THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 16, 19 January 1901, Page 3

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SEND-OFF.

QUESTION OF INTOXICANTS DECIDED.

A mesting of the General Committee in connection with the send-off of the Contingent was held at the City Council Chamber yesterday afternoon. His Worship the Mayor (Mr D. Goldie) presided. Messrs J. B. Gould and Tudehope, Lieut.Col. White and Captain G. B. Hutton were added to the Committee. On the motion of Mr Spragg all the guarantors were elected members of the Committee.

Mr L. D. Nathan reported that he find Mr Geddes had received about 20 guarantees, totalling £305 15/, together with subscriptions totalling about £100. Mr Leo. Myers reported that he and Mr Peacock had received additional guarantees to the amount of £87 10/, while the subscriptions received totalled,about £5. Mr Nathan said they had only met with one refusal during their canvassing.

Mr W. B. Leyland reported that he and Mr A. H. Nathan had interviewed the steamship companies and had been promised half the proc&eds of the harbour excursions.

It was decided that any surplus after the send-off be devoted to the entertainment of the Imperial troops. The price of admission to the farewell ceremony at the Domain was lixed at 1/ for adults and Gd for children.

The report of the Refreshment Committee (recommending that alcoholic liquors be provided at the luncheon, under the supervision of the Committee) was then discussed.

One of the guarantors wrote protesting against the proposal.

Mr Geddes moved the adoption of the report, feeling sure there was not a man in the Contingent who would disgrace the uniform he wore.

Mr Graves A-iekin, in seconding the motion, said he hoped there would be no discussion. (Hear, hear.) It would be a great pity if the affair degenerated into a discussion of tea versus beer.

Mr Spragg moved jss an amendment: "That in bidding God-apeed to our young men of the Sixth Contingent for South Africa, who are so soon to become members of the Imperial Army, we, the citizens of Auckland, do them the honour of honouring the request of their Com-mander-in-Chief by giving them our very best hospitality without in any way offering them intoxicating liquors. And tha.t we thus show our own trust in, respect for, and loyalty to Lord Roberts, who is to-day the man best loved and most trusted by the British soldier."

Mr Spragg said it was not a question of tea versus beer, but rather one as to whether they were going to honour the expressed desire of the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, who, in the final issue, had to take charge of fhe boys New Zealand was sending to the war. Mr Spragg said he had received a letter from the father of one of the First Contingent urging him to continue his opposition to the supplying of liquor.

Captain Caughey seconded. Mr John Burns and Lieut.-Col. White spoke in support of the amendment. Mr V. E. Rice said he was sure Lord Roberts' request applied to the indiscriminate "treating" of returned soldiers from the war. (Hear, hear.) If it should happen that there ware uny in the Contingent who would forge* themselves it was far better that the weakness were discovered in time to leave those men at home instead of sending th«;m away to represent New Zealand at this front. He certainly would oppose the amendment.

Mr Leyland thought that in order to interpret what Lord Roberts wished by his request, they must judge by his previous actions, which were all on the side of temperance.

The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was lost, 11 voting for it and 19 against. The original motion was then carried.

• The question of a volunteer display was left in the hands of Col. White, the Mayor and the secretaries. \

The Chairmen of the general and subcommittees were elected an executive to deal with the numerous details.

The proposed excursion from Taranakl was left in the hands of Messrs Leyland and A. H. Nathan to endeavour to make arrangements with the shippine1 companies.

The Committee then adjourned till next Tuesday at 3.30 p.m.

The troopship Cornwall, for the conveyance of the Sixth Contingent to South Africa, left Sydney yesterday, and is expected to reach Wellington on Monday.

The Southern! portion of the Sixth Contingent will embark on the Cornwall at Wellington on Saturday, the 2t6h inst., sailing on that day for Auckland.

Drill, Both mounted and foot, is proceeding- steadily at the Domain camp, and the men continue to make good progress under the able instruction of Captain Reid and Serg-ts.-Major! Carpenter, Cheator and Hoare, of the District Staff. To-night the Auckland division will . attend the ktnematograph entertainment at the Opera House, while a night next week will be fixed as "contingent night" at the City Hall, Mr Dix having- invited the contingent to attend the Gaiety Company's performance . The officer in charge will be pleased to accept contributions of vegetables or fruit for the use of the troopers.

The Musical Committee appointed to carry out the musical part of the programme on the departure of the Sixth Contingent have sent an irivttation to all the choirs in Auckland and suburbs, requesting their members to take part in the singing| Dr. W. E. Thomas has kindly consented to act as conductor, and as the time Is limited one rehearsal only ..will be held in the Choral Hall on Tuesday evening next, 22nd lnst_ at half-past seven sharp. It is anticipated that fully 800 voices will take part and tickets foradmission to Domain and copies of music Will be distributed to the members on

Tuesday night. As it was "impossible in the short space of time to procure the names and addresses of many of the choir conductors the Committee hope that those who have not received invitations will be g-ood enough to accept, this invitation.