23rd REINFORCEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1916, Page 3

23rd REINFORCEMENTS.

TARANAKI QUOTA FAREWELLED. Sixteen members of the New Plymouth quota of the 23rd Reinforcements proceeded to Trentham yesterday, and prior to the departure of the mail train by which they travelled they were given a farewell.

Despite the early hour, there was a i large assemblage at the station. The members of the Women's Patriotic League entertained the men at morning tea, and presented each man with a hold-all and a box of cigarettes. The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) addressed the recruits, and mentioned that the local requirements for the 24th Reinforcements had been supplied, but' men were still wanted for the 23rd Reinforcements. Unless the deficiency were made up by voluntary effort, tiie compulsory clauses of the Military Service Act would be applied. The Mayor expressed the hope that it would not become necessary to place the names of Taranaki member? of the first division of the reserve in the ballot-box. The call of King and Country was the first consideration in the present hour of need, and should be responded to willingly by all men able to serve. Mr. Burgess said he was glad the recruits before him liad volunteered. He wished them every success and God-speed. The Citizens' Band was present, and p'ayed a number of appropriate items. The draft, which was in charge of Lieutenant C. W. Crutch, was comprised as follows: —G. W. Hooker, New Plymouth; D.'McR. Murphy, New Plymouth; E. H. Carter t New Plymouth; W. H. Parr, Westown; A. Bray, New Plymouth; W. G. Mace, New Plymouth; D. W. iPaton, Warea; L. C. Hare, Omata; P. J. Childs, New Plymouth; C. T. Magon, Warea j S. G. Eraser, New Plymouth; P. E. Humphrey, New Plymouth; C. E. Pepperell, Fitzroy; C. Forward, New iPlymouth; E. Tichbon, New Plymouth; L. J. Tonkin, New Plymouth; R. M. Gunn, reporting at Trentham. Non-commis-sioned Officers: Andrew Smith, New Plymouth; P. B. Climo, New; Plymouth. ELTHAM'S QUOTA'.

The draft was joined jy recruit.-! it Eltham and Hawera, the names of these being as follow: — Eltham Contingent: Ij. A. Guillisson, Eltham; C. F. Rowe, Eltham; H. E. Williams, Eltham; D. S. McKinley, Ngaere; A. R. Kemp, Eltham; M. Brown, Matapu; G. W. Collingwood, Eltham; P. S .Burt, Eltham; A. J. Biggar, Kaponga; C. Zinsli, Eltham; C. C. ■Stanners. Eltham; S. Agnew, A'gaerc. Non-commissioned Officer: C. W. Carncross, 'Eltham. HAWEItA'S QUOTA.

Hawera Contingent: J. Davison, a.-'-rata; W. J. Laurent, Hawera; H. Lord, Hawera; R. L. Hooper, Hawera; A. Coutts, Normanby; H. Lacey, Hawera; K. Sharp, Inalia; C. A. Selby, TQkaora; F. H. Brattle, Hawera; V C. M. Colelough, Hawera; W. J. Nixon. Hawera; A. Fowler, Oeo; T. L. Carey, Auroa; M. Lamb, Hawera; B, Mason, reporting at Aramolio; W. J. Mofl'ett, Hawera; ,J. Moffett, Hawera; B. G. Marsom, Inalia; E. Jensen, Hawera; H. 'P. MeGarvic, Hawera; A. R. and H. C. Anderson, reporting at Halcombe; A. H. Ilile, reporting at Palmerston. North.

THE FAREWELL AT HAWERA. There was a largo attendance of the Hawera public at the railway station to wish God-spee. to the Hawera draft of the 23rd Reinforcements. Upon uvival at the station the recruits were heartily cheered. The Mayor (Mr. E. Dixon), on oehalf of the people of Hawera, tha..ked the men for having conie forward voluntarily to serve their King and country, and congratulated them upon their patriotic spirit. The group still required about 49 men to complete the quota, of the draft, while five men were wanted for the December reinforcements. He appealed to all eligiblo men to come forward and offer their services. Were there not any available men in Hawera? Oir were they waiting until conscription came along? Did we want conscription ? It seemed to him that 'conscription must come, New Zealand had sent a great number of men away, and the people were proud of what she had done, »*< the brave deeds of 'her sons. Mr. Asquith had said that every ounce of strength and many sacrifices would be necessary in order to win the war. And the end was not yet. Britain and her Allies were lighting an enemy that had violated every law of God and every law o£ man, and where was the manhood who would shrink from coming forward to assist in the struggle by standing l behind some paltry excuse for not volunteering? If he vere such a man, he would be ashamed to walk the streets of Hawera, or the streets of any town •in thif fair Dominion. He spoke of the many atrocities committed by the enemy—an enemy who would perpetrate the same atrocities on New Zealand women and children if the opportunity occurred. And would the New Zealand manhood permit this? No! These were the days when sacrifices wore necessary, and the flower of New Zealand's manhood had made the greatest sacrifice it was possible to make in the defence of their Empire, [lie asked the people who could not go •\o , the war what sacrifices they were jjoing to make in order to assist in winning the ivm. Those left behind should be prepared to make sacrifices just as those brave lads were doing in the ■trenches. New Zealand remembered with honor md pride the sacrifices made by her sons, and those who were leaving that morning would do their duty as their comrades had lone before them, and, if need be, lay down their lives. He trusted, however, that thev. would all be spared to return to their loved ones, but if nny should fall they would be honored and remembered for ever, and no nun could make i, greater i sacrifice than, by giving his life for his country. (Applause.)

Mr. .f, B. Murdoch, chairman of tbe Hawera County .Council, also spoke. The .Ladies' Committee presented each recruit with a parcel, containing necessaries for eamp life. Major Cox, on behalf of the recruits, briefly thanked the ladies for their gifts, and said the ladies of Hawera had '.lways been to the fore in providing comforts for the men. Cheers were given for the ladies. The band played a number of patriotic selections as the train moved away. —Star.