OUR SOLDIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 339, 13 February 1902, Page 2

OUR SOLDIERS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, last night. All detail work at the Ninth Contingent camp is complete, and everything is in capital working order, thanks to the thorough organisation of tho camp commander, Captain O’Brien. The drill arrangements are under tho direct supervision of Lieutenant Davis. Yesterday, squads of recruits and others more advanced wero put through a course of instruction. A number of rifles have been sent to the camp for instruction purposes. The first drill in the use of the rifle was given yesterday. There are now upwards of 470 men under canvas. It is expected the strength of the North Island battalion will be completed before the end of the week. The saddles have been inspected, and are considered in every way satisfactory.

Mr Russell, who came from the South to supervise the making of saddles for the Contingent, denies the statements of some Southern papers to the effect that the saddles made in Auckland for the Eighth Contingent were badly put together and galled the horses. He states that no complaints could be made with regard to the saddles actually manufactured in Auckland, and adds that 500 saddles now being made here for the Ninth are better in material and workmanship than any yet turned out. Dr King has been appointed SurgeonCaptain of the Ninth Contingent. The Wanganui detail (25 men) for the Ninth Contingent arrived to-day, and were marched into camp at Te Papa, bringing the strength up to 500. During the afternoon, the camp was thrown open to the public, and there were a large number of visitors. The men were put through a eourso of foot-drill, thus enabling the public to get an idea of the excellent progress that is being made. Some of the more advanced squads were told off' for rifle practice at Penrose range, where some very fair shooting was done. A further batch of horses, including a number purchased at the Remuera sheep dip the previous day, were sent out to Te Papa in the morning, and up to the present the stamp of animals received was up to requirements.

Foilding, last night. Dir Lethbridge, M.H.R,, has been appointed an acting-captain of tho Ninth Contingent.