DEPARTURE OF MARLBOROUGH SECTION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 77, 3 April 1902, Page 3

DEPARTURE OF MARLBOROUGH SECTION.

MISSED THE TRAIN. The Marlborough section of the Tenth Contingent took their departure last night under rather exceptional circumstances. The send-off attracted a great deal of interest, and was marked by much heartiness; in fact the enthusiasm involved some confusion at the railway station, with the result that.the train moved off with only three troopers on it, and the other twelve had to make the journey to Pietpn in a drag. The incident caused not a little amusement, and was taken in good part by all concerned. The contingenters, whose names have already been published, paraded at the Drill Shed at 7.30 and were escorted to the railway station by the Blenheim Rifles, Blenheim Rifle Cadets and Garrison Band. A considerable number of people had assembled at the station, and the proceedings were of an interesting character. Major Rogers briefly and appropiately addressed the men in their military capacity; and, in the unavoidable absence of His Worship the Mayor, Mr R. McArtney, ex-Mayor, farewelled the contingenters on behalf of the citizens. A few minutes remained for the saying of good-bye to friends, and the troopers became somewhat mixed up in the crush on the platform. Presently a warning whistle sounded; there was hurry-scurry; and the train moved off. There had been a misunderstanding, it being thought that all the men had boarded the train; and twelve troopers were found to have been left behind. There was nothing to do but march back to the Drill Shed; and before long the troopers were on their way to Picton in a drag. The Marlborough men proceed to the camp at Addington.