OUR FOURTH AND FIFTH CONTINGENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 76, 26 March 1900, Page 2

OUR FOURTH AND FIFTH CONTINGENTS.

THE SEND-OFF FROM PORT CHALMERS. GREAT ENTHUSIASM. SPEECHES BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE PREMIER. Dunedin, March 24. After the heavy rain of yesterday, 'his rooming liroko gloriously fi-.e, and from an early hour the s'rvcti we.i 'iued with sightseeis. During th< night special trains poured in volunteers and exenZionists from Christ-1 church to the Bluff, and it is safe tc hazard the opiuiori that there wert j more people in town than on th 3 occasion of the celebration of the Otagi, Jubilee, when it was estimated then' were 45,000. The proceedings began with church services at St. Joseph's, St. Matthew's, and First Church, all oF which places were filled.

A tremendous crowd, estimated at over 20,000, gathered at the Oval. The troops were leceived with wild cheering. Addresses were delivered by the Governor, the Premier, the Mayor, Hon. J. G. Ward, and Mr. Kempthorne.

The Governor sai4 1900 would be looked back to as tlie true birth of the British Empire, for the splendid unanimity of the Anglo-Saxon race had been the wonder and consternation of the civilised world. We had been true to our traditions, and the men before him would not fall short of our expectations. At the Oval, where a semi-circle of stands had been erected, there wis a very large attendance. The hills overlooking the Oval, with the cemetoiy, were lined with people, while outbid# the Ovul there was a large crowd. Princess-stroet was lined from the Oval to the Octagon by those waiting for the procession. Lieut -Co). Webb, with his staff, rode into the grouud, followed by the Southland Pipe Band, and as the Volunteers marched in and lined up round the place reserved for them, His Excellency tho Governor, with Ltdy Riiifurly and suite, the Premier, the Hons. J. G. Ward and J. McKeozie drove up and took their places on a stand reserved for them. The Fourth and Fifth Contingent men were drawn up on a platform erected for them in front of the Governor's stand. PROCEEDINGS IN DUNEDIN. The Rev. Mr. Bannerman, Moderator of the Presbyterian (Synod, opened with prayer, and a strong choir of chil lren, with red, white and blue fligs, sang " God Save the Queen," and His Excellency then made a speech. The children and choir sang " God of | Nations," and the procession was rej formed, and made a start for the wharf. The lice of route was along Priucessstreet to the Octrgon, thenco dowt Stuart into Cumberland-street, along the west side of the Triangle into Vogel-sfreet, and across the railway by the overbridge to the wharf. There was a liberal display of bunting, and especially with the small flags now so common. The streets along tho lank were lined with people. In front ot the Stock Exchange and at the Ootagou

XHE CKOWD WAS DENSE, but a clear roadway was kept. Every window was occupied, and on nuny buildings there were crowds of tightseers, who must have tested the quality of the roofs. The enthusiasm was great, The blue-jackets from tliej

Pylades were splendidly received, M were also the visiting volunteer corpa when recognised; but it was not until the Rough-riders of the Fourth and Fifth came along that it became occasionally frantic. Cheering continual l ight along the line of march, . arriving at the wharf the Contingents and passengers were soon embarked, and a start made for Port Chalmers. Here some delay occurred through some of the vessels fairing a long time to swing round to get to the wharf. THE SCENE AT POET CHALMKBS. If Dunedin was mftie, Port Chalmers was very much more so. Three triumphal arches were erected at differed P° int « along the main street, while every shop and business was decorated on a most elaborate style, and the effect was very pretty. Crowds docked from Dunedin to Port Chalmers by train, as well as those who went by steamer.

The men, having been lined, ware marched, after an opportunity given them to get a cup of tea and a snack, to the football ground at Miwsfll Bay. Here more addresses were delivered.

The Mayor (Mr. Demaus) weloomtd the Governor, Volunteers, and Contingents on behalf of the of Port Chalmers, and called on Lord Ranfurly to address the Contingents.

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR. His Excellency, in bidding the Cktacingent a final farewell, said ha had only to give them one word of advice. They should remember that th« first duty of a soldier was unquestioning obedience. Without that there could be no success to inexperienoed and untrained men. They should obey thair | officers implicitly, trusting «d----irely, for a British officer had uvar yet failed his men in the hour of danger. (Cheers.) He hoped they would distinguish themselves personally ind as a body, and before long mother Victoria Crocs would be won by a New Zealander, and that we would welcome them back in safety, having been a credit to this oolony iwj having added to the glory of the great Empire to which they belonged. M May tha. Almighty, without Whom than oan be * no success, watch over you and gin you victory."

