THE WELLINGTON DETACHMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1900, Page 5

THE WELLINGTON DETACHMENT.

COMPLAINTS AS TO SELECTION. WELLINGTON, this day. During- the past week the officers responsible for the selection of men for the Fifth Contingent had to contend with much difliculty in the task of choosing men for the Wellington and Hawke's Buy companies. For 200 places 500 applications were received. Picked men came from Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki, all being up to the required standard. Under instruction from the Minister of. Defence, 49 men from the South West Coast'were included in the Contingent, and were attached to the Hawke's Bay company. It was finally decided to select the men by ballot. This was conducted by Captain Owen of the Defence Department. The Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, and Taranaki men were paraded, 40 West Coasters standing- out, with 73 others. ,jyho joined the camp whilst the Fourth Contingent was there. A total of 132 men balloted for 99 places, including120 reserves for possible vacancies. Of the places allotted thus 71 Wellingtonians secured 43 places, 62 'from other districts 36 places, with 10 reserves. Addressing- the selected men, taptain Owen said. Ihe services of the Fifth Contingent were different from previous contingents, as they are going on imperial service under Imperial officers. They would probably be sent to Rhodesia, and be retained for service after the termination of the war. The majority of the men balloted out were Hawke's Bay and Taranaki applicants. The squads have been offered quarters north of lines of camp, takingchance of being enrolled in the reserve. A few accepted, but the majority returned to their homes. Some of the men, being under-the impression that they were definitely selected before coining to Wellington, threw up their positions, or sold their businesses, They complain of being misled.