ANOTHER BATCH OF MEN FROM CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10540, 29 December 1899, Page 6

ANOTHER BATCH OF MEN FROM CANTERBURY.

ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELLS. (BY. OUB SPECIAL REPORTER.) Despite all its awful horrors there is some* thing very grand about the bloody game of war tfeat fires the blood, and stirs the martial spirit, and when the cause is just there c» no need to wonder why a. nation starts up at the sound, and becomes aflame with a patriotism that finds its outlet in such, demonstrations of enthusiastic loyalty as occurred last night, when the second batch of men for the Contingent, now; being formed, left for Wellington. It must have been that the multitude felt this magnificence of war, and recognised that these young soldiers of the Queen, who had been our own folk, and lived among us, were going to fight for the wonderful grey haired and gracious lady who site at the head of this vast Empire of ours, and help iher to maintain for us, her subjects, liberty, justice, and in the end peace- They must have understood that they were saying good-bye to men who were going at the call of duty to face the perils of death from the bullets of an enemy that shoots straight; who were forming a part, however small, of that great river of men streaming now into South Africa at England's call It was only fitting that they should have an enthusiastic send-off, and though cynics may sneer at ten thousand people cheering themselves hoarse over a few departing volunteers, if they stopped to think they would recollect that itwas but the pulse of the nation they saw beating; that it was not because ball a score of men were going away that the crowd cheered so lustily, but it was because they were showing their loyalty to the old Home land, and assisting to preserve the integrity of the Empire to w&Lch they belonged. It was early when the people began to assemble at the Drill Grounds, where three men of the Contingent fell in. Their names were J. Martin, Mcßeth Miller, and Londin. Martin's enrolment was, to say the least of it, hasty. Altihoutfli be had served in the 17th Lancers he had been refused because he was not a volunteer that same morning. In the evening Colonel Gordon received instructions that the regulations hd been relaxed, and Imperial men who had seen two years , service in a cavalry regiment would be admitted. Martin happened to be on the ground before a start Vμ made.

"Yon can go, Martin, said the Colonel. "Have you a uniform?" "No^-eir,* , answered the private, a fine, ealdierly-looking young fellow, with a broad unest and well set-up appearance. "Well, borrow one somewhere," replied the Colonel. A uniform of sorts was quickly promised, and (Martin's desire was procured. The three men fell in, and were addressed in a few friendly words by the Colonel* who told them, that the country was watching them, and hoped they would do credit to it and themselves. "Left wheel! March!" shouted the sergeant in command, and off they went, headed by the Garrison Band, and surrounded by a cheering, excited, enthusiastic crowd. The band struck up a thrilling marching tune, and with the College Rifles in advance, they marched down Caehel street. Manchester street to the Railway Station was lined with people. The shopkeepers stood in their doorways, and their wives and families occupied 'the vacant windows, but the band dexterously avoided the crush by dodging down Colombo street. They reached the station, and then followed a scene probably never witnessed in Christchurch pefore. The crowd, heaved and surged around the entrance in an dlmost solid mass, men and women struggling to obtain a position of vantage near the gates. When the contingent arrived the gates were opened, and the multitude of people mads a wild rush to get in. Volunteers were called for, and the College Rifles, the railway officials, and those of the public available attempted to stem the torrent of men. Then ensued an indescribable struggle. Men fought lite tigers, and women screamed. The crowd swayed back and forwards again. Once, twice, the officials, coiubined forces of officials and volunteers, were beaten back. A barricade was formed against the inner entrance, and the crowd pressed in against it. The statdonmaster made a last effort, and with the help of the College Rifles, a determined rush was made, and the gates closed. •'■ Altogether the struggle lasted fully ■ fifteen minutes, and during that time men's clothes were torn, women were squeezed and ■ squashed among the mass of people, and several people lost their watches and chains. As it was, the railway officials were almost beaten, and, although six extra police had been applied for, they put in an appearance after the whole affair was over. The rest of the contingent arrived by the express, and were accorded an enthusiastic welcome. Notwithstanding the precautions of the railway officials, the platform was crowded with a cheering mass of people, who sang patriotic airs, shouted "Hurrah! and hurrah!" until the rafters of the station rang again with the echo, and bade affectionate farewells- to the departing volunteers. Amid this crowd the men fell in, and were inspected by Colonel Gordon. The names of the contingent were called over as follows:— Lieut. Findley, Temuka (one of the chosen officers). Private J. Martin, 17th Lancers (Imperial). Corporal Hellie, Otago Mounted Rifles. Private G. Louden, North Otago Rifles. Private Miller, W.M.8., C.M.R. Private A. E. Loach, Geraldine Rifles. Private W. Clouston, Geraldine Rifles. Private IF. McKechuie, Geraldine Rifles. Corporal J. Goldstone, Waimate Rifles. Corporal G. W. Collett, Waimate Rifles* Private W. Goldstone, Waimate Rifles. Colonel Gordon then bade them farewell. "It is no picnic you are going to, men," he said, "there will be lots of hard work, but you will know that everybody here will take the deepest interest in you, and follow everything you do. I have no doubt you will all be chosen, and we expect to hear great ' things of you. • I can only wish you God speed and God bless you." Then as tie men boarded the train there was mere cheering, arid "God Save the Queen" -was sung. As the well-known strains of the fine old anthem were heard, every "bead was bared, and the crowd becume very quiet, until some baritone voice took up the time, and the station rang again with the echoes of the National hymn. On the" way to Lyttelton the time was beguiled with music and mirth. "You can only die.once," said one Job's comforter. "Well," said another, "those Mauser lets make a very smaßL hoJe, and the wounds heal quickly." "There is picric acid in Lyddite," said a scientific volunteer, "and its very good for burns." Another member of .the Contingent produced a number of versse which had, he said, been written by a Christchurch girl, and which he proposed to read. y When he concluded a musical produced a Scottish bagpipes and played some stirring times. When Lyttelton was reached there was more cheering, and the men were escorted to the Rotomaha-iia by the Lyttelton Band. Before the steamer left patriotic airs were again sung, a.nd there was still further cheering and good-byes, the National Anthem being sung once more as the vessel moved down the harbour. The appointments of Captain Hayhurst and Lieutenants Sommerville, Banks, Hutson and Fittdlay as officers of the Contingent are confirmed. This leaves one captain and two lieutenants etill to be appointed. AUCKLAND, December 27. Colonel Penton, in telegraphing to Lieu-tenant-Colonel Banks with reference to the relaxing of the conditions for admission to the Contingent, says: —"I prefer good, hardy men, used to rough country life. Wire mc at once how many men you can obtain with this reduction of conditions." Lieutenant Banks, B. S. Hay, Privates F. Lundon, and Gunner Delaney, who have been accepted for the second Contingent, left for Wellington today. Nine country volunteers who are qualified to join have* been telegraphed for by Colonel Banks.