SIXTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16775, 17 August 1916, Page 6

SIXTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS.

300 MEN ARRIVE IN DUNEDIN. ACCOMMODATED AT KENSINGTON. A contingent of the portion of tho 16th Reinforcement which is to -visit Dunedin arrived in the city by special tram last night The ferry steamer Mararoa made tho trip from Wellington to Lyttelton m good time, arriving at tho southern port at 9.20 yesterday morning, and the tram left Christchurch throe hours later, Dunedin being reached at 9.25 p.m., schedule time. At the Railway Station tho public wero excluded from tho platform, and press representatives wore also barred. As soon as tho men had detrained no time was lost in forming them into marching order, and at 9.50 p.m. they set out for tho Drill Hall at Kensington, "where they will bo accommodated during their stay. As the men came out of tho station into Aiwc squaro they were greeted with choeis by a large crowd of tho public. On the way out to Kensington, too, they were cheered at different points. The march was bv way of Lower High street and Princes street, and thenco by tho Andcison Biy road to tho hall. The contingent included 9 officers, 289 men, and two nurses On the way south v < sterday the men vvero supplied at "different stations with cakes, fruit, and other edibles. Last night tho railway officials collected half a ton of surplus, which will bo sent to the city orphanages to-day. The railway authorities and the police kept the best of order on tho platform and in tho souaro. In view of tho outbreak of illness in Trenthani this week it has been decided, as a jirecautionary measure, that the men will not be permitted to stay with relatives or friends. Every possible latitude, however, will be eiven to them

Another body of men, numbering 835, will arrive to-night by two special trains, one of which is timed to arrivo at 6.32 p.m. and the othei at 8.3G p.m It is intended to send extra comforts each day to the soldiers whilo they aro in barracks in Dunedin. Donations of cakes, hams, sweets, scones, fruit, etc., will be received at the Momington Council Chambers on Friday at 2.30 p.m. All who possibly can aro requested to help to provide these comforts for our soldiers.

A VISIT TO THE DBXLL HALL. EXCELLENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEN'S ACCOMMODATION. Last night a Daily Times reporter visited the Drill Hall at Kensington. Everything was bustle, but thero was no confusion. A large number of Senior Cadets wero engaged in filling mattresses with new straw. Another body of workers was carrying the mattresses to different portion of the hall, prior to laying them out on tarpaulins on the ground floor. About 300 of these mattresses were ready for the men last night. To-night the number will be increased by about 1000. There is ample room, however, for aIL The hall is a very spacious one, and it is quite warm inside, notwithstanding that the nights aro somewhat chilly. Thero is a plentiful supply of blankets and other covers. The officers aro quartered upstairs.

All that is necessary in tho way of catering is being done by Mr J. C. Kroon. A dozen long tables have been provided, and yesterday gas and water were laid on for cooking purposes, whilo a kitchen, with large cookers, was erected on the street line adjacent. Adjoining the hall is a shed, which has been quickly run up by Mr Christopher George, builder, ajid his men. One part of it will serve as a lavatory, and another portion will be used for the washing of dishes.

All the arrangements have been carried out by the military authorities at short notice, and for tho very able manner in which everything has been fixed up for the comfort of tho men great credit is duo to Major Cooper and Captain Fraser. SATURDAY'S PARADE. ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCHOOLS. The following arrangements have been made by the head masters of the schools in connection with the school children. Certain positions have been allotted to the various schools, so that they will bo able to get a good view of the procession without risk of being injured by tho crowd The publio aro asked to keep tnese positions clear for the children, so that there wnl be no danger of accident. The display of the school children will, doubtless, bo one of the features of the parade, and the men are certain to get a splendid reception from the young ones. The children will be in their places by 2 30, and most cf them will carry flags. Altogether thero wili bo 27 schools taking pirt in the display There will bo 15 school bands in attendance, and they will play while waiting tor the troops. The following positions will be taken up by tho schools: — Octagon (west side)— Moray Place. Green Island, Mornington, Arthur street, Kaikorai, Higholiff, Port Chalmers (all with bands), St. Leonards, Ravensbourne, Wakari. Mr Barrett wilt act as marshal. On the slope opposite the Oval—Musselburgh, Forbury, and Macandrew Road (with bands), Concord, Anderson Bay, St. Clair, Caversham, Kensington. Mr Eudey, marshal.

Princes and Stafford streets—High Street (with band). Mosgiel, Milton. Mr Smith, marshal.

