FOR THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 315, 15 June 1915, Page 4

FOR THE FRONT.

THE SEVENTH RELNWRCEMENTS.

TARANAKI MEN. FAREWEIXBD.

The men comprising Taranaki'B contribution to the Seventh Reinforcements left for Trentham by the mail train yesterday morning, and there were scenes of great enthusiasm at all the stations where the Taranaki men joined the train.

At New Plymouth, there was a great crowd at the station to farewell the men who left from here. The Territorials (in mufti) and the members of the New Plymouth Defence Rifle Club paraded, and the Citizens' Band al«* turned out for the occasion. The band gave somo fine music, including "The Cirl 1 Left Behind Me," and as the time for starting drew near the band struck up the National Anthem, the crowd 'ollowing this up with three resounding cheers as the train commenced to move. Then, to the strains of Auld Lang Syne and a rousing bugle-call by. Veteran Bugler J. If. JValkcr, the train finally pulled out, to the accompaniment of much tooting of whistles by the engine drivers and the constant explosion of detonators.

At Mawera, the Mayor, addressing the volunteers and the citizens, said they felt that f;hc eight men who were leafing ITawcra that day were just as worthy of public recognition as the raucrr larger number who went away some little time ago. (Hear, hear.)" They were proud of the spirit of patriotism shown by the men who had nobly responded to the call of the Empire. It was said that blood was thicker than water, and they were attached to the Empire by ties of blood, and before this war was ended, perhaps, the blood of some of their noble young men would be mingled with tho soil of Germany. Any way, the Empire would he strengthened by all the great and noble sacrifice. The Dominion was proud of the men whom she had sent away, and he knew that the men leaving that day would be true to their mothers, and also true to themselves. Ho knew, also, that when flic test came they would not be found wanting. The men would have to face many temptations, but he trusted that they would be true to thfjso who were sending them away. In conclusion, he hoped that the time was not far distant when peace would be declared, and he and the citizens would have the joy of welcoming them baOK.