THE WAIKAIO CAMPAIGN

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3167, 14 April 1879, Page 2

THE WAIKAIO CAMPAIGN

Atrival of the Thames Contia-i •. ffeat. , '':» Enthusiastic Reception fey the 1 Citizens of Hamilton. ■ [BY TEIBOBXPH.] [fbom oub bpbcial miittaby Bsrosxn.] Hamilton, This day. We arrived in Auckland in lime for breakfast'yesterday morning, and full justice was done to the meal. There was Very little sleep to be obtained upon the fiotomahana, cvring to the great number on board, and the noise,' so by the time we touched the Auckland Wharf fevr regretted that bre^kfa?t time had arrived, and terra firma once more reached. The most admirable order was maintained by the men, and credit is due to the officers who made the catering arrangements. By seven .o'clock all were at the railway station, and the special iron horse seemed impatient to be away.,' I should have said there was a team ot iron sleeds, and no less than 17 carriages to take us to the front. Many of the men who had jin the olden jJays been ordered to the •front contrasted the present mode of 'locomotion to that they were accustomed 4p in the days of the native war. All .seemed in good spirits; and appeared as if # a jolly time was before them. Still the greatest, order was observable, and the men presented the appearance of a well disciplined force. :

\ AT MEBCEB a stoppage was made, and many seemed inclined for a second breadfast, and had one as far as the resources of the place permitted; bat 70a can easily understand Mercer could not supply a host of hungry boys like ours, and very soon the place was looted of all eatables. Along the line we were cheered, and when bid Thames faces were recognised greetings were exchanged. Nothing farther hap> pened till IH i '■''", '■■.-, HAMILTON ' ,-;'■, v - " : was reached at about; two o'clock. Here Iwe were met by the Waikato cavalry—a fine body of men, and escorted to the i township, distant about a mile and a half, the Thames Engineer, and Scottish bands playing alternately; A: large concourse of people lined the streets, and seemed surprised asd pleased* at the fine appear-* ance of our men. The address of welcome : was given, tad suitably! responded to by) 'honorary Colonel Fraser, of the Thames ' Scottish, after which we addressed ourselves to a rery welcome "dinner, for I which all sesmed ready, -notwithstanding \ some had had, two meals 'already. We spent the afternoon in roaming throngh the green "lanes of Hamilton, and seeing all that was to be seen—the lake, the river; and the inside, I must admit, of most of the hostelries. Notwithstanding the excitement and the opportunities for. indulging, there is the utmost steadiness shown by the men, all feeling that'they are under military law, and interested in 'maintaining the good name of their district. A great many attended divine service in the pret r y church, leaving but little room for the regular attendants. The Eev. Mr Colder preached a very in« teresting and stirring Sermon. The even, ing was spent pleasantly, many visiting friends in the township, and all apparently, enjoying themselves very much.