HOMEWARD BOUND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 149, 5 July 1901, Page 2

HOMEWARD BOUND.

BRAVE BOYS COMING BACK FROM THE FRONT.

(Special to Turns.) Auckland, last night. The Fourth and Fifth Contingents, who are now on their way back to New Zealand, and whose number includes some Gisborne boys, have had a stirring and busy time, and the men will have a full budget of eventful incidents to narrate. The fourth was a specially popular contingent, the outfit having been by subscription, while the horses wero in most cases the gift of friends of troopers. It w’ill bo remembered that when mention was made of sending a contingent of rough riders to Africa, how the Gisborne lads responded to the call of duty, leaving the plough and the furrow, the hammer and the anvil, and the ink wet on the pen. The returning Gisborne warriors indeed must feel grateful to the god of battles for protecting them. The two contingents left the colony about the same time. The Gymcric with the Fourth left Dunedin. She went to Lyttelton, when it embarked a portion of the fifth. Colonel Sommervillo wont in charge on the Gymcric. The Monowai took a portion of the fourth and fifth at Dunedin. The rest went by the Maori and Waimate. Captain Major, of Auckland, was in command of the fifth, on board outlie Maori, and Colonel New-all was in command of tho men on the Waimate. To a great extent these two contingents have acted together. While in South Africa a portion of the fifth was formed into a field battery, and has done good service under Captain Major. The vessels went to Durban, where they wero ordered on to Beira. They were kept there by some mistake for several weeks, in swampy locality. General Carrington, who was then in command of tho force in Rhodesia, went to Beira, and the New Zealanders wore directed by him to proceed by train to Marandella, and from that place they marched to Buluwayo, where Colonel Davis took charge. Shortly after they had numerous engagements with the Boers. They fought with gallantry at Ottoshoop and Zeerust. General Carrington was recalled, and the New Zealanders were placed underGcneral Lord Douglas. They proceeded to Klerksdorp, when they wore joined with a force under Lord Methuen. They had a severe engagement near Hartsbecstfontein, when they took several guns. Mr Bennett Burleigh, tho correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, gave a good description of a fight in which the Fourth and Fifth did splendidly. The Gisborne men have been fortunate on the whole. The Gisborne men of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents, upon their return, will receive what they will deserve —a hearty welcome.

WHEN THE BOYS COME HOME,

the Editor of the Times.) Sir, —Within a week from date our Fourth and Fifth Contingents will likely be with us again, and the writer hopes that there will not be the same muddle made in receiving “ our boys ” (who are dear to every ono of us) which happened last time. I would suggest instead of the dinner by a few (select) at the public expense, and an entertainment under the pretence of hospital funds, that a monster conversazione be held, which the boys would relish far bettor than a “ guzzle ” and stale speeches. Their friends could then meet them without reserve and spend a couple of happy hours. We could then enjoy the “ Canon’s roaring,” as the dear old Canon put it, or anything else in the same line. A popular price could bo charged, say, two shillings per head, which would allow for a hand round cup of coffee, etc. If a surplus results, instead of giving it to the hospital fund (which is getting stale, too, being continually in front of us), it ought to be given towards the new town clock, in remembrance of the occasion.—l am, etc., J. Stewart. Gisborne, July 4th, 1901.