THE OLD BRIGADE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2421, 29 March 1915, Page 6

THE OLD BRIGADE

RELIEF FORCE FOR SAMOA A MARCH OUT The men who are to form the future garrison of Samoa made their first public appearanco in the City oil Saturday afternoon, when tlicy marched through some of the principal streets. Occasional parties of the force have been in the City on leave from time to time, and they have been easily distinguishable from the men for other duty by their yellowish cotton drill uniforms, and by a grey hair or so. For the men to go on this special duty are all middle-aged—from 40 to 47 years. They are to replace the men who liavo recently returned from Samoa. The parade was under tlie command of Major G. AY. Cockroft, Officer Commanding the Force. The troops formed ill column of route at Lambton Station, and, led by the Trentham Band, and followed by the sth (Wellington) Regiment, marched past His Excellency the Governor at Government Buildings. Tho force then marched up Lambton Quay and through tho busier streets in the centre of the City. Their drill and inarching were wonderfully good, winning the plaudits of the crowds in the streets. The men are all eut of their youth, but tlicy arc a sound, hard-bitten lot of fellows, with a surprisingly Mod leaven of old soldiers amongst them. Ono quite youthful-looking officer wore two Egyptmn ribbons, _a private soldier had the ribbon for Kitchener's Omduran campaign, and there were other ribbons in plenty. A great many of the men showed the South African ribbon. Later in the afternoon the force was inspected by the Minister of Defence (tho Hon. J. Allen), uccompanied by the Crime Minister (the Right Hon. AV. F. Massey), the Hon. R. H. Rhodes, and tho Commandant (Colonel Robin).