TWELFTHS ON PARADE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 6

TWELFTHS ON PARADE

SPLENDID TROOPS CHEERS FOR THE MAORIS Interest in the parades through the streets of the City of soldiers training for active service remains unabated in Wellington. On Saturday (afternoon the principal streets of the City were thickly thronged with peoplo from near and far to witness the parade of the second draft of the Twelfth Reinforcements and other units, who have practically completed their training. They were a magnificent body of men for the greater part men between 25 and 35 years of Ege. and of surprisingly even stature and physique—as fair a representation of the flower of New Zealand's manhood as 0110 would desire to see, either on the march or facing the enemy in the trenches. They marched with a fine swing, and with a steadiness that spoke volumes for their training. Included in the units' that composed the long column (numbering in all some 1400 men) were E, G, and H Companies of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, a Cycle Company (without machines), and a small detachment of Maoris (who wore the big khaki helmets that have been found to be the essential, headgear in the warmer climes in which military operations arc being conducted: The Maoris, naturally, received a great reception, and looked a burly lot of men, capable of holding their own against any troops that may be brought against them in the great flurry. Tho order of the column was as follows :—Wellington Patriotic Society's Band, Major C. H. : D. Evans, Officer Commanding; Mounted Rifles; Artillery; N.Z. Cycle Company; Divisional Signalling Company; Trentham-Camp Band; lime Brigade—E, G, and H Companies ; Eeathcrston Camp Band (between the companies); the Highland Pipe. Band; Maoris; Band of the..Fifth'Regiment and Regimental Drummers; Divisional Train_(Army Service Corps); Medical and Veterinary Corps. At strategical points the officers and' men of tho fifth Regiment and the Senior Cadecs lined tho streets and kept the crowd well back from the line of march, but as usual there wera other places where the crowd encroached on the roadway, leaving just a narrow line for the passage of the troops. Accompanying the- Maori soldiers were soveral Native women, who made • no pretence of hiding their feelings, and who lent a- touch of sadness, to tho, parade.

Brigadier-General Robin, Officer Commanding, the Forces, viewed tho parade of the column from a base opposite: the : : Government Buildings, where, in a roped-off space, were assembled the • members of the - Ministry who .were in town, and several of the Staff officers.- • Advantago was taken of the occasion for the Red Cross ladies to establish little pavement sweets stalls, wherewith to swell the fund.