The Eighth Contingent.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 150, 9 January 1902, Page 4

The Eighth Contingent.

i “ °~ , j Auckland, January 6. la reply to a complaint by Mr Fowld-, regarding the fewness of the Auckland names among thecommisaioned officers of the Eighth Contingent, the Premier telegraphs—“ In reply to your telegram as to the granting of commissions : In the first place 1 have not seen the report in the newspapers, and trm | I am not held responsible for what ' appears therein. What has guided myself and the military experts, seeing that the lives of men are at stake, was i the selection of the most competent men, ' irrespective of locality. The Imperial 1 authorities ask that preference should be given to those having had experience in ■ South Africa, and next to those, commissioned volunteers. If it has appeared in the Press that only two commissioned officers froin the Auckland district have been selected, it iB absolutely untrue. At the moment, lam unable to see the connection between grafting commissions and supply cf bonis and shoes. I presume your tele, gram, like many others I have received, waalintended for political purposes and publication, and were it not that the matter is so serious, I would ha\6 refrained from replying so plainlv. The first refusal of the officer in command was given to Auckland. Ti e probabilities are that the second in command will be an Auckland officer. There are one or two Auckland officers at | the front at the present time, and umler these circumstances you will understand how pained I feel at being judged by an unjust and unauthorised report in the Press, which is incur* redt.” Wellinqton, January 6. Instructions have been given for the enlistment of 110 additional recruits to fill up blanks of the Sixth and Seventh Contingents.- Wanganui, New Plymouth Napier, Palmerston North and Masterton have been asked to supply ten men each ; the remainder to be made up from other districts. Though in the absence of the Premier there is no official confirmation of tfa e report that Colonel Davies declines to take the command of the Eighth Contingent, owing to a difference with the Government as to the conditions • attached to the offer, it is generally accepted as true. The Premier has received the following cablegram from Colonel Porter, dated 3rd inst.; —“The Regiment divided during December j part are with Colonel Garrett at Newcastle, and part with me in the Durban district. Our duties are mostly stationary; garrisoning posts* protection of blockhouse erection, occasional night marches and counter attacks by she enemy. The regimental captures are—Prisoners seven, rifles eleven, ammunition 900 rounds, waggons fourteen, carts seven, saddles twenty-six, horses 670, cattle 430, sheep 1800, forage 160 tonf ; casualties —Wounded thirteen. The health of the troops is generally good. The enteric season is now on, and about thirty cases are scattered in the hospitals. Toe sick and wounded are doing well. The ragiment is to be reunited at Botha’s Pass about the 10th, Great interest is shown in the coming of the Eighth to join the Seventh, and the hope is expressed that we will each sharo the end of the struggle.” January 7. Colonel Davies has come to Welling, ton, and will again consult with thu Premier in regard to the command of the Eighth Contingent. OamAru, January 7. As a consequence of the calumnies of the German press on the British army id South Africa a pledge-not to purchase articles made in Germany is being freely signed by all classes here. It is understood that copies of the pledge are being forwarded to other parts of the colony. Christchurch, January 7. The mpn in Addington oamp are shaping well. Only dismounted drills have been held up to the present, as only sixty-five horses are in camp. A number of North Island horses will arrive on Saturday and early next week, and then mounted drills will be commenced, Tfae discipline is generally very good, and all the camp arrangements are giving satisfaction. Names are still being added to the supplementary roll. A detail is taken out for rifle practice at Cashmere range eveay day, and fair shooting is done. Leave is restricted to fifty men every evening. Several man have left camp for various reasons, and one man was dismissed for insubordination. The appointment of Captain Jackson, Otago, to the command of the South Island Battalion was announced this evening, and gave satisfaction in camp. Captain Jackson served in South Africa through the Gaika Galea, Fingo, Basuto, and Zulu wars of 1877, ’7B, ’73, and com I manded the Otago and Southland Battalion of the Fifth' Contingent, bringing them back in the Tagus. He also served in the Boer War of 1881 as commie- y sariat officer. Mr A, R. Falconer, well known for, , the work he did in connection with previous contingents, has established a “Soldiers’ Best” at Addington camp* providing facilities for men writing letters. He is desirous of obtaining gift# of illustrated papers and magazines, and says that the men would gladly welcome gifts of newspapers from the various parts of the cottony they come from.