Tents pitched, ready for training

Owaka, "The Place of Boats": a holiday party in their "flattie" heading up the river. - Otago...
Owaka, "The Place of Boats": a holiday party in their "flattie" heading up the river. - Otago Witness, 12.8.1914. Copies available from the ODT front office, Lower Stuart St, or www.otagoimages.co.nz
The mobilisation of the whole of the soldiers who have volunteered for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has been commenced in earnest.

Telegrams were despatched on Tuesday to all country volunteers ordering them to entrain for Dunedin, and local men received their intimations through the ordinary channels.

Yesterday a volunteer force assisted in the pitching of tents at Tahuna Park, where the volunteers are being concentrated for training preparatory to their departure.

The understanding has been that unit commanders would recommend the suitable men from amongst those offering, have them medically examined, and then send them to camp, where, after some training the final selection would be made by the district staff.

Strict military discipline will be maintained at the camp, and the public will not be admitted indiscriminately.

The number desired from Otago is in the vicinity of 2000, including 750 mounted men.

Preference is being given to Territorials 20 years of age and over, but there is excellent material outside the ranks of the Territorials, and a moment's reflection will make it abundantly clear that quite a considerable number of volunteers who are not Territorials will be required.

•The University Teaching Staff will give four horses to the Patriotic Fund.

The Loyal Orange institution has donated 25 for the purchase of a horse for the Expeditionary Force.

The employees of the Excelsior Hotel, from whom we acknowledge a contribution of 5 5s this morning, have expressed their willingness to donate one day's pay per week to the Patriotic Fund.

At a special meeting of the High Street School Committee it was resolved to raise subscriptions to supply a horse for the Expeditionary Force.

Opportunity was taken at the same time to wish farewell to Mr W. Fleming, a committee-man of some years standing, who is under orders to proceed to the front. Messrs W. Gregg and Co. (Limited) and Mr W. B. Fea have each donated a horse.

Two of the employees have volunteered. The positions will be kept open for them, and they will also receive half-pay.

At a meeting of the directors of the Associated Chemists All-night Pharmacy Company, it was unanimously decided to donate a horse to the Patriotic Fund.

A deputation representing the Syrian community in Dunedin yesterday handed us the sum of 45.

The deputation stated, on behalf of the Syrians, that they regarded themselves as members of the British Empire.

A mass meeting of the employees of the Railway Workshops was held at noon yesterday. Mr J. Carson (manager) presiding.

It was unanimously decided to give one day's pay towards the Expeditionary Fund, and each man also agreed to give 1s per week as long as the war lasted.

The pupils and staff of the Arthur Street School have responded splendidly to the committee's request to furnish a horse.

Asked to bring their own money, they subscribed over 21 inside two days.

This, with subscriptions from the committee, ensures the purchase of a first class mount, which will be given, preferably to some old boy of the school going to the front.

The staff of Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Limited), Dunedin, have subscribed 103 to the Patriotic Fund, the money to be applied to the relief of local distress of any kind that may be caused by the war.

At a largely-attended meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Horticultural Society last evening, convened by the president (Mr B. S. Irwin), it was unanimously decided to donate 25 towards the purchase of a horse for the Expeditionary Force. - ODT, 14.8.1914.

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