SEVENTEENTH REMORSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16710, 2 June 1916, Page 3

SEVENTEENTH REMORSEMENTS.

PROVINCIAL QUOTA MORE THAN FULL. VIGOROUS FAREWELL SPEECHES. It was a cold, raw morning, with occasional showers, yesterday for the farewell of the Seventeenth Reinforcements from this city. Nevertheless, the crowds wero as large as ever and there was no indication that familiarity has lessened public interest in the spectacle of our best nianihood going out cheerfully to take their part in the great war. But though the interest was undoubtedly there, it was a solemn, inexpressive interest, and the two excellent farewell speeches delivered roused very little audible response. Perhaps it was tho weather, or perhaps it was the war nows, but at any rate the spirit of the gathering seemed to be at the furthest remove expressed by the word " mafficking." As on previous occasions, the local section of the men paraded at the Kensington Drill Hall, and there Lieut.-colonel Smith, V.D., bade them farewell, and wished them Godspeed on behalf of Otago Territorials. They marched to the station by way of Princes and Stuart streets, and along th,e route there was a fair display of flags and many shops' were temporarily closed in honour of the men. The Oi'.'orsham Band led tho way, and the men reached the enclosure at tho rear of the station at a quarter past 11. They wero immediately followed by tho Southland section of the reinforcements, who had been hospitably entertained in tho Early Settlers' Hall by the Women's Patriotic "Association. . , Proceedings opened with the National Anthem, after which tlhe Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), addressing the men, said everybody was proud that they were going away with their full quota, and that the people of Otago and Southland had realised their responsibility. They were going to do their share in the great work of the Empiro, and the citizens had gathered to bid them Godspeed as they started on the long triumphal march, which they trusted would not end until they had planted the British flag on the topmost pinnacle of the Kaiser's palace in Berlin. They realised their self-eacrifice and devotion to duty in offering themselves for the Empire. Their hearts were true and their courage high, otherwise they would not be there. We sent them forth with the utmost confidence that they would enrol their names on the glorious scroll of fame and bring honour to our dominion and our Empire. They went to join their comrades, those braTe men of Anzac, who had brought imperishable honour to New Zealand and' Australia. It was to their honour that they went voluntarily. We did not doubt that they would prove- worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest troops in the world. No longer was our army small, little, "contemptible." No longer was it English, or even British, but on land and sea our enemies were finding that they had to meet tihe far-flung Empire which was unsparingly sending her best and noblest sons to fight side by side with the men of the Motherland. This war had taught us how strong and enduring were the ties of Empire. They were willing to share its trials and dangers, aa well as to enjoy its privileges. They could not express to them the depths of their feelings towards them, but he asked the audience to show their appreciation by giving three ringing cheers. The call was lustily responded to. They gave them eternal honour for their heroism and devotion to duty. They left tho city knowing that the people of Otago and Southland had the utmost' confidence in them. Wo gave into their keeping the honour of our land, and the glorious lustre of the men of Anzac would not be tarnished by them, but they would bring yet brighter lustre to the lands of the Southern Cross. Every heart in this cfty echoed the prayer, " God bless you and bring you back to the loving hearts that wait you." Might they be the pride of their friends and the terror of their foes. In the name of tihe citizens he bade them God-speed. He knew they would do their duty nobly and well.. Our foes had boasted of "The Day." When they met them let them give them their day and show them how New Zealanders could fight.—(Applause.) Chaplain-major Gray said he was very glad to have the opportunity of voicing the opinion of that great crowd wTien he wished then! Godspeed and a safe return. They fully understood the sacrifice these men were making. Some of the younger men were sacrificing bright prospects and the ambition of years, and they were doing that not for themselves, but for others. There were others there whom they honoured very highly. He was referring to men he had known to whom the profession of arms was altogether repugnant, and nothing but a grim sense of tin need and a etern sense of duty compelled them to take the steps they were taking. We honoured these reinforcements not less than those who had gone before them. They had had time to weigh well the cost and consider what they were doing, and they 'were willing to make the great sacrifice. They had. the authority of the Highest for saying that '• He that loseth his life shall find it." We honoured every man among them for the step he was taking, and realised that he was taking it for the sake of those who were left behind. There was a. feelmg different from pride in the hearts of some standing round, a feeling of envy—envy of their youth, of their health, of their opportunity of doing great service for their country, their God, and their Kmg. If there was any man who had any qualms of conscience about what he was frokig to do, let him think that he was fighting to defend his home just as truly as if the Huns wore hammering at the door. They could depend upon it that !f Britain were to go down, New Zealand would be one of the first prizes claimed by Germany. There was not a mar. of them who would not rather die than be a subject of tho Kaiser. —("Hear, hear," and applause.) He would conclude with one word of advice. They had a splendid record of the men who had grone before them to maintain, and they were going to fresh fields, where they might gain fresh laurels. " Avoid drink," he said, "as you would avoid the devil; and regard every man who would shout for you as your mortal enemv. Be courteous to all women, and more than courteous to none; but at the eame time if any of you should lose your hearts to a bonny Scotch lassie or an English maid, or a sweet Irish girl, it's not me that will be blaming you.— (Applause.) Only remember the girl you left behind you.—(Applause.) Come back able to look your mother and your sister r.nd your sweetheart unblushinerly in the ' face. Quit you like men. Be strong. Play up! Play up and play the game. May God Almighty bless you and make you strong in tho days of battle and victorious in the day of temptation." Chaplain-major Gray then commended tho > men and their e;tuee in prayer to God, and after he had pronounced the benediction, ringing , cheers were given for them and for the already at the front.

