N.Z. Contingent. LETTERS FROM OUR BOYS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 93, 9 January 1900, Page 3

N.Z. Contingent. LETTERS FROM OUR BOYS.

I The following letters will be read Alth interest by Waimate people. wh«y are from the brothers J. and K. GoWatone, who are at present in ..Wellington, and explain themselves. Vhe first is from John Goldstone to ■is brother and reads as follows '.—. — ■ « I have started my career as a Bsoldier of the Queen/ After saying -■sod-bye to George Collett and ■Berwick, fifteen of us rode out to "^Rmp with the horses that had come mm the steamer. We rode bareback halters and there were some spillera. When we got to we were allotted a tent. My plates are Loach and Cloaston era! dine), Loucen and Miller ■jhnslchurch), and Cotter (WanSLnui). On Saturday morning we a bare-bucked parade on the of our regimental number. number is 390. These barepaiades aro great fun as a lot of buck jumpers and ■snerally a lot of spills. My horse ■ a rough brute, but very strong Hid without a blemish. Our camp Hmtine is : flavalle at 5 a.m., Babies 5.30, mounted 9.30, stables Bb, dinner 12.80, parade 2, tea 6. Bfter tea, stables and feeding. The in camp are a fine lot and Hie officers are very smart. Three B[ the new drill instructors are here Bso. Wo went through the riding Est to-day. We rode across the hills Bv r er a narrow path to the sea beach Bid ga.llop°d across the sand hills Rid extended and skirmished. This BT a severe test, as you have to keep B line and some of the places are as Beep as the side of a house ; but you Ballop up and slide down the other Kde. God help the man who comes ■ff. In this test you carry your ■arbine in your right hand, which ■aakes 't much harder, and I ■njoyed it splendidly, although it was hot work in the blazing sun Ind the sand blowing in your eyes. Bars, and mouth. All mounted ■rill is done in sec 1 ions of four and ■ was leader of our section, which performed very well. We have just ■een served out with saddles and pridles, and all that remains for us So get is uniform and boots. There m a lot of South Canterbury fellows »ere. " Last Post " has just Jown, so I must say good-night. )iseip!ine is very strict, and the len are \ery careful, not wishing 3 get put out. A footnote next ay sa}s, "We have passed our ding tests, and are finally acepied." The n^xt is from R. Goldstone nd reads :—: — I" I write this from the Permanent rhllery Barracks, whence we were arched from the ship. We had mner and were immediately exmuied by the doctor and measured, nd Butcher and I both passed Eisily. We are waiting now for tolonel Penton to come and see us efore we go to camp. Had a ood deal of difficulty in obtaining ■riting material, and we can't ossibly wire a? we are a long way •om the post office and not allowed ut. From what I hear, Jack is ccepted, and I think we t\ ill llso pass without difficulty. We lad a rough experience coming [ver. Fourteen of us left Lyttelton pr the contingent and had to travel peerage. Butcher and I stayed on leek till one o'clock, not liking to Jo djv;n and sleep in a room 'with |8 occupants. Ie -was too cold on leek, however, so we turned in with ur clothes on. We could not sleep huch and rose at 5 a.m. and went in deck. I gradually got very sick md spent the remainder of the ourney in silent misery, as did ithers of the contingent. Butcher ras not sick at all. We did the ourney in 11£ hour,s, having a fair pind all the way. I was very glad o get ashore. Though I was as tollow as a bass drum I could eat cry little dinner, and can feel the oat rolling and the engines thumpig in my head yet. We had great vatiions on 'our way up, " Soldiers f the Queen " and " Sons of the >ea " being in evidence all along be line. There is a large number f South Canterbury men here with tie 3ontingent. We will most kely go through the riding test >morrow. They take the expanded chest measurement. Will rrite as soon as possible and let ou know all particulars. Everyne we meet is very friendly, even be officers '• chnm up " in no time.