N.Z. CONTINGENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 532, 23 December 1899, Page 2

N.Z. CONTINGENT.

A NEW ZEALANDER WOUNDED. Wellington, Last Night News was received here to-day that Mr Percy Crabbe, well known in swimming circles, and son of tho well-known temperance lecturer, had been seriously wounded in South Africa. Mr Crabbe went with one of the Australian contingents, and no doubt has been wounded in the recent engagement at Arundel. Mr Crabbe is a resident of this city. Young Crabbe secured second place in the New Zealand Swimming Championship, decided in Christchurch in 1897, and also won the Provincial Championship of Wellington in the same year. Messrs Fletcher, Humphries and Co., Christchurch, and the Union Steamship Company have each given £IOO for the purchase of horses for the contingent, and Messrs J. Vile and G Bothainberg, Pahiatua, Mr W. 13. Hudson, Wellington, and Mr F. Courage, Amberley, have given a horse each. As the Waiwcra will on her return from the Cape be sent into dock for overhaul, she will not be able to leave with the second contingent until the 15th January at the earliest. Hon. J. D. Ormond has given two horses, and Mr Hugh Campbell, of Poukawa, four horses. Messrs C. and S. Louisson, Christchurch, have given £25 each for the purchase of horses. Hie Mayor’s fund amounts to £1786. Mr Jacob Joseph gave £lO5, Messrs Johnston and Co, £52 10s, and Mrs Rhodes £SO. The Agent-General wiies confirming the statement that Bradford was not killed, but wounded and made a prisoner. The principle on which the contingent is being selected is to divide the men as much as possible among the districts and companies offering their services, consequently the first selection is tentative, and some chosen may have to give way ultimately to others. The camp will be ready to-morrow, but the work was somewhat interfered with by the heavy rain last night. The men will be drafted into it without delay. It is already found to be much more convenient than the former camp at Karori. The Navals have given the use of their range at Mirimar. Horses are acknowledged from W. Moses, E. H. Godsell one each, and G. T. Bayley two. Even more enthusiasm is being shown than over the first contingent, which is largely attributed to the realisation of the serious wotk before the men who volunteer. Subscriptions are pouring in to the fund in a way never before seen in Wellington. Further large donations received arc the Evening Post, £IOO ; Jacob Joseph, £lO5 ; Briscoe and Macnel, £IOO ; Kirkcaldie and Stains, £SO ; Wellesley C- Club, £SO ; Murray, Roberts, £IOO. Instructions have been sent to th. Police Depots to forward all horses be longing to the force suitable for the contingent. The number that will be obtained from this source will not be very large, as the animals arc mostly of too big a stamp. , Napiiik, Last Night. Twenty members of the Guards and Rilles have volunteered. The rc'icf fund amounts to over £SOO. R. 1). D. McLean ami Wenlcy and Linauzc donated £SO each. Dunedin, Last Night. Several handsome donations have been promised lo the Transvaal patriotic fund, but these will not be disclosed till tonight’s mass meeting, which will be the largest ami most enthusiastic gathering held under cover in the colony. The Union Company head the list with £2OO Independent of the donations given by the Australian branches, several firms are giving £SO. CuniSTCiinr.cit, Last Night. The Maoris at Kaiapoi have decided to give horses lo the contingent. The list was headed by Sergt. Urua, of the Jubilee contingent. A donation of £ioo to the fund was given by Manning and Co. The children of the Opawa school, by their own vote, decided to forego their annual picnic and hand over the amount it would cost, about £2O, to the fund Great enthusiasm is shown in the EUcsmere district, and several capable young nun are offering their services.

Mr Barker, Secretary of the Christchurch branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, 6ent the following telegram to the Premier to-day :—" Six nurses, four hearers, ou p . qualtiei chemist and a dresser < ffcr their services for South Africa. Others await your decision to volunteers." The Mayor lias convened a meeting to consider the question of urging the Government to sent a larg n r second contingent. Wellington, Last Night. The Gear Meat Company has given £250 to be divided between the Lord Mayors Fuud, the Widows and Orphans Fund and the New Zealand Contingent Fund. It is understood neither Capt. Watt nor Major Sommerville will receive command of the contingent. The Ngatiporo tribe offered the services of a lot of their number but the offer had to be declined. The officials of the Railway and Post and Te'cgraph Departments have each started a contingent fund of their own as in the case of Brunner and Wairarapa relief funds. The Premier has received intimation that the directors of the N.Z. Shipping Company have voted one thousand pounds for the purshase of horses for the contingent. Ashbukton, Last Night. Mr John Grigg, of Lougbcach, has given £SO to the fund, and Mr J. Grigg, jii'.ir., gives a horse. WAIKATO VOLUN ITERS. Capt. Reid informs us that only U men in his corps are qualified to volunteer for service in the Transvaal, and every one has signified his willingness to tro to the front if required. The names a e : G. Hurd-Wood, C. Cox, Pear»on, Juo. Wright, Geo. Dodd, Geoffrey Dodd, R. 0. McDonald, J. Ellis, Hy. Salmon, J. Marshall (Ngaruawahia), G. Egau (Tirau), McLcod (Tirau), and A. Hobbs, who has just returned from South Africa. At the Anglican services throughout the Auckland diocese to-morrow, December 24th, special supplication for God's help in the present war time will be offered by request of the Bishop.