NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 33, 25 September 1914, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE OFF TO THE FRONT.

[Pn Pkkso Association 1 Wellington, September 24. Wellington's official farewell to the provincial section of the main Expeditionary Force and the Artillery Brigade took place , this afternoon at Newtown Park. Large crowds watched the march of the troops to the park and when, at about 2.30, the Governor addressed the men, there were between 35,000 and 40,000 people present,

The morning had been overcast, and rain threatened at midday, but then the sun came out brightly, and everything pointed to continuation of fino weather. Before the ceremony was concluded, however, drizzling rain began, and a huge crowd as well as the troops got rather damp as they made their respective ways homewards or to quarters for the night.

The proceedings in the streets and at the park were marked by much enthusiasm.. Territorials, cadets, and boy scouts assisted in maintaining a clear road for the troops, who afforded an inspiring spectacle as they marched past, headed by their own band and with several city bands assisting at various points. At 2.30 p.m., when His Excellency the Governor arrived, the whole of the assembled troops came to the "Royal Salute," and the bands played the National Anthem. His Excellency was accompanied by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke). Others present included members of both Houses of the Legislature.

His Excellency then inspected the force, after which he delivered a stirring speech, in which he bade the troops good-bye.

Speeches Were also delivered by. the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence, the Loader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward), and the Mayor. The whole gathering then sang the well-known hymn, "0, God, Our Help in Ages Past," the crowd joining heartily, and prayers followed, after which the troops marched past His Excellency in column of route emerging from the park with various bands distributed throughout the column at regular intervals. The troops marched through the city. The streets were lined by thousands of citizens en route, and the troops were vigorously cheered as they passed by. Near the Government Buildings, parade was dismissed, and Wellington had said its official good-bye to the soldiers.

THE WELLINGTON BATTALION,

The following are the headquarters officers of the Wellington Bat-talion:—Lieut.-Colonel: Lient.-Colonel William George Malone, 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles). Major: Major Herbert Hart, 17th (Ruahine) Regiment. Adjutant: Captain Michael O'Donnell, New Zealand Staff Corps. Assistant Adjutant: Captain John Murray Rose, New Zealand Staff Corps. Regimental Transport Officer : Lfeufc. Eric Morgan, 9th (Hawke's Bay) Regiment. Quartermaster: Honorary Captain William James Shepherd, 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles). Attached.—Medical Officers: Capfain George Home, New Zealand Medical Corps. Lieut. Ernest John Herbert Webb, New Zealand Medical Corps. The officers of the 11th (Taranaki Rifles) Company are:—Major: Major John Wallace Brunt. Captain: Captain Edward Percy Cox. Subalterns: Lieut. Godfrey Clapham Wells. Lieut. William Francis Narbey. Second Lieutenant Alexander Bastin McColl. Second Lieutenant Murray Urquharfc, JOTTINGS. A Maori man of about 20-stone avoirdupois was observed walking vigorously along the road between Masterton and Carterton, clad in a heavy overcoat and a surplusage of otbor clothing. Questioned as to why he was on the march in such a condition on a hot day, ho replied: "All right. Very good the war. The Maori like to fight: Igo training get the weight down. By-and-by I join the troops and go somewhere. By-and-by all right. I want to fight all tbe same the white man."