16th REINFORCEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 102, 1 May 1916, Page 4

16th REINFORCEMENTS.

TAIHAPE QUOTA FAREWELLED.. On Saturday evening, the Patriotic. Committee tendered the Taihape quota of the 16th Reinforcements a. public farewell in the Town Hall. There was a large attendance, and the evening was spent mostly in dancing, the music being played by Mr. H„ Midgley. A collection at the realised a goodly sum, which will "be added to the Patriotic Funds. In farewelling the men Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P., stated that those present had again attended to show their appreciation of the return of the men in enlisting and to. say farewell to them. While it was regrettable that men still had to go away, it was splendid to know that Taihape as usual was . sending mor e than its quota. These men had decided to take their shareof the Empire's burdens and all would wish them a speedy and safe retur.ru Before the war people the world over had very little, idea that there was such a place as New Zealand, and many people had pictured it in all " descriptions. They had very little idea of what New Zealander s were. Now New Zealand was a household word the world over ,a proof of this being the world wide celebration of Anzac Day. It was most encouraging to see that the Allies were taking up their task in a more business like way and as day followed day one could not help being more sure of the result. It Avas to be a fight to the death and one and all of the Allies were seeing that their part Avas fulfilled.

Continuing Mr. Smith stated that he was glad that the leading statesmen of New Zealand had. realised/., thetask that lay before them, and ;hjkl decided that so soon as, Parliamsit was.opened they would hasten a provision so that all the men that New Zealand ghould supply would be found so that those who had. already gone would have a fair chance to winning their way and getting back. The indications showed that the government realised that those who were doing the fighting required the fullest possible assistance and were deserving of the greatest consideration. Mr. Smith then wished those who were going away good luck and a safe return.

The Mayor, Mr. Arrowsmith, said! that he would like to refer to the fact that the local bodies had, at the request of th e Government, taken over the recruiting. ' Some of the local recruiting Committee, on going round to various places places, to get cards filled in, had not received an altogether pleasant reception. He would like the public to recognise that these men were giving their services gratuitously, and if people could not treat the Recruiting men cordially then they should treat them at least decently. One man had told a canvasser to mind his own business or he would pumjh his head. Every young man fit capable of going to the front should, do what the men on the stage (the re« cruits) had done. If they did not compulsion would come.

Mr. Arrowsmith then said that on behalf of the people of the district he wished to add good wishes for the successful campaign and to wish the men a safe return. He hoped to see them all back again and when the war was over he hoped to see such a celebration in the Town Hall that all would remember for the rest of their lives. (Applause). The folowing me n left Taihape this morning:—iW. V. Rice, Moawhango? E. Hopkins, Taihape; F. Ellis, Taihape; W. McCleiland, Winiata; R. Flannagan, Winiata; R. Burgess, Taihape; H. W. West, Taihape; C. Kerr? Miles Alexander, Taihape; C. L. A. Murphy, Tangiwai; F. Kelly, Utiku,* 1 G. W. Batley, Moawhango; C. R. Old, Pukeokahu; G. B. Reid, Opaea; H. Efc Henderson, Taihape; Stevens, Taihape.