New Zealand and the War.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 190, 15 April 1902, Page 3

New Zealand and the War.

THE TENTH CONTINGENT

(from ock own correspondent.)

The South Island battalion of the Tenth Contingent have been hard at work all the week drilling when not hindered by the weather. Up till Thursday morning the weather was unsuitable for much drill, but since then it has been perfect. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday all parades were in the Addington Show ground, but on Thursday afternoon the battalion, over 500 strong, marched to Haglev Park, where an excellent afternoon's extended drill was gone through. The Waimate section, all but three, are in the No. 3 troop, G squadron, and they consider that theirs is the crack troop in camp. Most of them had had I some training in infantry drill, and though not the same as mounted work, this proved an advantage. The rest are fast losing any awkwardness they felt at first, and bid fair to make excellent " soldiers of the King." The Waimate boys all take the keenest interest in their wotk, and are quite disappointed when lain prevents a parade. Off. the parade ground the. whole talk i$ of the work .done—squadrons,; troops, fours. Trooper E. Forter is acting corporal and Trooper George Wilson lance-corporal, and when the full list of noncoms is drawn up "Waimate "will likely . have some: .impre representatives. Trooper R. Smith declined corporal's stripes ana responsibilities, preferring, to' remain in the ranks.

"Waimate troopers will be pleased to receive letters 'from any of their friends who caii find I time to write. .> * ...

Troopers Burt and R. Sullivan have oftered their services' as [farriers, and are likely to be taken lon.

Ohristohurch, April 10. A very poorly attended meeting "was held last night to 5 consider the question of according a sendoff to the Tenth Contingent. Ultimately it was decided that the entertainment should take the form of a

endeavour will be made to-have the men marched through £he city on the d&y 'of'..their departure.

Wellington, April 12

The luncheon to the*North Island section of tho Tenth Contingent took place this afternoon. The men do not leave until Monday. The Mayor presided, and among those present were the Premier, several of his colleagues, and many prominent citizens.

The Premier, responding for the " Tenth," delivered another patriotic speech. Referring to the men, he said they were as fine a lot as had gone before. He announced that Lord Ranfurly had informed him of the receipt of a cable message from the Secretary of the War Department to the effect that no further commissions were to be granted direct to colonials, except to, those serving at present in South Africa, and those only at the discretion of the commanding officer. Continuing, the Premier said that he wanted to know more about this matter, and why, because our sons desired to continue fighting rathei than stop and undergb examinations for commissions, these commissions should be denied. He did not blame the Secretary of State for War, but there was someone in the Department who wanted ,-to be better acquainted with colonial feeling on this question. Speaking with much warmth, the Premier declared that this would be another matter for discussion at the Imperial Conference. The whole system of the British army and navy wanted remodelling, and better facilities given to colonials for entering the army than at present existed. The troopship; ou leaving here, called first at Sydney, and it was quite possible, the Premier said, that if time permits he will make a journey from the Cape to Pretoria. Messrs Baunatyne and Co. have received advice by cable stating that the Cornwall left Durban on Thursday evening for Wellington via Albany, with 2.99 men and nine officers. These will be chiefly members of the Sixth Contingent.