Bright sunshine cast its beams upon the city yesterday morning, when the 10th Reinforcements marched through the streets and entrained for the north, en route to Trentham.
The civic and military arrangements were well made and splendidly carried out, not the slightest hitch occurring anywhere.
Instead of assembling at the Garrison Hall, as heretofore, the men reported at the Kensington Drill Hall, where the group office is now situated.
Here there was a big gathering of friends and interested spectators, between 800 and 1000 people occupying the gallery.
Final instructions and advice to the men were given, and afterwards they were addressed by Colonel E. R. Smith, V.D., brigadier of the Otago Infantry Brigade.
Each man received two tickets - a new departure - for meals on the train. Several ladies of the Otago Patriotic Association were present, and distributed parcels among the men where they seemed to be required.
It may be added that a large number of boxes of sandwiches and cakes were sent to the Railway Station from the Early Settlers' Hall, and several were placed in each of the carriages, so that as far as the trip to Lyttelton was concerned the men would have little to complain of.
Headed by the St Kilda Band, the men marched via the Anderson Bay road to Princes street, and so to the far side of the Octagon, and down Stuart street.
A good many flags were flying, but beyond permanent flagpoles there was not a great attempt to show bunting. Some of the onlookers carried flags, which they waved in honour and farewell.
On January 1 Mornington and Maori Hill will each be represented on the City Council by three representatives, and later on the Bay Town Board, after due formalities of amalgamation procedure have been carried out, will also be represented by three members.
The Mornington Council has appointed three members - Messrs Sincock, Paton and Thomson, and Maori Hill has appointed Messrs Harvour, Hastie and McMillan.
These new councillors will retain office until the next general municipal election to be held in April, 1917.
When the City Council has received its full quota of extra representatives it will consist of 26 councillors and the Mayor, and as the statutory maximum number which can sit on the council is 21, exclusive of the Mayor, steps will have to be taken in April, 1917, to reduce the number to the maximum representation.
On January 1, 1916, the city will become an undivided borough - that is, the ward system will disappear.
Prior to the next general election, however, the council may take steps, if it so desires, to resubdivide the city into wards, on a population basis, each ward having not less than 100 people. - ODT 19.11.1915.
