KEEN AT SIXTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1915, Page 12 (Supplement)

KEEN AT SIXTY.

EAGER FOR A BLOW AT THE GERMANS. New Zealand has numbers of men sixty years and over eager to fight anywhere on behalf of the Empire, especially on ground where they can meet Germans. From a faraway place in the Bay of Islands lias corne a letter to the Government Statistician, a document which well shows the soldierly spirit of many an elderly man in this country. Here is the body of the text, which should not be missed by any comparatively young man, fit and free lor service, but pausing on the edge of the field of honor:

"I beg humbly to put .my name down on the list against the Germans. I am sixty years old—only my feet are badhut I used to be a good rifle shot years ago when in the Army, but owing to rheumatic fever I am crippled in the feet. lam thoroughly up to the old drill, and may say years ago I was in a cavalry regiment.

"I cannot run away, and am quite willing to offer jny services, and should be glad to do so. Xo dependents; only a good old name. I sent in mv name to Sergeant-Major ——. \v a " me t in India.

"Kindly let me know if I can give any help. lam ready at one minute's notice—only too willing—and used to the old drill. If particulars are wanted I can give them. Yours faithfully (Signed).