SIXTH REINFORCEMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17501, 16 August 1915, Page 3

SIXTH REINFORCEMENTS

“GOOD SPORTING LOT.” DEFENCE MINISTER’S PRAISE. CSpecial to the Times.) WELLINGTON, August 13. ‘T am very pleased indeed with the Sixth Reinforcements,” said the Defence Minister to-day after his visit to Trentham. "The mounted infantry of the sixth have had their difficulties owing to various shifts of camp and they have not had the same chance as the other mounted men who have gone. Also their numbers have had to be supplemented by men who have come into camp later. These men will finish their training in Egypt, relieving the' men who are now looking after the horses there. My opinion of the Sixth is that they are a real good sporting lot. . They have had the winter to contend with. They have been at Trentham through all the camp troubles. They have had less sickness among them than any of the others. They have played the game always without a grumble, even when tilings were at their worst. They have the real soldier spirit and I don't care where you place those men, however adverse the circumstances, they will play tlie game. I look for good work from the Sixth wherever they go and 1 am quite sure they will uphold the standard we have set or even improve upon it. t should he very proud to be going witii them. THE TRANSPORTS. "As for their transports 1 think they have two of the best transports wc have got. Tlie Tofua lias been turned into an excellent troopship and the accommodation for the men is very good, with plenty of air space. As far as I can judge the hospital arrangements are very good indeed. They have a general hospital for 32 men and an isolation hospital for 21. Both transports carry a permanent quartermaster, who will come back witii them and these quartermasters will be held responsible for all stores. They are taking a quantity of extra clothing, overcoats, boots, pyjamas, and that sort of thing for sick and wounded men returning who may be short of clothes.” On the Tofua a capital exercise deck has been constructed and it should give the men a good opportunity to keep well and lit. 1 think the transport board deserves tlie thanks of tlie country for tlie care they have taken. Every possible precaution lias been taken to see that ail the men who go on board are well. No sick paraded yesterday. All the men's clothes and bedding have been disinfected and I think everything possible has been done to send the men away in a satisfactory condition.” MEDICAL STAFF. "There is a good staff of medical officers, all men who have had experience in camp and who will be prepared to meet any contingency. Nine medical officers are going, three being extra officers sent at the request of the medical authorities in Egypt to fill up the wastage in the ranks of the medical men there. Three nurses are going in eacli transport in order that they may look after wounded and sick men returning, or relieve other nurses who may bring out the wounded. PARTY OF NURSES. “A party of nurses are to sail with the transports carrying the Sixth Reinforcements to Egypt. It is not anticipated that they will be required to look after sick men on the outward voyage, but they will be required to care for sick and wounded men on the return journey, or possibly to relievo other nurses who perhaps, feeling the strain of tlie Egyptian, climate, will prefer to return to Now- Zealand in charge of wounded. The names of the nurses to go are; Nurses McAllum, Gordon, Boyd, Henderson. Naismitli, Brook, Leers and Newell. All, except Nurse Newell, have been at Trentham Hospital. Nurse Newell should have gone with the hospital ship, but she was prevented by sudden illness from leaving. MOUNTED MEN. The Prime Minister also made some reference to the Sixth. "They seem to be in perfect health and very fit,” he said. -Quite equal f think to tlie men who have gone in previous drafts. The infantry have been in Trentham all the time, but the mounted men have been in Wairarapa for the last few weeks. Although nominally mounted men they are going as infantry, for we have been notified by the Imperial authorities that no more horses are. required at present. As a consequence no more horses tire being bought now, but we arc keeping a number in camp for training purposes. It is quite likely that wc shall not require any more saddle horses, but a number of heavier horses for the artillery will probably be required from time Lo time.” THE 31 ARCH THROUGH WELLINGTON EN THUrii AriTFALL Y REC FI VED. HEALTH AND STRENGTH IN EVERY LINE. 1 Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 13. Cii-lom is in no way diminishing the interest displayed hy Wellington people in tin- troops. When the men forming 111" Sixth Reinforcements marched through the main streets on Saturday afternoon they were received with hardly less enthusiasm by the crowd of people lining the, thoroughfares than was shown on the occasion of the marching out of (ho initial Expeditionary Forces. The troops were of the same tine stamp as their predecessors. Their department on the march was excellent, and very tangible indications wore given of the discipline and training they have gone through in camp. It was noticeable that a large proportion of comparatively voting recruits are still coming forward, though they are now being leavened with sturdy men of middle age, suggestive of "teat powers of endurance, strength and grit, the qualities likely to be of special service in stiffening the ranks as a whole. Tlie troops assembled in the vicinity of Parliament House about 2.30 p.m., and made a tour of the city, via Lambtou Quay, Willis and Jngestre streets, ami Jervois Quay. They were cheered by thousands of onlookers along ill- whole route. The mounted men cam" first, and formed a very considerable section of the bravo display. The infantry followed, with a fair percentage of engineers, ambulance and unity servo" men. The hope which springs eternal from the eye of the New ZealatuJ soldier was dominant in the atmosphere. Bright, brave, and determined countenances were seen in every line, and all stepped busily forward to inspiring strains supplied by three brass and two pipe bands. The leave-takings were on the whole of a merry and light-hearted character. All were sustained by the solid foundation of patriotism which has permeated New Zealanders ever since the needs .of the Empire were declared. Altogether last afternoon’s proceedings passed off in a most triumphant fashion. Apart from the presentation of badges to the nurses accompanying the forces at the Parliamentary Library there was an absence of ceremony. Portions of the footpath in front of the Government buildings were reserved .for Ministers of the Crown and their lady friends, and they were particularly well satisfied with the smart healthy appearance of the troops. Towards the close of the afternoon his Excellency the Governor and the Minisirr of Defence made an inspection and foutid everything in order. P R E SEN TAT 1 ON TO THE NURSES. AN APPROPRIATE GATHERING. .MINISTERIAL A DD HESSES. WELLINGTON, August 13. The presentation of badges to the nurses was made by Iter Excellency, Lady Liverpool, in the Library at Parliament House, the gathering including the (Minister of Defence (the lion. .las. Allen), the Minister of Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell), Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, the Hon. Sir Francis Bell, the Hon. A. L. Herdman, and the Mayor of the City (Mr J. P. Luke). Tlie Minister for Health (Hon. G. W. Russell), explained that the nurses had been called together in order that her Excellency might present them with their insignia of office, and also chocolates and useful hooks which might serve to while away the tedium of the voyage. The latter had been donated hy Mr David Nathan, of this city, ami Mr Russell said lie had to thank Lady Liverpool for the kind and intense sympathy she had expressed with the women of New Zealand in this tint© of sorrow and distress. That was the first oppor-

