WW100

After six weeks at Tahuna Park the Otago force boarded the troopships and departed.

Another opportunity of seeing one section of the Otago troops - the Infantry Battalion - on the march in full order was given to the people of Dunedin yesterday, when a route of march of the whole battalion was taken.

The departing soldier's problem: How to get into one kit bag the following details:- 2 blankets, 2 complete uniforms, 2 pairs boots, 2 singlets, 2 shirts, 2 pairs underpants, 2 pairs sox, 2 side hats, 2 caps, jersey, hold-all, housewife, 2 towels, mess tin, spurs, jack knife, bandolier, cholera belt, shaving utensils, brushes, etc. etc.

The interesting announcement was made in the House of Representatives last night by the Prime Minister that, as the outcome of communications that have passed between the Governments at Home and in the dominion, the Imperial authorities are prepared to accept the services of 200 Maoris for utilisation in Egypt.

An interesting paper relating to the question of alternative service for religious and conscientious objectors to military training was laid on the table of the House yesterday by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen).

The funeral of 24 of the Huntly victims took place this afternoon. The bodies, which were placed on drays drawn by horses, left King's Hall for the Kimihia Cemetery, two miles away, headed by the band of the 16th Waikato Regiment.

The Works Committee of the Otago University Council reported, interalia, as follows: Professor Boys Smith waited on the committee with reference to the calling of tenders for the Home Science Hostel.

Another of the pleasant evenings arranged for the Expeditionary Force by the Women's Association was held in the Early Settlers' Hall last night.

His Excellency the Governor has received the following cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr L. Harcourt), dated London, September 9, at 7.10 p.m.:-

The indictment of the German soldiers on the charge of having committed flagrant excesses, involving acts of the grossest barbarity and savagery, during their invasion of Belgium gains in gravity and impressiveness.

One of the main difficulties that confronted the Defence authorities in equipping the Expeditionary Force was the obtaining of a sufficient supply of horses suitable for artillery purposes.

PARIS (August 2): The aeroplane as an engine of war has thus early in the European conflict received its baptism of fire and promises to be one of the chief factors in the approaching struggle.

The detailed account, which we are able to furnish this morning, of the occupation of German Samoa by the advance expeditionary force from New Zealand provides an interesting chapter in the history of the dominion.

Jostled to one side by columns of cablegrams and other matter relating to the war an announcement published in our issue of yesterday may well have been in danger of being overlooked. Yet it was important enough.

The desire of Maori subjects of the King to serve in the ranks of the British Army in Europe was represented to the Government in the House of Representatives this evening.

We are disposed to fear that there is a good deal of ground for the complaint that many members of the Expeditionary Force, now in camp at Tahuna Park, are drinking a great deal more liquor than is good for them on their nightly visits to the city.

A faculty of war news this morning is suggestive of the development - in the western theatre - of some important movement.

The news of the occupation of German Samoa by the first New Zealand Expeditionary Force will not create very much surprise in the dominion.

Punctually at a quarter past 9 yesterday morning, General Sir A. Godley arrived at Tahuna Park for the purpose of inspecting the Otago and Southland Contingent of the Expeditionary Force now being concentrated there.

Not many of the miners at Westport who declined to give up their usual pay - to meet the demand for an increased output of Westport coal will greatly appreciate, we imagine, the manner in which they are coming into the public eye.