WITH THE NEW ZEALAND CON TINGENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 514, 16 November 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

WITH THE NEW ZEALAND CON TINGENT.

[By One of Them]. S.S. Waiwera, Sunday, 22nd October, 1899. Well, at last the morning of the 21st arrived, and not a man but who was glad at the idea of leaving camp, for Kaflbri was a very cheerless spot. The nature and formation of the country greatly resembled Waingaro, more hilly if anything, only the bn*h has probably been felled some 15 or 20 years, and the land certainly did not justify the expenditure from either an agricultural or pastoral point of view. Weather most iuclement. Wellington is a bye-word the whole world over for wind, and it more than maintained its reputation. The camp : Chaos. There wa9 simply no system or organisation about it. The two things which greatly marred the good fellowship of those in camp were—Firstly, the presence of the sneak thief ; and, secondly, the unseemly scramble for food at the mess table. Favoured with veritable Queen's weather, the send-oft greatly exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine, though it was very evident the authorities were not equal to the task of handling such a gathering of people. It was simply an impossibility for the troopers to march or keep anything like their section distances, and all hands were well pleased to be on board the troopship out of it all. To the men the most imposing part of the whole thing was steaming down the harbpur, followed by the Tutanekai, in whose wake followed the torpedo boat, whilst the pleasure steamers focmed two lines, one on either side. Outside the harbour the sea was simply perfect, aud Sunday morning broke a gloriously fine day, not the slightest motion of the steamer being noticeable, and nearly all rolled up when tho bugle souuded for " stables." To wards midday, however, as we commenced to get away from the west coast of the South Island, a slight; ground swell was experienced, which speedily knocked the fighting out of the majority, and some, I fear, went further, and iu their bluest moments questioned the wisdom of their valour. For my part no sea can be too rough. I admire it ; it is a grand sight, though on this occasion, for the sake of the horses, I hope we shall have a smooth passage. It was certainly a very pleasant sight steaming along the coast on sugli a lovely morning with tho snow-capped rugged Tasman glacier showing very plainly. We passed seveial coastal steamerß all bound northwards, which signalled their good wishes and farewell. About 4 p.m. we said good-bye to the shores of New Zealand. Books, periodicals, papers and war maps, sent on board for the benefit of the men, were distributed, as also was the fruit after dinner and tobacco and cigarettes towards evening. Owing, probably, to so many being prostrated with mal-de-mcr —the officers included—there was not even a church parade, the work of looking after the horses falling to the few who were more at home on the ocean wave. They also hud to perform the guard duties, which are very strictly observed on board ship. 23rd. —Another glorious day, and as the men were getting over their sickness, which it is said was not altogether seasickness,but a goodly sprinkling of homesickness, the officers decided to rouse the men aud a general parade was called after dinner aud squads of men were to be seen in every available portion of the deck, being drilled principally in manual exercise, and in the mysteries of the art of turniue, in which the majority are sadly deficient, going to the right or leftabout in a very un-military clol-hoppiug style. To a critical ou-looker much amusement would be derived from observing the different makes, shapes and sizes, to say nothing of their bearing. 1 think it would puzzle the bestseasoned sergeants of the line, men who are up to every trick of the trade, in breaking-ia recruits, to give some of them a soldierly [bearing. Many would have g"od chests could their heads be reversed ; but, as they are at prefent, I think no end of the extension motion exercise would put their shoulders back, but for all that they are still good for powder and will stop a bullet perhaps with the most shapely. 24tii.— Day very over-cast and wind freshened from the north, after dinner a thick rain set in. Parade and drill for Ist Company in the morning and that for the 2nd Company in the afternoou was stopped by rain. The 2nd were employed on fatigue duty with horses, etc. Pipes and cigarette-holders sent on board to be given to the men were distributed ; also two cases of books were opened. Men fast improving and beginning to rally round the piano, which was lent for the voyage. It is likely to prove a very doubtful blessing—if not actual persecution, as the voyage proceeds. The regimental Sergeant-Major Roger was obliged to read the boys a mild form of riot act as luxuries presented to the contingent were found to have been broken open and far more wasted than could have been consumed. There i 3 a decidedly rough clement which makes matters unpleasant. Life on board a troopship, and especially is it so with mounted men, is not as the saying goes, " all beer and skittles." The same dull daily routine has to be gone through, and the inconveniences under which that part pertaining to the horses has to be gone through is very

irksome. The 'stable accommodation i.nd arrangements are decidedly primitive ; some of thu stalls are so badly de•:gned that Mie horses nre standing in salt water, urine and dung, formiui? a regular slush. Unless something is done, it will probably eeriously effect their feet. Eeveille, 5.30 a.m. ; stables. 6 a.m.: breakfast, 8 a.m. , stables, 9 a.m. ; parade, 10 a.m. ; dinner, 12 noon ; stables, Ipm.; parade, 2 p.m. ; tea, 5 p.m. ; stables, 6 p.m. • first post, fl p.m. ; second, 9.30 p.m. ; lights out at 10 p.m.

