THE CONTINGENT FIASCO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 35, 11 February 1902, Page 2

THE CONTINGENT FIASCO.

COLONEL ELLIB INTERVIEWED. Yesterday one of the reporters of this pip'r interviewed Oolonel Ellis in ran* nectien with the disappointment of the Tai anaki quota of the Ninth Contingent, and learned that on Friday Lieutenaht-Cohnel Ellis received telegraphic adviee from Oolonel Newall, officer commanding the district, to get the Taranaki quo'a ready to join the Hinemoa, whioh wae expected to call at New Plymouth about midnight on Saturday, en route from Wellington to Onehunga. Colonel Newall alio adviaed that Wanganui and Paltneraton men would embark here ae well. Inquiries were made aa to the number of men expected from Wanganui and Palmeraton, and it waa discovered that the former would not be able to leave home till Tuesday (to-day), while the lattr left by Friday's mail train, and went right on by steamer that same nittht to Onehunga. According ti orders the Taranaki men were paraded on Saturday night and taken to the only to find no steamer rifedy Yor them. On Sunday morning Colonel's Ellis communicated with Oolonel Xjewall to know vkat wae to be done, an'<r\the latter replied that he could not account; for the vessel not turning up, *a 8 hid left Wellington at 10 a.m. on Saturday. la the evening he wired again, eating that the Hinemoa had gone straight on to Onehunga, and in reply to Colonel Rllfe* inquiry as to what should, be done with 1 the men, sugg-ste_d, that they might be sent on by the Ritoiti on Tuesday. Cornel E-Ui* then sent another telegram po nting out that the Ngaptihi would be leaving on Monday night, and that the men might go by her. Colonel NVwall's reply was in the, affirmative, and the men were aant.