The War.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume X, Issue 481, 11 August 1914, Page 5

The War.

» 9 Local Men Enroll for the Froni t t Otautau Patriotic Fund Opened. 1 Patriotic Meeting on Thursday Might. Although rery little news from the front 1 is coming through the cables, enough is known to impress on us all the need for i action, and yeeterdayan important announcement was made by the Premier eagnrding the expeditionary force for which volunteers «r» now enrolling. It was generally understood that the force would be sent to India, but the Premier stated that the force is going to Europe, and the firsfc section leaves almost immediately. Up to Saturday 116 volunteers for this force had handed m their names at Invercargill, bat a very large number of territorials volunteered at the parades held m the various centres yesterday, when addresses were made by the various commanding officers, and applications invited. As fa- as we can ascertain at present the following are the Western District volunteers : — v Crpl. W. R. Hamilton, Otautau Sergt. F. J. Craig, Otautau Priv. R. Tapper, Otautau Priv. G. Blatch, Otautau. Priv, A. Macdonald, Otautau Priv. S. Walker, Otautau Priv. L. King, Otautau Pi* v. A. Willis, otuutau Prir. Brighton, Nightcaps Priv. B. I'aylor, Otautau Priv. JS. Mclntyre, Thornbury Priv. F. Weir, thornbury Priv. S. Rattray, Drummond Priv. W. Ranee, Wiimituku Priv. T. H. Soper, Drummtnd Priv. A. F. Young, Orepuki Priv. Jts. Gilinan, Colac Priv. li. Wilson, Otautau Priv. J. Low, Otautau Priv. E. Norman, Otautau Priv. M. Roderique, Otautau Lieut. G-. L. McClure, Fenham Downs Priv. D. Jones, Riverton Priv. T. Cawthom, Riverton Priv. J. A. Cuming's, Riverton Priv. W. Stenton, Riverton Priv. J. Harper, Riverton Priv. B. Dobbio, Riverton Sgt. F. W. Hunter, Riverton Priv. W. Morrin Riverton. Priv. J. Payne, Riverton Sgt- Major H. G. F. Scott, RiTerton. Prir. D. Hunter, Riverton Priv. Norris, Wairio Priv. A. W. J. Millar, Nightcaps Priv. R. Henderson, Nightcaps Prir. J. Gk Kennedy, Nightcaps. OTAUIAU fO THE FORE IN OTHER DIRECTIONS ALSO. When the Empire calls Olautau is amongst the first to offer aid. Yesterday a meeting of the local branch of the Southland League was held at the Standard Buildings to discuss the war question and decide what ateos should be taken locally. There was a large attendance of members, and the chairman Mr A. A. Liddoll explained that the Southland League had given its organisation to assist any public action taken by the residents of Stuthland to unite m doing their duty to their country and Empire, either m assisting to raise troops or fund's, or iv any way which may suggest itself as necesiary. THE NATIONAL RESERVE. The secretary stated that he had received a communication xegarding the enlisting of members of the National Reserve, also a batch of the necessary enrolment forms. Ihoso eligible to enroll as members were persons who had had previous military training either m the territorial, volunteer, or Dther military or naval force of the Orown. This debarred praotioally the whole meeting Irom enlisting as it his not been everyone's opportunity to gain military experience. Mr J. J. Boyd said unfortunately he had not hid my experience otherwise he would have gladly enrolled. He would do what he could m other directions. He thought a patriotic fund should be established, and to this he offered a donation of £5. ' Mr Liddell considered it was a time when everyone should do what they were able. As a volunteer of 14 years' experience he would enroll m the National Reserve. The meeting then disoussed ways and means of assisting, and on tbe suggestion of Mr* John Macdonald it was decided lo issue a circular to farmers asking all those having horses suitable for military purposes to bring them into Otautau on Friday for inspection by the Government buyer. Constable. McJlinchej said at least 2000 horses were wanted immediately to accompany the expeditionary force on active service. After further disoussion m regard to the qualification limits of the National Reserve, Mr Angus moved and Mr Keddell seconded that it be a recommendation to the Council of the League to make representations to defence authorities to have instructions sent round to drill and make fit for forming the Reserve men who hare not had any military training, and consequently oannot gain admittance.— The motion was carried unanimously. PATRIOTIC MEETING/ AND FUND Mr Boyd thought they should open a jiafcriotic fund m the room, and he mo-ed that a list be established to be known as " Otautau Patriotic Fund." This was also carried unanimously by the meeting, and orer #30 was subscribed m the room. It was also decided to hold a patriotic meeting m the Town Hall on Thursday evening to stimulate public enthusiasm, aud a committee consisting of the President, Vicepresident, and Messrs J.. JF, Boyd, C. E. Robertson, W. .Tack and "Bf, Angu,a waa formed to ct*.rry ou,t arrangements, Patriotic speech es will be delivered, and a musical programme of patriotic item* rendered, 'i'he meeting then adjourned. The Drummond Branoh of the Southland League held a special meeting on Saturday night. Mr Stormouth presided over a fair attendance of members' The meeting had been called m response to a communication from the League's General Seoietary requesting that the Branoh do what it could m the way of enrolling members of the National Reserve, and obtaining suitable horses for sale to the Defence Department for the use of the expeditionary foroe. It was finally resolved to accept with thanks the offers of Messrs Craigie and Soper (2) to canvas toe district m order to let the requirements of the defence authorities with regard to horses be known so that a date for examination of horses offered for sale might be arranged 11 With regard to the National Reaerreit was deoided to leave the enrolment foros with Sir Craigie, and that members be reconmended to do what they could to indice | persons elegibie, to enrol. .