OUR FOURTH CONTINGENT.

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

OUR FOURTH CONTINGENT.

IDunediv, February 20. Despite tho request of th« Duoedio Committee that they should, not be !

sent on at present, 17 men from Oamaru arrived by train to-night., They could not go to camp, as no provision had been made for them, and they have not passed the medical tests. An impression appears to prevail that the committee in Dunedin select the men. All that is done is to receive and provide for the keep of thoae who pass the medical and other tests, but the real selection is made by the Defence Department from men submitted by the Dunedin Committee, as the committee has no funds beyond the amount subscribed, and that is nearly all earmarked by the donors to the purchase of horses and to provide equipment. Hen, of course, can only be received where their horse and equipment guarantee is in the committee's hands. Colonel Pole-Penton, Commandant of the Forces, paid a visit to the camp to-day, but it was quite unofficial. He had a long interview with the comtaittee on various points. Napier, February 20.

At a meeting of the Hawke's Bay Third Contingent Committee, it was resolved that the Government be communicated with to ascertain if they would accept a Hawke's Bay detachment for the Fourth Contingent now being raised, and, if so, how many men. It is understood that a transport will be provided for the next contingent, and, if so, the committee will have funds to equip and deliver on board the transport about 30 men and horses.

Nelson, February 20,

Thirty-four men have offered for the Fourth Contingent. At an examination to-night 13 were weeded out, as it is only proposed to send eight men. Four men are finding their own horses, DBFARTITRK OF THE ROUGH RIDERS FROM OHRISICHURCH. [fBOM OUB SPECIAL REPORTER.] Christchurch, Saturday night. THE FAREWELL BANQUET. On Thursday we accepted the gracious invitation of the Mayor of Christchurch ,to the banquet given to the Contingent. It was held in the TuamBtreet Hall, and every seat at the tables appeared to be occupied. The ladies mustered in- full force in the gallery. They came to see " the lords of creation" feast, and smoke, and to hear the princes talk. Everyone appeared to be enjoying it to the full. Speeches ■were made by the Governor, Premier, Mayor and others, the key-note being the spontaneity of the outburst of enthusiasm which has led to a body of men being equipped by private generosity and to be landed in South Africa free of cost to either the Colonial or Imperial Governments. Each and all emphasised the hope and firm conviction of every heart that Britain must win. In spite of reverses, the army was such as any nation might be proud of. We should set the brilliant deeds of the defenders of Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking over against the rewrses. If it had cost the Christchurch people so much time and thought to prepare to ship 200 men, ■what must at be to transport 100,000 and all the munitions and stores of war 7000 miles? No other nation could do it: THE AEStY AND NAVY. CoL Pole-Penton, in replying to the toast of " The Army," said the British Army retreated always with their face to the loe. No other army ever undertook a task equal to ours at the present time. But though the task is great we must come out the right side up. He hoped that the lesson taught New Zealand now would show them the necessity of being prepared, and oi having .regular camp life for the volunteers at stated intervals. Commander Ayscough, replying for the Navy, said if the navy were ever testsd as the army had been he only hoped that the navy would rise to the occasion as well as the army had done. I note these remarks because of the ■wise critics who say so much and know so little of the merits of the situation. It is refreshing to hear the frank opinions of competent men.

cantebbuby hospitality. The Mayor said that while in camp the other members of the Contingent were to be the guests of the Canterbury people. This elicited cheers. If you want to cheering and singing ■with pleasure, you can to perfection under such circumstances. The onlookers and guests atfked for the Maori ■war-cry. One company tried, but, like jtome generals, did not get there that time. Then the. Wanganui boys astonished the natives of Christchurch, but the manner of their rendering simply baffles description.

THE DAY OF DEPARTURE. j Saturday morning dawned fine, with promise of continuance. Everyone seemed glad. Some even v'.»"<* out looking around. Everything spoke of a holiday, and no common holiday, either. Flags of all description, but not all colours, graced every comer and possible resting placesVm fence and house —to say nothing of the countless number. stretched across the streets. The " Red, White and Blue" was everywhere. Every b«y with ruddy cheeks, every girl with flowing locks, wore the colours of the day. The young men and women of Christchurch all had the same. Some had bows, some streamers of ribbons, some ties, some collars, some bands. Even the older folk, sober in all other articles of dress, were in the fashion for the colours.

IN HAGLEY PARK. When one entered Hagley Park and saw the thousands trooping to the enclosure we were forcibly reminded that •we were not in Wellington. There seemed so much room that there appeared no possibility of a crush. But «ven "we " make mistakes sometimes. In the centre of the Park was an enclosure of a few acres. At the wet end, on rising ground, was a platform, and we found a seat provided for us and our corps, and a table all to hand. We took our seat and :*.«• the crowd gather. It was a sight not to bs forgotten. Th« children came in troop*, with tteir white flags, their red (lags. *nd their blue The light dressts of the women blenucl with the darker lines of the men's attire. Then, company °y company, came the volunteers. We looked in vain for the boys hi' -'khaki:" they came not. inbtt.-a,i ~i Jthaki were some two hundred me» u

sober grey—but they were "The Boys." They did not appear to me to be equal in appearance to No. 2 Contingent, but as they are Kough Riders it may be they will be second to none on veldt, donga, and kopje. The Navals came up in due order ; they were not common navals as we have seen them before in New Zealand, buti navals like those yonder in Ladysmith, the barking of whose dogs so annoy Joubert and Co. They are a fine, strong, able-bodied lotof men,mostly, I believe, connected with the shipping at Lyttelton. In due time all were in their places, and the Premier and Ministers arrived, and, a little later on, the Governor and suite. The children, led by the band, sang a verse of the National Anthem.

THE RELIEF OP KIMBERLEY. I And then, before anything else could be done, the telegram from FieldMarshal Roberts, " Lieut.-General French with cavalry and horse artillery reached Kirnberley on Thursday," was read. Didn't they cheer ! and being right in the midst of it, close to the Governor when he read, it made one almost feel queer. LORD RANFUBLY'S SPEECH. I The Governor's speech was good. He said England need fear nothing so long as the spirit of enthusiasm which was in our midst to cause such a gathering remained. It was the first time that all the colonies had met side by side in defence of the Empire. He prayed that the God of their fathers would stand by them and give them the victory.

THE PREMIER. The Premier dwelt on the fact of being the jubilee year of the Canterbury Province, and the impossibility of the pioneers being able to presee such a sight as that of to-day. Mr. Seddon then read telegrams from variI ous centres all wishing the contingent God-speed. He Quoted the saying of the founder of Canterbury as exempli--1 fied in the present case. The greater the freedom the stronger the bond of freedom!" He hoped they contingent would be at Pretoria to half-hoist the grand old flag on the citadel there. [He was almost sure that the New Zealand first Contingent would be with French at Kimberley. j While the speaking was proceeding the crowd could be seen streaming away for the station. {To be continued.)