and to act himself as driver. Mr W. S. Marshall, Rangitikei, £25. Dalrymple Estate, Bulls, 10% bales of hay, 200 sacks of chaff, truck of fat sheep. Mr G. H. Wilson, Bulls, horses. Mr A. Stewart, Marton, truck of chaff. Wilson Bros., Bulls, truck of chaff and possibly some horses. Mr A. Sutherland, Palmerston, £SO. Mr Lauchlan, Palmerston, 20 pairs socks. % The Farmers' Union Executive is taking an active part in assisting the Defence Department to obtain the necessary supplies of hay, chaff, oats, potatoes, etc. Mr Richards, provincial organiser, was in Palmerston district yesterday and states that 600 tons are required at once. Farmers having any lines of produce to dispose of should communicate with the local secretary, Mr W. Hunter. Mr Richards will be present at the urgent meeting of farmers this afternoon. Major Bosworth informs us that a strong ladies' committee has been set up v at Takapau. PATRIOTIC FUND. WELLINGTON, v August 12. The Bank of New Zealand has contributed £IOOO towards the Empire Defence Fund. Up to Tuesday Stratford donations to the War Fund were,over £6OO. Yesterday the Cardiff Dairy Company, the 1 oldest co-operative factory in New Zealand, donated £IOO to the Fund so decided to recommend the a ing annual meeting to devote one day's milk supply per month to the Patriotic Fund so long as the war lasts or until otherwise resolved. % Mr G. P. Donnelly has handed the Mayor of Hastings a cheque for £SOO towards the War Fund. • At a meeting of the Patriotic , League at Waitara it was decided to institute a system of collecting sixpence a week during the currency of the war. Ladies are being appointed canvassers for various parts of the town and all houses are to be visited. A letter is to be forwarded to Lady Liverpool suggesting that su#h a scheme be placed before other towns as it is believed that its adoption would mean a large regular sum and be better than any specific taxation. Egmont Box Company has voted

£IOO in aid of the expeditionary force. A meeting at Makotuku on Tuesday night subscribed over £350 to the Patriotic Fund of which Mr Jonathan Holden gave £250. Dannevirke Racing Club have donated £SO. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 12. Enthusiasm in matters military has reached a pitch comparable only with scenes witnessed during the excitement of the South African War. Subscriptions in cash amount to well over £IOOO besides gifts of horses, bicycles, cattle, etc. Taranaki's first contingent is now ready for despatch to Wellington. Throughout Taranaki the ladies have been exceptionally busy and our men leave well equipped in the matter of woollen comforters, etc. School children at Fitzroy subscribed to purchase a horse for presentation. Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club decided yesterday to abandon the an- : nual steeplechase meeting on August ! 27th in view of the unsettled state of > affairs and a general meeting of the Club is being called to discuss the best method of assisting the War Fund. The Wanganui Presbytery which met at Marton, passed the following resolution: —"The Presbytery of Wanganui records with profound sorrow that the nations of Europe have resorted to war in the settlement of their differences and that Great Britain is at the present time engaged in war against the German Empire. It recognises that there are circumstances in which the appeal to arms is inevitable and justifiable, but deplores that such circumstances have arisen between two nations holding the Christian ideal. It bows humbly before this visitation, acknowledging the many sins and shortcomings of our nation. It gladly owns the righteousness and merciful motive of our resort to arms to vindicate the right of a small and peaceful nation to have its territory secure from the invasion of a ruthless military despotism. It humbly prays Almighty God to prosper the just cause of our nation to grant success to our forces on sea and land, and in His good time to overrule events so that a peace establishing justice and righteousness may speedily be brought about, not only to our nation but to all Europe." It was also resolved that the prayer meetings be as far as possible meetings for intercession in the interests of peace, and to co-operate in united prayer meetings wherever they are held. It was also moved by Rev. Doull and agreed: "That Territorials volunteering for service abroad and connected with the Presbyterian Church should report their departure to the minister of their charge, and that ministers should as early as possible forward such names to Rev. A. Doull, Palmerston North, to be sent to the senior chaplain in Wellington."