The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1902. THE CONTINGENT FIASCO.

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

The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1902. THE CONTINGENT FIASCO.

There is a very strong feeling here that a strict inquiry should be held into the treatment of, the Taranaki quota of the Ninth Contingent, so that the blame for the unfortunate fiasco which occurred may be placei on the right shoulders. It ii very poor encouragement to men who offer their lives, in the eervice of the Empire, that they should be treated as these men have been, and we trust the Minister for Defence will have the matter thoroughly probed, and the person er persons responsible for the- cruel and unwarrantable treatment of the Taranaki men taught to consider the comfort and welfare of those entitled to every consideration at the hands of their country. That "some one ha* blundered " is very clear, but only very gross neglect to give instructions or to make them explicit enough, could have led to such a- grievous blunder, by which 30 men were landed .on the wharf at the breakwater, and but for the courtesy of the stationm&ster, who leftthemaguard's van,and the harbourmaster, who gave them the tise of hi* own room and the tope-sbed, thts men would have had to stay out in the rain all night. As it was, tbey hid to wait about in the rain without any shelter for several nours till they all got miserable. Fortunately, though wet, the night was warm, but the same thing would have happened had it been the depth of winter instead of summer. Yery great credit is due to Colonel Ellis and Captain Tautnon, who

certainly did evesything in their power to make the send-off a success, and on Sunday, on becoming aware of what had taken place, did everything possible to minimise the discomfort to the unfortunate men. In another column will be found the result of an interview with Colonel Ellis, which shows that the blame does not rest ' on the shoulders of anyone in New Plymouth.