OFF TO THE FRONT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLVIII, 18 August 1914, Page 4

OFF TO THE FRONT

DEPARTURE OF NELSON MEN

LARGE CROWDS TO FAREWELL THEM. When the main portion of tbn Nelson Infantry section off' the. Expeditionary Force left Nelson on Saturday morning, the short notice given left little opportunity for the people of Nelson to give them" a fitting send-off, the boat leaving iQ the early morning. But thousands turned out this afternoon to say au revoir and wish God-speed to the Mounted Rifles Squadron (numbering about 160 men), the remaining section of the infantry) (50 men), together with the subsection of the "H" Battery, N.Z.F.A. Business was suspended from 1 o'clock until 3. and this enabled many hundreds to join in the send-off. Bunting -was flying from numerous flag poles, and at the Port strings of flags were- hung across the road and the shipping was gay with flags.

AT THE DRILL SHED

The infantry men and' Hie Battery sub-sejction fell in at the Drill Hall short, ]y after 1 o'clock, and moved off about lialf-an-hour later. The Battery, with gun -and ammunition waggon, led the wav, Captain Adame, officer commanding*, and Lieutenant Brown being on parade. Lieutenant-Colonel Grace also joined in on the ,way to the Port. The Band, of the 12th Regiment came next, playing spirited airs; and the infantry brought up the rear. Moving off, the parade turned into Hardy-street, being followed bv hundreds of cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. Turning into Tra-falgar-street the crowd gave hearty cheors tor the departing soldiers, which were renewed in Central Trafalgar-street and at Does' Corner. In Halifax-street the College, Cadets were drawn up, and fell in after the men had passed and accompanied them to the Port.

ARRIVAL AT PORT,

The wharves and surroundings were massed with people. Railway trucks, cranes, and, every possible ccign of vantage held large' numbers, and. great cheering heralded the approach of the men. ' The Battery marched straight to the Mapourika's side, and got . straight, to work shipping the gun, waggon, and horses. The Mounted Rifles had been busy all dav shipping their horses, and many of the.men who were off duty were enabled to movo among the crowd "and sav a few last words to their relatives and "friends. The crush was immense; but the roping off of a portion of the wharf where the work of embarkation on the Pateena was going on held the' crowd. in check. Hundreds were eager to get through, but stony-hearted policemen kept them back. When the time tor departure came there was an enthusiastic scene. Amidst great cheering, farewells, wavinrj of handkerchiefs, and the pfcying of the Baud the steamer moved;. off, carrying in her some 200 men who are going* out to do their, duty to their 'King and country'. God speed them !

MESSAGE FROM CAPTAIN HUTTON

Speaking on board tho Pateena to a "Mail" reporter. Captain, Hufcton, commander of tlie Mounted Rifles squadron, said : "The squadron is vorv grateful in every •way for the thoroughly practical kindness and genorosity of the ladies and gentlemen in Nelson who not only came forward eo splendidly with gifts iirmoney and in kind, but who worked untiringly for the good of tlie troops to ensure their comfort. W r e hope to give a. good account of ourselves, and of the splendid equipment, particularly the horses, which the people pf the district have given us. I have inspected the kits. They aro tlie best kits I have over seen provided to any troops I have served with. _ They aro thoroughly good and practical in every way. The men are of the very best type of fighting men, especially the mounted riflemen, ' as their * thorough knowledge of horses and fine horsemanship makes them particularly suitable. And -when to that is added more experience in the field, they will be of tho sort that the Old Country will be pleased to see go Home to help them.'' Speeches were made by the Mayor (Air Lock) and Captain IJuttan. The steamer left at 3 p.m.