EQUIPMENT OF THE SYDNEY CONTINGENT.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1807, 28 February 1885, Page 2

EQUIPMENT OF THE SYDNEY CONTINGENT.

Sydney, Feb. 20. Tiie approaching departure of troops for the Soudan is the all-absorbing topic, and aU ia bustle and excitement everywhere. Men are offering themselves freely — married as well as single — and numbers are being enrolled daily and sent into barracks. The steamors Iberia and Australasia have been chartered, and will soon commence to load. A Council of War, consisting of the Hon. Messrs Dalley, Dibles, and Wright, sits daily, and a great deal of business is done. Respectable and worthy citizens who have been following humble trades j have been suddenly transformed into full-blown officers with all the military status, and with handsome pay. The pay and allowance have been made on a liberal scale, the commandant alone having £1,250. Pay of officers varies from £650 for lieutenant-colonels in command to £325 for lieutenants ; men from 9s 6d to 6s per day. Provision is also made for wives and families, and pensions for casualties. The enthusiasm has extended to the country, and numbers of volunteers have arrived from different centres. Contributions in money and kind flow in, and each day appears a long list of such things as biscuits, tobacco, scrated waters, musical instruments, and various articles for use, entertainment, and comfort. The money contributions are large and numerous. Some of the field officers are past the prime of life. Colonel Spalding will command the artillery with Major Airey, and Lieut. -Colonel Raymond the infantry. Everything is being done to fit out the expedition with every requisite. They will not take guns, being too heavy, but will receive a battery of nine-pounders at Suakim. War correspondents from each paper will accompany the expedition. In the midst of these preparations there are not wanting those who raise their voices in deprecation of the course pursued, and loudest amongst these is Sir Henry Parkes. It is urged, in opposition, that England is not at war with any great power, and does not absolutely require our help ; that no legislative sanction has been given to the step, which will involve an immense amount of money ; that, in fact, a feeling of jingoism has run away with the Acting Colonial Secretary and a large portion of the people. Anyhow, all agree that the Neiv South Wales troops will comport themselves with credit in the field. THE COMMANDANTS. Colonel Richardson, who will command the expedition, joined the Imperial army in 1854, having entered it by passing a direct examination at Sandhurst. He served with the 72nd Highlanders at the siege of Sebastopol. In New Zealand, with the 12th Regiment, he went through the Maori wars of 1860-61 and 1863-64, during which time he was adjutant of the regiment. He has Crimean, New Zealand, and Turkish medals. In February, 1865, he was appointed to the command of the New South Wales forces. In August, 1871, a regular force was formed, consisting of a battery of artillery and two companies of infantry, and since that time the infantry has been disbanded and two more batteries substituted. A most important change took place in the volunteer service in 1878 by assimilating the volunteers to what may be called volunteer militia. By means of this change of system increased discipline has been obtained, and the adoption of continuous-training has brought the men to the state of efficiency which their commandant believes justifies him in recommending them as reliable troops, and in setting himself confidently at their head. Colonel Roberts (who was to have commanded one of the batteries of artillery in the Soudan, but now, as only one battery will be required, it is doubtful whether he will go) has also a service record, including the war in the Crimea. THE COST OF TRANSPORT. The charter of the Iberia and the Australasia by the Government has been effected, the charges being as follow — £15 per soldier, £40 per officer, £25 per horse, and 30s per ton for cargo. The cost will amount to nearly £19,000. The Iberia will take 600 men, 26 officers, and 24 horses ; and the Australasia 225 horses, 100 men, and from 600 to 800 tons of cargo.

The Thames Advprtiser has the following: — " It has transpired that the chief Tnkukino succeeded, after all, in his seemingly absurd request that Government should bear the expense of repairing his buggy, which was damaged in his journey to meet the Native Minister. The wily old rangatira declined to take a refusal from Mr. Ballance, and persisted in preferring his request, pleading that, as he had borrowed the vehicle from the Waikato natives, it would be humiliating to have to return it in a damaged state. With such pertinacity did he urge his suit that Mr. Ballance was at length prevailed upon to authorise the expenditure." [ Under the provisions of the Licensing Act, 1381, the Government have power to fix, from time to time, the fees payable on the application for licenses, renewals, transfers, Ac. An Order •in Council increasing the fees made on these applications from 2a 8d to 5s Bd, and from 5s to 10s, will come into operation and be payable by innkeepers and holders of bottle licenses at the next annual licensing meeting in June, '