Wellington, so accustomed to military pageants, might be excused if it became less spontaneous in its cheering and more critical in its observations, but the fact is that every time troops march through the streets the people crowd eagerly to cheer them and praise them and shower presents of flowers upon them.
It is not done in any carnival spirit.
The helmeted soldiers with crutches, who may now always be seen about, and the tear-stained faces of the women who watch their boys marching gaily to war, kill any suggestion of that.
Every time troops make their farewell march through the streets the almost unanimous verdict has been, ''The best yet''.
The people thought the same today.
This is said to be the largest body of men ready for active service that has been seen in Wellington since the Main Body left, and the dense crowds through which they had almost to force a way, though not modifying in the least their admiration of earlier reinforcements, declared that a finer or more intelligent looking body of men has not left these shores.
Some special feature distinguished each section.
The mounted rifles of the Seventh Reinforcement led the march.
They were all big men, and as they swung along with shoulders squared and firm set resolute face held high, they represented the beau ideal of the colonial soldier.
Their marching was splendid.
The long lines of green-wrapped slouch hats seen over the heads of the crowd, moved in almost perfect rhythm.
• Commenting on a remark by a Waimate County Council member, that starlings take grain as well as sparrows, Mr Cain, at the meeting of the Levels County Council, said (reports the Herald) that this was a great mistake; he had had a long experience, and had never yet known starlings to do any harm.
These remarks were endorsed by Mr McKeown.
• A well-known Christchurch ''sport'' who came to Dunedin last week to attend the races, declares that he has discovered the champion mean man.
Before, he left Christchurch the sport was asked by a casual friend to telegraph up a tip if he heard of ''anything good'', and in compliance with the request he did so, on Friday morning, sending along the names of three horses, two of which proved to be winners, while the other one drew a second dividend.
Imagine the sport's surprise when he received a collect telegram - 8d to pay - on Saturday morning, thanking him for the tip.
It is quite safe to prophesy that no more tips will be sent on to the ''grateful'' Christchurch friend.
• Mr H. S. Alpe has been training assiduously for the past six weeks, and feels confident (says the Christchurch Sun) of being able to lower his own record for the 54 miles' walk on October 29 in aid of the Veterans' Association Home for Soldiers' Fund.
Mr Alpe will walk from Hawarden to Christchurch.
He hopes to accomplish the walk in something under 12 hours. - ODT, 11.10.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
