CAMP SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 138, 21 June 1901, Page 2

CAMP SCANDAL.

DISGRACEFUL STATE OF AFFAIRS AT WELLINGTON. HOW THE VOLUNTEERS WERE TREATED. “ FOUR INFERNAL COWARDS.” (Special to Times.) Wellington, last night. Referring to tho complaints of tho volunteers, the Post to - night speaks strongly. It says that a representative visited the oamp, and found the Park under foot unfit for human occupation. Both men and horses lookod miserable, and not a few were in bad health, Tho wnole of the area of the Park upon wkioh the tents are pitched has daily boon a sea ;of mud up to the boot tops. With the very best attention for man and boast tho lot of tho soldiors in tho Park would have been one of utter discomfort, but added to, the unfavorable weather conditions was that of inattention in catering. In that department horses were kopt upon short allowance, and men often went hungry, both by reason of there being no provisions, and bocauso the food whon supplied was badly cooked. Ono of tho officers who had seen service in South Africa is reported to have said that in tho whole of his experience at tho front ho had never put in such a week as at Newtown Park. Ono trooper said ho wouldn’t have minded the treatment so much if ho | were only concerned himself, but whon it camo to a starving horse it was time to squeak. Early this morning Colonol Pole-Penton ordored the parade of tho troops in tho Park, and accompanied by Major Maddocks, the Commandant duly arrived. He was received by Lieut.-Colonol Somerville, who is in oommaud of tho camp, and Colonel Ponton immediately callod tho officers around him. Ho then addressod thorn in a severe tone upon the subject of “ Last night’s disgraceful proceedings,” the action of four troopers who took part in the procession. Ho said they had brought disgrace upon tho wholo of tho proceedings of tho week. It was tho most disgraceful thing that had happened in the wholo of the colonies, and it was deeply painful that it should have happened when the roprosentativo of tho King was with us. An example must bo made of those responsible for tho scandal, and ho (Colonel Ponton) looked to the officers to find out those men, and bring them before him for punishment. It was also to bo regretted that the men should have aired their grievances in tho press. Finally tho Colonel said he laid the wholo blame upon the officers. “ You should,” said the Colonel, “ havo seen to the complaints of the men, and found out what was wanted, and by remedying them prevented this disgraco.” Colonel Somerville was understood to say that he had tried his best to get tho bad condition of affairs remedied, but without success.

The officers then dispersed, some muttering unutterable things, and went along the ranks of their companies, seeking tho names of “ the four.” Some of the men laughed out right when the question was put to them, and the officers had to report that no names were procurable. Then Colonel Ponton addressed himself to tho whole of tho troops. He commenced by saying that up till yesterday the men had borne their hard lot like soldiers, but by tho action of four infernal cowards tho whole regiment had been disgraced. There were in the ranks, ho said, some infernal curs who were not men enough to step forward and own up so as to save the good name of their comrades. “ You four curs! ” exclaimed the colonel, “ who havo spoilt tho whole show have not the pluck to come out, but you go and make a disgraceful scene when tho son of your King is present in tho city. In my regiment, if any of the men had dono as these four have done, their comrades would havo given them a jolly bad time.” At this interesting point of tho proceedings, Colonel Penton, who was addressing tho men with a great deal of warmth, observed a press representative who was standing some little distance away on tho footpath. The Colonel paused, and in a stentorian voice called to the pressman, “ Will you leave here, please,” and the pressman withdrew out of earshot.