WITH THE FOURTH CONTINGENT.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10637, 23 April 1900, Page 6

WITH THE FOURTH CONTINGENT.

ON BOARD THE MONOWAI

A PLEASANT UNEVENTFUL TRIP

TO ALBANY.

THE DAY'S WORK,

ACTING-APPOINTMENTS.

(FROM OUB SPECIAL COBBESPONDEKT-) ALBANY, April 3. So far we have been extremely fortunate in the matter of weather. During the course of a conversation to-day with Captain Chatfield that gentleman remarked that ne has not experienced such a period of fine weather on the Tasman Sea for three years, and" the run from Bass Strait to Albany has been equally fine. There has, therefore, been comparatively little seasickness among the troops. The general health of the officers and men lias been excellent; the health of the horses, too, has been very good. We have so far lost only one horse, that belonging to Sergeant Mead, of the Nelson section, which died from peritonitis. The horses are under the care of Veterinary-Surgeon Edgar, a man of high skill and considerable practical experience. At the moment of writing there is only one sick horse aboard, and that is not a serious case. Given average fine weather from Albany to the Cape we do not anticipate any more deaths.

Wβ passed the Bluff at 8 a.m. on the day after sailing, and stood along to the -west with our dear little island rapidly fading to the view. On the Monday morning we were out of sight of land. Work then commenced in good earnest. During the first two or three days little drill was done, the time being occupied by the allotment of berths, making out of division rolls, and the distribution of tie remaining portion of kit, etc. All the saddlery was brought on deck, dried, arid cleaned. On the 28th a general inspection of both companies was made by tie officer in command, Major Francis. After the parade he complimented the men on their general appearance. Parades are held morning and afternoon, in which the men receive instruction in manual exercise, physical drill, etc. Each division in tarn has had rifle practice, the target being a box with a small flag affixed, which is towed at a distance .o£ about 200 yds astern. The object of this' is not bo much to teach the men marksmanship as to accustom them to holding the rifle. On the 27th, at 4 p.m., we sighted Barren Island, one of the Flinders group, and were occasionally in sight of land until the afteroocpi of the 29th, when we passed close to Cape Otway light. We signalled "All well." The lightkeeper signalled back "Good luck, and a safe return." He was answered by three ringing cheers from the boys. On the afternoon of that day both companies paraded in the saloon, when Captain Fulton, of No. 2 company, gave a Sjctiire on outpost duty. The practical experience which that officer has had in India, together with has theoretical knowledge, made the lecture very interesting and instructive. Special attention will be paid to this branch of active service, for it is anticipated that the greater part of our work will be of the nature of scouting, end lectures on the subject will be delivered frequently during the voyage. Through the medium of the regimental orders of March 14th, Major F. W. Francis, in assuming command of the Contingent, appealed to all ranks to assist him in maintaining that good order and discipline which should at all times characterise a well and regularly organised body of military men. He expected that every member of the Contingent would consider himself personally responsible for the upholding of the honour and credit of the battalion, as well as the colony we represent. How far the Major's appeal was respected may be judged by the following which appeared on the regimental orders of the 28th:—*"The officer commanding is desirous of showing his appreciation of the good conduct of the men during the first half of the voyage to Albany, and would, therefore, request the officers commanding companies not to issue apy orders for work or drill outside that which is necessary for the feeding and care of the horses." This, of course, meant a general holiday from parades, which was duly appreciated by the men. During the afternoon a tug of war was held, one team from each division competing. Six teams entered, and the prize (which was printed by the officers) was won by No. 1 -division of No. 9 Company, No. 3 division of Nj>. 10 Company being second. The contest was very keen.

On tie morning of April Ist church service was held in the saloon at 10.30 a.m. The commanding officer conducted..

The time passes quickly; indeed, we are ail busy from reveUe to* tattoo. A good deal of time between parades is occupied by the men in cleaning carbines, belts, and other articles ot kit, and in keeping the carbines in crdei". An inspection of the cabiiis is made every second day by SurgeonCaptain Keiil, and the occupants of any untidy cabin are speedily brought "on the carpet.*' Dr. Xciii is highly pleased with the general appearance and "tidiness of the eabius; so far only one case of carelessness in this respect has been reported. Major Francis, our commanding officer, has been very busy since ho took command of the battalion. His duties so far are carried out in the orderly room. He is ably assisted by Acting-Adjutant Davy. Lieutenant Seddon, son of the Premier, has been appointed assistant-acting-adjutant. The following acting appointments have been nia-de since the date of sailing: —No. 10 Company—W. Jickeli to be sergeantmajor, Suxby, Duncan, and' Mead to be sergeants, Hickler, Murphy, and Woof to be corporals, D. H. Cameron and McKnight to be iarriers, J. T. McKay saddler. No. 9 Company—W. Shaldersto ba sergeantmajor, Hickey, Coliins and F. H. White to be sergeants, Alien, Newman, aad Roberts to be corporals, Bowling, Jones and Orbell to be Lance-corporals, Xhurlow to bs saddler.

We arrived at Albany this moraing at 8 a.m., and are anchored in the stream, the water being too shallow to allow our boat berthing at the wharf. No. 10 Company immediately went ashore for a run, and No. 9 Company went ashore during the afternoon. Mr Johnston, of the Gentlemen's dub, Albany, came aboard and , very kindly invited the officers of the Contingent to spend the evening at the clvb f the invitation being readily accepted. Immediately on arrival the hulks came alongside, and the iwork of taking in coal was begun. We expect to leave to-morrow at 2 a.m.