THIRTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5352, 8 February 1916, Page 5

THIRTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS

SEND-OFF FROM PAHIATUA.

Several of the recruits forming the Pahiatua sub-area's quota of the Thirteenth Reinforcements panacea *t the Flagstaff yesterday afternoon, where a good number of the pnbho assembled. The Mayor (Mr J. 1). b. Crewe) expressed appreciation, on behalf of the citizens, of the action or the recruits in volunteering to serve their country, and predicted that so long man of the type beftoie them were coming forward, the Empire was : assured of victory. Those enlisting now were mostly untrained men, but after a few months in camp they become excellent soldiers. He wished the men every good luck and hoped that they would return safely home. Three cheers were given for the ream ? and for the boys at the front. J. D. Matthews pointed out that the recrhits were proving true to the traditions of the British race in volunteering to sacrifice life and limb for the oppressed. The Government, lie* sakl, was going to show its appreciation of the efforts of the soldiers in a practical way. Returned wounded soldiers would have a prior claim in the applications for land, and also preference in any other walk of life, so that when they returned they could, feel assured that their wants would be supplied. He urged that local bodies, agricultural and other institutions should give preference to wounded soldiers. What- was wanted was practical sympathy. Occasionally—fortunateely it was rare — people were heard criticising the soldiers. which he deprecated. They should be very proud of our young New Zealanders, and should not forget to remind anyone criticising returned soldiers that the latter had done their duty—let the critics do theirs. Nine tenths of those criticising did not do their duty. Mr P. Thomson, on behalf of the Pahiatua District Recruiting Committee. expressed satisfaction at the district in always supplying its quotas for the Reinforcements, and he felt sure it would continue to do so. The quality of the men, too, showed no deterioration. He congratulated the men. and assured them that the thoughts of the people would be with them, knowing that.they would uphold the honour and traditions of their country. Those who returned unfit or wounded could rest assured that, they would be well cared tor so far as this district was concerned at any rate. Tlie Rev. L. H. Fenn (Anglican), speaking as the representative of the National Church of England, .said they all felt proud of the recruits. He proffered a few words of advice to the men. reminding them that they were going to emulate the example of many great men ot our nation. He read the prayer offered: by I»rd NelBon before going into battle. He hoped the day would not long be distant when the enemy's flag wuld be hauled down, and trusted that when that time came not one act of shame or misconduct would tarnish that victory. Cheers were renewed at the conclusion of each speech, and the recruits responded with three cheers for the citizens of Pahiatua.

The following were the recruits who entrained yesierdav:-—Pahiatua

—AY. Martin. G. Horipuru. C. Guerin. H. H. Burke. C. J. O'Rourke. Konini —C’. Halford, D. Brosnahan, A. P. Jensen. Hamua —F. I.ee. Rakaunui —N. D. Isles. The following joined the express at AYoodville: —AY. C. Hutchins. AY. G. Stuart. R. J. Cairns. G. Pritchard.