A GALLANT PARADE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2619, 15 November 1915, Page 6

A GALLANT PARADE

EIGHTH REINFORCEMENTS

MEN UP TO THE HIGHEST

STANDARD

Undoubtedly the Eighth Reinforcements, which paraded through the streets of the City on Saturday afternoon, created as favourable an impression as any body of men that have yet gone forward, except, perhaps, ! the "Fifth," which were conceded to be "out on their civil," as a popular colloquialism so aptly expresses it. To one who has witnessed the parades of all the reinforcements, it would seem that the type of' mail that is now going forward: "to do his bit" for King and country is steadily improving: At any rate if that is'not so in fact there are ceritainly grounds for the statement that physically no finer lot of men have gono from the Dominion than the Eighth Reinforcements. Without exaggerating one. iota, most of those who observo closely were surprised to see such fino average physique as was displayed by the men who paraded on Saturday afternoon. There was rank after rank of big men, in the'pink of condition, as lean as greyhounds, and as brown as Polynesians, showing in their elastic step and keen eyes that the natural life of the open fields and clean air had brought tbem to a realisation of the manly strength and vitality that was in them. The Eighths could not but be proud of the impression they created, nor disappointed in the reception. they were given all along the route. It was"Rose Day"—a lucky omen —and as the column swung along the Quay dozens of young ladies presented the men with roses of every tint and shape. Before they had reached Willis Street nearly every other soldier, at least had a rose in his hat, fixed under his shoulderstrap, or stuck in the strap of his rifle, and the effect of the brilliantly coloured flowers dancing up and down with the swing of the bayonet wad distinctly arresting. The rose is England's national flower, and nothing could have been more appropriate than the decorations so prettily forced on our stalwart "boys.'' 1 And reflecting the laugh of the open rose and the gladness of the sunshine,' the "Eighth" was the jolliest reinforcement that has "looped the loop" . in Wellington. _ There were approximately 2700 men* in the column, and those who know their Wellington well will judge of its length from the fact that the head of the column was passing that section of Jervois Quay where it junctions with Mercer Street when the tail was wagging in Willis Street, opposite Chew's Lane.' , The pace was faster than any other Reinforcements, and it took less than twenty minutes to pass a given point. The order was as follows: —

Fifth Regiment Drummers. Fifth Regiment Band (under Lieutenant M'Conush).'

Major Fleming Ross (Officer Commanding the Reinforcements). Mounted Rifles. Artillery Highland Pipe Band. Engineers. Senior Cadet Drummers. Regimental Band. Infantry. Natives' Association Band (undor Lieut. T. Herd). Infantry.

Jupp's Band (under Bandmaster W. Jupp). Army Service Corps. Medical Corps (under Captain Arnold Izard). ' Veterinary Corps (with canine mascot). V-

All along the route the public had assembled in large numbers, larger it seemed at many points than ever, before, and the different sections were vigorously cheered • the ' whole way. The upstairs windows of all tho shops, warehouses, and the balconies of tho hotels were crowded with' people who manifested great interest in the men, and whoso hearts will go out to them in any undertaking that may bo entrusted to them. There was the proud thought, too, at the back of everyone's head that though New Zealand may be a tiny factor in the great struggle that is disturbing tho world, slio has already put over 30,000 mon of the very best typo of soldiers in the field, and she is prepared to double tho dose. Hero and there _ an emotional touch lent a deep significance to the scene, but in the mam both men and public were eexhilarateed as by a great joy. The Adjutant-General (Colonel Pilkington), the police authorities, and the Harbour Board officials deserve all credit for the very perfect arrangements made for the handling of the crowds at the wharf—possibly just as large a crowd as witnessed, tho farewell of the "Sevenths" and New Zealand Riflo Brigade. Thanks to a littlo foresight, the, next-of-kin wero admitted via tho Pipitea shed (the northernmost of tho board's buildings), but instead of being allowed at onco to proceed on to tho wharf they wero confined to that space between tho foot of the King's. Wharf and the temporary gates admitting to it, a certain number being allowed on the balcony'which runs along the western side of the wharf shed. • On each side of the shed there was a substantial barricado 'erected, with a strong guard in charge. Between tho gates and the wharf a passage was barricaded off to enable th« column to march straight through without obstruction, whilst a strong posse of mounted and foot polico and Territorials had charge of tho gate. Tho arrangements worked smoothly, . and there was no delay in getting the men on to tho wharf, and not before every .man h'ad been packed on board were the next-of-kin allowed on to the wharf. There was a, little unavoidable crowding in the first rush, but nothing to take exception to. The ticklish position at that stage was at the main gates, for as soon as the column had passed through, the crowd packed itself solid against that none-too-strong structure, and, naturally, when they saw the next-of-kin within gaining access to the wharf proper they became restive, and a considerable strain was put upon the gates. Strong, wooden supports and cross battens were nailed into position, and oven these were in danger of being forced by the pressure from without, When a pretty bit of manoeuvring on tho part of the Mounted Police averted trouble. . On being summoned' by a Whistlo from away back on Waterloo ! Quay, four of tho Mounted Police, on splendid horses, at once began to.push their way into tho thick of the orowd. Women shrieked and children cried out, but slowly and surely tho mounted men worked their way right through' tho crowd until thoy came to the gates, and then by a simple rounding movoraen't edged tho crowd back half a dozen yards, completely relieving every ounce of pressure on tho gate. The movement was perfectly done, and tho mon showed how very perfectly tho horses had been trained, for at no stage did one of tho horses show tho least excitement. Tho next-of-kin were allowed about twenty • minutes at tho ships' sides before the general public was admitted, when the wharf was pre'tty well filled to capacity. As on provioun occasions, tho ToMJoaak. .under. Malar. .W^Sinin^jtr^_s&,

Senior Cadets, rendered assistance in keeping the crowds in check at strategic points. ■ PARADE IN CHRISTCHURCH. By Telesraph.—Press Association. Christohuroh, November 14. The Eighth Reinforcements held a route march through Cliristchurch today. The line of the route was crowded with city and country people, and the. .splendid appearance- of the men made a great impression. A short service was held in Cianmer Square.