THE THIRD CONTINGENT'S TROOPSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 42, 21 February 1900, Page 2

THE THIRD CONTINGENT'S TROOPSHIP.

Wellington, February 20. Mr. Daniel, of the Union Compujy, who fitted up tho Knight Templar, in ri ply to statements from Ohristchurch us to the want of accommodation oo tho f-toßuier, siiys tha men hare bettor • quarters than on the Waiwera, and mora room for drill* The latter i* Hush-decked and the Knight Templar well-decked, which makes the accommodation for horses betwoen-deck look gloomy, but the electric light was installed and windsails fitted to ensur* ventilation. Mr. Daniel considers th# vessel will carry horses with no thau average risk. Uuiustchuech, February 20. In addition to the statements made as to tho accommodation for the men and horses on the Knight Templar, there have been rumors as to the veesel herself. These are contradicted by Oat>*r.in Willis, surveyor to JLloytre U :,'ibtor, in a letter to a local newspaper. In the course of his letter he says" The s.s. Knight Templar is a very strong vessel, built by a first-claw fi -m, and fitted with excellent machinery. The steamer me some eighteen inches lighter on leaving the port than if she had been keded with a full dead-weight cargo; consequently she is in excellent trim. Then k ample water ballast on board, and the vessel has not got too much top-weight. All changes or alterations in her noil were carried out under my Supervision as surveyor to Lloyd's Register, and I had not the slightest hesitation in reporting to the local underwriters sad Lloyd'sgßegister that the vessel, a* regards stability of hull end was quito seaworthy. As. regvde accommodation for men and horses and ventilation, etc., I have nothing to f>ay." ; A PRO-BOER UTTERANCE. A CLERGYMAN CAUBKB A SENSATION, Auckland, February 20. There is _ great agitation among the Presbyterian congregation at Cambridge. It is stilted that in consequence of a sermon preached on Sunday by the Itev. Erwin of such a pronounced pro - Boer character one of the elders rose and left the church by way protest. There is some talk of asking Mr. lSrwln to resigfe He was inducted only a few months ago.