The effect of the eterner police precautions was immediately seen when the time camo for entraining. The station platform was completely cleared of "the public, and the main entrance was guarded by wooden barricades, which made it a comparatively easy matter to see that no unauthorised person got through. The production of passes was stringently insisted on, and ae a result the work of the entraining officials was greatly simplified. The Caversham Band accoropanird the men on to the station, and played the train ovit at 5 minutes to 12. The men are in charge of Lieutenant George and Sergeant-major Macgrcgor. It is very gratifying to learn that the quota of men from Otago and Southland h«e been eent away more than complete. Dunodm has sent exactly the required number ; Oamaru is 16 short; Tnvereargill 5 men in excess, and Milton 14 men in excels. The net result is an excess of three nxpn ovor the required total. The following are tho names of the men who went forward from Dunedin: — INFANTRY. Joseph Cecil Ashton. Bertie Beatty. Charles Beeby. John Edward Ryalls Benton. John Hill Bray. James Herbert Brown. Robert Donnelly Brown. Daniel David Brown. Albert James Bryant. Jarues Buohan. Henry Robert Bunn. Herbert Lionel Tui Burton. Edwin Hampton Camnbcll. Thomas Mills Campbell. George EJward Chapman. James Aitken CLrk. Ja.sper Clark. Fred Albert Collins. Alexander M'Mur.ay Connor. Henry Osborne Cossgrove. Edward Alexander Coxon. Francis Edward Davis. Thomas Fuarso Kash De Spong. William Dow. John Duff. Neil Edgar. James Finlay. Charles Eraser. John Fraser.

Andrew Fyfe. Angus Graham. Albert George Green. Alexander Watt Guthrie. William Guthrie. Alexander Strachan Hart. Robert John Hodge. William Godfrey Hodge. Thomas Holgate. John T. Hutchinson. Con Gordon Hutton Charles Henry Hymen. Herbert AVilliam Ingram. Goorgo Victor Jenkins. William Charles Knowlcs. Ernest Richard Latimer. James Leslie. Matthew Leekie. Lionel Peter Lonio. William Love], Arthur Stewart M'Douffall. Duncan M'Ewen. Eric Hillam M'Farlane. Arthur Ernest M'Ginn. William Rutherford M'Hugh. John M'lntosh. John Murdoch Mac Lean. Charles Victor M'Kenzie. David James M'Nab. Charlee Andrew Martin. James Michie, jun David James Miller. John Milligan. John Morrison. Edwin Mountney. John Wright Omand. Royland O'Neill. John Charles Paterson. Edward Henry Poynton. Colin M'Lachlan PoppelwelL John Ambrose Rhodes. Walter Colville Richardson. Carl Nedriok Robertson. Jolm Robineon. Edward Allan Rosia. Edward Ebenezer Sandford Alfred Scott. John Aehworth Scott. Robert Smailman, Walter Joseph Smith, Robert Georgo Kirkwood Stout. Robert Stuart. William Alexander Stuart. Robert Thompson. Henry Robert Thorp. John Torrance. Louis Turner. William Robert Wallace. John Welsh. Albert Edmund Westland. David Walker Winter. Magnus James White. ARTILLERY. David Athfield. James Reid Bell. Edwin Chetwin. William Cormank. James Edwin Dowland. Robert Wright Jack. SIGNAL COMPANY. George Greig Bell. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, 19th REINFORCEMENT. Infantry. Wilfred Ceril Bedford. Harold Charlee Browett. • Clive Rutherford Cameron. Alexander Miller. Walter Wilson Strang.

