THE FOURTH CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 55, 6 March 1900, Page 3

THE FOURTH CONTINGENT.

FAREWELL TO THE ROUGH

RTDERS

THE CLOSING SCENES

The enthusiasm which marked the progress of the Hough Eiders through the town was equally in evidence at the point of embarkation yesterday. The Rotokino lay at the Bailway wharf, to which a favoured few obtained admission. Outside the barrier a hug-e crowd surged up against the gates, and lined the warer front and

wharves. The city reserve on the Museum Hill was black wdth people, every building- that overlooked the wharf had its quota of spectatorsl. Many thousands took up their places near the wharf quite early in the afternoon, content to miss the first part of the ceremony in order to be sure of seeing the last farewell. They had rather a weary wait, for it was nearly half past four before the distant sound of cheering heralded the approach of the Rough Riders. The head of the procession reached the Railway wharf just at the half hour; within a few minutes the Contingent had embarked, and at twenty minutes to five the lines were cast off and the Rotokino drew out into the stream. .Handkerchiefs waved from the pier, cheers rose on every side. There was little of the sadness of parting- about the last farewell; scarcely a tear was shed at the wharf, and the Rough Riders themselves seemed positively jubilant. As the vessel drew off they sent three ringing" cheers back to the crowd on the wharf; the steamer whistled, the band struck up "Auld Lang Syne," the last good byes were shouted. Then the vessel gathered way and headed for the harbour mouth. Just then there was a stir on the wharf; the crowd gave way, and a belated Hough Rider rusheel to the edge of the pier, and frantically hailed the steamer. But she would not put back. The man was almost beside himself with disappointment; he looked for a moment as if he were going to jump into the water, heavily equipped as he was, and swim after the vessel. The Premier, however, calmed his excitement by promising him a trip South in the Hint:-: moa. Some nine or ten steamers and ferry boats, crowded with excursionists, accompanied the Rotokino round the N;prth Head, and a flotilla of white winged yachts added to the picturesqueness of the scene. The transport rounded the North Head just about five o'clock, and a few minutes later the other steamers parted company and returned to port.

Colonel Pole-Penton, the Commandant of the Forces, marched to the wharf with the Rough Riders, and superintended their embarkation. Among1 those present on the wharf were the Premier and Mrs Seddon, the Hons. A. J. Cadman, J. G. Ward, and Jas. Carroll, and the members of the Patriotic Committee. The local volunteers were drawn up at' the. western end of ihe pier, while the Permanent Force and the police guarded the approaches and kept the crowd back. A feature of the final farewell proceedings at the ship's side was the parade of some twenty military veterans, some in uniform and some in mufti, and all wearing a brave array of medals and clasps, attesting to their soldiering services. A whitebearded veteran in the old red tunic now so seldom seen was ColourSergeant Hildritch, formerly of H.M. 80th Regiment, who saw service in the Sikh War, India, as well as hi New Zealand. The man of most medals, however, was George Hill ("Rowley" as he is popularly known amongst his old comrades), formerly of the Permanent Force. Mr Hill's breast was covered ■with medals and clasps, of which lieihas a full dozen. The decorations represent his service in the Crimea, Baltic, Indian Mutiny, and the Maori wars, and include that much coveted distinction, the New Zealand Cross, which he gained by his courageous services at Mohaka, Hawke's'Bay, in 18G9, against Te Kooti. In addition this old soldier wore two of the Human". Society's bronze modals. Another New Zealand Cross man on parade was Mr Richard Shepherd, of Napier-street, Auckland, late sergeant in the Armed Constabulary Force. Mr Shepherd won his New Zealand Ci-oss for distinguished bravery at Otauto, near Patca, ,011 March 13, ISG9. when he was dangerously wounded. He also served with great distinction at the taking of Ngatapa, East Coast. The following veterans were also present: —Dr. It. H. Bakewell, Captain Blaekmore. 11. Crispe (Mauku), F. G. Ewington, W. G. Garrard, A. Brock. W. H.. Churton, H. Maxfield, J. Robinson. W. Lightfoot, C. Clarke, W. O'Connell, A. C.Fort, T. Hamilton. Joseph Neylon, W. Rutherford

As the "Rough Eiders passed on board the Rotokino at the wharf the old soldiers lined the gangway and bade farewell to the young- volunteers who* have yet to learn what fighting means. ' The line of route through Wellesley and Queen streets was lined with spectators, thousands of people crowding the slope of the Albert Park- and the footpaths for the whole distance. As the Rough Riders, with their smart looking kharki uniforms marched into Wellesley-street, they were greeted With enthusiastic cheers, and their whole march to the wharf was between cheering crowds. Verandahs, windows and house tops were crowded with those anxious to get a good view of the procession, and as soon as it had passed they quickly left their coigns of vantage to follow in the rear or the men who were leaving their homes to fight for their Motherland! A huge crowd gathered at the head of the Railway wharf, and here the Kon-vh Riders were again greeted with enthusiastic cheering. There ffasalao a large assemblage at the top of Shetland street, where an excellent view was obtained of the vessel as she steamed away from the wharf.