Seventh Contingent.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 47, 25 February 1901, Page 3

Seventh Contingent.

DEPARTURE OF THE GISBORNE SECTION.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF.

Notwithstanding the fact that the notice with regard to the departure from Gisborne of the local representatives was only received by Major McCredie on Friday evening, that gentleman got quickly to work, and by means of the publicity given in our columns on Saturday morning, was able to inform all intending members of the Gisborne section (with the exception of two at Tokomaru) that they were expected to report themselves that afternoon. The men were subjected to a pretty severe riding test by Major McCredie at Tucker’s paddock yesterday, and on the whole acquitted themselves most satisfactorily. The test occupied from half-past nine until after twelve o’clock, and at the conclusion ten men were selected.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS. Tlie following is a complete list of the members of the Gisborne section :

Daniel Buckley, 23 years, height sft Sin, weight 12st lib, chest 39in T. F. Carlyle, 22 years, sft min, 12.3,

chest 39Jin * AV. L. Cato, 24 years, sft 9in, 10.4, chest

36in J. Hanlon, 25 years, sft BAin, 11.7, chest

88in Ernest N. Law, 20 years 4 months, sft

11,tin, 11.0, chest 37in Percy AV. Teesdalo, 23 years, sft 9in, 11.0, chest 37,tin (two years Bruce Volunteers and in. Milton Cadets) AVilliam Parker, 20 years, sft 74in, 10.4, chest 36in (Gisborne Rifles) T. Porter, 32 years, sft 9tin, 12.0, chest 39in (service five years New Zealand Permanent Artillery, three years New South AValcs Artillery, and sergeant signal-instructor in “Limelight” Heliograph, big and small flags, etc., six months Cuban Light Infantry, instructor 1893, Bcchuanaland Police, 1874 to 1896, in fighting Mashonaland, Matabeleland, taken prisoner at Krugersdorp as ono of Jameson’s

raiders). E. D. Guilford, 23 years, sft 7in, chest 37in, weight 11.2 Charles J. Denny, 29 years, sft 94iin, chest 35in, weight 10.4. MEDICAL EXAMINATION.

After the riding test the men were taken to Drs Hughes and Craig, for medical examination, and they all passed most satisfactorily. Major McCredie then dismissed the men, so that- they might make preparations for embarking on the Te Anau in the evening.

THE jSEND-OFF. Punctually at five o’clock tho men assembled at the Drill-shed, and, headed by Major McCredie, marched to the Victoria Belfry, where the City Band, under Bandmaster Morrison, were in readiness to play them to the wharf. At the word of march the band struck up the favorite patriotic air “ Red, AVhito and Blue,” and the sound of tho martial strains quickly caused a crowd to assemble in Gladstone road.

PRESENTATION FROM CANON WEBB. A pleasing incident occurred as the men inarched to the wharf. A halt for two minutes was made in order to allow the Rov. Canon AVcbb to present each of the men with a copy of the New Testament. In making the presentation, Canon AVebb made a few remarks appropriate to the occasion, and concluded by wishing the men God speed and a safe rsturn. AT THE WHARF. A largo crowd gathered at the wharf to bid farewell to our noble defenders. There was no speechmaking, but His AVorship the Mayor was present, and personally bade farewell to the members of the contingent. The latter were handed over to Sergt.-Major Finn, under whose command they proceed to Napier. The AVaihi blew her last whistle as tho men arrived at the wharf, and a minute later the gangway was ashore. As tho boat drew out in the stream tho crowd cheered the departing troopers, who responded in a like manner, the band playing “Home, Sweet Home ” and other appropriate numbers. The buildings round the wharf wore crowded with spectators, whilst the whole of the foreshore in the vicinity of the stockyard, it being low tide, was lined with friends of the troopers anxious to get a last view of tho stoamer as it steamed down the river.

A ROUGH TRIP. The trip out to the Te Anau was anything but pleasant. There was a southwesterly gale with a rough sea, and many of those on board the AVaihi were forced to pay tribute to Neptuno. To add to the miseries of those on board, the stoamer had two lighters in tow, which greatly prolonged the journey to the Tc Anau. A good deal of amusement was caused by two members of the City Band being unable to play owing to sea-sickness, and they were subjected to a good deal of banter in consequence.. It was some time before the AVaihi was able to get the lighters alongside the Tc Anau, and after getting clear of them she took a. tour around the big steamer, and this made those on board all the more anxious to get to the end of the first stage of their journey.

ON BOARD THE TE ANAU. Arriving on board the Te Anau the members of the contingent wore soon found quurters by the chief steward, Mr Rooney, and when they afterwards assembled on deck they were addressed by Major McCredie. The latter, in bidding them farewell, said they would be in charge of Sergeant-Major Finn as far as Napier, but he had appointed Trooper T. R. Porter acting-sergeant, and upon arriving in Napier he would receive despatches from Sergt.-Major Finn to take charge of the section as far as Wellington. Major McCredie further stated that he was quite satisfied that the Gisborne members of the Seventh Contingent would equally maintain the rights of our great Empire with those that had gone before, and would, he was sure, bring credit and renown to the colony. Ho hoped that none of them would do anything that would tarnish the grand old flag. He sincerely trusted that' nothing would happen to anyone of them, and that they would all return crowned with honors to the district which sent them forth. He could assure them that the warmest of welcomes would await them when they returned. The men fully appreciated the kindness they had received at Major MeCredie’s hands, and three hearty cheers were accorded him before he left the steamer.

THE LAST GOOD-BYE. The City Band again struck up as the launch cast off from the Te Anau, and cheers were several times given by those on board for the members of the contingent. The boys on board the Te Anau were equally enthusiastic, and cheers and counter cheers intermingled with farewell messages prevailed as the two steamers parted company. The departing troopers were together in the steamer’s rigging, and for some time after the Wailii left could be seen waving a last good-bye to their friends on board the tender. The send-off to the members of the Seventh Contingent was a warm and hearty one, and should cause the boys to cr o forth with a good heart to their mission over tho seas. That they will give a good account of themselves we have no misgiving, and as one gentlemau remarked as he eyed them in the rigging, “ They are a fine set of young men, and will, I am sure, hold then- own with any they are likely to meet.” And so say all of us.