THE "BLACK WATCH."

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 147, 21 June 1917, Page 8

THE "BLACK WATCH."

(To the Editor.) Sir,—With reference to the letter by your correspondent J. Marjoribanks Steele, under heading of "The Anzacs," kindly allow mc space to ask J.M.S. to give mc a. little more information re one of his assertions. He says, talking of the percentage of born colonials at the front: "Judging from the talk of returned men the result would be . . . as surprising as when some years ago one discovered that the famous 'Black Watch,' 'The Old I'orty-twa,' contained over 70 per cent of Cockneys, bonnet, Jcilt and sporrant an' a' thrown in." Will Mr. J. M. Steele kindly say at what jieriod of its history the "Black Watch" had 70 per cent of Cockneys? If he ran state one particular year, so much the better, but it Nvill be near enough for Tny purpose if he states within a few years what period he refers to. At the present stage of the argument I will give no opinion, as 1 first of all wish to bind your correspondent to a definite statement, in black and white, from which he cannot recede.—l am, etc., C. W. STEWART.