21st REINFORCEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 18 September 1916, Page 5

21st REINFORCEMENTS.

TAIHAPE QUOTA FAREWELLED. On Saturday evening the Taihapo quota of the 21st Reinforcements wore tendered a farewell social by the Patriotic Society. There was a good attendance at the Town Hall, and as is usual at the farewell socials, the evening was passed in dancing, the music for which was supplied by Mr Midglt-y. During the evening the Mayor, Mr A. L. Arrowsmith. in publicly farewelling the men. stated that, on behalf of the people of Taihape and district, he wished to convey to the men their heartiest congratulations on coming forward in respond to duty's call without -waiting for the compulsory sections of the Military Service Act to be put into operation. This was the second occasion on which Taihape had been short of its quota. They had been asked to send 20 men, but so far as he could see there were to be a groat many more contingents yet. He would wish the men a successful campaign, and hoped that they would bo in at the finish, and after being in Berlin would return without a scratch. (Applause.) '.

The Rev, W. F. Stent stated that recently he had been asked why they made a fuss of the boys when they were leaving. The question was rather a pertinent one, if not impertnent. They really did not make half enough fuss. Most people attended the sendoffs for the good time as much as to say good-bye to the boys. It was a bad sign when any country got tired of doing a good tiling. They expected

the men at the front to be tireless in doing their work. It was a great thing to do one's duty: to have done all it was possible to do among the men. Mr Stent said that many people were working for them, a certain number thinking of them, and perhaps praying for them, but still those at home had not yet taken their part to heart. Referring to the men, he said that he hoped they would return in health and strength.. We should not mind the physical consequences of our attitude so long as the moral aspect was right. He hoped that by the time the 41st Reinforcements left, Taihape would be far wider awake to its duty in this national conflict. It was affecting'us so little that, we had had not yet grasped the fact that we should give up ordinary amusements and ordinary pleasures, so that we might help to strengthen the firing lino. He trusted that God would take care of the men. and that they would put their trust in Him. In the uncertainty of battle and the scenes they would go through, it was only the power of good that would shield them

The quota left for Palmerston North by the 6 a.m. train to-day, Sei-gt-Major Tuckey being in charge. One man did not answer to roll call, and another. Mr W. J. White, was unable to go through illness, so the quota will be' at least six men short. There was a fair number of people at the station to farewell the men. and as the train drew out, hearty cheers Avere accorded them. Following are the names of the men who'left:—J. Temperley, C. H. Travis, G. W. W. Hayes, C. Bowles, W. S. Clark, M. Collins, R. N.. Hawthorne, S. E. H. McClure, D. F. Mullin, K. J. Kennedy, D. McKenzie, H Laing, A. O. R. Smith, C. H. J. Swenson, D. J. Tidswell, C. Wrlghtson, and J. O'Brien.