THE FIFTH CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Issue 66, 19 March 1900, Page 5

THE FIFTH CONTINGENT.

THE CAMP AT EPSOM.

A DETACHMENT TO LEAVE TO-

MORROW.

On Saturday the members of the Fifth Contingent, in camp at Epsom were instructed in mounted drill for the first time, and shaped very well. Yesterday forenoon a church parade was held .at St. Andrew's Church, Epsom. The contingent was present under Lieutenant Bosworth. The Vicar pjreached an impressive service on Psalm cxvi. Some hundreds of people visited the camp yesterday afternoon. Mr Patterson, of Otahuhu gave a quantity of "horse relief" to the camp.

This is an embrocation prepared by himself, and the gift has proved useful

Ito the men. ; The men who were rejected for ' the Contingent on their failure in the shooting tests were given another it-rial this afternoon, at three o'clock. I Fifty other applicants are ; waiting to be taken on, and it- is understood that if any of the rejected thirty qualify in shooting the two lots of men will ballot for places in the Contingent. The following twenty mien, have been selected to proceed to-morrow to Wellington by the Mararoa. It is as yet undecided as to the exact number who will go, but it will probably be between twenty and thirty: Lieut. .1. L. Bosworth (in command), ActingSergeant Robert Cohoun, Acting-Cor-poral Lewis Limmer, Troopers James Wilson, Arthur Allen, Frederick Be_ar, Charles Ilinton, Murdoek Sutherland, Thomas- Ilickey, Alfred Budge, Eric Potter, Arthur Braithwaite, Henry .). McDonald, John P. Maedonald, Thomas Murdoek. James McKee, Edwin Woodward, Robert Conn, William Brown, George Armer, Frank C. Gallagher. Emergency men (in case more go): William Henderson, Arthur Atkins, Norman McGruer, Francis Petchell, John Taylor, Edward Fahey, Carl M oiler. Thomas Finch. John Beck, Charles Harsent, Edward Bradburn, Walter Linkliorn, Dudley Burns. This morning it mounted parade was held, the men riding bare-backed and with headstalls only. The riding ; under these difficulties was execedI ingly good. Dismounted drill was I held before dinner.

The departure of the first detachment at such short notice has caused

great inconvenience, the horse equipments in camp being far from complete. Jerseys are expected to arrive for the men to-night. The men leaving to-morrow will take their horses.

All night leave, will probably be granted to-night to those who «>o South to-morrow.

The following promotions were made to-day. Acting-Corporal Cohoun to be acting sergeant, Trooper Badley to be acting-sergeant.

Captain C

Major took charge

of the camp to-day and proceeds with the Fifth Contingent to South Africa. A complimentary smoke concert will be tendered to Captain -Major by the College Rifles to-mor-row evening in the Grammar school hall. Captain Major leaves on Thursday.

Captain C. T. Major, who joins the Fifth Contingent I'or South Africa, is one of the smartest and most efficient volunteers in the Auckland district. He is a perfect drill and a splendid disciplinarian and is endowed with rare gift of commanding men. Capt, Major first saw volunteer service 'n the Nelson College Cadets. A few years ago he was appointed master at St. John's College, and while there founded the St. John's College Corps. A little later he joined the staff or King's College at its foundation and became captain of the King's Colle.giCadet Corps, which he raised to Its present high state of efficiency. In 1597, when the College Rifles were formed, he accepted the position of captain.in the company, a post which lie holds at the present time. When tbe Auckland Infantry Battalion was formed he accepted the position of adjutant to the battalion, and filled with marked success. Certainly the contingent could have few better officers than Captain Major.