OUR SOLDIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 360, 10 March 1902, Page 3

OUR SOLDIERS.

THE WAR CRY—“ E TAMA REIA

[By Telegraph—Press Association.J Auckland, last night

Yesterday the usual tuounlod anil dismounted drills were held at the Ninth Contingent camp both morning and alternoon.

Mr Henry Stovvcll, a Maori interpreter now in Auckland, and who is engaged in compiling a work for tho Government, was waited on last evening by a non-com-missioned officer of the Ninth Contingent, and asked to supply a suitable Native war cry for the Ninth. Mr Stowell said that the best war cry he could suggest was “ Whanga Reia ! tu Kariric !” meaning, “ Steady, Charge 1 War-god Rages 1” This, though not a difficult expression to lean, was considered rather too long, and Mr Stowell then suggested the words : “ E Tama Reia (“ Charge, lads ! ”), which bis interviewer accepted as a short and appropriate battle cry for the Ninth.

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR

THE BRAVE SEVENTH.

[By Telegraph—Press Association]. Dunedin, last night. The Governor inspected tho South

Island section of tho Ninth Contingent today. He was accompanied by tho Hon. Hill-Trevor and a body guard of Hussars. The Premier and Mayor were also present. After inspection, the battalion was drawn up, when His Excellency addressed the mei . Once more, lie said, the uimost part of His Majesty's dominions freely and of its own accord cnino .forward, with no niggard hand, to take a share of the burden entailed in protecting und upholding our grand Empire. It could not now be long before terms of peace must be' arranged. Taose terms could only bo such as would lead to permanent peace. Ever in the forefront in doing whatever should be of service lo the Mother Country, the

Premier had not waited to sec how the other colonies would act, but throughout, by spontaneous and loyal action, sot an example of promptitude and patriotism which had u.ade New Zealand the cynosure of all eyes. Ho went on to refer to the doings of the Seventh Contingent, and said that the nature of the wounds told its own tale. They fell, facing the foe, and though the colony sorrows at the loss of so many men, they rejoiced at the manner they performed their duty. He trusted it would be their lot to bo present when peace was proclaimed, and that they might see Boer and Englishman pursuing their avocations sido by side in amity, building up a strong British South Africa. Tho Governor bade good-bye to the Premier, at whose call three cheers were given for the Governor and Contingent.