It has been reported that South Otago's quota to the new unit is 66.
The Clutha Leader has, in the last fortnight, published the names of 52 Clutha men (including a few from the Kaitangata district) who had enrolled and were awaiting orders to depart for Trentham.
A recruiting rally was held at Clinton on Saturday night, addresses being given by Mr Malcolm, M. P., Lieutenant-colonel Stoneham, and Mr Davidson (Dunedin).
Four recruits gave in their names. Already 35 men have left from the Clinton district, some being at the front and some at Trentham.
Mr and Mrs J. B. Calder, of Clinton, have given four sons to the Empire's service, and three brothers named Graham have gone from the same district.
Three brothers named Coppin have enrolled from Catlins.
There are many Clutha families from which two brothers have volunteered, and there are homes where only the father and mother are left to carry on the work.
The sacrifice is nobly and unflinchingly borne.
Families containing grown up unmarried sons, which have not contributed a man, and do not intend to contribute until it is compulsory, are also known.
The young men are not in all cases the only shirkers, for parents are known to make every endeavour to keep their sons at home, and certainly the need of recruits has brought about in many previously undutiful sons a now strict observance of the commandment to ''Honour thy father and thy mother''.
The Balclutha contingent leaving this week was entertained at a smoke social last night by residents of the town, and on Thursday night they will be tendered a farewell social by the Balclutha Patriotic Association.
It is the intention of the Patriotic Association to meet at Harvey Hall on Friday afternoon and march to the station with the departing soldiers about 4.15. The local band will be present.
• An exceptional instance of patriotism has come to the knowledge of the Auckland Star.
It is that of Mr Thomas Hunt, brother of Mrs Watts, sen., of Morrinsville.
Although 70 years of age, Mr Hunt left for Sydney, en route for England, with the intention of getting to the front if possible.
If he cannot get to the fighting line he will go to the ammunition works at Elswick and try and get work there so as to set free younger men for active service.
He has relatives in Morpeth, which is not a great way from Elswick.
When war broke out in South Africa Mr Hunt tried to enlist in New Zealand, but, on account of advanced years - he was nearly 60 years old then - he was not accepted.
He therefore went to Sydney and joined the ''Sydney Bushmen''.
He served as a doctor's orderly for a good deal of the time, and was one of the party that was hemmed in by the Boors at Elands River.
They were surprised by the enemy, and had to dig themselves in under fire, losing a number of their men and all their horses.
For three weeks they were surrounded, until relieved by the British, and during this time Mr Hunt won the D.S.M. for hoisting a flag (improvised out of a red quilt) in the shelter they were using as a hospital, being exposed to the heavy fire of the enemy all the time.
He was invalided home during the war, but on recovery he again went to the front, and joined a mounted corps.
With the exception of being a little lame, he enjoys very good health, and is very keen on serving his country in the present great crisis.
His example should be a stimulus to younger men. He intends to join the Marathon at Sydney. - ODT, 26.5.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
