SEND-OFF TO OUR CONTINGENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 80, 2 April 1900, Page 2

SEND-OFF TO OUR CONTINGENT.

GREAT ENTHUSIASM. Wellington, March 3f. The last of the Contingents was got away to-day, in excellent weather, and amid much enthusiasm. The proceed ings were rather more informal than on previous occasions, but, nevertheless! a large crowd turned out to see the men off. The town and shipping were gaily dressed with bunting. It was intended to march the men from the camp to the Skating Rink, but the shipping of the horses occupied all the morning, and the troops had to go Jirect from the wharf. Thus all the people who had made ready to welcome the soldiers en route, including the Maoris at the Basin Reserve, were disappointed. This was not the only disappointment for the natives, as it had been intended to include them in the procession and allow them to give a demonstration of their own. The Committee, however, feared they would collect too great a crowd and interfere with the proceedings, so the idea was * abandoned, and, to console them, two parties were taken on the Government steamers, where they could salute the departing troops in their own fashion, A public luncheon took place at the i Skating Rink at noon. The speeches were very brief, and this portion of the ceremony went off extremely well A message was read from the Governor {conveying his best wishes for the brilliant but short campaign. ; The Premier, responding to the toast [of "Parliament," took credit to New Zealand tor its vigorous action and for the kind of men it had sent to Africa, and, en pasaant, told the Contingent no one supposed they would be a whit behind the men who had already gone, He alluded to the eagerness of the Maoris to tike part in the fighting, and said they had offered 2000 young warriors.

At another part of the proceeding?, it was mentioned that a native carnival at Fapawai had produced .£SOO, and that at the Basin Reserve £526, with more to come. This announcement was received with great demonstration, The Premier took the opportunity to publicly thank the shipping companies, the Defence Department, and workmen, whose splendid efforts had enabled two great steamers to be got ready in so short a time.

The native chiefs present, led by the Hon. J. Carroll, sang a " waiatu, and then a" ngere," or song of salutation, to the departing warriors, for which they wtre loudly cheered. As soon as the luncheon was over, the volunteers, who had formed up outside, headed by a band, escorted (he Contingent to tbe wharf. The streets were thickly line! with re pie, who

Welcomed the men with the demonstrations that have become so familiar, and with a little trouble the troops were got on to the wharf. The process of embarkation was, as usual, rather long, and it was five minutes to four when the Waimate moved away, followed immediately by the Maori. The men on board were in high spirits, and kept up a running fire of cheers and choruses, the volunteers and people on the wharf enthusiastically responding. The ships finally got clear amid a forest of waving handkerchiefs and a ▼olley of bugle-blasts, the volunteers presenting arms to each in turn as she passed. Then came that portion of the demonstration which has always been so successful in Wellington, namely, the marine parade. In full view of the wharf H.M.S. Mohawk lay dressed , with bunting, and her yards fully manned; around hovered a fleet of fifteen or sixteen steamers, mostly Union Company's, gaily decorated, and crowded with people. One division flanked the troopship on either side, ' - and a third line steamed between them, ' making a most effective panorama. The people on board were very ' enthusiastic. 1 The final farewell was much more ] effective than on the last occasion, as both steamers stopped and their escorts closed up for a last greeting. The Maoris chanted native song; in honour of the Contingent*, and, taken with volleys of cheering and a flutter of handkerchiefs, the spectacle was both , pleasing and imposing. , Including the additional men who j were passed by the Premier to-day, nearly 500 men have gone, the exact figures being:—Waimate: 13 officers, 268 men, 233 horses. Maori: 8 officers, 200 men, 180 horses. It will thus be Men that there are 55 more men than horses, as it was, of course, impossible < to find sufficient charges at the last i moment. < Lieut.-Colonel Newall is on the Wai- ■ mate with the Wellington, Hawke's ' Bay, and West Coast men. The Canterbury and Auckland companies travel by the Maori. The latter was : not quite ready when she left the wharf, : and anchored in Worser Bay to com- i pleteher equipment. She is not expected to be detained long. April 1. The troopship Maori sailed from Worser Bay for Albany shortly after 7 o'clock on Saturday night. The troopship Gynieric, bound from Lyttelton to Albany, passed through Cook Straits at ' noon to-day. PROCEEDINGS AT LYTTELTON. Ohristchubch, March 31. The horses of the men of the Fourth Contingent, who were in camp at Addington, were taken over the hill and shipped on board the Gymeric this morning, and the men went through by train, where they joined the men from the Wellington and Auckland districts. No ceremony was given when i the men left Christcbnrch, bat at • Lyttelton, previous to the departure of . the steamer, they were entertained, and ■ addresses were given by Mr. G. Liuren- i son, M.H.8., and the Mayor of Lyttelton, and two brass bands played as the i Gymeric moved away from the wharf ; soon after 7 p.m., and a display of fire- i works was given. Lyttelton, April 1, i The Gymeric, with the balance of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents, left for Durban at 8 on Saturday evening, and had a very enthusiastic send-off. Nearly the whole population of Lyttelton and many people from Christchurch assembled on the wharf. The 1 Lyttelton Brass Band played patriotic airs. A display of fireworks was given ' by the Lyttelton Demonstration Committee. Messrs, W. Kadcliffe (Mayor of Lyttelton) and G. Laurenson, M.H.R., de'ivered brief speeches, wishing God-speed to the Contingent. Cheers were given for the Contingent, Major Sommerville, Captain Thompson (of the Gymeric), Mr. G. G. and Mrs. Howie (who did much for the entertainment of the Contingent during their stay at Lyttelton). Rockets were fired and whistles blown by the vessels at the wharves. It is considered that the refitting of the vessel has removed the over-crowdingand other grievances. Six horses were rejected on Saturday. Trooper Armstrong, of the Fourth Contingent, broke his left arm by. a horse falling with him on Saturday mornings ANOTHER CONTINGENT PROBABLE. Wellington, April 1. Rumours are rife here that another contingent is yet to be sent by one or more of the boats which the Government have chartered to carry fodder to the Cape. |