OFF TO CAMP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14246, 14 March 1917, Page 4

OFF TO CAMP.

NATIVE REIXFOIU'KMKXTK

A small draft of fcleveu' Maori"'"femforcementa left by the s.s. Wimniera to-day for Narrow Neck? Damp. Prior t" proceeding tho V^^ tlm rocniils assembled a', tho Garrison Hall, when nu impressive farewell function took place. Tho Mayoress and Lady Carroll distributed badges and "housewives" on behalf of tho Women's .Patriotic Commit lee.

Addressing tho recruits, Sir James Carroll counselled them to follow m the footsteps of their foro fathers, carry out the wishes anil desires of their parents, and endeavor to emulate ..the deeds ol ■thoftd who had gone, before them— those of their relatives Who were already there waiting for them. "Cro forward," he •said, "and fill up the wastages that, have been caused by this war. lie brave, be smart, and. obedient ; do what is light and what you are told without a murmur. Put your trust in" God'; keep yourselves clean and healthy, because without health you will ba of no use. No not forget t<> read your prayers and think of your Creator -at all times." Cm behalf of 1 tho district the Mayor also spoke a few words.; "If any of you weie at Sir James Carroll's lecture last night," he said, "you would have heard what he said regarding the Maoris, at the front, and 1 ask you to follow m their footsteps and <lo as well ao they j ihave. I wish you good-bye, and good luck to you all/

The Rev. F. W. Chatterton told the men they wera going to take part m the greatest venture and greatest event of their whole lives, just as this was the greatest crisis and greatest event m the whole history of the united race. Their race and the British race yr&r.e one m this great w»r, : taking. their part m this .'tremendous struggle foi' right and truth. If, as had been stated, they followed m tho footsteps of their own- race, who had gone before they could not do better. It was a great .pleasure to him to see m a recent announcement that one of their race had besn highly honored by the King of Serbia; He referred to one of the old Jjttfdenta of To Rau College, the Rev Wepilca Wainohu. ll any one' deserved, it ho did, for' through and through he was a warrior of the 'right kind. Those present who were with him at Ciallipoli, could, bear out what he' (the speaker) said that bo was a true man, a true soldier rind a true 'Christian.' life hoped they would meet him, and that they and ho would be I spared to come- back. All those' brav? fejlows who camo back they would honor for helping to savo the Knipiro m this great crisis.

■ In tho course of a brief address Lady Carroll said : "Farewell, boys. Follow m tlio road that, has been cleared by your forerunners. All that I could say na.s beeiT sfi'd by the former speakers. Go; be strong, be^ brave, and have one thought only, that, is to do yolu 1 duty! Your littlo home lives leave behind. Put your trust m God ; He -will lead you m the 'right path. Be of tho ono heitrt. one idea, ami do your duty to your King and country. Think of one another .uui a sist one' another. May God havo you m his 'keeping. I only trust that ho will spare you to return." The Hey. Tamati then conducted a brief service, m Maori, a hymn liein^ .r.nnv^ and a. prayer ottered. Lieutenant-Golonel Moir, Group Commander, also spoko a few words to the men. He was proud tho ]>? fence- Department had sent him to the Ea^t Coast In cause of the large numbers of splendid Maoris who had been .sent out from here to do their shtire m this great fight. They knew what tho Maoris had done m Gallipoli . and what they were do-^ ing m France to-day. Sir James Car' 101 l saw them there, and he (the speaker) saw them, ,m Gallipoli himself;, fighting like 'real warriors. It Avas for them to go and do Avhat; the others had dont?, and -when tbey came back they would bo proud of them for having done then, share. "Now, go and do your job," concluded the commander.

The,,men marched to the wharf, whera the>j' were given a fitting farewell. G. H. Muinwai was' placed m charge of the draft for tho trip to Auckland. Following is the list of. names : Hutana, Joseph Kiriwai, single, 20 years, clerk, Tokomaru Bay. lohu, Wa.tikena, single, 23 " years, laborer^ Tokomaru Bay. Rapid, Tango, married, 26 years, 1 laborer, Tokomaru Bay. Pokio, M^atiu^tera, eing'lc, 22 years, bushman, Bay. EdM'ards, llejiry Harvess, single, 2U years, bushman, Tokomaru Bay. Whakatapa, Maaka, single, 21 years, labqtpr, Tokomaru Bay. " ' Huripara, Watane, single, 21 years, laborer, Xgakaroa. j Tana, Mo ana, single, 25 years, laborer, T okpmaru ' Bay. Williams, ;.j3amuel, single, 22 years, laborer, Tolaga Bay. * j Kuari. Hepeta, 29 years, farmer, Te Karaka. Muriwai, George Harris, single, bushman, Pakarae. >