N.Z. CONTINGENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 544, 10 January 1900, Page 2

N.Z. CONTINGENT.

MARTINI RIFLES CONDEMNED. (liY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, Last Night. The horse presented to Private Moody strained his back when jumping over a ditch, and had to be destroyed. Six men have been rejected on account of bad riding. Strong complaints are ma le of a number of horses, which it is said were only sent to the. contingent because they were useless on the runs they came from. The same horse which threw Chapman threw another trooper yesterday. There are now 235 horses in camp. The 20‘.h is definitely fixed for the Waiwera’s departure, and it has been decided to hold a farewell demonstration in Newtown Park, which from its shape is most suitable for the purpose There will also again be a gigantic marine demonstration. The following have presented one horse each to the Defence Department for the use of the contingent Messrs G. Rutherford, Sheffield ; J. H. Nixon, Wanganui; W. T. Owen, Makariki; E. A. Campbell, Wanganui; Joseph Paul, Wanganui; Britten, Waipawa ; H. Palmer, Otaki; Shrimpton, Hastings ; Steward, Mougonui; Bartholomew, Fcildiug ; Downes, Feilding; and W. A. Macky, Rangatira.

Messrs Manning and Russell, of Rang!tata Island, have donated 50 sacks of oats, and Speight and Co. and Powley and Co. have each given five eases of beer.

Messrs Neill and Co., Dunedin, have given three boxes of tobacco. Wellington, This Day, Bishop Wallis entertained the officers of the contingent at dinner last night. Among the guests were the Premier, Sir Arthur Douglas, and Colonel Fenton. Wellington, This Day. Capt. Whitney, who returned from South Africa in the Waiwcra, says the converted Martini rifles used by the Victorian contingent had to be discarded at the Cape and Magazine rifles supplied. In 1897 he endeavoured to prevent the colonies from converting the Martinis, and claims that the wisdom of his action is now proved. He adviser officers to ptocure the Mauser pistol here as it is unobtainable at the Cape, also that the contingent he supplied with jujube meat lozenges, which are most useful in emergency. Col. Penton has raised a difficulty about holding the demonstration at New'town Park, on the ground that the crowd would hamper the men’s preparations for, departure. If the objection is persisted in, the ceremony will probably be held in the basin reserve, and the contingent, ercorted by volunteers, will march through the town. Christchurch, Last Night. Referring to the trip across to Capetown, Captain Stewart said he considered the men a first rate lot of fellows. Major Robin was a splendid man and the discipline and training as near perfection as it could well bo. There was no case of sickness, and the men were extremely healthy. They were drilled every morning and night, and judging from the excellent target paeticc, they were splendid shots. “ I think a very great deal of our colonial troops ” continued Captain Stewart. “It took us 30 days go : ng over, aud longer to return, but we will not be so loug this time after the overhaul. “ The men and horses all disembarked at the Cape within an hour. “ We had every thine: we wanted on the voyage over. I could not suggest any additional arrangements. “ We could not have had a better vessel for the horses. She is so steady and the animals that died did so through the stoppage caused by the dry food and want of exercise. It is curious that the best bred horses were the ones that died.” Trooper Hunt, wdio arrived by the iVaiwera, is still unable to walk. The officers and crew are pleased with the idea of going back with another contingent, and- nnamiuous in their praise of the discipline and good behaviour of the first. Capt. Stewart in an interview said : “ We cannot get away before the 25th,” but it will probably bo Saturday, the 27th.' Wo begin fo take cargo on Friday or Saturday. It might bo possible to leave here on Sunday, and thus reach Wellington on the 15th. We will require 10 days to refit, and the chief engineer does not think we shall get away then as the engines want cleaning, as well as the ship’s bottom. Auckland, This Day. Mr Napier, M.H.R., telegraphed to the Premier, asking that the Auckland Volunteers be allowed to have a free pass over the Government railways to go to Wellington to participate in the " send off ” to the contingent. In reply, Mr Seddou telegraphed that “ Volunteers will be allowed the same privileges from Auckland as were granted to those at Napier, the conditions being that no less than two-thirds of the company must come with the officers.

Official intimation will be given in due course by Under-Secretary for Defence.” Mr Napier replied: “Regret conditions imposed as to two-thirds volunteers going quite impossible, and Under-Secretary Defence knows it is absurd.”

PATRIOTIC FUND. Contributions to the Patriotic Fund now being raised for the relief of sufferers by the war in South Africa : Previously acknowledged ... £4l 17 2 Dr. Brewis - ... 22 0 Mrs. W. H. Kelly ■ 5 0 J. McPherson I 1 0 E. J. D. .(. . ... 1 0 0 The Cambridge public are subscribing freely to the fund in aid of the wives and children of soldiers killed or disabled in the South African war. for the list at the Post office in that town now tots up to the respectable figure of £2B. The war fund at the Hamilton Postoffice has been further augmented by the receipt of a cheque for two guineas from Capt. Jackson, S.M., and 5s from Mr Mauktelow. THE LATEST. BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE WANTED AT PRETORIA. 250 MOUNTED INDIAN VOLUNTEERS ACCEPTED. 0000 TROOPS AND 6 GUNS TO LAND THIS WEEK. CONVOY FOrTuSTRAIIaN CONTINGENT. (Received January 10th, Pj4o a.m.) London, January 9. Kruger has again refused to allow the American Consul at Pretoria to represent the British interest, and said a British representative was wanted. The British Government has accepted 250 mounted Indian Volunteers. Six thousand troops and six guns will land in South Africa at the end of the present week. (Received January 10, 9.40 a.m). Melbourne, January 10, The Assembly has voted £35,000 for the second Transvaal contingent, Patriotic speeches were made by all parties, and enthusiastic cheers were given. (Received January 10, 10.25 a.m.) Sydney, January 10. The Queensland Government has asked Mr Lyne to consider sending a warship to convoy the ships carrying the contingent. The Admiral considers there is no danger of their being attacked, but, if the colonies desired, he would make the necessary arrangements with the Naval Commander at the Cape, Mr Lyne is consulting other Premiers. A letter appeared in (he London Times from one of the officers that the captain of the Roslin Castle was warned that there was a Brazilian cruiser outside not commissioned by the Brazilian Governmeut, and might belong to the Boers, The captain was instructed in consequence to sail without lights and deviate from the true course.