STURDY INDEPENDENCE

North Otago Times, Volume CI, Issue 13234, 4 March 1915, Page 2

STURDY INDEPENDENCE

A PROMISING RECRUIT.

rLUCIv AND PERSEVERANCE REWARDED.

INVEVRCARCiILIi, March 2.

At a meeting of the Southland Patriotic Committee, an order on the pay of a member of the reinforcements was received, and the applause that followed the secretary's explanation in eonnci'tion with the matter gave proof that the committee appreciated the notion of the party to the document. It appears that some weeks ago a visit was paid to the Southland League ollice by a young nian, whose appearance showed that his circumstances were anything but nourishing, He staled that the war had caused him, to be thrown out of work in Dimediil, where lie had searched for further work, but withouj success. Someone bad advised him that things were brisk in his particular line in jnvercargill, land he immediately set out for- this town. Weeks of unemployment had reduced his fundi;, however, and he could find only suflicicnt cash to pay his train fare to Clinton. ' There was nothing for it but to walk to liivorcargill. Jlc was not successful in finding employment in any of the ofiiccs at which he called. 1 [caring of a job in Wiuloii, he set off for that town, only to be advised that Liiiusden could do with a man of his type. Relying on the hospitality of' wayside homes, and the turnip fields and straw stacks for his sustenance, he trudged ou to Luinsdeu, but the vacancy had been filled, The Seaward Bush' Dairy Factory was his next objective, but once more he was to be disappointed. The roturu to Invcrcargill was made on foot, and ou arrival his famished appearance and solclcss boots made it plain that he required immediate attention. Ho Avas given the necessary money for a good meal and bed, and told to come back again after having had a rest. The outcome of his next call- was that he presented himself at the recruiting office for inclusion in tile Territorials, -and the medical examiner advised his immediate removal to the hospital to undergo a'minor operation and to bo properly nourished, and after a fortnight under good care the patient was accepted for the frout. However, ■as some weeks were to elapse before ho would be iequired to go to camp, tho work problem had still to be faced. , The Patriotic Committee then considered the case, and decided that.it would find him lodgings •on condition that ho assisted with the clerical work of the Defence OHice, where he proved himself a remarkably capable assistant, mastering the detail work of the oflico in a very short time. He studiously set himself to learn typewriting, aud before leaving proved himself quite an adept at this work, and in view 1 of these qunli-, iicatioris, ami the fact' that lie could speak Freuch llupntly, he has been recommended for an' Office with the reinforcements.-- The Patriotic Committee was of opinion that its money had been well spent on a man of this calibre, particularly in view of the splendid assistance given, by him with-, out l remuneration at the Defence Oflico. .Before.leaving he called, on the secretary, and stated that lie deeply apprcciated:what had been done by.tho Patriotic .Committee,' but thnt'Vith all; the good will in thp world he desired to retain, his British indep'endewe, nniVi,rc t -;j ■ tujcn tlio Jnoiie^, advaneed—-titus t)iq br* dcr oil his 'pay : camc' beforetlicfoniiiiit'.tec on : Friday.-; •.-;:'..• ■'■'^.^■'V;;;/^'