MEN FOR TRENTHAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15930, 29 May 1915, Page 9

MEN FOR TRENTHAM

ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF.

MARCH THROUGH STREET.

FAR SWELLED BY THOUSANDS.

Recruiting should draw a powerful stimu- I lus from the extraordinarily enthusiastic send-off given yesterday to the Auckland Provincial quota of 352 men for the extra j reinforcement draft of the New Zealand! Expeditionary Force. The departure for | Trenthani of the volunteers, who were I under the, command of Captain 0. Walker, ] N.Z.S.C, was witnessed by literally tens j of thousands of people, including number- i les3 small boys'and girls, several of the schools giving a half-holiday. Bunting j was freely displayed in all directions. According to instructions, the members of the contingent paraded at the Drill Hall at 9.30 a.m. for the purpose of the compilation of the rolls. The parade for the final departure took place in the. early afternoon, the men commencing to assemble at about 1 p.m. on the playground of the Normal School, the pupils of which were congregated on the banks- In the ranks of the recruits were several young men in uniform, hut the great bulk were in civilian attire. Many carried light coats, handbags, or serviceable kits, and it was clear from a casual inspection that all classes of the community were represented in the ranks. The force in embryo presented a good appearance, containing as it did a markedly vigorous and well-proportioned type of men. During the preliminaries of the parade Colonel J. E. Hume, 0.C.D., was on the ground with his staff-officers, ■■ and later was present at the railway station. Cheered All Along the Route. When the contingent marched off at 2.15 p.m., the assembled school-children, who had been singing " It's a Long Way to Tipperary" at intervals, broke into loud and continuous cheering. Then the band of the 3rd, Auckland, Regiment, struck up a martial air, and led the way out into Welleslev Street. Further back marched the Technical School Band. From the starting point right down to and along Queen Street for its entire length, the route was lined by many thousands of people. The crowd was particularly dense at the lower end of the main thoroughfare, and at the post office square. All vantage points, windows, verandah-tops, and tramway poles, to say nothing of carts, i waggons, and motor-cars at the sides of ,the road, or in intersecting streets, were occupied by spectators. As the big body of recruits marched past they were vociferously cheered all along the route. Men, women, and children waved hats, handkerchiefs, and flags, groups of employees at large establishments, making combined demonstrations. Then a great stream of people fell in at the rear, and followed the procession down to its destination. On the corner of Shortland Street the i departing men received a hearty valedictory from members of the National Reserve. Scene in Queen Street. The whole scene was most inspiring. It was not all- exuberance, many women being seen in the crowd and on its outskirts quietly wiping away a tear. But even in these cases emotion could not lessen the palpable pride with which the women saw their sons and relatives pass by to do their duty. At the entrance to the railway station the Technical School cadets formed a guard of honour. The platforms had been kept clear for the recruits, who were thus enabled to march unobstructed to the train which was awaiting them. ' Scenes of excitement ensued. Once the men were aboard, filling the nine coaches of the special train, the besieging crowd of relatives, friends, and the general public were allowed oh to the platform. In the twinkling of an eye it was packed from end to end. Thousands, including a, remarkably large number of women, surged in from all directions. Fathirs end mothers, sisters, wives, and sweethearts, rushed frantically up and down, pressing through tho mass as well as thtiy could for just one glimpse of their particular "hoys." Presently the platform would carry no more, and thousands began to encroach upon the railway lines, the opposite platforms, and the standing trains in between. Fortunate, indeed, did those few count themselves who were able to find the meu they sought in that great press, and to come near enough to the coach they occupied to exchange a farewell greeting. Flags Flown From Trqop Train. During the height of the excitement, some of the men climbed up into the tender of the engine, and on to the roofs of the carriages, where they proudly planted flags of the allies, that unfurled on tho tender being the tri-colour of France, and the one on the front coach a special flag, bearing the monogram of the National Reserve, Remuera unit. Barely a quarter of an hour was afforded to the farewelling crowds in which to seek the final handshake. Promptly at 2.EG p.m. the train moved off amidst a renewed outburst of cheering and waving of hands. The prompt and efficient despatch of the men was carried out by the staff under Captain 0. J. Rust, O.C. No. 1 Group.

DRAFTS PROM COUNTRY TOWNS.

MEMORABLE FAREWELLS.

Reinforcements to the number of 110 from the No. 4 group joined the train at Fraukton Junction. They paraded at the Horse Bazaar, where they were addressed ■ by the chairman of tho No. 4 Group Patriotic Committee, Mr. Manning, Mayor of Hamilton, and Mr. J. A. Young, M.P. Seventeen volunteers, drawn mainly from tho Taurungn, Katikati, and Waihi territorials, left Waihi yesterday. They were accorded a public send-off, which was marked by great enthusiasm, tho townspeople turning dut in large numbers to do honour to the departing troops. Headed by the Waihi Federal Rand the men marched to the railway platform. The procession included detachments of the local territorials, the school cadets, and boy rcouts, tho Mayor, and members lof tho Borough Council. On arrival at tho station the Mayor (Mr. D. Donaldson) addrcsfed the men. At the Mayor's call the assemblage numbering about 1500, gave three cheers for the men, and after j Captain Edwards had suitably replied tho j little band entrained. j

The men who left Paeroa were farewelled at the railway station. The Paeroa Brass Band was on the nlatform. A few words were spoken by Lieutenant-Colonel Porritt. officer commanding 6th, Hauraki, Regiment.

THE SPECIAL BATTALION.

EARL OF LIVERPOOL'S OWN

[IIT TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Friday.

A Gazette notice states that His Excellency the Governor has approved that Hie special infantry battalion now being mobilised at Trentham shall be designated the Trentham Regiment (The Earl of Liverpool's Own), as from May 1. His Excellency has been appointed colonel of the regiment.