OUR SOLDIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 361, 11 March 1902, Page 2

OUR SOLDIERS.

ME Mi!EliS BAIL) IE ADVANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, last night. The Ninth Contingent are shaping well at their duties in the camp at Tc Papapa, and ate looking much more soldier-like now they are ail uniformed. After dinner to day the men received their second instalment of Government p iy, each man receiving a fortnight's pay. This takes the Contingent up to the day of their embarkation next week. On Wednesday the officers and men v.-ill be paid again, receiving an advance of 30 days’ pay at the Imperial rates for the voyage from tho colony to South Africa. The whole amount of Wednesday’s pay will be something like £SOOO, hut it is anticipated that not more than £3OOO of this will be actually paid, as many will be leaving allotments of their pay in tho hands of the Government for relatives. PIANOS AND A LUNCH WANTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The Premier sent a telegram to the Auckland members of Parliament: “ I hope the same thing will not occur in sending off the Ninth Contingent as occurred with tho Auckland section of tho Eighth. There ought to ba a lunch given to them as was done with tho Eighth from Wellington. Pianos arc also wanted for tho men, and one for tho officers. The Surrey had two pianos on board. Tins may seem a big order, but I am sure if you take it in hand in time and work together you will have no difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds. The pianos will cost ,£3O a-piece, and the lunch £l5O, making a total of say .£210.” Dunedin, last night. The South Island section of the Ninth Contingent paraded, mounted, through two of the principal streets of the city. The men look a good, even, serviceable lot, but many of tho horses arc little better than ponies, and look indifferently. The Ladies’ Committee to day handed over TOO 11s collected by them to provide instruments for tho band of the Contingent. __________