COLONIAL PREMIERS AND TROOPS IN ENGLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 207, 6 September 1897, Page 2

COLONIAL PREMIERS AND TROOPS IN ENGLAND.

(From Our London Correspondent.)

THE DEPARTURE OF THE COLO-

NIAL CONTINGENT

LONDON, July 23

It was just like an ordinary station scene on the departure of a "special' for the Docks. There were the übiquitous porters pushing their way through the dense crowd with trollies piled with luggage, and heralding their intention of running you down with their cry of "By your leave, please." There was the middle-aged and plethoric female with her dozen parcels bravely trying to push her way along the platform, but making very slow progress owing to dropping something- at every step; and then there was the lady who felt sure that she was going to get into the wrongtrain, and, not satisfied with the assurance of the guard to the contrary, had to ask the advice of every railway official who came within leach. Yes, they were all there, pushing and worrying themselves' but there was another element in that crowd at the departure of yesterday's 12.30 express from Fenchurch-street lor the ituahine at Cravesend, and that element an unusual one—the presence of the New Zealand contingent, who were officially leaving England after thensix weeks' stay. The Premier of New Zealand, tne Bight Hon .R. J. Seddon, drove up some few minutes before the departure of the train, and, after shakinghands with a number of the men, said a few words to them on the platform. He commended them on the excellence of their conduct while in England, and said that there were very few men who would have faced so many difficulties to represent their colony at the Jubilee. They were but a small section of a similar type of colonist in New Zealand,who would not hesitate to shed their blood for their country should the occasion arise. Mr Seddon was accompanied by Mrs and Miss Seddon and there were also present a number of New Zea"landers to bid the Mounted Rifles g-ood-bye. Most of these accompanied the troops on board the Eualnne, bent on seeing the last of them. I:noticed Major-General Sir George more, Father Lynch, and Mr T. Mackenzie; while as representing the Agent-General there were Mr Campbell and Mr Kennaway, jun. A number of friends the colonials have made ill London, and the personal friendships that have been cemented are by no means few, also saw them off. I am told that there is more than one stalwart and unmarried trooper who for at least some time to come will give vent to morethan an occasional sigh at the recollection of a beautiful lady left behind. There is some talk of serious consequences following the short friendships, and of ladies waiting on this side for the word to come from New Zealand and bid them follow. However, I do not think that much is likely to come of it, and the parsons will not reap a rich harvest by marrying all the susceptible colonial soldiers to fair English maidens At the railway station additional eclat was given the departure by the presence of the drum and fife band of the 3rd Grenadiers, who as the tram moved out of the station played "Auld Lang Syne." Since the troops broke barracks on the 7th instant they have been in various pats of England. Colonel Pitt has been taking little jaunts into the country, and Lieut. Pringle has been following his example. Capt. Robin has been utilising his time to a very large extent in increasing his already extensive stock of military knowledge. The latter wished to visit Paris and Versailles to see a little of French military life, but he found the time at his disposal too short. Capt. Tuniarangi and his dusky men have been for the most part little out of London, but the white-skinned M.R.s have been in all pats of the Kingdom. The majority of them, however, for the best part of a week tasted the sweets of a typical Englist wateringplace—namely, Scarborough. ' Some fourteen having determined to see a little more of the beauties of England as revealed to them in glimpses during the last fortnight did not sail by the Kuahine yesterday, but wait over' for the Mataura, which leaves in three weeks. The following are the fourteen whose inclinations lead them to prolong their stay in England three weeks.and whose duties admit of their doing so;—Sergt. Somerville, Alexandra Cavalry; Trooper Symes, Hawera M.R.; Troopers Glover, Hudson, and Grand, Heretaungata M.R.; Corporals Hazlett and Freeman and Trooper Grieve, Otago Hussars; Troopers Ennis, Jopp, and Boyd, Southland M.E.; Corporal Haydon and Trooper Crossley, Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry; and Sergt. Roll, North Otago M.R.

On arrival at the Ruahine yesterday the men found that very different accommodation was provided for the trip to New Zealand to what they had to put up with coming Home. For this they have largely to thank the Agent-General, who has done everything in his power for them while in England, and I think they thoroughly appreciate what has been done. Mr Campbell, of the Agent-General's office, has had a great part of the work of looking after the contingent, and he has carried out everything he has had to do admirably.

It was intended to present Captain Bobin with an illuminated address before the steamer sailed but, owing to the rush, it was found impossible to make the presentation at the time fixed. I was assured, however, that the address, which is a spontaneous recognition by the men of the way he has carried out his duties, would be presented before the anchor of the Buahine had been weighed many minutes. Just here I may say that Captain Robin was the right man in the right place, and that the authorities on this side recognised his military knowledge was amply evidenced by his being chosen to command the special colonial body-guard which, after the Jubilee celebrations, escorted the Queen to Windsor. Colonel Pitt's position has been for the most part an administrative one, and this he has proved himself the right man to fill; but the details of the soldiers' work has fallen on Captain liobin, and it says a great deal when I state that, although his discipline has been strict enough to ensure a splendid state of efficiency, there is not one of the contingent who would not do a great deal,, for "the Captain." The time came for the tender to cast off from the Ruahine at last and, amid the chaffing of those homeward bound and those who were staying behind for a spell, the necessary weeping on the part of relatives who were parting passed unnoticed. A little pleasure - steamer sidled up against the Ruahine as she was getting under weigh and the band on board played "Auld Lang Syne."

