New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 95, 24 July 1916, Page 2

New Zealand

STRATFORD'S FAREWELL.

19th REINFORCEMENTS.

Despite the inclemency of Hie weather, a large number 01 residents assembled on the railway platform this morning to bid farewell to the men of the 19th Reinforcements. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. W. |Boon) briefly introduced the Rev. Father Maples, who, in the following j well-chosen words, bade the men •adieu :-"As you have heard from the M-ror, the citizens of Stratford have done me the honor of asking me to.be jtheir representative an« spokesman in bidding vou farewell to-day. Proud as we are of you, our hearts are sore in saving good-bye, for many have already left us never to return, whom we shall never again meet on earth. You, we hope and pray, will, by God s mercy, each and all come back sale and sound, and each with a record oi gallant deeds to his credit, worthy to merit the Victoria Cross. I am not here to tell you what fine fellows youj are, nor to praise, you to your face' f or doing what lam sure you feci to he your plain and simple duty, in being' ready to 'lay down, your lives tor the brethren,' —for our great Empire, for our own loved land, New Zealand, f or your homes and all that are dear to you.—l would rather say something, though it be but one word, which may be helpful to you, and it iis this: As your hearts are brave an - heroic, so see to it that you keep them dear and pure. You know what the [Christian Knight said of old, My istrength is as the strength of ten, Because my heart is pure. You are (going to fight, and to finally crush a ruthless and implacable foe, bravo and tenacious, who will not yet acknowledge that he is already beaten you will each have tenford strength against him, if your souls are clean. We do not forget that you come of the [good old bull-dog breed (and 1 must say you are remarkably fine 'pups), and vou know the saying, it is doogged as does it ! And now, in the beautiful phrase of our gallant French allies I bid you adieu, that is, I commend vou (a Dieu) to God. I do not know if any of vou are Catholics, but in any case an old Priest's blessing can do you ho harm,. i( and, may, I hope, do you some good • ; , Sfh let me, my dear sons, gjve you.my Messing (in the universal language of the universal church), 'Benedieat vos omnipotens Deus, * Pater, et Filius, et sp:ri-

tus Sanctis.' " At the conclusion of the address, Father Maples presented each recruit with a small memento in the form ot a modal. , . The Mayor, on behalf of the citizens, of Stratford, iu wishing the men farewell said he was pleased to see that the quotas were full in New Zealand, and at the. present time there was a small surplus. The men of the 19th Reinforcements had a high standard set them by previous reinforcements, and he was confident they would keep up that standard. In conclusion, the speaker wished the men good luck, God speed, and a safe return, and called for t.b,rep : , cheers, which were given in aj>;ei'y i: hpar,ty manner. , Prior to,(entraining operations, the Mayoress (Mrs Boon), on .behalf of the Ladies' Patriotic .Committee, presented each man with a housewife and a hold-all.

WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND. £ s. d Previously acknowledged 6821 9 1 Te Wera Committee (per Mr Nolan) 2 15 6 £6824 4 7 SAILORS' RELIEF FUND. £ s. d. Previously acknowledged 162 1 8 Mr G. Fraser ... ••• 5 ° £162 6 8 Mr S. A. Mann, Mnkoe, has donated two town sections to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE MAORIS. Per Press Association. Auckland, July 24. The sixth reinforcements for the Maori Expeditionary Force loi't town to-day. They comprise Lieutenants Gardner and Woodward, and ninety non-commissioned officers and men, who were farewelled at the Town Hall.

LATEST CASUALTY LIST.

DIFD OF WOUNDS

Private Christiansen. Private A. T. Downes Private C. W. Arthur

WOUNDRP. Sergeant G. F. White. Wounded (Kmbnrked for England) Private W. J. Anderson. Private F. L. Magon. Wounded (Admitted Hospital.) Private A. C. G a nick. Private W. L. McKenzie. Corporal W. B. Cullen. (i miner W r . R. Holden. Bomber J. B. Nolan. Driver T. D. Prussing. Sergeant G.J. Lane. Corporal G. Fisher. Private F. E. Forward. Sergeant J. A. Martin. Private T. Rhodes. Private W. Patterson. Sapper F. S. Allen. Corporal J. Caird. Corporal R. B. Towler. La"nce-Corporal C. Perry. Corpora] W. C. Brown.