THE TENTH CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 92, 19 April 1902, Page 6

THE TENTH CONTINGENT.

SOUTH ISLAND SECTION

ENTERTAINED AT CHRIST-

CHURCH,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHIiISTCHUIICH, Friday.

There was a very large gathering at the supper tendered to the members of the Tenth Contingent in the Canterbury Hall this eveningl. The Mayor of Christchuroh was absent on account of illness in his family, and the Mayor of Sydenham presided. Among those present were:—Sir JWard, the Hons. J. Carroll, VV. C. Walker, W. Hall-Jones, General Babington, Sir Arthur Douglas, Bishop Julius, and members of both Houses of Parliament. Much enthusiasm was shown throughout, and the troops were loudly applauded.

When the Hon. ,i. Carroll was called on to reply to the toast of the Coronation Contingent, he said only a fewwords, but called on the Maori members of the Contingent to express their feelings. This they did by giving a haka, being- led by Mr Carroll. The audience appreciated the Minister's effort, and loudly cheered the Maoris, who were encored several, times. Mr Wigram proposed the toast of the Ministry, lie said- the extraordinary enthusiasm towards the Premier when he addressed the meeting1 in that building- a short time ago showed that the Imperialistic policy of the Government was endorsed by the people. Sir J. Ward, who had a hearty reception, endorsed the sentiments of Mr Wigram in regard to the Imperialistic policy, which was ringing throughout the British Empire. He hoped the Conference of, Premiers would do much to weld the feeling that Britons were one in sentiment and one in feeling. It might be that before the Tenth reached South Africa that which all were looking for would be consummated, yet he hoped that peace would be brought about only on one condition —namely, that the flag of Britain should fly over all the country in which the war was waged. He made touching reference to the accident .to the Eighth Contingent. While the colony had several thousand men in South Africa, there had been only .16,9 deaths, and it was a singular fact that more than half of these were due to disease. The New Zealanders had heroically and courageously distinguished themselves. He hoped that the ties between the men and their own country would be such as to withstand any inducement held out to stop in South Africa. The toast of "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers" was proposed by Mr Collins, M.H.K.

The Hon. W. Hali-.Tones. Acting Minister for Defence, replying, said some 6400 men had been sent to the front from New Zealand. Their return would be valuable to the volunteers, and help the progress of the force. There were now 10,500 volun teers in the colony, a very large percentage of the small population. The navy must be looked to. The Australian squadron being obsolete, new vessels must be procured, and the colonies would not object to pay for them.

General Babing-ton said that the army and navy—he would not say volunteers, but part of the army-—de-served the praise bestowed upon them. While some of them might be satisfied with what had taken place they could not afford to allow any of the services referred to to stand still. If they desired peace they must be prepared for war, and that meant hard work. Speaking- to the men, he said that the only road to success was by attaining1 efficiency. He \irg-od them to repay their friends of New Zealand by doing" their duty as soldiers. He had not the slightest doubt they would do their best to discharge their duty as soldiers, and in doing that they would do their duty as Christians. He wished them every success, God speed, and a safe and early return.

The toast of "The Tenth Contingent" was proposed by Mr J. T. Smith, :md responded to by Captain Lindsay and Major Pennycook. "The Coronation Contingent," proposed by the Mayor of Lytteltqn, was responded to by Mr Carroll. Patriotic song-s were sung by those present, and the entertainment concluded with the singing- of "Auld Lang- Syne."