THE CHRISTCHURCH REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 146, 21 June 1901, Page 5

THE CHRISTCHURCH REVIEW.

"A" BATTERY ALLOWED TO GO.

WEATHERBOUND AT ONEHUNGA.

Permission was received last night for the "A" Battery of Artillery to! attend the big volunteer review in Christchurch. As we stated yesterday,' considerable feeling" was caused by the exclusion of this, the oldest and one of the most efficient corps in the colony, from the Axickland Contingent despatched yesterday for Christchurch Mr W. J. Napier, M.H.R., brought the matter yesterday before the notice of ■the Defence Minister, and last night received the following1 telegram, in reply:— "I regret to find there has been trouble in respect to volunteers coming; down. Colonel White had practically a free hand. Have seen Commandant, and he says Battery can come, guns or no guns.—lt, J. Seddon."

The Premier also telegraphed to Mr Witheford, M.H.R., last night- as follows:—"I am sorry to learn there has been so much trouble in respect to the Auckland volunteers. I presume the trouble has arisen from the fact that there is not shipping accommodation sufficient to bring "them down. However, as you have now authority for stating that as fa.r as the Government is concerned the more who come the merrier, and the better we like it."

Lieut.-Colonel White, officer commanding the district,, telegraphed to the Defence Minister yesterday asking if the "A" Battery could be sent to Christchurch without guns, and last night-received telegraphic instructions to send the men On. Colonel White accordingly instructed all members of the "A" Battery, Newton Rifles; and Cycle Corps who wished to make the trip to assemble at the railway station at 8.30 this morning. As a result of thes orders 34 members of the "A" Battery and 10 of the, Cycle Corps, the whole party being under Sergeant Hazard, of the Battery, caught the 8.30 train to-day for Onehunga, and embarked on the.Ngapuhi. The boat was to leave soon after nine o'clock, but owing to the strong westerly wind which sprang up this morning, .the bar at the entrance to the Manukau Harbour was too rough to cross, and the departure of the steamer has had to be put.off till three o'clock this afternoon. This is very unfortunate, as it means that the volunteers cannot now catch the express train from New Plymouth to Wellington, and unless a special train can be engaged they will be unable to get to Christchurch in time for the review next Monday, and must perforce come back to'town. The. local volunteer authorities have wired for a special train for the volunteers, and are now awaiting a reply* Owing to the inability, of the officers of the N.Z. Native Rifles, No. 1 Company, to go to Christchurch, Capt. Hutton made arrangements for the members of his corps desirous making the trip to combine with the N.Z. Native Rifles, No. 2 Company, in making up a strong1 company under

Lieutenant Warnock. By this means over 20 members of No. l Company were enabled to leave for the South yestrday with th detachments from the rest of the companies composing the Auckland Battallion.

DUNEDIN, this day.

Inspecting1 My Nflpiety M.ILE.'s, charge that the steamer accommodation has been inadequate, the Union Co. state that they notified the authorities that a special steamer was available to bring extra volunteers to Christchureh, but were informed it was not required. The responsibility does not rest with them.

WELLINGTON, this day.

There was a great exodus of volunteers South lost-night to Christchureh. The steamers Waihoru, Westralia, Flora, Upolu, and Wainui took two thousand, including 90 Auckland Navals and 100 cadets. The balance proceed by the Mararoa, Tarawera, and Corinna.