S FROM THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 161, 19 July 1901, Page 2

S FRO M THE WAR.

M v OUS DISAPPEARANCE OF FIFTEEN TROOPERS. a wap:: deception; awaiting THEM.

To s , that the public of Gisborne were disappointed yesterday morning is to mildly . fate the ease. The non-arrival of our noble defenders was felt bitterly, and it will take the town some time to recover its good humor. The morning was not of the pleasantest, and it needed but a feather to break the equanimity of temper of the many persons who braved the elements for the purpose of taking passage by the lirst launch. Our reporter sought not his feathery couch, in order that he might bo in readiness to catch the Waihi, and he had also worked himself up to that due pitch of enthusiasm which such an occasion demanded. lie was prepared to shout “■ liule Britannia ” and sing - God Save the King” with the best of Gisborne’s loyal subjects. t a -» a 1 i* . 1 TIT . M.: 1- _ 1

On the crowded decks of the Waihi he I had little difficulty in making out the countenance of the genial Harbormaster, Capt. Thomson, who was going out to the steamer in pleasurable anticipation of meeting his son, one of tho returned troopers. 11c was accompanied by several other residents, who wore also going out to meet their sons on their return from South Africa. Tho energetic manager of the Union Steamship Company was also on board, looking as fresh as the_ river itself

after the heavy rain. The excitement of those on board was at its height as the little tender drew alongside the magestic Tc Anau. and everyone was on the tip-toe of expectancy. All eyes were searching the decks of the steamer for our noble “ heroes of the veldt,” who had come seathless through a thousand encounters, but as no sign anywhere of them could be seen, it was presumed that they were locked in the arms of Morpheus. A sympathetic passenger on board the AVaihi was heard to exclaim, “ Let the poor devils sleep ou, no doubt they are glad of a rest after the banqueting they have been subjected to sinco they returned to New Zealand.”

And this sentiment was re-echoed by the rest of the company. Upon reaching the docks of the Te Amur it was decided to wait events with the host patience that we could muster, although no ono for a moment dreamt of the true state of affairs. The irrepressible reporter, however, could not contain himself, so thought ho would fill in the time interviewing the purser. After some little trouble ho found an officer, and approached him with the remark, “ I suppose you have had a lively trip up the coast with the returning troopers ? ” The person addressed endeavored to fence the question, but being ultimately driven into a corner, exclaimed, “ There is only one left.” “ And what have you done with the rest'. 1 ” asked our reporter as .visions of accidents by sea and land flashed through his mind.

“ Oh, I think tliey remained in Wellington,” said the olliccr. “ There was a race meeting on there yesterday, and the totalisaton was paying out on two horses. You can bet your life they are alright.” “ But,” remonstrated our scribe, “ We have a good time in store for them on shore this morning. We have two bands and several companies of volunteers, as well as the public of Gisborne and surrounding districts on the wharf to meet them at nine o’clock, and besides all this Ilis Worship the Mayor and several other local dignitaries have been up all night preparing speeches for the edification of the troopers.” “ The speeches can wait,” cynically replied the Purser, “ and as for your public demonstration, that will also keep ; you people on shore seem to do nothing else but farewell and welcome troopers. Don’t you think you have had about enough of it ?"

Our reporter admitted that there was a good deal of truth in the officer’s statement, but was resolved to make another attack. “It seems very strange that the captain did not answer the Mayor’s tolcgram. Why on earth did you not telegraph and say you had no Gisborne troopers on board ?” “ Oh, the captain did receive a telegram,” continued the officer in an offhand manner, “ but having no troopers on board did not bother. Any reasonable person would have supposed that the returning prodigals would have advised their parents of the day that they wore coming, so that preparations might have been made for their welcome home. If I had been a returning trooper I should have wired to my best girl the moment I landed in New Zealand, and should probably have acquainted my parents of the fact that I was coming homo. They could then have killed the fatted calf and given me a right royal welcome. But these young colonials arc very happy-go-lucky individuals ; they expect the authorities to do everything for them, even to informing their parents as to the exact day and hour when they are coming home.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival at the cabin door of several members of the Reception Committee, who, on being made aware of the true state of affairs, wore greatly disconcerted, one remarking, “ l'or goodness soke, let us got on shore and hide ourselves ; there ,vill he the old gentleman to play when the public realises how they have been fooled.” With great discretion, the only trooper who returned resolved to disguise himself and come ashore by the wrong boat, so as to escape the notice of the public on landing. “ It is hardly to be expected that one trooper could bear the whole burden of the reception,” remarked our reporter to a bystander, “ and it is just as well to allow him to get home to the bosom of his family.” The trip back to the wharf seemed much longer than usual, and there was an air of sadness over the passengers as they stepped ashore. As our reporter took his cab for homo ho was handed the following telegram, which unfortunately should have reached the Turns office the previous evening i “ Lost, somewhere between Dunedin and Napier, locality not exactly known, fifteen partially-returned troopers. The Mayor of Gisborne will be glad of any information that will lead to their recovery, as their parents and relations, who have not hoard of them for some days, will be anxious for their welfare.” “ Can it bo possible that after passing scathless through a thousand battles that they have fallen by the wayside'?” was the thought uppermost in the mind of our scribe as ho journeyed home.-