THE CONTINGENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 104, 3 May 1900, Page 5

THE CONTINGENTS.

■ AN AUCKLAND VOLUNTEER'S 1 GRIEVANCE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this tiny. Some serious charges against the Defence Department have been formulated by Mr T. F. Goocb, formerly a surveyor in Auckland. He alleges that he was rejected for the Fourth | Contingent owing- to the age limit being fixed at 35 years. Subsequently the Premier wired him that he was appointed one of the men in charge of horses for :he Cape, and he came to Wellington, paying steamer fare to New Plymouth, and obtaining a Government pass on the railway. When he waited on Mr Ritchie, Secretary to the Agricultural Department, he was informed that his pay would be 1/ a month, that he would have to refund the railway fare, and his engagement would end on his arrival in Africa. Meantime he had sacrificed a good business, and to crown all, his home was destroyed by fire. The Hon. J. G. Ward, commenting upon Gooclrs grievances, S'tys it is unfortunate that some of his property was destroyed while he was on duty with the Contingent, but the Government was in no way responsible for this. Regarding the offer of a shilling a month, Mr Ward explains that this was done in order to enable a large number of applicants to get to the Cape, the object being to get the men, who were largely in excess of the number agreed upon, on the ship's articles. In addition to paying the passages of these men, the Government gave them a bonus on arrival. At the present juncture as many as 300 men are on the list of applicants who are anxious to get over to South Africa, on the nominal terms named. The Government docs not in such cases pay passages and train fares, as such a course would result in the Government being besieged by persons coming from distant parts of the colony merely on spec." Men engnged as grooms have received full pi* up to the time of the ship's departure. The following amounts have been distributed among grooms in bonuses: —Undaunted, 12 men, £100; Gymeric, 10 men, £100. The probable bonus for the grooms on board the Tropea will be £150, and a similar amount for the Ornuizon.