AN OFFER FROM OPOTIKI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1900, Page 5

AN OFFER FROM OPOTIKI.

The Acting Chairman of the Opotiki Town Board wired to.llis Worship the Mayor to-day: "Seven suitable men here wish to join the third contingent. Is Auckland raising men, and if so, can they join, or. can you give 'any information, or make any suggestions to assist us here?" fMr Goldle ■ replied that the <G6v:eWiment will bring volunteers for the third contingent here, and return them free if they do not pass, and also stated that if. the men found their own horses they would have.a better chance of being accepted than otherwise. '

LONDON,' February 4.

Messrs Tinline and Pharazyn have each given £100 towards the New Zealand Bushmen's Fund.

GISBORNE, this day.

£743 has been collected for the War Fund. Ten men-elected from 80 who volunteered leave to joint the Rough Riders'- Contingent on Wednesday. A fatfewell public meetiiig will be held to-morrow night, and there will be a r demonstration on their departure on "Wednesday. The men and horses leave by the Elingamite.

By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

PAEROA, this day

Mr W. Hubbard,. brother of Trooper Hubbard, who is with the first contingent, left Paeroa this morning to join the third contingent for the Transvaal. He is a splendid stamp of a volunteer, and is a member of the Paeroa Volunteer Corps.

HOKITIKA, this day,

Ten men have been selected to represent Westland in the third contingent. . .With the rejected men, they were, entertained by the Mayor on 'Saturday night. The proceedings were ver}' enthusiastic. The men and horses leave to-da}' at 2 o'clock by train for Jackson's, and intend to ride to Otira this evening1. They will reach Castle Hill to-morrow, and Springfield on Wednesday, in time to catch the train for Christchtirch. The troops are in provisional charge of Capt. Martin, of the Totara Rifles, and Lieut. Boss. Good, hardy men are selected, including four or five young miners, also the son of Lieut.-Col. Bonar, M.L.C. Nurses Macandrew, and Johnston have volunteered for service if a nursing staff.is required. Dr Macandrew has presented the contingent with a horse.

(From Our Own' Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

At a meeting of the ,More' Men Fund Committee this; morning, the Mayor in the chair, it ;vyas decided to pay. .to the Government a' thousand pounds, as the., first, instalment towards the expenses in connection with the ancampment. of the rough riders. The latter are not. expected to get. away with; the -third contingent, and 'will probably not be ready for embarkation until the fourth contingent is organised... The. committee . reported ; that. 134 men had been provisionally .selected, to go into camp to-morrow. Of the total the officers and two men are prepared •to completely equip themselves, and - pay their passages, 'one'to provfde a horse and full equipments, seventy-three to provide their horses. Allowing for the rejected men the total value of horses and equipments, it is expected, will be £1,250. The Committee decided that the men offering to pay their passages, provide horses and equipments be allowed to enter tihe camp without preliminary examination by the selection committee, talcing their chances of ultimate approval or rejection. '.'..tip was resolved £o.promote an openair concert on the wharf in "aid of the fund. ■<.' ■i'~'i\}'^ ..v.. A telegram was sent to the 'Mayor of Wairarapa as follows: "Presume moneys collected in Wnirarapa will be'Jianded to Central Committee, as

numbers of men from Wairarapa have applied here and have been provisionally'selected." 'It is imderstbd that pay of 4/ per day will begin .from the day of entering the camp.' The Mayor lias expressed the opinion this should be included in the £75 for each man. Offers, have been received from Drs. Gillon and Godfrey .as surgeons with the ..rough riders. Regarding nurses, the Committe decided to inform the ladies that they have no funds available for sending nurses to South Africa. They suggest that the ladies meet to take independent action, and raise a separate fund, A member of the committee remarked: "It's the men we are after." The Mayor: "But the'women are after the men."

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

' .. WELLINGTON, this day:. ■"'■'■ A UNIQUE LETTER. The following unique letter, received by the Premier, has been forward--led on to the Selection Committee: — I "Featnerstoh, December 21st. 1899. —- i Right Hon. Dear Sir,—l have the. j pleasure, of offering my .services for. j ! the Transvaal. . I will accept any office from drummer boy upwards. I, am eleven years old, sft high, and' | weigh 6st lib. 1 am captain of the j 'school and in trp...fith- Standard. My brother is leaving Sydney for the \ Transvaal on the 2t6h by-the s.s. War-1 rigal, and. I hope to meet him in South : : Africa. N.B.—-I wish I. could urge a few other boys to come,. but; they | seem to be frightened. Please-»send . the time when I am to come, and I where I am to g-o.—l remain, etc., I yours-obediently."