THE BOER WAR

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 146, 21 June 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR

SEVENTH CONTINGENT.

ARRIVAL AT DURBAN.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

S.s. Gulf of Taranto. Durban, May 19

Since leaving Albany, on April 20th, the weather has been almost perfect. We were given four hours' general leave at Albany. This was most welcome after being confined to The limited quarters on the transport for nearly a fortnight. We were enthusiastically received by the residents:, who did their be«t to make our shori stay as enjoyable as possible. On leaving two men were found to be missing. Our time has been fully occupied between Albany and Durban with drill, lectures, concerts, sports and other amusements, also shootine practice, a target being hung out behind the ship. The officers have edited a newspaper called '"The Gulf of Taranto Budget."' Only one edition has as yet appeared, but we are waiting in expectation of further editions, as it will be most interesting to ?end home to our friends. Troopers Nab. "Williamson and Cowan have been promoted to lance corporals. The orders came aboard to-night, we disembark to-morrow (10th), at 9 a.m.. leave Durban at 12 a.m., for Pietermaritzburg. and gel our horses at Mooi Kiver. This is all we have heard as vet as to our movements. There are "three men not fit for service, who will be invalided home to New Zealand. We probably leave for the front after equipment at Pietermariuburg. ••Homericus."' writing in the -Gulf of Taranto Budget." says:— The send-oft" was right up-to-date. The Queen's Wharf was so swarmed that a few late comers, after_a hard struggle with a crowd packed like sardines, nearly missed their passages. So -rerrt was the multitude that some of the wharf pile, creaked, and it was reported that one was split, and other, penetrated their bed rock. Eoughlj the send-off was witnessed by about 12,000 people. The troops were cheered to their hearts'content, and they once more cheered the populace with that almost unknown but quaint melody, "The Soldiers of the 3ueen." For'five solid days the weather has been as near as "hang it to perfection. It may be imagined that the trip was more than enjoyable. The arrangements on board are excellent The officers and stewards of the steamer-although severely ta«d on account of having $00 men under their e^e-are quite equal to the occasion. Imongst sill a number there , bound to be found a glorious medle>, from the übiquitous Whitechapel genus up to the Trin. Col. Dub. and Oxon. Musical attempts are frequently made, and many a panegyric on past and tone composers could be preached bj some of the listeners at the concerts rU. Some of our entertainer, have not vet been heard in public m the vulgar sense of the term. ,