14th REINFORCEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 56, 6 March 1916, Page 4

14th REINFORCEMENTS.

PI T B LIC L Y FA BEW ELLED. 1 The Taihape and district quota of the 11th Reinforcements were farewelled at the Town Hall on Saturday evening, there being a large attendance. The function took the form of a dance, and proved very enjoyable, No charge for admission was made, bu® li a. collection was made at the door, ‘resulting in a sum of over £9. The net proceeds ar t . to be devoted to swell the funds collected for the French Red Cross Society. During the evening the Mayor (Mr.. A. L. Arrowsmith) addressed those present, and said that they would, beglad to hear that Taihap e and district had gained a reputation for always supplying the quota. On this occasion they had been asked to supply 17 1 men but no less than 30 were going. The reason for this was that other districts were not doing their share amr so Taihape was helping to make up. As long as the men came forward in the future as they had done in tiro past, he did see that there was any real necessity for a Recruiting Committee in Taihape, Turning to the men leaving, Mr. Arrowsmith said: “1 extend to youmen the hearty good wishes of the people and their hopes of your safe.return to this district. I want to convey our appreciation that you have com? forward to do' th e duty which the nation requires to be done so urgently at the present time.” Continuing, Mr. Arrowsmith stated that he had been informed by Ster-geunt-Major Tuckey that there more offers for mounted men than Avcre required but that all infantry possible were required. He would put it to those men avlio wanted to go„in the mounteds that vacancies in the infantry were open and Avould ask them to seriously consider whether they would join the infantry. Finally, he would say that the men going away kneAV their duty and none of the Hew Zealand troops had failed to do it yet. Ho Avished the men "Good-bye and ‘ ‘ God-speed. ’ ’

Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P.,' said that they were gathered together to show their appreciation of the sacrifice the men were making. They had decided to leave their homes and the* land of }their choice? for duty, and more power to them. Mr. Arrowsmith had referred to the fact that the Government had asked the local bodies to take up ret eruiting. He felt that in the past Tathape had done more than its share. It showed conclusively that it was not a Recruiting Committee that was wanted but for the powers that be to take the whole question in hand and say who should go and who should not. The voluntary system was not working out fairly. He felt that the time arrived when the part that New Zeal&ud was taking in the war should be put'on a business footing. He would do hia best to get the men required but a stronger hand was required. The National Register gave the Government the information they required and he hoped it would not be long before they took that ste'p. “I want to endorse the appreciation expressed by Mr Arrowsmith, ’ ■ he said, ‘‘and I sincerely hope it will not be long befor e you return and that you ’ll return none the worse. We shall all be pleased to sec you back. Good luck, boys! ”

Cheers were then given for the men

The men left for camp by the (5.5 train this morning and were heartily cheered by their friends as the train drew out. Following are the names of those who left:— Mounted Eiftes: D. L. Addis, K. W. McEae, E. Cannons. J. McLennan, L. Ivey. Infantry: P. L. Snelling. AV. J. Chuck, J. F. Eobb, D. J. Dunford, C. P. Bogun, P Collins, B L Healey, AA 7 J Boole, J W F Krosehel, J F Terry, A Matthews, AA 7 G ; Greenman, R. Brink' worth, C West, A D Majr. A C Re-asfa H Sheehan, H Peri, P O'Connor, C P Kelly, \A' P Gordon, A AA 7 Gould