THE BECHUANALAND EXPEDITION.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 84, 10 January 1885, Page 6

THE BECHUANALAND EXPEDITION.

The Cape mail steamer Grantully Castle • riled from tho Thames on November 11th, with troops and stores for the expedition to Bechuanaland, and berths are provided for about forty officers, including the commander of tho expedition, Colonel Sir Charles Warren. Sir Bartle Frere, and a good many others, are going out in the same ship, either to take up special appointments with the expedition, or to Tolunteer for service in any capacity which may offer when they reach the colony. Tho ship left the East India Dock, at Blackwall, by the oarly tide, and, after taking in a large quantity of ammunition from the magazines at Woolwich Arsenal, reached Gravesend about 10 o'clock, and there remained anchored in tho stream to receive her troops, numboring about 300 in all, including the 2nd Field Company of Royal Engineers from Chatham, and. the 10th company of the Commissariat " and Transport Corps from Woolwich. Advance parties from theso corps went on board the ship in tho docks on the previous day with the heavier bagbago and stores, tho Engineers in charge of Lieutenant Haynes, and the Commissariat and Transport under command of Quartermaster Musgrave. Theso men assisted in shipping some late cargo which has be3n prepared within the last few days, amongst whicli was the saddle equipment ot a (avalry corps of 700 men to be called "Lancer Pioneers," and probably to form partof theresuscitated Cape Mounted Rifles, the total strength of which will be about 2,500. The Lancer Pioneers will be furnished with a saw-back sword, and carry it in a scabbard attached to the saddle like a carbino bucket, instead of being slung in the usual manner from the waist, A new saddlery equipment is also being sent out for the 13th Hussars, and fresh clothing for the whole of the expeditionary forco. The Government is issuing a speciiil uniform of snuff-coloured corduroy for the use of the Volunteer contingent of the expedition at the Cape, consisting of trousers, with gaiters of woven hemp, and a short pea-jacket. The following are the officers selected by the War Ollke authorities for service in South Afiica under Sir C. Warren: — Lieut. -Col. tho lion. Paul JMethuen, Scots Guards; Lieut. Colonel Carringtou, South Wales Borderers ; Lieut. -Colonel Gough, 10th llus-ars ; Lieut. -Colonel the Hon. S. I Cotton, Scots Guards ; Major the flon. M. Staploton, 20th Hussars ; Major Martin, '21st Hu.-i-ar.s ; Major Knox, 2nd Battallioti Shropshire Uegimenh ; Captain J. H. Poett, Ist Battalion Dorset Rogiment ; Captain M . Q. Jon is, Ist Battalion Warwick Regiment ; Captain J. M. Gawne, Ist Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment ; Captain E. C. Mills, Ist Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment ; Captain J. Davidson, 2nd Battalion North Lancashire Regimonb: Captain J. Babbington, lGth Lancers; Captain F. J. Kempster, 2nd Battalion Loinster Regiment ; Captain P. C. E. Nowbigging, Royal Artillery; Lieutenant the Hon. G. Bingham, 3rd Battalion Ride Brigade ; Lieutenant G. A. Keef, Ist Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers ; Lieutenant W. C. Tonge, Ist Battalion Norfolk Regiment ; Lieutenant G. P. Bouverie, 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards ; Lioutenant L. G. Drummond, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards; Lieutenant F. R. McAdam, Ist Battalion West York Regiment ; Lieutenant F. A. Deare, 2nd Berkshire Regiment; Lieutenant S. C. Munro, Ist Seaforth Highlanders ; Lioutenant F. J. Angell, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers; Lieutenant E. J. Phipps-Hornby, Royal Artillery ; Lieutenant C. E. Inglteh, Royal Artillery ; Lieutenant E. H. Hibborfc, Ist Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers ; Lieutenant R. M. Gamble. Ist Battalion Lincoln Regiment ; and Lieutenant J. S. Pelly, 2nd Battalion Border Regiment.

§j$A gentleman recently arrived from Aus" tralia has presented to the Museum a wellpreserved specimon of a full-grown bandicoot or Australian bear, as it is playfully styled from its striking resemblance in miniature to the well-known representatives of the ursine tribe. If your friend meets with adversity do not offend him by asking into the particulars. His neighbour will be glad to tell you all. Thus you not only avoid offending your friend, but you give pleasure to his neighbour. Reuter cables that 48 horses have been entered, for the Australian Cup.