BACK TO CAMP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23616, 28 March 1940, Page 15

BACK TO CAMP

SECOND ECHELON MEN WHANGAREI DEPARTURE RAILWAY STATION CROWDED [BY TKLKOKAHI —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WHANG A R FJ, "Wednesday A special train with troops of the second echelon returning to camp from leave [lulled out from the Whangarei railway station shortly after noon today. The station was crowded with relatives and friends, who gave the troops a rousing send-off, while the Whangarei County Pipe .Hand played stirring tunes. Addresses were given by the Mayor of Whangarei. .Mr. W. .Jones. Major J). Wilson, officer in charge of the Veterans' Guard Company in Whangarei and Maki Pirihi, representing the Maori race. The troops marched through the town, being led by the pipe hand with black-draped drums, in respect for the passing of the Prime Minister. A further detachment of troops will leave the north on Thursday. HAMILTON GATHERING CONTINGENT NUMBERS 150 TROOPS CORDIALLY CHEERED [llY TKI.KCRAI'II —OWN CORK IvSI'ON 11K.NT] HAMILTON, Wednesday An exceptionally large number of residents assembled at the Hamilton Drill Hall this evening to honour Hamilton members of the second echelon, who later left b.v train for Papakuru on return to camp after their Faster leave. The men were addressed by the Mayor, Mr. H. D. Caro, and by Mr. 1). 1. Gate, president of the Waikafo Returned Soldiers' Association. Parcels of comforts were handed to each man by members of the Hamilton Women's Patriotic Committee and the Returned Soldiers' Association'. Led by the Waikato Regimental Hand and accompanied by members oi the Returned Soldiers' Association, the contingent, which comprised 150 men, was cordially cheered as it marched to the j cailway station.

BIRKENHEAD PROCEDURE NO PURLIC KECERTIONS Owing to the difficulty in compiling a complete register of soldiers in the district before their departure overseas, the Birkenhead Ho rough Council lias decided not to tender public receptions. However, each soldier will be presented with a Testament, together with a card expressing the appreciation of the residents for their offer of service. PAPATOETOE FUNCTION .\ IAXG FI! F FNTFRTAIX-\I EXT The seating capacity of the Papatoetoe Town Hall was insufficient to accommodate the gathering at the civic reception tendered on 'I uesday n jtrlit to the local members of the second echelon. The chairman of the Papatoetoe Town Hoard. Mr. L. .1. Kendall. presided, and was accompanied by Mr. F. M. Waters, chairman of the Manuka ii County Council. Roth speakers conveyed good wishes to the men. who were presented with leather money-belts, suitably inscribed. The men in the Mangere district who have enlisted for service overseas were entertained at a social evening held in the Maicere Public Hall on Tuesday night. Mr. S. W. House, the riding member of the Maiiukau County, Council. welcomed the men and their next-ut'-kin. and Mrs. II ouse presented each man with a iountain pen. CEREMONY AT PAEROA PRESENTATION TO SOLDIERS [by TF. LEO It A I'll —OWN CORKESI'ONDKNT] PAF.ROA, "Wednesday A civic reception was tendered last evening to members of the second echelon resident in the Paeroa district, more than 1500 people being present. The Paeroa Municipal Hand played the soldiers iu to the ceremony, where they were given> a rousing reception. Speeches were made by the Mayor, Mr. W. Marshall, and Mr. Edwin Edwards. deputy-Mayor and president of the Paeroa-Hauraki Returned Soldiers' Association. Corporal J. Ward responded on behalf of the men. each of whom was the recipient of a small gift.

RETURNING TO CAMP MEN PARADE IN DUNFDIN [ lIV TELEGRAPH —TRUSS ASSOCIATION] DUNE DIN. Wednesday A total of 294 men. including 22 officers, returning to camp, paraded this morning. Headed by a band with a large number of beniedallcd returned soldiers to lead them, they marched to the railway station, where the Mayor and the president- of the Returned Soldiers' Association addressed them. Lie u ten a nt.-C 'o lon el Falconer returned thanks on behalf of the troops. ACHILLES PICTURE SOLD SUM OF £lO2 REALISED [in* TELEfiIIA I'll —PRESS ASSOCIATION] MAST H KTOX, "W ed n esd ny A picture of H.M.S. Achilles was put. lip for auction at. Masterton last nipht in aid of the National Patriotic Fund and realised £lO2. HAMILTON QUOTA RAISED 45 RECRUITS IX TWO DAYS [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday The Hamilton area's quota lor the third echelon has again been increased, 571 men now being required. The quota was originally set lor 375, but this number was Inter changed to 466 and then to 500. At present the area has 355 volunteers available for camp. Recruiting in the area for the first two days of this week has been remarkably brisk, 45 men having registered, compared with 42 for the whole of last week. Allowance has to bo made, however, for seven transfers.