RECEPTION OF THE N.S.W. CONTINGENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1219, 10 July 1885, Page 3

RECEPTION OF THE N.S.W. CONTINGENT.

(From the Dunedin “ Evening Star.’’) It is hrrdly possible to give an estimate of the numbers, hut it it were said that 1511,000 saw the demonstration the approximation would not be extravagant, and upon them all, or rather upon all who were not sheltered, fell the rain. The men on board the Arab crowded on the starboard side to catch the first words of welcome from the quay, and when faces could be distinguished the recognitions were hearty, and quite like (he greetings of colonial youths. “ What ho, Bill.” “ Bill, how are you ? Did you dish the Mahdi ? How’s Paterson ? ” “ Quite well,” and so on. Then came the sound of music from the road leading behind the quay to La>ly Macquarie’s Chair, and very soon the Naval Brigade, with their band, passed into the enclosure to a quick step, the more jaunty because it was to the refraiu of “ Our Jack’s come home to-day.” They weie scarcely iu position before another baud was beard, and another, and in a minute or two the infantry and artillery divisions passed before the ship aul cheered so loudly that tha bandsmen thought it was no use playing, and s > joined in the demonstration, and swung trombon-.a, cornets, and drumsticks in the nir io acceutua’e the r gladness. The liflemen waved their rifles, the officers their swords, and they were all so excited that the contingent looked as if they would like to break bounds and rush dowu to the wharf to make the enthusiasm more in-ten-e. This was really the first taste of the spirit that was manifested to a greater degree a few minutes afterwards When the hawsers were made fast, a gangway was fixed, and one or two of the officers, including Colonel Richardson, Colonel Spalding, and M jor Airey, came down, and received au informal but warm welcome, They were soon afterwards received by the Governor, the Premier, Sir Alexander Stuart, Mr Dailey, ami other members of the Ministry ; Sir James Martin, the Chief Justice, and a number of other public men. The representatives of the sister colonies were the next arrivals, Sir George Verdou being the embodiment of the happy and congratulatory feelings of ad Victorians ; and after them came the Victorian officeis in full uniform and mounted, and headed by Colonel Turner. The contingent then landed, au Arab donkey being brought off as a tiophy of the trip, and the convalescent sick looking on from the vessel. The officers entitled to seats in the saddle found their horses properly furnished, and they rode up and down the line in the rain, proud of the exploits of their men, and flashed with a due sense of the cordiality with which they were all greeted. The men were all glad to be on shore, and acknowledged with unrestrained but pardonable warmth the signals of goodwill from the ladies in the large wool warehouse above. Some few had friends to apeak to them even at this early stage, when the civilians inside the enclosure numbered less than 200. They had walking sticks from the Soudan lashed to their rifles, and one or two had spears, to show what weapons the British had to contend with in close quarters. They all wore the Khakeo uniform, which is of a dull greyshade, very much the worse for wear, wii hj pith helmets of the regulation pattern ; and they looked just as they might be expected to look after the campaign. In physique they' were choice specimens, but it could be seen that they were not in such good condition as when they started three months and a-half ago. The fatiguing climate into which they were sent, and the rigors of the expedition, had left marks upon their faces and forms, which, however, should be set right in a few months of Australian weather. It must have been difficult for them to realise that they had ever been away, the scene was so like the scene of March 3. excepting that that was a bright day, and this was so miserably wet. But the enthusiasm of the people was quite as imposing, for they now rejoiced at tho return of the brands plucked from the burning. At the south gato the contingent were pressed very closely. The crowd cheered, and tho steamers whistled loudly and discordantly. “ Hooray, hooray,” shouted one excited man, who rushed at a sergeant. “ Hooray, my eye,” retorted tho officer. “ Next time I’ll do tho hollering, and you can go.” The umbrellas on the hill moved up and down to show the jcy of their owners, and tho people from the windows wave-1 their handkerchiefs and beckoned. They went via Macquarie street and I’itt street, and there received a greeting a hundred times greater than that at

the water side. In Hunter street tho pack was dense, and in George street the

demonstration wrs enthusiastic in the extreme. Men and women ; burst into tho ranks to recognise relatives, and the officers being on the look out for familiar faces, no donbt did not upbraid. Once tho inbreak was serious, and a subaltern whispered into

a woman's oar j “It’s all right, but you must leave the ranks, you know. You will see him again shortly.” “Oh, but, sir, I’m so glad to see him; do let me slay 1 He’s my husband.” The appeal could not be resisted, and man and wife walked together to the barrack gates. A young private was clutched by a brother, who handed him a small brandy bottle, but it was first offered to a lieutenant, who took a sip in recognition of the compliment, and then it was passed amongst the men until exhausted, “Hero you are, George,” said another friend, and he pushed a bottle of rum into the hands of a stalwart corporal, and that was also emptied. Fruit was distributed freely, and the ladies in the balconies threw flowers, with which the warriors decorated their rifles and helmets. There was goodwill everywhere, and the marching order was wonderfully well preserved, considering all the interruption. When the addresses (which we omit for the present) had been delivered all the men of the contingent marched out of the barracks. In a minute or two they were dismissed, and then there was a scene unlike anything else ever witnessed in Australia. These were our first soldiers who had seen service elsewhere, and this particular moment was the first of . their liberty on their return. No wonder that they jumped and raced about like demons, and embraced their wives and mothers, sisters and brothers, and everybody who looked as if she or he would like an embrace. A great many immediately handed over.tho Lit) received the day before as an instalment of their pay, in order that the amount might be safely kept. Some rushed out of the gates for their homes, and although the rain continued, very few thought it necessary to seek shelter. When the real business of the day had terminated, the crowd, that is to say, those who had no relations, quickly returned to their homes, and by two o’clock there were fewer people in the streets than usual. The dirty grey uniform could be seen at many corners still wet, and late into the evening reminiscences were being poured into the ears of all listeners—“ When I was in the Soudan, etc.” Altogether the demonstration was a very extraordina'y one, the more so because of the inclement weather. It is intended to disband the contingent at once, and people are wonderi ing what is to become of most of them.

Speaking at a banquet to the officers of the contingent Governor Lottua said the movement bore a political character and was of great value. It had shown the sympathetic union of the colonies with the Mother Country, giving proof that should the necessity arise the colonies would combine as one man and march shoulder to shoulder with Her Majesty’s forces in defence of tha British Empire. It is proclaimed an Imperial Federation. Colonel Haultain made a good speech for the visitors. In simple, earnest language he thanked New South Wales for the great servioe she had rendered to all the dependencies of the Empire. It was a new epoch in the history of Groat Britain, and would he the foundation if not the chief cornerstone of that splendid structure—lmperial Federation.