THE NINTH REINFORCEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1915, Page 3

THE NINTH REINFORCEMENTS.

NKW PLYMOUTH MEN'S DEPARTURE.

ENTHUSIASTIC OFFICIAL FARE WELL.

THE MAYOR'S APPEAL FOR MORE MEN.

Last night, the first portion of New 'Plymouth's quota to the Ninth Contingent, left by special train for Trentbam camp, where they will undergo training prior to departing for the front. The men were given an enthusiastic sendoff by a large gathering of residents of the town and district. The men, to the number of twenty-four paraded at the Coronation Hall and were played to the railway station by the Citizens' Band, under Bandmaster Cummings. There was also a good muster of Territorial-:, members of the Defence Rifle Club, Railway Engineers' Corps, High School Cadets, and Senior Cadets. The band played the invigorating march, '"lnvercargill." On arrival at the station, after a selection by the .band, Mr. J. E. Wilson, the Mayor, addressed the Men and took the opportunity to press on these present the need for enlisting. The Dominion, during the next four weeks, he said, would require to send greatly increased reinforcements, and every nun between the age of 20 and 40 had got to ask himself whether or not he- was doing his duty to his country. There were a number of men who could not volunteer owing to physical disability, and also because they are so placed that they cannot get away without their dependents .suffering. These, <ie thought, should not volunteer while there were any number of men able to g've tiieir services who were within the prescribed limits of age. The remarks he was going to make did not, therefore, apply to those who conscientiously thought out the question and were honestly not able to offer themselves. He referred specially to the case of W. (3. Wadsworth, a man 4] years of age,, who had volunteered, and though he,had given his correct age, was accepted, and had leen notified to entrain that evening. He was a fine stamp of man, and no one was more disappointed than he was at receiving a telegram that afternoon from the group officer to the effect that he could not go to camp as he. was over age. That man had his sincere sympathy, and he (the Mayor), would have been glad to see him get away as a volunteer, as lie was so eager to go. There were remaining many men between the ages of 20 and 40, physically fit, and not debarred by dependents, and to these he made a heart-lelt appeal not to neglect the call of the Empire. They could not afford to have capable men fail to recognise that more recruits were required. The need for men was urgent, and he appealed to them to enrol at once as a matter of duty. Thi3 was their only hope of beating the enemy and retaining their country. '''Don't,'' he appealed, 'Hiuoy yourselves up with the false hope that some other nation will save you. You must save yourselves. If you disregard the call now .you will regret it once, and that will be all your lives." Continuing, the Mayor said lie hoped that the Government would have the courage to say that if you will not volunteer, you shall go. '''You will not be able," said the Mayor, ,; lo hide behind the men who have gone before you, and whose blood cries out for you. (Applause). God forbid that ,in a land where your forefathers turned out so nobly the Government should have to compei men to fight. Rather let the blood of the brave men who bled at Gallipoli appeal to you." He urged them not to forget' that if they disregarded the call, tliev would be marked men, even though tiieir friends might bid them good-day. Would they not feel ashamed when their children or grand-children asked ti-.em wnat part they took in the fight in wtilcn tfie British Empire was engaged, if they had to say none? Men. he added, were wanted, and if they did not volunteer they would have to be sent, and how much more pleasant it would be to volunteer! Turning to the men about to entrain, he said that he had the great honor, on behalf of the citizens of New Plymouth, to wish them good-bye. They were going out to do what we would willingly do, but, unfortunately, could not do. They were going to fight for us. He was full of admiration and gratitude for the men who were going to bear the burden for us. Taranaki had a record of which it vould be proud, for though its population was only onetwentieth of that of the Dominion, it Jiad sent away one-tenth of the total number of men who had gone. This was ftlike creditable to tho men who had gone and to the province, and he hoped the record would be kept up. We had lost a number of those, dear to us. They had given their lives willingly, as tho men who were now departing were prepared to do; and what they were doing would never he forgotten either here or in the Dominion. He concluded, on behalf of the citizens, by expressing heartfelt thanks at their patriotism and best wishes for their welfare,

Three 'hearty cheers were then given the men, and alter a selection by tho band, the National Anthem was'sung by the crowd. The men then entrained, a cordon of Territorials preventing any unseemly crowding at the railway carriage. Prior to tlie train drawing out the band played "The Marseillaise," "The (iirl I Left Behind Me," concluding with "Auld Lang Syne." The following are the names of the men who entrained.—lnfantry.— From New Plymouth: K. H. C. Morev, S. J. Hickey, E. W. Allen H. L. Simpson, 11. B. H. Booth, E. ,T David, C. B. Webster. •J. Walls, W. H. Millmann. D. Williams, S. 11. F. Patterson, W. B. Hosking. .1. (J. •Jill-vis (Fitzroy), S. Styles (Bell Block), E. Loveridge (Omata), 0. Petch (Hurworth), J. S. Charters (Fitzroy), S. Wood (Omata). From Waitara:—V. C. Axten, W. 0. Bracegirdle, F. Baekholni. W. P. Feeke, A. J. W. Lawrence. H. P.. I.immer, Harry I. ongstafl'. R. Morgan, (i. T. Chapman. ■T, P. Guun. K. W. McKenzie, N. Nirholsort, A. .1. Oonton, 0. H. Thomas. D. .1.. McDonald, 11. J. Schroder, J. E. Locke. J J. Kelly iFrenui), W. Young (Uruti), A. Llanchard (Awakino). P. Sparrow (Awakino"). \V. .lames (I'ruti), E. W. Parr (Awakino), (;. M, Richardson (Uruti), T. Smith (Urnti), A. leaser (Uruti), V. 0. Payne (Awakino). F. L, Thomas (Crutij, J. (I. M. Whittaker i (Okoke), W. 0. Fisher (Awakino). From Lepperton:—A. McGregor, A. C, Hansen. Mounted Rifles.—From New Plymouth: —S. Hoby, P. J. R. Crann, .T. C. Sumner, A. H. Flower, A. C. Walls, N T . 1!. Leigh ton. From Waitara:—A. B. Fulton. Army Service Corps,—From New Plymouth:—A. Wooller, and L. Bennett.