FORESTRY UNIT

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21038, 14 February 1940, Page 6

FORESTRY UNIT

MEN FARE WELLED TROOPS LEAVE TO-DAY FIT FOR SPECIALISED TASKS For the first time since the outbreak of war, recruits departed from Hamilton to the tune of pipes when the draft from the No. 4 area for the special Forestry Unit of the New Zealand Engineers set out to-day for the Papakura Camp to undergo training. Marching through the street, the small band of 15 men was led by Pipe-Major S. Clothier, and Piper C. Cameron, of the Hamilton Pipe Band. News from Egypt that the Dominion troops had disembarked to the music of pipes played by a Hamilton piper, made it particularly appropriate that troops from Hamilton to-day should be led by pipers. The men were farewelled by the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, who remarked that it was a wise policy of the Government to select specialists for specialised war tasks. In the last war men for the forestry unit from New Zealand had no special qualifications. Comment on Volunteering Mr Caro congratulated the men upon being volunteers and commented upon the value of the voluntary system if it succeeded. In Wellington yesterday he had heard the Minister of Defence express confidence in the success of the system. The recruits are:— B. P. Farrell, K. E. Forsyth, J. V. Garran, A. E. Greer, G. Hird, B. Inman-Marshall, S. Izant. A. Parsons, A. R. W. Rogers, J. Shand, M. Stone, T. R. Tylee, F. V. Walden, H. C. Watson, I. A. Williams.