OFF TO CAMP.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1918, Page 8

OFF TO CAMP.

MOBILISATION OF 4GTH DRAFT, One of the largest drafts of men that have been sent away to camp since the main body was organised left New Plymouth yesterday morning-, when the local draft of the 46th Reinforcements was farewelled. The draft consisted of about 60 men, moßt of whom were married men with one child each, though there were a lew volunteers from amongst'the men with two children, and a sprinkling of young men who have just come of military age. It was not surprising, therefore, that the gathering at the railway station was one of the largest that has ever been seen here. There were some affecting scenes, as fathers took farewell of their wives and little children. The men were given refreshments at the Patriotic Committee's room by the members of the Women's Patriotic Committee, who also distributed parcels of hold-alls amongst the men. At the station platform the men were briefly addressed by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. W.A. Collis), who said the occasion was one of those all-too-frequent events when men were farewelled on going out to uphold the great traditions of the British Empire. It was his duty to give the official word of farewell in place of the Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of New Plymouth. He could not say it was a pleasure, but he recognised tlie duty of Baying, in the name of the people, a last word to the men as they left for camp. When the first men were sent away no one had any conception of the sacrifice that the world would he called upon to make; hut when in New Zealand it eame to the class of men going away that morning the people must realise how serious the situation was. He concluded by wishing them Godspeed and a safe return. | The Ven. Archdeacon Evans, who also briefly spoke to the men, apologised for the absence of the Mayoress (Mrs. C. 11. Burgess), and said it was the first occasion on which she had missed the farewell to the local men. He wished the men from his heart, in common with the other citizens of New Plymouth, Godspeed. All must realise the seriousness of the aspect of affairs when men such as were going away by that draft were being sent forth to fight for honor and freedom. He urged them and the people to get a proper understanding of the reason for which the men were being sent to fight. It was, he s,;.id, that the world might get rid of a tyranny which threatened to enslave mankind, 'jluc British Umpire had been fighting for freedom for hundreds of years, and the men of to-day would not see the freedom that had been won trampled underfoot. To the men going away he said that they should feel like the knights of old going forth to slay a monster that was prancing through the world. There was no higher cause in which to light than that of freedom for righteou*ness's sake. They should remember that they were not going to light for nothing, but for something which was very real, and which was essentially good. He expressed his assurance that the men who returned would thank God for the part they had had in trampling underfoot such a'monster.

At the call of Mr. Collis, hearty cheers were then given for the men. The Citizens' Band was in attendance, and played a number of selections. The members of the Male Choir, several of whose fellow-members were among the departing men, paid a graceful compliment by turning out and singing on the station platform Adolph Adam's stirring song, "Comrades in Arms," for which they were heartily applauded.

As the train steamed away it was to the accompaniment of more cheering, and the strains of "Auld Lang Syne," played by the band, as well as the sounding of engine sirens in the railway yard. Following is the list of men who were detailed to entrain: L. E. Autridge, E. G. Allen, M. J. I. Armstrong, W. A. C. Harriball, A. C. W. Bellringer, E. Bellringer, W. H. Bircil, P. B. Boyd, J. A. Burr, W. C. Bridger, J, H. Bocock, C. A Condie, A. Cunningham, N. F. M. Clarke, W. Conway, D. Campbell, A. Cassie, L. Copestake, F. E. Dean, A. B. Edgecombe, A. Ellis, L. Ennis, A. Feakins, J. 1 W. I. Fisher, L. S. Gandy, A. E. R. Gilbert, E. A. Golding, H. C. Grayling, E. Harvie, H. Hoyle, P. Hill, C. G. Ingram, C C. Jones, E. G. Johnston, F. B. Jones, 11. J. Johnstone, J. Jury, W. T. Kisbv, A. N. Morey, G. W. MeGee, J. Purdie, G. E. Robinson, W. H. Reader, J. E. Roch, T. Sampson, F. W. Sole, H. A. Skelton, W. A. Schmidt, C. H. Sullivan, T. P. Smith, J. G. Terrill, F. C. Tribe, A. F. Waters, W. H. Way, J Walker, A. J. Watson, A. Walls,

The following entrained yesterday for camp:

Stratford: C. E. Bocock, F. E. Cleland, H. Edwards, E. H. Fazackerley, P. Goldlip, E. G. Hardie, B. V. Kiveil, A. Kennedy, J. Kelly, W. Massey, P. McGrath, H. McC'utchan, A. Patrick, R. E. Plews, M. Reynolds, 11. P. Thompson, F. Weston, J. R, Witt, W. B. Fearon, and J. Oliver. Midhirst: F. A. Bell, A. Moratti, A. Syme, J. H. Tapp, J. Wildon. Eltham: W. Barker, G. Burton, A. B. Clarke, P. W. Chinery, E. A. Drake, ('. Davis, J. Furborough, C. E. S. Gane. A. O. Hemingway, F. G. Harvey, J. J. Horgan. A. Haggas, J. W. Madden, C. L. Pease! J. T. Seed, P. Toumlne, P. Hill, R. Lewis, J. J. Arthur.

Manaia.—E. Davison. John Wliittaker, J. Bridgeman. Tnglewood: V. H. Amves, C. Bovett, P. V. Burr, K. ft. Buchanan, D. E. Egarr, V. h. Egarr, C. C. James, F. K. Hamblvn.