A COLONIAL BEARER CORPS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11152, 19 December 1901, Page 5

A COLONIAL BEARER CORPS.

THE ENROLMENT OF MEN AT WELLINGTON. NUMEROUS APPLICATIONS CQEIVEQ(SFECIAI. TO "THB -fBBSS.") WELLINGTaN, Deoemb«ff 18. A movement is afoot to send a New Zealand Bearer Corps with the contingent. Members of the Wellington Bearer Corps are anxious to go, and there should he iio difficulty in making ""up the full strength of twen_*y*five from the other corps in the colony. The matter will be considered at a meeting of the local corps to-morrow. The Minister of Defence has been inundated with telegrams and letters sent- from all parts of the colony by retarned officers and men anxious to get places in the new contingent. Mr Seddon anticipates the number offering will far exceed the 1000 required. There are many' aprfications awaiting -the attention of the Wellington Recruiting Board. A large proportion of the returned members of previous contingents are applying for commissions. It is suggested that a squadron in the new contingent should he made of the- menibera of the previous contingents, co as to contribute towards a spirit of emulation and esprit de corps. There is a general opinion that the commanding officer should be promptly selected. Colonel Davies is mentioned as the most suitable man. There is also a strong feeling that the men should be allowed to obtain their discharge in South Africa.