THE HAMILTON CONTINGENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1211, 3 April 1880, Page 3

THE HAMILTON CONTINGENT.

The Hamilton Contingent left "Wood's hotel, Piako, and marched into Hamilton yesterday. They were met ju->t opposite Capt. Steele's gate by the Band of the Hamilton Light Infantry Volunteers, who took up position m front, and started away with the quick march "Dennis Darling," playing them into the town of Hamilton to a numbsr of tunes. On arriving at Capt. Dawson's hotel the contingent halted, and were met with three ringing cheers ; these were returned, and the band struck up a lively tune. Here the Contingent dismounted, and after a short interval the order to re-mount was given, and they marched on to the Waikato Hotel, where they were again met with cheers, which were heartily returned. Crossing the bridge, the Contingent marched into Hamilton "West, the Band playing "Molly's Answer," and forming in front of Gwynne's Hotel, were received with loud applause by the inhabitants. Three cheers for the people of Hamilton, and one more were given by the Cavahy, who then dismounted, and the Band struck up " God Save the Queer." The greeting was not, however, all over; having remounted, the Cavalry proceeded on to the Commercial Hotel, where for the fourth time the same ceremonies were gone through, and remounting and forming in order the contingent marched half-way between che Times office and Collingwood-street, and there halted, facing ir- line. Herp they were addressed by Sub- Lieut. Johnson, under whose command they marched to tbeyibawef, and who thanked them for 4hCir general good conduct during the past nii*e days. Three cheers were given by the men for Lieut. Johnson and three more for Lieut. Whitaker, who then came forward and thanked them, assuring them that, though not able to be with them in person, his heart had been with them all along. He was proud of their behaviour at the Thames, as mentioned in the Press, and proud of the grand reception they hud met with from the people of that place — a people who never did anything by halves. One thing he noticed, that in the movements just gone through their horses showed that they had benefited us much as the men by the exercises of the past week, going through their ryoveraents with greater evenness and precision, a proof of what he had all alontr stated, that a review and march of this kind was far more conducive to efficiency than the ordinary parades of a half-yearly drill. Three more cheers having been given for Lieutenant Whitaker, Lieutenant Johnston reminded them that there was yet another cheer to be given, and one most worthily earned, and proposed three cheers for Mr Gwynne and the Hamilton Band. These having been given with great heartiness, the Contingent was dismissed, but re-formed agtuu opposite the Waikato Times BuiUlinsg foy yet smother gb<eer— really the

last,— for the Waikato Times and its "war correspondent," Mr Edward S. Smith.