Amid an animated scene of cheering, laughter, and genial "barrack," the New Zealand contingent took its official departure, and the friends, and those of the mounted troopers who remain a little longer in England, returned to London. THE COLONIAL TROOPS. "I w-ish I was a colonial trooper," quoth a Jubilee wearied journalist the other day and one found it easy to echo bis desire. For be it understood that those of the colonial contingents who still remain are having a high old time. On Friday last as many as could {dead no private engagements were entertained by the members of the Ranelagh Club at Barn P_.lers. Amongst those who accepted this kind invitation were the N.S.W. Lancers, Victoria Rifles, N.S.W Permanent Artillery, S.A. Mounted Rifles, N.Z. Mounted Infantry, and Queensland Mounted Infantry. Two steamers had been specially secured to convey the troops who proceeded from Chelsea Pier to Putney .where they disembarked and marched by way of the towing path to the club's grounds. On reaching the entrance the troops were met by the band of the 15th Hussars who heading the column marched to the marquee in the centre of the grounds, where they were dismissed and partook of the. club's hospitality, in the form of light refreshments, etc. On Saturday the majority of the colonials were present at at the Palace, some to witness and some to take part in the Tournament in process there. In the tent-pegging, several of the colonial troopers took part and Trooper Ilarkus, N.S.W. Lancers, won first prize. Another colonial, Sergeant O'Grady, of the same regiment, took the sword v. sword prize, defeating Sergeant Major cle Passey, South Australian Mounted Rifles, in the final bout. The S.A. Mounted Infantry and the N.S.W. Lancers gave a' display which consisted of an exciting rescue of a stolen child from a savage tribe. On Monday afternoon 85 representatives of the colonial troops visited Croydon and met with an enthusiastic reception. The town was gaily decorated, and thousands of people lined the streets. The visitors, who were under the command of Major Re.ay, travelled by special train from Victoria. At West Croydon Station they were welcomed by the Mayor, wearing his robes and chain of ofliee, the Town Clerk, and members of a Reception Committee. After a few introductions the men marched out of the station preceded by the band of the Royal Engineers playing the National Anthem. A procession consisting of the local volunteers and Surrey Yoemanry, (he colonial troops and the corporation fire engines was formed to the Opera House, where a special matinee performance of "A Woman's Revenge" was given. Afterwards the Mayor held a reception at the Town Hall, the guests numbering 1100. At a banquet at night in the Town Hall, Mr Ritchie, M.l. was present, and proposed the principal toast. "Our Guests." The banquet was followed by a torchlighl tattoo, and the visitors were escorted to the station by volunteers. On Tuesday, 74 representatives of the colonial troops journeyed to Scarborough, on a three days' visit to the town. The contingent included 10 Queenslanders, 10 Victoria Mounted Rifles, 12 N.Z. Infantry, 10 .Maoris, four N.S.W. Lancers, six South Australians, and seven olliecrs. They were received at the railway station by the Mayor and Corporation. A procession wa ■. formed, headed by the band of the Durham Militia, and the. guests were escorted to the quarters provided for them a1 different hotels. In the evening the Spa and the whole of the other places of entertainment were thrown open to the guests, who fraternised freely with the townsfolk and visitors, and appeared to be enjoying thoroughly the hospitality of the' fashionable northern watering place. COLONIALS AT BISLEY. The weather at Bisley during the past three days has been all that could be desired in the matter of sunshine, but the competitors have been considerably bothered by the prevalence of strong breezes, which have on occasions compelled an allowance of from 12 to 24 feet windage at the longer ranges. The colonial competitors did not begin their shooting till Wednesday, Avhen the first stage of the "Imperial" came on. All through the day the shooting wasdifficult, for the wind blew in fierce gusts which bothered the most experienced hands and eompletly "bottled up" some of the less practised shootists. So tricky was the wind, indeed, that not a single competitor made a highest possible at the first range, 200 yards. The Australian competitors who made most points at this range were Corporal Winterford, of Queensland, 31; Gunner Webster, of New Zealand,who put on 32; and Fergnsson, of Queensland, 30. These were the only shootists from "down under" to survive the first stage of the Imperial. Winterford's average for the three distances was 96. He put on a H.P. at 500 yards, but at 600 only gained thirty points. Webster's aggregate was 94, his scores at the longer ranges being 32 and 30. Fergusson also made 94, his points at 500 being 33 and at 600 yards 31. The highest aggregates in this stage of the Imperial were made by Sergt.-Major Sheldon, Sergt. Whitehead, and Corporal Lockie, all Home-bred soldiers, who tied with scores of 98 out of a possible 105. The Canadian and Cape competitors showed up well in the first stage of the Imperial, eight of the former and five South Africans qualifying to shoot in the second stage.

Whilst the big competition was in progress the Prize of the Secretary of State for War was being shot for at the 800 yards range, each competitor firing ten shots. The prize was divided by Sergt. Wyatt, of the London Rifle Brigade, and Private Swaine, of Canada, both hitting the bull seven times consecutively and dropping into the inner with their eighth shot. The New Zealanders showed up well in this competition, Private Webster making 45 out of a possible 50; Corporal Strachan, 44; and Sergt. William and Private King 41 each. Private Sloane, of Victoria, however, beat the Maorilanders by putting 0n47 points.