Hospital—Albany Street, Maori Hill, George Street, and North-East Valley (with bands), Normal, Leith Valley. His Worship the Mayor approached the hotelkeepers in regard to closing their prejrrises during the parade of the troops on Saturday, and last night ho wes informed that they were quite willing to agree to his request. The hotels will consequonfclj be closed shortly before the parade siarts, and will reopen at 4 o'clock. The Mayor expresses his gratification at the most cordial and generous response roadp to his request, and lie trusts that the splendid oxample thus shown, will be followed by the shops thai usually keep open en Saturday afternoon. The Methodist Central Mission authorities have offered thj soldiers visit'ng Dunedin the use of rooms in the Octagon Hall for reading and writing. The rooms nave been fitted up with tables, comfort'ible c&airs, and all writing requisites. The committee will do all in its power to make the visitors comfortable, and is anxiouo to assist them in any way possible. The corporation is allowing all the men to travel on the city and Mornmgton cars at special rates—any diFtanec for Id. The public baths are also free to any of the men desiring to rse them. FINE RECEPTION IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Feb Uniteb Pbkss Association.) CHRISTCHUECn, August 16. The Sixteenths met with an enthusiastic reception on their march through the city to-day. The town was full of holidaymakers in for the Grand National meeting, and the streets were lined with thoueonds of people. Amid cheering, the troops marched from the station to Victoria square, whero they were briefly addressed by the Mayor and Colonel Chaffey. They were then marched back to the tram and sent south.

THE PARADE ON SATURDAY. TO THE KDITOIt.

Sib, —I hear tho returned soldiers have been snked to help to line the streets on Saturday to keep the pubbc back. I consider their position should bo a place of honour. Why not let them lead the procession as they have on former occasions? I feel sure this 13 lie opinion of many interested. —I an, etc., An ANZAtfs Fbiend. Opoho, August 15.

Mrs Amy Hendy, of Musselburgh, sends us the following, which she has addressed to " Tho Boy 3 of the Sixteenth Reinforcements ": "I want you all to know how very deeply I rogrct not being able to Jia-\ e somo of you m c.ir homo dunng your Msit here We wcr*> looking forward, with much pleasure, t:> giving our bravo boys the best we have, and a httl" t iste of liouie I ; fo, but as fate, unfoifunat/'h, ha* dccieed otherwise, we can only try to help make things a little brighter for \ou where you will bo living. As fcho mother of an only boy I fool deeply for you all, ami send all my best wishes snd prayers r or a bafo return to your loved ones."

"COiVTFCWtTS" FOR THE TROOPS. We havo, in rosponso to tho Mayor's appeal, received the following contributions to a fund for tho provision of "oomfoits" for tho troops:— The Mayor of Dunedin £5 5 0 John Roberts 5 5 0 E. 1 Hallenstein 5 0 0 Sir George M'Lean 210 0 Ladv M'Lean 2 10 0 Wilson Malt Extract Company ... 22 0 G. Fonwiek 22 0 A. and T. Inglis (Ltd.) 22 0 J. Seelyo 22 0 "J. W. H." ' 22 0 C. H. Statham 22 0 D. Phillips 22 0 "M. B." 2 0 0 M. J. and E. Rodio 1 10 0 "0. S." 110 W. Emery 110 M. J. Fv'fo 110 W. O. MaeGregor 110 I)r Cameron ~ ... 110 Mrs S. P. Leith 110 E Cameron, 110 W T. Monkman 110 Mis John Sidev 110 Arthur M. Sidev 110 " Mrs G. B." * 10 0 "M. R A." 10 0 Mrs R n. Bligh 10 0 A A. Callander 10 0 M. J Phillips 10 0 "R M" 10 0 Kdw.wd Roberts 10 0 "Mother" 10 0 Donald M'lntyrc, Merino Downs 010 6 Mr and llh'j. sen., St. Kdda 0 10 0 W L. Tennet 0 10 0 \V. Dowie, Noith-East Valley ... 010 0 C. S. Landreth 0 5 0 Tho Mayor acknowledges tho receipt of the following donations to tho same fund. — Union Steam Ship Company ... £10 10 0 C. F. Groenslado 3 3 0 Jas. Edgar 3 3 0 Colonel E. R. Smith 22 0 W. Breen and Son 22 0 R. Meikle 22 0 Mrs II E. Williams 22 0 Win. lng 0 2 0 0 "W. G." 110 G. Simpson - ... 110 Lieut.-colonel Storieham 110 Dr Colquhoun 10 0 F. G Cummmgs 10 0 "A Mother of Soldiers" 10 0 W. Scoular, Roslyn 10 0 Mrs A. Mow at 10 0 "Wellwisher" 10 0 "A Friend" 0 2 0