The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and Echo. MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1900. THE ROUGH RIDERS' DEPARTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 54, 5 March 1900, Page 4

The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and Echo.

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1900. THE ROUGH RIDERS' DEPARTURE.

For tho cause that lacks assistance, For the Trrong that naeds resistanca, For the futuro In tha distance, And tho good that -v. c can do.

The city keeps holiday this afternoon to celebrate the departure of the Auckland Rough Riders to join the Fourth Contingent, for South Africa. The men who have just been entertained at luncheon by the Mayor are now attending a farewell service at the Drill Shed, and before these lines appear in print will have marched down Queen-street, with the fitting accompaniment of music, bunting, and full-throated acclamation to the Railway Wharf, where they embark for Wellington. Prom one point of view they are very fortunate in the circumstances of their departure. Recent events in South Africa have stimulated our martial enthusiasm, and we are more than ever glad of an opportunity to give expression to our feelings. We are in high humour to make merry and to be doubly proud of that gallant army of which the colonial contingents though numerically small have proved themselves a most vital and valuable part. The Rough Riders can, therefore, count on a more hearty send-off than even their predecessors were accorded. They leave us at a time when the interest in the war is at its height, and, as we have before remarked, they go glorified with the prestige which the distinguished actions of their fellow colonists in the field have won for our New Zealand arms. We are all perfectly assured that if occasion is afforded them they will give as good an account of themselves as their comrades now in Africa, for they are in every respect an equally capable lot of fellows. It is natural enough, then, that in bidding them good-bye and God-speed we should - discount the future to some extent, and give them credit for a gallantry they have yet to display.

Within the last week a decided change has taken place in the complexion of South African affairs. There appear to be evidences that the enemy will seek peace, and it is certain the reverses they have recently suffered commend that as their wisest course.; The Rough Riders would scarcely, thank us for the suggestion that, the war may be over before they reach

the Cape. For them to arrive there too late to strike a single blow, and just in time, to add a little more p : p and circumstance to the triump' if their comrades who were lucky enough to share in the fight, would be a disappointment indeed. Sorry as one might feel for them in- such a case, however, our boys can hardly expect that the cessation of hostilities will be delayed in order that, like the' young Zulu warriors, they may have a chance of washing their spears. Every effort will be made to bring the war to an end as quickly as possible. A speedy termination of hostilities, desirable in every war, is more imperative than ever in this case. Delay is fraught not only with enormous expense, but with enormous danger and risk also—risk from within and from without.