THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 26, 31 January 1902, Page 5

THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

FAREWELL TO-MORROW

PARADE IN THE METROPOLITAN GROUNDS

A PROCESSION OF YACHTS

Auckland's farewell to the Eighth New Zealand Contingent of Mounted Rifles for South Africa takes place to-morrow afternoon and promises to be a most enthusiastic and picturesque affair, in which our_ volunteers and our big- yachting- fleet will play an important part. The troopship Surrey, with the North island Battalion" (about 500 officers and men) of the Contingent, is due to arrive here from Wellington to-night, and is timed to leave ihe Railway wharf at four o'clock on her long1 voyage to the Cape; and should she get away promptly to time the scene in the harbour when Auckland bids good-bye to her troopers should be a splendid spectacle.

The Eight Hon. Mr Seddon, Premier and Defence Minister, arrived from Well ing-ton this morning-, and his first task on reaching- town was to maka arrangements for the farewell ceremonials. The Premier was met t>v Colonel R. H. Davies (who goes ill command of the contingent) and His Worship the Mayor (Mr Alfred Kidd). The details in connection with thq send-off were disoussed. It was arranged by the Premier that the' members of the contingent should be all granted leave to go ashore and be dismissed at 9 a.m. to-morrow. They, are to be back at the troopship at twelve o'clock; and will have dinner, alter which they will fall in and march up through the streets to the Metropolitan Grounds (at the back of Government House). Here the official farewell is to tiike place. The volunteer corps of the Auckland garrison are to assemble in the grounds. The Premier and the Mayor will deliver short speeches to the departing soldiers. Large marquees will b« erected on the grounds, and in these the officers and men will be entertained at refreshments. The military 'and naval veterans of the city and country are invited to be present on parade". At about three o'clock it is expected Ihe contingent will march oil from the Metropolitan Grounds again, and embark on the troopship, which is fixed to sail at four o'clock.

The aquatic display is expected to foe a fine feature of the send-off. Mr. ('. 1\ Murdoch, commodore of the New Zealand Yacht Squadron, has been in communication with Lieut.Colonei Davies, and also communicated with the commodores of the other sailing clubs on the Waitemata, with the view of arranging a combined demionlstration anoat in honour of the Contingent. The yachts are now requested to assemble, off the w-harf.at three p.m. to-morrow, and it is hoped that every possible boat will turn out for the afternoon in.order to give such farewell honours to the troops as only Auckland can give. The yachts are to escort the departing troopship down the harbour and channel an far as Eangitoto Beacon.

The Government three-masted .schooner Countess of Ranfurly (Captain Worsley) is to head the procession of yachts down the harbour. The vessel has been placed at the Mayor's disposal by the Premier, and it is intended that a band shall be on board to play appropriate muls'ie on the farewell cruise.

This morning the Mayor, Colonel Davies, and Councillor J. McLeod drove round tog-ether making arrangements in connection with the farewell. The Mayor, in the course of the morning, interviewed Police Inspector Cullen and arranged for the assistance of the police in to-mor-row's functions. Barriers are to be erected at the entrance to the railway wharf, so that the arrangements in connection with the departure of the ship shall not be impeded by a big crowd.

Volunteer notices calling- out various companies for to-morrow's parade are published in this evening's issue. The volunteers will be under the command of Lieut.-Colonel White.

Major-General Babington, the new CommandantI'of the New Zealand Forces, will arrive here from Wellington via the West Coast to-morrow morning, and will super intend the despatch of the troops in the afternoon. THE YACHTING PROCESSION.

For the information of yachtsmen we are requested to state that the yachting procession to-morrow afternoon Will take the form of two lines astern, between which lines the troopship will pass. Yachts are requested to assemble in two Jong lines, heading down the harbour, and leaving about two cable lengths between the lines, to give the Surrey room to pass down. It is desired that the tvvo lines should be equalised as far as possible, as to class and numbers of. yachts, and that the big boats should be equally divided between the two lines. The commodore of the Yacht Squadron will fly his flag on the Government schooner Countess of Ranfurly, which will head the marine parade". The troopship, on leavinw the wharf in charge of the pilot, will steam out so as to pass between the two lines, and the yachts will then get under way in company with her down the harbour, keeping the above order as closely as possible. Executed with care these manoeuvres should make a very effective spec- ' The yachts of the North Shore Sailin" Club are requested to assemble off the Victoria wharf, Devonport, at 230 pm. to-morrow, and then proceed across the harbour to join the rest of the squadron. Mr Chris. Harris' oli launch Queen of Beauty has been placed at the disposal of the Premier and party durino- their stay in Auckland. The Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board has invited the members of the Board to go out on board the Harbour Board's launch Kuaka and join in the procession to-morrow. ' There are expectedto be at least a hundred and fifty yachts and sailin- boats taking part in the harbour procession to-morrow. The fleet should represent a total crew list of over a thousand yachtsmen. In addition to the sailing procession the local rowing clubs- are exNorthern Rowing Union invite the pected to make a good display. The Northern Rowing cnion invite tne

clubs to send out all their boats for the.purpose of assisting in the demonstration. Crews are requested olf ttieHobson-street wharf at 3 p.m., and to orm a procession two abreast irrespective of club distinctions, whaleboats leading, then four-oars, then pairs and stumps.

Mr. J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., has engaged the s.s. Admiral for to-mor-row, and will take friends of the departing- troops out to farewell the contingent. Hunter's Band has been engaged. THE FAREWELL. On arrival at the Metropolitan Grounds the Contingent will be. dismissed for half an hour, during which time they will be entertained by the .Mayor. The final leave-taking with friends, will have to take place atthe Metropolitan Grounds.

The Mayor invites the citizens to make as good a display of bunting as possible along the route of march to-morrow.

Mr Hector Norman Simson writes suggesting that the departure of the contingent should be postponed till Sunday in order to give the whole of the public au opportunity for bidding our boys farewell. As all arrangements for the departure to-morrow-have been made there is no possibility of acting- on this suggestion.