[ The Premier said the Governor dosired to be introduced to the His Excellency and Lady Baafurly were then introduced to the offioers, and heartily shook each one by tha hand,

The Premier then presented Major Francis and other officers with their commissions.

THE PREMISE'S SPEECH. The Premier, who was reoeived with cheers, said he had little to add to what he had expressed at Dunedin a short time before. He knew they did not want speech-making at that time. It was the desire of all to their last moments as pleasant u possible. From what he had witnessed from Auckland to the Bluff at the various send-offe, the volunteers who had come to bid their comrades goodbye and wish them God-speed, he would siy he was a craven coward who ' saijl there was any danger to a colony which had such fighting wnfaw|}, (Cheers.) They had sent some 1500 men away, and there was evidence before them that if they wanted 5000 well-trained men they would go is cheerfully to the Cape as the men now before them. (Cheers.) He would always have a special interest in the Fourth Contingent. They all knew the reason. He had never asked any man to dare where he would not go himself. (Cheers.) He thought the men before him would prove worthy >ons of this fair land, and would give an account of themselves that would redound to their credit and tl&tof the colony, (Cheers.) Once more he wished them a pleasant voyage, the greatest of all blessings—good health—and he further wished they would have an opportunity of crushing those who for years had conspired against the. Empire, against good governn)entj against justice, and against freeuom. (Oncers.)

On the call of the Mayor, thmn rhtnn were heartily given for the Bvniar.l Three cheers were given for the Ooa'.ingunt, and, in response to the All of fhe Premier, three cheers were given for the Volunteers who had oome from all parts of tha colony to see the Oon- - tiDgents off. _ 1

THE EMBARKATION. The procession was then re-formed, and proceeded to the Garrison Hall, where the men had some tea. They afterwards proceeded to George-street Pier, where the mbn were embarked on the Monowai and some on the Gymeric. An immense crowd gathered on the wharf, and there was much difficulty in preventing the friends of the trooper* from rushing the gangway to ft last farewell. SOME VERY PATHETIC SOENBS followed as fathers, mothers, sistera, and sweethearts said farewell to their relatives in the contingents. A number of patriotic songs were given by tho crowd. The Contingent on the Monowai lined along the side of tho vessel and Bang " Auld Lang Syne." At six o'clock THE MONOWAI STEAMED AWAY, amid tremendous cheering and waving of handkerchiefs. She was accompanied to the heads by the Moure, Wauaka, Te Anau, Koputai, and other steamers. March 25. The eend ofi of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents proved one of the beat things of tho kind ever seen in Dunedin. F.om a military aspect it surpassed the Jubiiee demonstration. The rain which fell on Friday cleared off, and the day was fino but oveicist—just c:ol enough to moke walking

pleasant. There ware two drawbacks, bat these were not realised until the day was over. The first was that the Gymeric did not get away, the work on * board not being advanced enough to permit of the horses being Bhipped. The Auckland and Wellington companies and the Fifth thus did not get away. The second was the length of time over which the proceedings exy tended for those who saw it to the end. The Te Anau, which accompanied the Monowai for some distance outside the Heads, did not reach Dunedin till 101 p.m., while the Moura did not return till 11. The night being dark, both had to wait till the tide was at full to grope their way up the channel. Fourteen hours engaged in sending away a Contingent is rather overdoing it. Capt Jackson, lieuts. Marshall and * McLennan -Boss, with 100 men and 120 horses, being the Otago section of the Fifth Contingent, are in camp at Tahuna Park to day awaiting orders, and have no idea when they go. The Wellington and Auckland sections of the Fourth, Contingent, with most of the horse*, went on board the Gymeric last night. The Gymeris sailed at 3 o'clock this afternoon with them. How matters were got ready no information is available. The north volunteers go away by special trains to-night. The streets were crowded last night and today, but there was no trouble of any kind. Trains had to stop running for fear of accident in the centre of the town, as the people took possession of i the whole roadway for sauntering about, i No serious accident occurred to mar : yesterday's send-off. The Premier, who i went on board the Monowai, had some I difficulty in getting back, and even- I tually had to be transferred from her 1 into a boat outside the Heads. ]

THE PATRIOTIC FUND. Wellington, 'March 24. The railway employees have closed their Patriotic Fund with £2IOO. Of this £IOOO will be sent to the Lord Mayor of London, £7OO given to the various more men funds, and the balance retained on trust for disabled soldiers or relatives.