ROUGH RIDERS

Auckland Star, Issue 66, 19 March 1900, Page 3

ROUGH RIDERS

THE FABEWELL AT WELLINGTON

.By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day. So far as mere numbers were concerned there was no comparison between those present at the farewell to the New Zealand Bough Eiders, Which took place to-day and the sendoff at Auckland. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm, if on a smaller scale, was equally as unanimous and hearty. The attendance of the general public miight have helen more numlerouis, but for the exodus from the city to the, Basin Reserve of persoms eager to participate in the national hlolklay and athletic carnival. The shipping in harbour was as is usual on such occasions, profusely adorned with flags

I and bunting, and many of the buslj ness houses were similarly bedecked, but comparatively few of the shops j were closed. The variegated colours iof the ladies' dresses and the more | i-otmtare a(pparel of \the] mien) were. ! plentifully besprinkled with the more j sober khaki, worn principally by volI tinteei' visitors from the country. Up :to aluniost the last moment the Rough j Radjers were kept busily t.nvployed, j though the men of the Fifth Contingent endeavoured to- lighten their j labours by taking over the share of i the camp duties. A little before 1.30 I p.m. the contingent drew up in front of the Drill Shed, where am excellent i luncheon was prepared, very wel- • come, no doubt, after the march from the camp. As they marched in with a regiilar tramp the floor vibrated, and when ordered to "ground arms" the ea.rbines made a. loud noise like distant thunder. Why the men could nlot have been allowed to pile arras oaitsride untie r ft he prate-tion of a sentry or two, or to remove the cumbersome rolled blanket, which cramped the space so seriously that many of the Rough Riders had hardly space to use their arms, this deponent sayeth not. As for the other visitors and guests, their number was small, though distinguished, and I fear the function was hardly a- financial sue* cess, and may entail some expense upon IMrs Kennedy Mac Donald and the ladies who originated and carried it out with so mttch spirit. I ant not going- to burden you with many de* tails. A somewhat characteristic incident occurred shortly after luncheon, when a number of the Rough Riders near the entrance to the shed rose from their chairs, as if moved by some canumon impulse. "They ought to be stopped," exclaimed the Premier. It transpired, however, that they had merely gone onvt to enjoy a smoke, as is their wont. The Mayor intimated his belief that none of the ladies present would have any ob« jection to the men smoking a pipe, and at once a liberal incense from cigars and pipes ascended from every corner of the place. ■ All the speeches, with the exception of that of the Premier, were characterised by commendable brevity, but that was so excellent in matter and delivery that it fully deserved the enthusiasm with which it wa.s received. He said in the course of his remarks that no matter how many contingents might be required they were prepared and willing to go to the front. The colon)' had snlbseribed towards the patriotic fund and more men fund not less than £ 50,000, while it had also equipped three, ciontingents and provided means for a fourth without, calling upon tho Mother Country to pay anything more 'than the cost of transporting the troops to South Africa. This completely disproved the charge made in former times that the colonies would be a weakness to the Old Land. Mr Seddon went on to quote figures as to the actual fighting strength of the colonies, pointing out that New Zealand possessed 72,000 persons capable of carrying arms, while in Australia there were 300,000; a total of 872,000. Not only were we prepared to defend oiir own shores, but we could in a case of emergency, send out sufficient men to hold South Africa, leaving the Mother Country free to deal with any "foreign foe who "might threaten her. If the old land really needed it, New Zealand could put on not only to a fifth contingent, but as many more, nor would the Empire submit to any interference or dictation from any foreign Power as to what terms she would grant to the Boers wdien the time arrived for negotiations. Recent events, he declared, had taught the nations that the Empire had not only the finest navy in the world, but also the finest army. Lord Roberts had treated Cronje with justice, generosity, and hospitality. Contrast this with the conduct of President Kruger in the insulting proposal which lie dared to offer to a great Power like England. He predicted that in a short time the British army would be at Pretoria. Lord Roberts had promised that as soon as the Fourth Contingent landed in South Africa he would have them at the front (tumultous cheers). Mr Seddon referred also to the dig- ' nified reply of Lord Salisbury to the impudent overtures of Mr Kruger. He knew that the contingent was im- j patient to get to the front. In time past there had been some jealousy between Auckland and Wellington, but that had passed away, and now they saw the young men of Wellington, Auckland, and the other provincial districts marching shoulder to shoulder in defence of the Mother Country and the Empire. During the proceedings Mr Harry j Smith sang "The Absent-minded j Beggar," whicli elicited a heavy shower of silver amounting in all to upwards of £10. Amongst the musical selections with which the speeches were interpolated one of the finest things was "The Dear Little Shamrock," sung with great effect by Mr J. W. Hill. The Premier called for cheers for the mothers, sisters, and sweethearts of the contingent, which was responded to with thunders of applause. The health of Captain Stewart of H.M.s. Tauranga was drunk with great- heartiness. Lieut. Col. Collins, who announced his intention of accompanying the contingent to Dunedin, was presented with n handsome address subscribed by the members of the contingent. Mr Wilford quoted from an interesting letter written by Mr E. McGinnity, who went over for the purpose of joining the Light Horse, being one of the 50 passengers. He offered his services at the Cape, and, when it transpired that he was a New Zealander, the reply was "come on." One novel feature of the gathering was the shouting of the war cry as

used by the Maori tribes in different districts.

Before breaking up the company sang "Auld Lang Syne" with much fervour.