TROOPS FOR CAMP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17179, 8 February 1930, Page 5

TROOPS FOR CAMP

A ROUSING SEND-OFF GISBORNE TERRITORIALS The departure of a detachment of 6( territorials from Gisborne last evening was reminiscent of waterfront scenes during tho war period. The men left by the s.s. Pakura for the annual ramp at Waipnkurau, and comprised the first lot of troops which had left Gisborne bv boat since the cessation of hostilities in 1918. The new Haiti wharf, from which the Pakura made her departure, was crowded with several hundred interested people, who waited until the vessel was well out from the wharf before they began to dwindle away. Tho Pakura was timed to depart at 8 p.m., but she did not cast off till nearly 8.30 p.m. The last of the territorials was on board by about 7.45 p.m., and after they had taken their effects below lo their quarters they reappeared on deck to engage in pleasant banter with their friends on the wharf. Those on the wharf did not forget to remind the men in khaki what might be the result of a heaving vessel in a rough sea. A few tilings were lacking, however, to make the scene truly representative of the war period. The tense feeling and damp handkerchiefs were entirely absent; laughter gave place to tears, and there was no City Band present to play a farewell tune. Despite this, however, the first troops carried by sea from Gisborne since the war were given a rousing send-off.