THE CANTERBURY TROOP.

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. This morning broke cloudy, but with promise of fine weather, which was fully realised. At tfhe 6.45 a.m. parade, Camp-Ser-geant-Major Coleman took thirty-six men in the manual and firing exercises, and Staff-Sergeant-Major Jones forty men in firing exercises, marching and section formations. Staff-Sergeant-Major Taylor instructed twelve recruits in foot-drill. The work done was characterised by steadiness, and attention throughout, and .showed decided improvement. At the 9.30 a.m. parade Lieutenant Jones practised forty-five men in marching and section formations, which were well carried out. The remaining men of the troop, numbering forty-three, who were not engaged i© orderly , v s|table or guardmounting duty, paraded mounted, and under Captain Lindsay, who was assisted by Lieutenant , Tucker, proceeded to the Cashmsre range for ball practice, which was supervised by. Camp-Sergeant-Major Coleman and Staff-Sergeant-Major Taylor. Five shots at 300 yds were fired in the prone position by each man, after the arms had been rigorously inspected by Captain Lindsay. Trooper H. Harper made 17 out of a possible 20, and several others put up 13 apiece. The Lytfceltc-n "Navals have lent two rifles, fitted with Moms-tubes, and have given a supply of 2000 rounds of ammunition for the use of the men. There is ample accommodation j on the Show Grounds for at least six Morristube ranges, which would bs constantly used in the evening, and during spare hours, and the Lyttelton Navals -have given a- most practical and useful present. As the time for departure is now close at hand, if the rifle classes of the several Working Men's Clubs would forego their favourite amuse man** for a few days, and allow the troop the use of their material, actual sihooting practice^ an essential whicS is at present lacking, could be indulged in. Two dozen tins of cocoa from " A.C. are thankfully acknowledged and will probably be reserved as comforts on the voyage. Trooper C. A. Wilsonhas been appointed orderly-room clerk. Lieutenant Bourn is at present absent on leave. He has gone to visit .'his friends at Timaru, and will bs present at the " sendoff " to Major Jcwsey, which will take place at Timaru to-night. 1 Tbe Rev W. S. Bean, chaplam of tbe Canterbury Engineers, was a visitor this morning, and will conduct the camp service on Sunday. Nine men who had passed their final medical examination were sworn in by Lieu-tenant-Colonel Slater this morning. Mr H. Cassidy, of Springfield, who presented a horse to. the Second New Zealand Contingent, has followed,, the same course in respect of the Canterbury Troop. Mr Sidney Hawker, of New Brighton, has forwarded three copies of an original song of his own composition and setting to Staff-Sergeant-Major Jones. The title is " Young New Zealand's National Song," and the choru3 iis, at first sight, a taking one. Further details will be to hand after tonight's performance at the Social Hall. The shop-keepers of Christchurch are extremely generous in refusing to accept payment fori small purchases from members of the Troop. A welcome and surprising gift was offered to tbe corporal of the guard yesterday, and the man. has been a happy and much-envied man ever since. A young lady, after delivering a welcome gift of fruit for the Troop, asked a corporal of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry if he was really going to South Africa. The corporal disclaimed any such intention, but indicated the corporaPof the guard, who was. The corporal of the guard then received, not only a hearty handshake, but a few of those inestimable feminine favours which most men like, although they do not talk about them. The C.V.C. corporal is still bemoaning the folly of his absolute truth- : fulness on the occasion. The mounted parade was held at the North Park at three o'clock this afternoon. THE KNIGHT TEMPLAR. The s.s. Knight Templar, which 'has been chartered as the transport to fake the Third New Zealand Contingent to South Africa, arrived from Timaru at 7.45 a.m. to-day. At the southern port she took on board about 17,000 sacks of oats, which are to be supplemented by a large shipment from Lyttelton. The carpenters placed oft board since the vessel was last at this pert, 'have been busy during the interval, and the main deck and 'tween decks axe covered with the skeletons of stalls for horses and bunks for men. The latter are to be lodged in the 'tween decks, amidships, under No. 2 hatch. The horses will be accommodated upon the main deck and in the 'tween decks fore and aft. In order to provide sufficient fresh air, the ventilators are to. be improved, arid this wor"k has been entrusted to Messrs L.. Smith and Co., of Lyttelton. Messrs Scotfc /Bros. 1 have been entrusted with the task of providing and fitting up the steam cookers required for preparing the rations of tiie contingent during the voyage. Mr J. Grubb, of Lytteltcil, is engaged in connec-tion-with erecting the necsssary nttings, and Mr J. Daniels; repairs-superintendent to tha Union Steamship Company, is actively supervising the whole work. The Knight Templar, on her arrival, was moored at No. 6 wharf., but to-morrow, after the departure of the ocean steamers now lying at No. 7 wharf, she will be shifted to the east side, the inside, of the latter. THE PATRIOTIC FUND n> V o pwss Association.] [ WELLINGTON, Feb 9. A Patriotic Fair at Masterton produced over £SOO, in spite of unfavourable weather [in the early part of the day.