EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15767, 16 November 1914, Page 4

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

RECRUITS FROM LONDON.

MEN IN TRAINING.

[from our own correspondent.

London, October 9.

i New Zealanders in this country who have answered the call to arms are now safely housed at Bulford Camp, on Salisbury Plain, where they await the arrival of the main force. The unit paraded at the rear of the Government Office, in Victoria Street, and marched to Waterloo Station, where they entrained. The New Zealand colony in London attended in large numbers to witness the parade, which reflected great credit on officers and men | alike. The unit looked exceedingly smart and soldierlike, and the members were delighted at the prospect of starting the work of training in earnest. The High Commissioner and Lord Plunket were early arrivals, and spent some time chatting with the men. The officers present were Captain Lampen, Captain Wright and Captain Simson (Auckland), Lieutenants Norman Fitzherbert (Wanganui), Stocker, Skelsey and May, and Dr. McAllum (Feilding). Attracted by the gathering, a London flower-seller sought to dispose of her basket of white heath — for luck "—at a penny a time. Mr. T. E. Donne, however, purchased the lot, and asked the woman to present each man with a sprig. At the conclusion of the parade the unit formed fours, turned to the right, and, headed by Captains Lampen and Wright, marched into Victoria Street. As they passed the Government Office, from which the New Zealand flag flew, they gave three hearty cheers, which were responded to by the New Zealanders present. The march was continued across Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge to Waterloo Station. During this week the following New Zealanders have joined : —Messrs. Shayle Gardner, J. C. Whitnev, C. Whitney, L. W. Wilson (all of Auckland), and W. Ranstead (Hamilton). While training on Wandsworth Cor. mion, four instructors from the Grenadier Guards were attached to the force, and remarkable headway was made. The High Commissioner went out one day and expressed his pleasure at the progress accomplished. Mr. Norman Fitzherbert (Wanganui), who is a lieutenant of the New Zealand Defence Force, has been assisting Captain Lampen in the organisation of the Home contingent. He left New Zealand last March, and spent three months on Vancouver Island. Directly war was declared he hurried to London, and was appointed to the New Zealand contingent. Captain Wright, who has also been assisting, is the produce inspector on the High Commissioner's staff.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Staples-Brown, cf Bampton, Oxfordshire, are making a present to the New Zealand expeditionary force of one of the latest pattern quickfiring guns. It is bfin" obtained through the War Office. Mr. T. E. Donne has given the force an officers' field heliograph, and a large telescope for field artillery. The New Zealand War Contingent Association has had under consideration the question of building a clubhouse at Bulford, but this is not now necessary, as the Y.M.C.A. has undertaken to cater for the social side. Mr. Donne has offered the men the loan of a grand piano during camp-time, if they so desire. The motor ambulance offered by Mr. and Mrs. G. Beetham is being obtained, while Mr. R. C. Horton (Auckland) has lent his motor-car for the use of the expeditionary force.

Mr. E. M. Kennaway, honorary secre- j tary of the War Contingent Association, has received the following additional subscriptions :—£los: Bank of New Zealand, National Bank of New Zealand, Messrs. Lovell and Christmas; £100: Messrs. Nelson Brothers, Union Steam Ship Company, Mrs. Ritchie; £50: The Managers of the Orient Steam Navigation Comi iv £25: Mr. J. Mackav. Mr. H. Smith, Mrs. T. C. Williams; £21: Messrs. Andrew Usher and Company; £20: Mr. S. Boyd Browning'(second instalment); £10: Mr. C. H. Rocke, Mrs. and the Misses Govett; £5 ss: Mr. W. McKay, Mr. D. Ziman, Mr. M. Macpherson, Mr. E. C. Evelyn Mills, Mr. J. R. Friedlander, the New Zealand Press Agency; £5: Mrs. erring, Mrs. Willes. the Rev. J. Wilson (first instalment),' Dr. and Mrs. J. H. Gibbs, Mr. F. W. Pennefather, Mrs. Russell, Mr. C. A. Levett, Mrs. and Miss Santon, Misses Ranken, Mrs. Sandys, Mrs. Webber, Miss A Russell. Dr. Grace Russell, and Mrs. Smith; £3 3s: Mr. A. Scott, Mr. T. Bunting. The total now amounts to £4700.