OUR ARTILLEY BRIGADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 32, 24 September 1914, Page 6

OUR ARTILLEY BRIGADE.

A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE.

The Wellington public were provided with a magnificent spectacle yesterday afternoon and again this morning—viz., that of the Field Artillery Brigade, which is to accompany the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to Europe, parading the streets, on a full war footing says the “Post” of Tuesday. The brigade, which is drawn from the whole of New Zealand, comprises three 4-gun batteries, and in its equipment and men may be said to be the finest fighting unit that New Zealand has yet turned out in its history. The brigade, in the first place, is equipped with 18-pounder field pieces, the same as •are being used by the British Army' in Europe to-day, and which are claimed to be superior to the German field artillery. In the second place, the horses are all picked animals, and a better lot for artillery purposes would be difficult to find; in the third place the m°n are all picked men; and in the fourth place the saddlery and fittings are of the best possible workmanship. . With its ammunition column the Field Artillery Brigade accompanying the Expedition comprises some 700 Tmen, 1 and is a force of which New Zealanders as a whole may well feel proud. Assembling in Lambton-quay yesterday afternoon the Brigade, with its fine horses and equipment, moved oh shortly before 4 o’clock,- and marched along Lambton-quay, up to the Drill Hall, where the men and horses spent the night. The Brigade was headed by Lieut-Colonel G. N. Johnston, 8.A., officer in command,who was followed by Lieut. J. M. Richmond, the Brigade Adjutant. The respective batteries were commanded by Major F. Symon, R.A., Major F. D. Sykes. R.A., and Major J. T. Standish. Captain F. G. Hume comanded the ammunition column, which followed later.

The Brigade, as it passed through the streets, .created a deep impression. In all quarters .citizens who lined, the route remarked upon the line physical appearance of the men, and could hettef appreciate General Sir Alexander Godley’s tribute, whan lie said the New Zealand Artillery Briga'de were the finest body of men he had seen in any part of the world. They were not huge men, but a fine well set-up body of young fellows, evenly proportioned, and all well bron. zed as a result of their' vigorous training in the open. The Brigade stretched out considerably over a mile in' length, and it was a sight worth witnessing to see them as they passed by. With their up-to-date guns they certainly gave one the impression that they will give a good account of themselves in the present war in Europe, especially as it has been dubbed “the artillery man’s war.” The Brigade paraded through the streets again this morning, and once more evoked the general admiration of citizens.,