The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1900. THE TARANAKI CONTINGENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 31, 8 February 1900, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1900. THE TARANAKI CONTINGENT.

The unwelcome news received by His Worship the Mayor on Wednesday, of the rejection of the horses sent to Wanganui as mounts for the New Plymouth section of the Rough-riders Contingent, means that, unless other aud suitable horses are procurable, the committee will have to furnish .£25 per man in addition to the £SO per man already provided. Of course, it is possible that a portion of this extra expense will be met from the sale of the rejected horaes, but in order to realise on these to the best advantage it will be necessary to Bring them back to this district, as they are not likely to find purchasers at a satisfactory price in Wanganui. In any case, it would take more time to idealise on the horses than is now at the disposal of the committee; and it is therefore an urgent matter that additional subscriptions be forthcoming, otherwise instead of sending the full complement of men (seven), our town will only be represented by the lesser number that the committee's present funds will allow. The opportunity is afforded for some of those ! who have not yet felt the pressure of patriotism rising to the occasion and subscribing something handsome that l ( will allow of all our- representatives ' being well mounted, by the purchase , of horses that will pass the necessary examination, or by the committee being able to hand over to the Government the extra money required. The Contingent treasurer, Mr. C. E. Bellringer, will no doubt furnish intending I > contributors with full information as to the extra money necessary, and will bd pleased to receive the same as early as possible. There will be time enough later on to enquire into the why and the wherefore of the rejections (which, , by the way, are a great surprise to 1 Messrs. J. J. Russell and Sole, and also to the majority of our local authorities as to what constitutes a good horse), the immediate need is to " pay, pay, pay," • in order that none of our selected men have to stay behind for lack of a horse.