GENERAL CONTINGENT NOTES.

We understand that a parade has been arranged for a late hour on Thursday afternoon through the city. It will be fixed, if possible, for such an hour that those engaged in manual labour will bo able to see it. The members of the Milton Brass Band have offered their services for the send-off-also the Kaikorai Band. ' ' ' ' The committee have Md presented to them v? C°r% ? f a PamP,hlet written by tho Rev. \\. LJarke, of Palmerston South, entitled Righteousness of the British Cause in South Africa. ' The writer takes up a wholesome Imperialistic standpoint, and his pamphlet is a strong and logical reply to any " Little il.nglanders and waverers who may still remam unwedged into the solid loyal ranks of the people of the colony. Mr Clark is going to present each trooper with a copy of his pamphlet. ,

oaE°\, c convenience of the press on the 2 *'; e committee have arranged with the officer in charge of the telephone department to have the Oyal connected by telephone, thus facilitating labour materially. All persons having tickets for any of the stands at the Oval will enter, by the Anderson s Bay road, opening opposite Cumberland street south. Immediately the ceremony is over all persons on the stands who have tickets entitling them to travel by any of tho steamers will proceed direct to the wharves and get on board. ' There will be no admission to any of the committee's steamers ex°^f J ■ tlCk! t- f ersons driving to the stands will drive to the ground via Cumberland street, and alight at the end of the street, me Hampden committee have forwarded ibO one half for the equipment of M'Kerrow Wtt Ot f°r th° 1"6"* of J- D

■P7Tif le 5. erw:ick Committee' have forwarded &' for the fund. • ■ : ■ The Mayor of Gore wired that he had forwarded a second truck of chaff, and also seven remounts' for the. Southland contin.

. The Secretary of the Invercargill committee has instructed Mr David Strang to forward one case of his patent coffee powder tor the Otago and Southland contingent for camp use m South Africa. - " H,feii c,ommittee have made arrangements that all the comforts, such as tobacco, whisky beer etc., will be despatched for shipment on board the Monowai as ship's stores, and will be under the charge of the chief steward, who will also attend to the distribution of all reading matter to the men on the voyage Mr Joseph Braithwaite has forwarded .a very Jarge parcel of magazines and papers for use on the voyage. Mr D. Bowers, Seaeliff, has placed at the clisposal of the committee a box of butter tor members of the fourth contingent. Messrs Baker Bros, wrote that accommodation had been found by means of letters and telegrams for some 60 visitors to Dunedin, and they (the writers) had now accommodation for some 500 more. From yesterday Messrs Baker Bros.' office would bo open till J-U o clock each evening. The Manager of the City Tramways wrote that a few of tho recent arrivals had been at the company's office asking for passes for the cars. They had been referred to' the secretary or the committee, but to save his time and the tickets, the writer had thought it best to issue an order to the effect that all the men of the fourth and fifth contingents in uniform were to be allowed to. travel free V simple notification from headquarters to tins effect would be sufficient.' lhe_Roman Catholic members of tho fourth and fifth contingents were entertained at breakfast after they attended mass at St. Patricks Basilica on Sunday last. Six of the Auckland men were also present. The role of host was jointly filled by the Rev -bathers Cleary and Coffey and Mr D. Molo-"e-Y and Messrs J. F. M. .Fraser nd W. A. bluelds were present as the rep:* .entatives of the Organising Committee. The Misses Moloney (3), Hayes, Brown, and Mr Blaney waited at the table in honour of the guests, and the proceedings were attended with great success. Some happily conceived speeches meu e clclivered. and at the close Lieutenant lubman, on behalf of the men, expressed thanks for the cordial hospitality that had I been extended to them. :

Messrs A. Lorie and C0.,-who generously supplied 600 pairs of socles for the Otago n.ucl Southland section of the fourth contingent, have received the following letter from the Organising Committee:—"The committee desire to express their'high appreciation of the quality and workmanship of the socks you liiive supplied to our section of tho fourth contingent. They have been delivered.in such a way as to considerably help their distribution, and we beg to thanto you for your forethought." It may be mentioned that the sooks were neatly- done up in parcels for each trooper. Messrs Lorie and Co.'s first offer was- two pair 9of

socks for each man, but by roquest they increased this to four pairs. Messrs Lorie and Co.'s foreman has generously presented each trooper with a skeiii of wool'for mending purposes. West Harbour's subscribers to tho fourth contingent fund are requested to attend tho presentation to Trooper James Low in the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening. A social will be held in the boat shed on the name evening. • • . . . Everything in connection with Mr. R. C. Jones's lecture on electricity ps, now well forward, and no doubt it will be very interesting. Wo understand:that practical illustrations of the following'uses will be shown: —Electric telegraphs and telephones, electricity in torpedoes, electricity in heating and cooking, electricity iri, railway working, the surgical uses of electricity, Rontgen's X-rays, and mail}' other various appliances to which electricity is supplied. Mr Jenkins's wonderful electric lady will also make her first appearance before -the/ public.

A pleasant". gathering of the comrades of Constable D. A. Hicfcey, now Corporal Hie- ■ key,-of the fourth contingent, took place in the P.olico. Station last evening, when Inspector Pardy, in a kindly speech, presented him with a pair of binoculars, subscribed for by the. police of- Dunedin. The inspector, in wishing Corporal Hickey every success, expressed the hope of learning of his return to New Zealand, as such men as he were not easily spared, even from our colony. A number of the corporal's comrade? also took the opportunity of expressing the high esteem in which they held him, and of their confidence in his well and worthily upholding the high fame achieved by the New Zealanders in South Africa. Song and story i-passed the speedy hours, and with loyal toasts and " God Save the Queen " the evening terminated. The following is. the form of oath in the attestation which each member of the fourth contingent will have to make:—"l, tSe above-named , do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Victoria, and that I will faithfully serve in the volunteer force of New Zealand both within and without the colony until I shall be lawfully discharged." The declaration is almost identical with the form of oath taken by the volunteers, the difference being in the addition of the words <: both within and without the colony." Dr J. H. Neil's appointment as surgeon to the fourth contingent is to the Otago com-j-.nny. Unofficial word of his appointment was received by him as far back as Tuesday last, and the official confirmation reached him on Saturday. It is believed that the experienco he has gained in the treatment of typhoid cases in Auckland Hospital will qualify him in a large ; for medical work in South Africa. It is big intention on the conclusion of the war to take the Royal Army Medical Corps course, at Net-ley, A first-class programme is being prepared for the smoke social to the goldfields members of the fourth contingent in the Garrison Hall to-morrow evening, and an excellent attendance is almost assured. The performers include a number of the best local talent. His Excellency the Governor has graciously intimated his intention of being present, and probably one or more members of the Ministry will also attend. A first-class horse, the gift of Mr R. Findlay, late of Alexandra, will be offered through the committee for, the use of Mr Martin Paget, of Alexandra.