THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 43, 22 February 1900, Page 2

THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

Auckland, 'February 21. At Mr. Brough's matinee in the Opera House, in aid of the Patriotic Fund, the proceeds were £172, Mr. Geo. Reid sang " The Absent-minded Beggar," XlB 10s additional Hng thrown on tbe stage. DEPARTURE OF THE ROUGH RTnwwfl FROM CHRIS rOHUBCH. [fbom oue special repobteh.] Cheibtchueoh, Saturday night. (Continued frtm yesterday.) THE MATOB OP CHEIBTCHUKCH. The Mayor, who is certainly to be congratulated on the successful issue of the affair, is a wise speaker on such occasions—he cut it short. Hepmised the courage of the men, which was the thing we prized in men as we prized beauty in women. BISHOP QBIMES. Bishop Grimes (R.U.) drew a parallel between the case of tbe Crusaders and the present crisis. He charged them as a noble raoe, be it Britain, Saxon, or Celt, who were ever ready to shed their blood for right and duty, to show themselves worthy of their noble sires. BISPOP JULIUS. Bishop Julius, in short, fervent prayer, commended them to God's care and blessing. He led in the Jjord's Prayer, in which the ladies on the platform joined, and then pronounced the Benediction. AN ENTHUSIASTIC CEO WD. Then came the cheers and cheera* the waving of hats, caps, flags, handkerchiefs, swords and anything in hand showed the intensity of the enthusiasm.

A. TBIDMPIUNT PROCESSION. The programme allowed 30 minpftf to march from the Park to the station. It whs half an hour's triumphant marching. Never was Soman comqueror ever welcomed home by such a demonstration as that with whioh Canterbury sent away her men to dan ird, if need be, die f»r the right fhe footpaths were thronged; every window was full of faces, every vantage of parapet or roof was seized upon, and the boys manned the lamp posts. AT THE BAILWAY STATION. I got into the crowd at the station, and then I found I was not in Hagley Park. It was a tremendous crush. The mounted troopers tried to W the crowd back, and succeeded for* time, but when the troops were through

and the crowd left to itself it wu * crush indeed! I got in the flow, and was actually carried off my feet, just borne along by the crowd. I was on the platform in time to see the drawn up. I looked on. No need to hurry—a train every ten minutes. The rush was for the carriage platform, and of course a block. Several young men clambered through the windows and thus secured the seats while othem. were getting through the doorway, l got down easily by the next train. AT POET LYTTELTOS. The crowd was in LytteHon. I found they had a splendid arrangement regarding provisions. The ladies bad provided them; all profits to go to tbo War Fund. Thoy were set out in a hall near the station* Sixpence nd* mission was charged, and you were supplied with tea and find in my experionee there was no scarcity. Another set of speeches were given in the drill shed, and then an hour of farewelling, 14 good-bye, tabanaki V* I had the pleasure of saying goodbye to the Taranaki boys, and then took up my position on the wharf to see and hear further. The wharf was kept clear, but all around was crowded. THE CIIOWDINU CROWDS. Every steamer was crowded. The lonio was lying on the opposite side of the wharf, and was used as a platform

for the children and visitors. Around on the hills the people thronged each other, trying to get a view. TIRED OF THE SPEECHES. Many of the men walked down before the main body. I spoke to them, and found they were tired of the speeches. They were not pleased when I told them of the programme before them. THE WEBTLAND BOYS. Mrs. Seddon was down enquiring for the Westland men and shaking hands with them all. FABEWELL TELEGRAMS. When the men were drawn up an officer said to the men:—" I have just received a telegram from my wife, 'God speed our Wanganui men and a safe journey back.' Telegrams came in abundance for the men. Names were called out, such as • Wiggins— Taranaki: a telegram.' A great effort wis made to clear the wharf before the Governor arrived. The rifles formed in line and marehed right across the wharf, and that almost did it. " GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART, GOOD-BYE." We had an amusing instance of how " love laughs at bolts and bars " when the contingent came on to the Wharf in proper marching order. Many of the men had their sweethearts hanging on their arms, and they came Straight through without a question. Barely these boys will find a way to Pretoria 1 " TOO LONG-WINDED." Then came more speechifying. I pitied the men—they were thoroughly tired—it was stamped as plain as their faces. Mr. Seddon came in for the most blame—he was too long-winded. KOBE HEWS FROM KIMBERLEY. However, there was further news from Kimberley, and this was worth a dozen speeches. GENEROUS GIFTS. The Premier told them that owing to the kind friends having sent 70 cases of good things for the men they would not get away that night. So they were to lie in the harbour till noon «n Sunday. THE BOLL CALL. The muster roll w.s called, and one by one they answered and marched up ; the gangway on to the Knight Templar. THE BADNESS OF " FABEWELL." The farewell was sad in some cases. Strong men felt it and some strong women showed it. The steamers which were accompanying them to the Heads got under weigh, and at five I p'ciock our Third Contingent left for the scene of war. IF THEY GOULD SEE. If Kruger or Steyn could have seen and understood the scene as we did they would lift the white flag to purpose for once at least. One could not help feeling that the immente power to move such a multitude was capable of doing great things for truth and justice. OUTWABD BOUND. And so our band of warrior boys as they leave the shores of their homeland and ours, their hearts likeouis surging with strong emotions, are - followed by the prayers and hopes and all good wishes of the land they leave behind them.