THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11189, 1 February 1902, Page 8

THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

I ADDINGTON OA3IP NOTES.

Captain Pnngte,, who is the second in.! command of the - South Island Battalion, reported himself at camp yesterday. The permanent appointments of officers and ncn-commissioned officers have not yet been made, but- are expected' to be in orders shortly. There is just a possibility of some of the iim-ccnimissioned officers receiving commissions ,in the" Ninth. Sergeant E. - Saunders, of the Ashburton Rifles, has received a commission in the South Island Battalion as Veterinary Lieutenant, and will be assistant to Vete-rinary-Captain Young. Lieutenant Grimes, 'who has been appointed transport officer, has reported himself at camp. ...•?■■ P., G.,.and H. squadrons were instructed in nwunted work, yesfcerday, ' in Hagley Park by Lieutenant Browne. For one week's camp pay about £400 is required. .The monning state, yesterday was:—Permanent camp staff, 10. South "Island Battalion, Eighth .Contingent :-r-Battalion staff 14, E. squadron' 4 officers 116 men, F. squadron 3 officers l-lcV men, G.-squadron 5 officers. 115 men, H. squadron 5 officers 116 men, total 494.; .Seventh. Contingent, 31. The men are to be paid to-day up to February 9bh. There is a probability that before embarkation they may receive, in advance, qhe month's Imperial pay. . Another authority aix "the subject of the sore backs amongst the horses expresses the opinion that they are duejaot so much to imperfect saddles as to indifferent riding, and the men, riding with shortened stirrups, rolling about in -the saddle. All the horses are, now branded, and a horse has been apportioned to each man. Each squadron draws,its own horse rations in bulk and serves thefrTout All the horses are being, shod, and attended to in the camp,, and generally speaking everything connected with the horse lines is being conducted as if the men were in permanent barracks.

Bishop Julius will conduct Church parade at the camp at eleven, o'clock to-onorrow morning. The North -Canterbury Inlfantry Battalion ■will also be present. The Rangiora Rifles! entertained Troopers Metorbens, Gifkins, Liodnn, Jordan, and Slmpkinson, of tie Eighth Contingent, at a smoke concert on Wednesday evening. At the Oddfellows' Hall, Rakeia, on Thursday , night Troopers ' Shellock aad of the Eighth Contingent, "* were entertained at a social. Mr C. A. Cj Hardy, M.H.R., was in the chair, and patriotic speeches were given by the Rev. H. H. Mathias, Messrs Craigfeead, Liddy,' and George Hardy. Both troopers . were j>resenited with purses of sovereigns. Songs were given during the evening, arid the social was one of the pJeasantest that has been held in the district.

Captain R. Heaton Rhodes is to be entertained at a farewell social, at Leeston on Tuesday night. In the hospital tent at the Tn ortih Cantenbury Infantry Battalion >-amp on Thursday night Troopers W. Burke anu M. Wheeler, who, prior to joining the* Contingent, were members of the Bearer Uorps, were entertained" at a , social by their comrades. Captain Donald and Surgeon-Major Parsons were -amongst those present. Both troopers were' presented with handsome combination knives, which, were suitably inscribed'

There was a large attendance .last evening at the Kaiapoi Volunteer Drill Hall to bid farewell -to eight troopers leaving that district with the Eighth. A numfber of seats <had been arranged for the ladies and the proceedings were opened by the Mayor, Mr Daly. Speeches were given by Mr Buddo, M.H.R., Mr J. H. Biu&well, and , Mr R. Moore, and a motion was, carried supporting the Government in its action in equipping the Contingents, also supporting the action of. ifae Home Government in regard to the "German glanders on the British Army. Captain E. B. PappriU referred to the increase* of' tihe military spirit in the colony, and a> determination on the part of ,«tlhe colonists to assist the war to a finish. .-Songs",were' given of a patriotic character* .Each of the members of iShe Contingent, Troopers Driscoll, Gallagher, Revell, -Mellor, Belcher, Anderson, Mortlaud and' Bugler Bardon, were g>resented with woollen rues. Reffeshanente on a liberal scale for all were provided, and-dancing was indulged in till a late iborur.- The iocal.band, under Bandmaster HoaSdns," was -in attendance - during the evening. The Mayor has presented each of tie troopers' with' a-nicely flushed silk handkerdrief.in the Kaiapoi-colours. As will ibe seen by a notification elsewhere, Recruiting Boards have been appointed ' for-: .Ctaastdburch;.- Culverden, Rangiora, Sheffield,' Ashbuzion, Timaru, Fadrlie, and Waimate. The dates of .'the assembling of the Boards have not yet been fixed except ipr Rangiora,, which will be held on Wednesday,, sbh inst:, at 2 p.m. at the drill"eh M.":'•- , ;. "-.,'