Good-3ye to the Wanganui Contingent.

Manawatu Herald, 15 February 1900, Page 3

Good-3ye to the Wanganui Contingent.

When the Wanganui men left foi Wellington rm, n p r day they had a greal send-off. ' f -fog Mayor made a splendid speech, p^j. 0 f w hich we reproduce, having^ *f rom - lts length reluct.anijj.--fc cu t r jown. Our . report^is*;. j_*-6ni the " Ohronicle^^t&Vv^' "Mr Hajtt^^M^f&'e first to speak. /Aft^.-t^ai^ause which greeted him # b^.^iosmed, he said that on that '."''^-fl^ntful occasion he had the pleasure ;s■?"' and honour, on behalf of the citizens, of saying to our boys " Good-bye, Godspeed, and a safe return." We, in Wanganui, recognised that our boys in going to South Africa to fight under the British flag would be fighting for us just as much as though they were fighting on our own doorsteps, It was only tvyfenty days ago since the Right Hod, the Premier had wired to him Suggesting that Wanganui should provide, equip, and pay the transport of 25 men and horses io South Africa. Within 48 hours of the time he (Mr Hatrick) had received that message a mass meeting of citizens was held. It was held ih the largest hall we had in the place, and despite the very short notice, it was a record meeting not only in numbers, but in loyalty and enthusiasm which was displayed. The Premier's suggestion was adopted, and a Committee was appointed to carry it out. . . . .' Within eight days of the meeting 270 men had appUed for enrolment in, our 25, upwards of 100 of whom offered to provide their own horses. 'When they found such splendid lo;yalty and enthusiasm as this prev-^ilmg among our young manhood, th^ Executive met and decided to inC/tease the n amber of the Contingent to fifty, and the people ofthe town and district nobly responded to the call. They had been told on all sides that the sending of the First Contingent was intended only as an indication of : our loyalty to and sympathy with the Mother Country in her trouble with the Boer people. But, if that were so, what should, be said of this Third Contingent, Vy'flich had been provided and equipped by the voluntary and spontaneous contributions ot the people 1 Applause.) And what should they say of the boys in front of them, when he told them that every man in the Wanganui Contingent had provided his own horse ! (Applause.) To him there appeared to be only three words which could describe such splendid patriotism as this, and these were the words recently used by a gallant cavalry officer when charging at the head of his troop in South Africa. As j he fell, pierced by the fatal bullet, he i shouted, " Splendid, lads, splendid !" I That was what he wished to say to the lads of this district who had come forward so patriotically and so nobly — «« Splendid, lads, Fplendid 1" (Applause and cheers.) .... In conclusion the Mayor, addressing the Contingent, said—" Boys, we shall all look forward to your return, and when you do come back what a day you v. ill < have. And now, in the werds ot the paper this morning, 1 commend you to the God of battles, wish you success in the-highest and noblest sense, and pray for your safe-keeping and speedy return. (Applause.)