NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 75, 24 March 1900, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE.

I Wellington, March 23. The following message has been sent by the Mayor of Wellington to Colonel Collins, who took the Wellington section of the Fourth Contingent to Dunedin:—" In the name of the citizens of 'Wellington and the Mora Men Fund Committee, I wish to convey to the men of the Wellington portion of the Fourth Contingent a farewell message. May God guide and bless you, may your mission have a successful and speedy issue, and may you all return wearing the V.O. lam Eafe in promising you such a hearty reception on your return that it will far outstrip the send-off."

A meeting of citizsns was held this afternoon to consider the question of giving a send-off to the Fifth Contingent, The Mayor presided. It was resolved to entertain the contingent at luncheon at noon on the day of departure, and the executive committee will carry out arrangements for the sendoff. All town and country bands are to be invited to be present on the occasion, and the Government and the Wellington and Maoawatu Railway Companies are to be asked to carry all volunteers free of charge. A great native patriotic demonstration was held at Papawai to-day, and was attended by some five thousand people. The Hons. J. Carroll and McGowan were present. The former tpoke briefly, as also did Bishop Wallis, Five hundred natives danced and gave a sham fight, Boers v. Brit ish, Luncheon was served to 2000 visitors.

Immense quantities of produce were sent in to ba disposed of in aid of the Patriotic Fund. The function ended with a ball, and was most successful in every way.

Dunedin, March 23,

TLe work of shipping horses on the Monowai went on steadily all day. Heavy rain {ell and made everything very disagreeable. The horses of the Fifth Contingent were brought into towD, and were about to proceed to the port when it was ascertained that the Gymeric could net possibly receive them, not being ready, and they were ordered back to camp. The Premier stites that they will be shipped the first thing in the morning, and the Gymeric will leave in the afternoon. The Fourth Contingent's horses for the Gyjieric were stabled at the port.

Members of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents were entertained at a banquet to-night by the Mayor. There was a large attendance, including the Governor, but t})e pontingent men, having got wet through during the day, only about 50 or so put in an appearance.

The colleagues of the Premier to day presented his eon, Lieutenant Seddon, with a spirit flask, a golden sovereign case, and a hunting-crop, bearing the inscription, If Good luck to Lieutenant Seddon. From his father's colleagues." The Premier said it was probably the last opportunity he would have of addressing his son, He urged him to be manly, steadfast, and upright, and yield implicit obedience to his superior iofficers.

The telegraph office at Dunedin will be closed from noon till one o'clock to enable the stafi to witness the send-off. The members of the Institute of ■ Marine Engineers invited the Premier, the Mayor, members of Parliament, and others this afternoon to meet them and say_ good-bye to Mr. McCaig, chief engineer of the troopship MonoWai, and the other engineers. The Premier presided, and, in proposing the toast of the Union Company and officers of the Monowai ; mentioned that she would bring back from South Africa the men from New Zealand and Australia who were invalided. He regarded the chartering of the Monowai and fitting her out as a troopship as only a commencement of what would be necessary in respect to the defence of the colony. The time was ripe for representation to th e Imperial Go vernment in I connection with the'first line of defence' to put eve ry offictr in sucb a position that it might bn said to the Home Government, "If you want a Naval Reserve here are your list." There engineers in the Union Company's service who would £0 pn board any of the warships with credit. The same might be eaid with respect to the' other officers. Give them the opportunity and they would fifld that as land forces had proved equal to soldiers of ■ the Motherland, so sailors, engineers land others would prove themselves j equal to those of the Home j Country, Luter on tbo gais

the Imperial authorities had offered New Zealand 30 commissions in the British Army. He might; inform the ; gathering that there were three New Zealand candidates who had applied for commissions. The Imperial Government had granted commissions to all three. One of them, he might add, was a son of Captain Kusaell, leader of the Opposition. The Premier presented Mr. McOaig with the Institute of Engineers' associate badge and a gold Maltese cross.