tunity her Excellency had had of taking 1 part in a function of the kind, and he knew it had been a matter of deep regret to her that at similar farewells she had been unable .to attend. With the Government and it was a matter of pride that the women of our country had taken so noble a part, within the scope of their ability, in connection with ' the war. Already a large number of nurses had gone to the front and hp had received further offers from nurses and the ambulance sisterhood, showing the practical sympathy of our nation in the groat work of fighting for justice, liberty, and freedom. Their wish was that God would go with them, bless them, and bring them safely back to their, friends and country, and that they might he the means of exorcising that kindly and womanly sympathy and help which was the great characteristic of their sex, and which came out particularly in times of great sorrow, trouble, grief, and death. (Applause.) The Minister for Defence (the Hon. Jas. Allen), remarked that the assemblage of nurses was small, in comparison with those who had received badges on former occasions. He desired especially to thank those nurses who had been rendering such valuable aid at Trentham. He recognised the faces of several who had gone through a time of considerable trial at Trentham, and had rendered great service to sick troopers. The object of their present mission was not so much to look after the troops who were going away, as they were making their departure healthy and strong, but to bring buck the sick and wounded from Egypt 01- Malta, and hand them over in a convalescent stage on their return to New Zealand, Still they might be called upon to remain in Egypt. They belonged to the Now Zealand Army Medical Corps, and had to obey orders, no matter what was expected of them. it might bo that they would be called upon to give relief lo those already at the front, tie knew that whatever they were asked to do they would do willingly. Approximately, continued Mr Allen, New Zealand had now sent away ISO nurses to the front. The present company was being sent away in the full confidence that they would look aftor thosc Now Zealanders who might bo sick or wounded and placed under their care. A fact which had struck many correspondents was the cheery attitude of the wounded, and he hoped that the nurses would do what they could do add to that cheeriness. He wished them a pleasant voyage on the way to Egypt and a happy landing. He had no doubt they would find plenty of work to do when they got there. He also felt confident that in competition with nurses from other parts they would more than hold their own in the estimation of the Empire. “A pleasant voyage and a happy return,” was his-*'earnest hope on their behalf. On the suggestion of Mr Russell three cheers were then given for the nurses and Lady Liverpool. Her Excellency thereupon niade the presentation of badges and gifts.