DEPARTURE FROM MILTON. Group XVI (South Otago) area supplied 14- volunteers in excess of its alloted quota for the Seventeenth Reinforcements—an excess number which has never been previously equalled from that area, which during recent allotments has often suffered from a slight shortage. The usual procedure of answering the call, billeting, etc., was adopted, and the men were entertained at complimentary social functions by the Milton Y.M.C.A. and St. John's Club during their brief stay in the town on Wednesday evening. They again paraded yesterday morning, and, headed by the 14th Regimental Band, marched to the railway station, and boarded tlhe morning express, en route for the training camps. The volunteers who embarked consisted of 64 infantry, three non-commissioned officers, and one driver of field artillery. Following .is the complete list, with, districts in which they resided: — N.C.O.'S Nineteenth Reinforcements— Infantry. Milton—Sergeant-instructor R. M. Davis. W. H. Nelson. Gore.—S. G. Prebble. , Field Artillery. Milton—Driver John Cochrane. Infantry. Owaka—R. H. Ashmore. Tuapeka Mouth—R. P. Brennan, A. Skinner. Wyndham—A. Buchanan. Waikaka —Jas. Belesky, A. Duncan, J. W. Turnbull. Waipahi—D. Blackburn. Pine Bush —D. Cameron. Houipapa—D. W. Gibbs, Mataura—L. H. Bull, J. F. Fraser, W. Garden, J. D. Hastie, W. H. Hayles, G. G. Sinclair, T. K. Stickle. .ttomahapa—E. J. Burn. Mandeville—G. H. Carter. Gore—T. Coogan, M. Michael, A. J. M'Ewan, A. M'Donald, W. C. K. M'Kenzie, T. Wright. Wetherstones—S. Cowie. Waikoikoi— A. J. Crawford, D. Crawford, M. Scott. Balolutiha—A. W. Good. Hunt's Road—A. E. Gosden. Kaitangata—A. F. Burnsr, E. Bissett, J. W. Carson, W. Carson, H. Miller, J. Stubbs, J. G. Wrigglesworth, John Bennie, John Burns, A. M. Carson, B. Donaldson, Eric Burns, W. T. Tripp. Clinton—P. Graham, P. Murphy. Brydone—D. Grieve. Heriot—A. H. Hogarth. Kahuika— J. H. Hollows. '" Balfour—W. G. LiddelL East Gore—R. Milne. Okapua—W. M'Garvie. Glenledi— J. W. M'Guigan. Milton—W. A. M'Noe, A. L. Stokes, G. C. Scott. Lovell's Flat—E. W. Robson. Roxburgh—A. G. and A. S. Newiand, R. M. Smith. Ettrick—W. T. Oliver. Pine Bushe-D. C. and R. N. Todd. Arthurton—S. G. Trussler.

