36TH REINFORCEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1918, Page 3

36TH REINFORCEMENTS.

DEPARTURE OF NEW PLYMOUTH QTOTA. The New Plymouth men for the 3(>tli Reinforcements left for camp by the mail train yesterday morning. They were given a public farewell at the railway station. Gift parcels containing the usual supply of comforts were Ndjstribu'tod ajnongst the men by the Women's Patriotic Committee. There was a goodly gathering of citizens to see the men away and they were giyen an enthusiastic send-off. The Citizen's Band was in attendance and played a number of appropriate selections. The Rev. F. G. Harvie, vicar of St. Mary's, who addressed the men, said he counted it an honor to be asked to speak to them. They were that day starting on a life of service, and he commended to them the motto of the Prince of Wales: "I serve." He said the great thing in life was not to succeed but to serve. As members of the army they would carry the nation's honoi in their hands. If they were good soldiers their country would prosper, but if they were bad soldiers their country, as well as themselves, would be dragged m the dirt. There were many whom duty required to stay at home who would prefer to go into camp and to the front, flic great thing to remember, however, was that the life of service was the highest form of life, and therefore the happiest life. As members of an army they must be prepared to sink themselves for the success of the irrny. The success of the whole was the thing to fight for. If they remembered that they would find hardship more easy to endure. He earnestly urged them to keep their characters clean, for if they did not then the character of their country would be dra?ged in the dust. Soldiers' work was God's work, and God's work was to serve. Tn conclusion, he expressed a hope that they would all come back and help to build up a healthy I,'ife in the community. He was sure thev would come back with a large and wider nutlook on life. It would require all the strength and purity possible to build up the world after the war was over. His Worship the Mayor added a few words. He said it was the first draft of reinforcements he had addressed this year, but. he hoped, and was sure every, one else hoped, that before the year was out peace, if not actually signed, would he well within sight. There was a certain amount of war weariness all over the world. All the nations were wanting peace. There never was a time, however, when stouter and braver hearts were needed more than at present. It was no time to 'be weary, especially for those who remained at home. He wished the men God-speed and a safe return. Cheers were given for the soldiers at the Mayor's call, and as the train steamed away from the station engine. sirens were sounded and the band played "Auld Lang Syne." The proceedings terminated with the playing oft the National Anthem. Following are the names of the men who went away:— Butler. P. B. Frewin, B. W Fletcher, B. H. ' Jury, E. E. / Kendall, \\~, *" 'T.nrsen, V. H. (3. Wilcox, Pv THE WAITARa QUOTA. The following men entrained at Lep_-: perton Junction: C. M. Fulton, R. A. Limmer, W. J. Murray, T. S. A. Marsh, W. Tuson, R. A. Morgan, L. G. E. Payne, W. H. Lash.