THE "BLUE JACKETS" IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 102, 7 March 1879, Page 2

THE "BLUE JACKETS" IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The Natal Mercury nays" The naval brigade brought to Natal by HerMajssty'g ship Active is the largest body of the kind that lias yet been seen on these shores. There are 230 in all, including twenty big Ki'ooman from the Gold Coast, whose appearance in naval uniform and with English speech seemed to puzzle the Caffro bystanders. The blue jackets, who ireio received with hearty cheers as they landec are mostly youngsters, but their sturdy, * thick-set forms, tanned faces, and resolute bearing are proofs of very serviceable qualities. They were four months in the field on the Cape frontier a year ago, from December to April, and did good work, while they got hardened and seasoned there. Their three Catling guns attracted much curiosity. The brigade is supplied with ammunition enough for a Russian campaign, if need were, while the spirit of the men themselves is quite asbellicoie as can be .desired. The celerity with which they iwarmeJ out of the Somtsen on to the wharf, formed into rank there, and marched straight off to the station, told its own tale. May they and the finelook'ng fellows of tho 24th, who landed about the same time-as fin# a set of soldiers a3 wo have welcomed—be able to feel when they leave our shores that they have not been here in vain. That must be their hope, as it is ours, and it will be no fault of theirs should tnat hope not be realised." This 24th was the very regiment which was almost annihilated last month,