SAMARU QUOTA. (Fbom Odb Own Cobbespondknt.) OAMARU, June 1. Fifty-one men went forward to-day, being 16 below the quota for the area. The following are the names of the men who entrainod here: — INFANTRY. E. J. Brown, Oamaru. Henry Charles Brown, Oamaru, railway employee. Robert Burns pinning, Oamaru, ehepherd. Duncan M'Naiigh Blackwood, Palmerston, blacksmith, James Byers, Wanaka, labourer. Stephen Beer, Naeeby, engine driver. James William Donnelly Brown, Kyeburn, miner. Thomas Patrick Corcoran, Oamaru, farmer. Daniel Chapman Connor, Kurow, barman. Findlay Robert Cameron, Evansdale, carpenter. Edward Coyle, Paerau, sheep farmer. William Dempsey, Bortons, ploughman. Robert Ernest Elliott, Glenorchy, sheep farmer. David Albert Grant, Outram, farmer. Albert Simpson Harvey, LindJ6, farmer. Edward -Hogg, Otematata, labourer. Charles Hodges, Taieri, butcher. Herbert Alfred Jacob, Naseby, farrier. George Joiner, Enfield, labourer. Victor R. Johnson, Upper Waitaki, labourer. James William Keogh, Kurow, labourer. David Kay, Oamaru, carpenter. John Kirk, Mosgiel, farmer. John Cunningham Lecky, Windsor, platelayer. Alexander M'Laren, Moegiel, school teacher. William M'Grath, Livingstone, storekeeper. William Matheeon, Hilderthorpe, farm labourer. James Alexander Meharry, Oamaru, dairy factory employee. John M'Kay P. Munro, Herbert, labourer. George Mills, Wanaka, labourer. Thos. Lyall Murdock, Luggate, ploughman. John LaAvrence Murphy, Hawca Flat, shepherd. Robort Chas. Orr, Maheno, labourer. J. W. Orr, Maheno, ploughman. Frank Leslie Pilfoot, Kurow, labourer. Frederick Joseph Panting, Evansdale, farmer. John Albert Peat, Sutton, farmer. Win. Robinson, Kurow, shepherd, i Wm. Stafford, Palmerston, baker. James Acland Spratt, Sutton, farmer. Henry Spratt, Sutton, farmer. Alex. Craig Stewart, Allanton, labourer. George Cockburn Salmond, Queenstown, telegraphist. Henry Southgate, Kakanui, chaff-cutter owner. William Spurway Smith, Alma, wool claeser.. Sidney Sprott. Mornona, farmer. Thomas Lewis Alfred Shepherd, farm labourer. James Thorm Palmerston, farm labourer. William Torld, Oamaru. taxi driver Martin Cook Wilkinson, Bald Hill' Flat, pattern maker. Henry Walsh, Maheno, farm hand.

ARTILLERY DRIVER. D. Koano, Ardgowan, farm labourer, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Wm. Couper, Totara, commission agent. Jas. Lawson, Oamaru, accountant. A. F. T. Mimro, Kurow, motor driver. BACK FROM THE WAR —.—.». MEN RETURNING TO NEW ZEALAND. (Pk& Dkited Pbkss Association.) WELLINGTON, June 1. Tho following are returning by tho Athonic: — OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES. D. Daley, farmer. J. M. Duncan, labourer. K. M. Hiitton, shepherd. T. M'Culloch, farm labourer. #* G. Ross, farmer. A. Topic, bushfoiler. D. B. Waddell, school teacher. W. Winston, labourer. OTAGO BATTALION. E. J. Bell, farmer. D. Connell, stationer. L. G. Cook, labourer W. J. Gadsby, miner. S. Gordon, seafarer. A. Griinfell, railway fireman. D. W. Healey, soldier. G. A. Hodges, labourer. T. A. Hood, grocer. W. M'Killop, labourer. D. P. Pryde, Defence Department. F. A. Sims, draper. G. M. Smith, student. A. W. Taylor, labourer. A. Wothey, shepherd. L. W. Wiles, tinsmith. A. Wiley, driver. L. J. Wilson, clerk. DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS. W. Rowland, salesman. NEW ZEALAND FIELD ARTILLERY. H. W. George, labourer. C. 0. Knewstubb, carpenter. J. G. Sturmoy, contractor. NEW ZEALAND FIELD ENGINEERS. Major F. Waite, farmer. T. W. Gee, carpenter. A. Knowsloy, storekeeper. E. Paterson, electrician. J. L. Peffers, carpenter. T. W. Richardson, electrician. R. C. Sheiman, mechanician. W. Waddell, electrician. ARMY SERVICE CORPS. A. T. Waddell, fitter. VETERINARY CORPS. M. /J. Feoney, clerk. * MAORI CONTINGENT. B. Utauno, labourer.