TASMAN VOLUNTEERS

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14208, 21 June 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

TASMAN VOLUNTEERS

mi m <TllTle 13----.lh« Tasman Hall was crowded to overflowing on Thursday evening (writes our correspondent), when a welcome home was givon to Lieutenant jC R. Uawlings. who is home on leave prior to taking up his duties with one of the Reinforcement drafts now in training at Trentham. Opportunity was also taken to bid farewell to tho following, ten men who have been accepted for service from this district, and are proceeding to camp within the next few days-.—Messrs S. J. Brown, Cromtie, Permin. Inwood. Tyrell, Fuller, Lourie, Goddard, Farley, and Gibson,' making the largest draft yet sent from Tasman, and bringing the total from this district to well over 50 men. Addresses were .given by Mr F. K. Nbttage and Sergeant-Major Hurdley, the latter remarking that in addition to sending its full quota of men, the Tasman district had been specially honoured in the fact that several of its men had reached commissioned rank, while others wero well up as non-com-missioned officers. Feeling reference was made to the death of Lord Kitchener, and the suggestion that the ftest memorial to so exalted a soldier was to win the war and thus^ complete his life's work, was enthusiastically received. It is understood that further volunteers from this district are to be medically examined at once, and that, with one or two exceptions, every available single roan of military age has now offered his services to his country, ia.nd several who are too young or have been rejected as medically unfit, are still hoping that their chance may yet come to do their share in winning the war. An interesting programme of music was rendered by local residents, and each departing' soldier was presented, with a small memento of the occasion. Lieutenant ■ Rawlings, in replying, assured those present that all were determined to fighv to a finish. Refreshments were provided' in the schoolroom adjoining the hall, and the gathering terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.