2otk —Stormy day and head breeze, westerly ; sea a trifle more rnbbly and upset the bulk of the men agaiu, some half-a-dozen were re»Uy bad, one dangerously so. It appears he was passed through without being examined by a doctor and is now found to have a very weak heart ; by the way, there are two others who are really not sound, hating only one eye each, one » defective light optic and the other a 'eft. I find there are several who never went a doctor, all southern men. About 11 a.m. a sail came in sight and pioved to be a full rigged merchantman >" we passed sonv: three miles off ami she was rattling along under a big spread of eonvas, it being a fair wind for her,

26th.—Morning similar to preceding one, but afternoon came out splendidly fine. All hands were keeping a sharp look out for land, and about 11 a.m. we sighted the Australian coast, and some two hours later the Tasmanian and entered the straits about 4 p m., the Australian shore, rocky and mountainous being some five miles off on the starboard side, and the Swan Island lighthouse a few miles more distaut on the port side, low and sandy apparently. At the entrance to the straits three small whales were seen not more than a half-a-mile ofTou the port side playing about. A parade was called at 2 p.m. for inspection in march' ing order much to the chagrin of some of the men who had lost various parts of their outfit, one appeared with one legging on, the other he reported missing, another turning out with two odd boots, some in shoos, others minus tunics, overcoats or rifles. Capt. Maddocks gave all to understand they must make good all losses, otherwise at the rate they were going some would land at the Cape minus their kit, and told them to buy the things at Albany.

27th. —The fine weather still continues, a gentle breeze from South West. "Wc were abreast Swan Island lighthoHse at 11 a.m. and signalled over number. Three horses in the hospital one with iniiamationtheothcrs merely mishaps. Horse died at 2 a.m. Burst oue of the pipes in engine room—it also hurst last Tuesday night, and the engines had to be stopped for a couple of hours to effect a repair at 9 a.m., and stopped for repairs to be made. At 12 noon the fire bell rang men to quarters immediately after which the boat drill was gone through and all boat* and rafts swung out clear. The men are clothed alike in canvas shoes, blue serge trousers, blue jerstes and blue knitted yachting caps or as they are generally termed "night caps." The t>.B. Waiwera is an ideal ocean tramp slow but very steady, there is none of the unpleasant vibration as felt on the faster passenger boats. She possesses enormous holds. lam anxious tosec how she behaves in a heavy sea. At present she is very badly laden, being considerably down at the bow, probably owing to the greater number of the horses being in the fore part. Lighted throughout with electric light, which is a boon, doing away as it does with the inevitable smoky lamps on board ship. Condense bur water : me s only allowed salt water to wash with' which is most objectionable. For myself I squared a steward and get all I require. Food very good and almost unlimited ; I fear the boys will miss it when we arrive at South Africa. A glorious night ou deck, perfectly cloudless sky, and thermometer at 58deg., water 54deg. I never saw such a display of phosphoric light on the ocean—that strange phenomenon which has puzzled scientists for the last three or four centuries, and has now quite recently been proved to be living micro - organisms—it is simply magnificent and beyond description, the wake of the ship is marked with it from the stern post to the vanishing point on the horizon, whilst the steamer's sides are aglow with it, reminding one of that phantom ship the •' Flying Dutchman," which old mariners used to believe

28th.—An uneventful day, the fine weather still continues. The discipline is getting much more strict. Military police are now appointed, in addition to the daily guard of 24 men under a sergeant and corporal; they go on duty at 7 p.m. each day until 7 p.m. on the next, and are divided into three shifts of eight men and relieved every two hours, so that each man has two hours on an! four off duty in the guard-room to be ready for all emergencies, and each is on duty four times in the 24, making eight hours sentry-go. To show how carefully the fresh water is guarded, one man was caught and punished for taking a cup ot water to clean his teeth. Prices are terribly stiff on board ship, with the exception of whisky, 4s per bottle; small bottles of beer, 91 ; large boxes of Bryant and May's safety matches, Bd. It is disgraceful it should be allowed. 29th.—The hottest day so far and quite uneventful. At 9 p.m. the captain sent a quartermaster round giving order* for all ports to be closed and everything

made secure, as lie anticipated a bad night. . 30th.—The sk'pper was very wide of the mark, as the night was quite cilm and the morning broke foggy. All hands looking forward to a trip on shoro at Albany, and expect t? get timru Very anxious for war news ; hack numbers will now pell if there has been any fighting since our departure. The men havo been occupying all their spare time writing. 31st.— Cannot get in to-night, so '.oing only fast enough to keep her under control for steering. A whale came within 100 yards with its back clean out of the water this afternoon. All hands are looking forward to lauding in the morning. The man arrested for taking fresh water to clean his teeth was let off with a severe reprimand. IST ftovKMBER. —Another horse died last night, that of Capt. Maddock's. Just entering Albany, 5 a.m.; must stop. Boys going ashore in companies 1 and '2.