Sixth reinforcement leave Dunedin

Troops of the Sixth Reinforcements drawn up in rank outside the Town Hall, under the direction of...
Troops of the Sixth Reinforcements drawn up in rank outside the Town Hall, under the direction of Captain Fraser, prior to their departure for Trentham on Saturday, April 17. - Otago Witness, 28.4.1915.
Otago's quota of men for the Sixth Reinforcements left Dunedin on Saturday at midday.

The public took a deep interest in the farewell, and at the Garrison Hall, in the Octagon, and at the railway station there were huge but very orderly assemblies.

At the railway station, when the men were entering to entrain, the crowd was dense, and it was only by the exercise of tact and forbearance that the police managed to keep the way clear for the departing soldiers.

At 10 o'clock the men mustered in the Garrison Hall, the gallery of which was crowded by the public.

The people simply rushed the hall, and the front door had to be closed.

The platform was occupied by members of the Recruiting Committee, the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association, and the Otago Women's Patriotic Association.

The roll was called while the men were drawn up in lines ... after which the men were marched, in parties of 20, to the stage, where they received and signed for their kits, the gifts of the Women's Association and the handiwork of many hundreds of women in the city and suburbs.

The men from Invercargill and other southern districts arrived shortly after 11 o'clock, and joined their comrades in the hall, and after final instructions had been issued by Captain Fraser the men left by the main door, fell in behind the Kaikorai Band, and marched to the Octagon by way of High street and Princes street.

The streets were lined with people, who cheered the soldiers as they marched along.

The Town Hall was gay with bunting.

Part of the street immediately opposite the steps was roped off, and a crowd began to gather there shortly after 10 o'clock.

Fife and drum bands from the schools brightened the period of waiting with familiar patriotic selections.

The Mayor and councillors, and a number of clergymen and others gathered at the top of the steps, where a small platform had been arranged.

It was 20 minutes past 11 before the strains of the Kaikorai Band first heralded the approach of the men along Princes street.

They were greeted with great cheering, and drawn up in rank facing the steps under direction of Captain Fraser.

Ladies of the Patriotic Association passed through the ranks, distributing tins of tobacco to all the men.

After addresses from the Mayor, Mr J. B. Shacklock, Rev Fr Coffey and the Primate, Bishop Nevill, the men marched to the railway station.

Lower Stuart street was packed with people, especially the area in front of the station.

Relatives and friends pressed forward to say a final word of farewell, and the general public, in their eagerness to see the departing troopers, encroached upon the space intended for the four-abreast soldiers, and things became somewhat mixed.

But it was a good-natured and happy crowd, and the police gave valuable help.

Ten carriages were in waiting, and nine of these were soon filled with the rollicking, happy band, the other carriage being reserved for the Palmerston and Oamaru contingents.

A few minutes after noon all the men were aboard, and the train pulled out, accompanied by the best wishes of the city and a salvo of cheers from a crowd lining the railway fence and others who stood on stacks of timber or similar points of vantage in the vicinity.

 It is understood that the Maraweka Estate, near Maheno, will shortly be balloted for (says the North Otago Times).

Surveyors are now busy with the subdivision, and it is expected that the sections will be open for selection by the end of June.

It is good agricultural land, and should be eagerly sought after by those who purpose following dairying. - ODT, 19.4.1915.

 


COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ


 

 

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