Dunedin has had ample opportunity of late to become familiar with the spectacle of men marching away on active service, but it was obvious yesterday that custom has in no degree diminished the public enthusiasm with which such a spectacle is always properly regarded.
The crowds that waited patiently at the Garrison Hall and at the railway station, and that lined the route of march along High street, Princes street, and Stuart street, were never larger or more hearty in their eager desire to express their appreciation of the men who have declared their readiness for the great sacrifice.
As one of the speakers at the station pointed out, whatever delusions may have been entertained by volunteers 12 months ago, every man who steps forward now knows exactly what he is facing.
It is to the everlasting credit of the men of the reinforcements, and to the glory of their country, that the tale of hardships and wounds and death at the front has come to them, not as a warning to stay, but as an irresistible call to go.
It was a realisation of this quiet, and, perhaps, mostly unconscious heroism, deep in the heart of each of the departing men, that gave zest to the ringing cheers that so often greeted them yesterday.
• The public of Dunedin has now fully awakened to the magnificent and absorbing interest of the spectacle that has been arranged in the huge Drill Hall as a fitting close and climax to a combined and prolonged patriotic effort, - a Queen Carnival on a scale never before known in this community.
The extent to which the display is being appreciated may be gauged from the fact that the total attendance last evening was estimated at something like 7000. Fortunately, the hall is commodious enough to accommodate even that crowd without undue inconvenience.
The scene, as viewed from the broad gallery that completely encircles the building, was a memorable one. In all parts of the hall salesmen were doing their utmost to attract attention with bells, horns, and whistles, or voices that would put to shame any ordinary foghorn.
It says much for the financial resources of the community that, after all that has been so generously given during the past months, the money seemed still to be flowing freely last night and stall holders, salesmen, and sideshowmen were all winning satisfactory patronage.
The attendance in the afternoon was fair, and a pleasing musical programme was submitted by Beath's Orchestra.
• There were a fair number of farmers in town on Saturday, and a brisk business was done in seeds and manures, which is further evidence that an increased area will be sown in cereals in Southland this year.
Farmers throughout the province are firmly of the opinion that the winter and the spring so far this year have been the finest that they can remember.
In consequence sowing is being carried on under the most favourable possible circumstances, and the ground has never been in better order for the reception of seed.
The mildness and dryness of the winter, and the warmth of the early spring have been much appreciated factors in allowing the turnip crops to hold out and some farmers have sufficient swedes to see them through well on to the early part of November.
Dairy factory companies continue to be disinclined to sell their outputs for the coming season, and are of the opinion that, if they hold on, all will be well with them.
- ODT, 25.8.1915.
