NEW ZEALAND'S SECOND CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1900, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S SECOND CONTINGENT.

SPEND A PLEASANT TIME AT

ALBANY,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

(By telegram from Dunedin.)

ALBANY, February 1

A slight delay in the departure of the Waiweru from the port has given the Contingent an opportunity of stretching, "their legs ashore, which has been taken full advantage of. The troopship has; 900 tons ox coal to take on board, and is' expected to leave in the early morning. The veterinary surgeon has ulso been laying" in stores, and has cleared , the town of quinine. Besides this he has secured a few carrots, which will tempt the dainty appetites of sick horses. In other ways Albany has reaped a rich harvest from the short, stay of our Contingent, most of the men returning to the ship With various packages wilder their arms. The. luxury of meals and beds, not to mention, drinking, ashore has been greatly appreciated, and last night the hotels were as overtaxed as those of Wellington on rhe night preceding the. Contingent's departure. The passengers who returned by launch to the ship as she lay in the stream were closely scanned by the guard as they came up the gangway, and one outlander who found his way on board was promptly confined in the guardroom till he was put oft".

To-day the second half of the men ame ashore on leave, headed by Trooper Henderson with the bagpipes. They marched down the wharf, and before splitting up into little parties they treated the townspeople to an excellent exhibition of their war-cry. They have gained an excellent reputation for their good conduct ashore and for their soldierly appearance, several of the other colonials who have touched at Albany having- been rather careless in this respect. The officers, however, have hud the best lime. They were made lion, members of the Albany Club during their stay. The members of the club have been most anxious to render their visit enjoyable. To-day the club gave them a ""send-oft:" at their rooms, the vicepresident, Mr Hayvies, proposing the health of the Contingent, to which Major Cradock replied. Captain Stuart of the Waiwera was rather taken aback by being called on to acknowledge the very hearty manner in which his health was drunk. The club then entertained the officers at luncheon at the Freemasons' Hotel, when the toast list was repeated. A drive round the ions followed, and more champagne was broached at the Middleton Beach. The drive along- a splendid road followed the sea. line, aiul was thoroughly enjoyable. Dr. Fenwiek and Lieut. Crawshaw indulged in a round over the golf links at Middleton Beach. Our hospitable friends of Albany, who spared no-efforts to impress the MaurJlanders with a uen.se of West Australia's good-will towards fellowcolonials and brother Britishers, had projected a dance in the evening, but an order that every one should be on board by eight o'clock put this out of the question. Our hosts disclaimed any credit for the very cordial welcome they gave us. It was all the stay-at-homes could do, they said. ti. honour us who are leaving their country behind to fight the battle of llu» Empire, All the same, our stay at Albany will remain a pleasant meiu-i ory as a half-way break in the journey' at a friend's house, and as one of our entertainers said, it helps to prove that the idea of an Imperial federation is not so hazy as some imagine. As a parting gift the club has sent on board two hogsheads of beer for the Contingent. Every contingent that has landed here has been treated in an equally hospitable manner by the Albany Club. During the day a match was tired between teams from the West Australian Permanent Artillery and the Contingent. The Artillery used rifles, and gained an easy victory over our men's carbines. The following were the Contingent's scores: —

200yds 500yds GOOyds Tl. Lieut. Sommervllle 23 . 2Z 28 Gil Sergeant Overtoil.. 33 , 2 "J2 27 Col.-Sergt. Freeth. 20 21 37 5S Private Broome .. 20 21 13 5-1 Private Jones 12 13 17 <!2 Private Davidson.. 2-1 2S 17 0-1 Private Goldstone.. 21 24 ]6 Gl Corporal O'Dwyer 17 IS U 44 Grand total 419 West Australian Permanent Artillery..517