The Sixth Contingent.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 102, 29 January 1901, Page 2

The Sixth Contingent.

Wellington, Jan. 26.

It has been definitely decided that the Cornwall with the Sixth Contingent on board will leave for Auckland at six o’clock tomorrow evening, A beginning was made with the shipment o£ the horses, this afternoon.

=The present engagement of the Cornwall to convey the Sixth Contingent to South Africa is not the first time she has been used as a troopship. She carried the first Queensland contingent to the Cape, and took from Loudon one section of the Imperial Yeomanry 10 South Africa. The same officers have been with the vessel during the whole time, and the many' complimentary references which have been made in Queensland to the ship and her officers argues well for the comfort and good treatment of the Sixth while on their way to the front. Christchurch, Jan. 25The Christchurch men who returned to New Zealand from South Africa by the Orient, arrived to-night. In spite of the heavy rain a large crowd assembled at the railway station and themenwerecheered heartily. No formal ceremony took place, Wellington, January 27. The Wellington and Bout hern companies of the Sixth Contingent embarked, here yesterday afternoon on the steamer Cornwall, w hich is now proceeding to Auckland to pick up the rest, of the men and horses. In consequence of the death of the Queen there was no organised celebration in honour of the departing Contingent, The conditions were somewhat depressing for the temperature was low, and a strong southerly wind brought up frequent showers of rain and sleet.

The full strength of the Contingent is odd rank and file. Of these 199 will embark at Auckland, 583 horses are to be tak -it, and the 120 remaining are to be shipped north. In the afternoon at half-past three the companies were paraded in marching order at Newunim Parle,where the ground was ankle deep in mud. Colonel Pole-Pen ton, addressing the men, gave some sound advice in a few pithy sentences, immediately after which a few ordeis were given, then Quick Match, and the Contingent was headad off for the city. Along the line of march the footpaths were lined with peopie, and a considerable crowd had assembled at the entrance to the wharf, where a guard of honour composed of the various Volunteer corps and Permanent Mtiiiii had been drawn up.

As the Contingent marched on to the wharf they were heartily cheered.

On the arrival alongside the troopship they were drawn up and addressed by the Acting-Premier (Mr Ward), and the Mayor (Mr Ait ken). Both gentlemen wished the men ‘God-speed, good-luck, and a safe return after they had performed their duty to their Conutry.’

Mr Ward made special reference in his speech to the fact that within 15 days over 550 men have been horsed and fully equipped for service, a record which he theught might well be regarded as marvellous for the colony.

After the speech-making,which was exceedingly brief, the friends and relations of the men were ad* mitted to the wharf in order that mutual good-byes might be said. After about half-an-hour ranks were formed again and the soldiers marched aboard the transport, whose gangway and bridge were heavily draped in black.

The Cornwall was clear of her berth shortly after six o’clock, and as she steamed away in a heavy downpour of ram, Contingent cheered lustily in response to the farewells waved to them.