ANZAC CONTINGENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 April 1938, Page 8

ANZAC CONTINGENT

BOUND FOR SYDNEY CELEBRATIONS ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF At the Wellington wharf last night an enthusiastic send-off was accorded the New Zealand ex-servicemen who are to take part in the Anzac Day celebrations in Sydney. Previous to embarking in the Maunganui and the Monowai over 1300 men marched through the streets of Wellington. Wreaths were placed on the Citizens’ Wai’ Memorial and then an official farewell was tendered from the steps of Parliament Buildings, where the Governor-General wished them bon voyage, farewell speeches being also made by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon M. J. Savage, and the mayor- of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop. Ma-jor-General Sir Andrew Russell replied on behalf of the contingent As the veterans, 12 abreast, marched to popular war-time tunes through streets lined with' people, similar scenes in which they had all taken part over 20 years ago were recalled. This occasion was happier, because those who were about to say good-bye to friends and relatives knew that they would be seeing them again soon; yet there was sadness, too, because the absence of many of those who had marched in former parades was not forgotten.

The scene on the wharf prior to the departure of the steamers was reminiscent of the days of the Great War. For an hour the air was filled with music and songs that awakened memories. The night, cool and calm, was one for enthusiasm, and the men on the brilliantly-lighted ships were given a send-off that left no doubt as to the feelings of the people toward the “diggers.” On the wharf the familiar songs such as “Tipperary,” “Pack Up Your Troubles,” “The Girl I Left Behind Me," “Long, Long Trail” were led by the Port Nicholson Silver Band, and the crowd joined in the singing with the men on both ships. A few of the travellers watched through the portholes, but most of them packed the decks to join in the general cheerfulness and help to thicken the red, white, and blue streamers that fluttered gaily in the light breeze. A rousing outburst of cheering greeted the departure of the vessels, and from the latter came the strains of “Tipperary” borne to the thousands standing on the wharf. The contingent which numbers 1337, is representative of all units of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, including nursing sisters, and of all ranks from the former G.O.C. of the New Zealand Division, Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, to privates, sappers, riflemen, gunners and drivers. The Maunganui and Monowai will arrive at Sydney at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday. The big day of the celebrations will be Monday, when 50,000 Anzacs will march through the streets of Sydney to the Domain, where an open-air service will be conducted by Dean G. R. Cruickshank, Dunedin. NO ABSENTEES. WHOLE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE REPRESENTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr S. J. Harrison, General Secretary of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, stated today that the members of the contingent were carefully checked as they went aboard the steamers last night and, as far as could be ascertained, every man sailed. One Maori had been taken ill, but had been replaced by a member of the same race. The contingent represented every unit of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and every reinforcement. The Union Company today received a radiogram from the Maunganui stating that the men were thoroughly enjoying themselves.