ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF AT AUCK LAND.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11190, 3 February 1902, Page 5

ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF AT AUCK LAND.

' J EQt^&Ntf'orl'fErfr CON- ■"**■ » TINGENT.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION' TILEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, February 1.

The final departure of the northern section of the Eighth Contingent from New Zealand , took place this afternoon, amidst a great display of patriotism and enthusiasm. The people of Auckland turned out in great numbers to give the men ahearty farewell, many coming in from the country districts for the occasion. The weather was fine, though rather hot, and everything passed 1 off'without any hitch or unpleasantness of any kind. The troopship Surrey was .berthed at the railway "wharf early in the morning.- After breakfast the men were set free to see friends and look around tie city iiH noon, when they lunched on the troopship. They then marched to Government. House grounds, bein& heartily cheered along the route, the city being gaily decorated with bunting. On arrival at the grounds they were . entertained by the Mayor, Mr A. Ipdd, and at about three o'clock they fell iirto line once more for the official farewell ceremony. An enormous crowd woe present. The Mayor opened the proceedings with short patriotic speech, which was well received-

The Premier was the next speaker, being accorded a splendid hearing. He declared, amidst great applause, that though there might be some jealous feeling between Auckland and Wellington on some matters, there could be 06 doubt that they were unanimous on matters affecting the welfare of the Empire, anVLas regards the despatch of. troops to South Africa. The Eighth Contingent was now going, and tlje Ninth was to follow, and after the despatch of the Ninth the equipment of a Tenth would be commenced, though he hoped it would not be necessary to send it. It was only by pouring in troops that the war could he brought to a. close. Auckland had always been the military centre of the colony, and the present generation wh as ready to serve the Empire as their,.fathers had been. General Babington waa then called upon. He said that no Contingent could have been despatched ■under more favourable auspices. Ifc was commanded by officers, of the worthiness of some of whom he himself could speak, and the men had only to follow the example of the comrades who had gone before them. General Babington's speech wae heartily cheered. ■

Colonel Davies said a few words, thanking the speakers for their kind remarks. He said he never had any trouble with New Zealanders when fighting ■Wα* on, but they should pay more attention to discipline. Mien -without discipline were not soldiers, but a rabble.

The Contingent then marched off to the troopship amid great cheering, the crowd following them to the wharf. Here th« general public were barred off, but eventually the barriers were thrown down, and the police and volunteers found it impossible to keep the crowd back. They, however, behaved themselves admirably, and nothing in the shape of an accident occurred. After the final leave-takings the Surrey moved off amid cheer after cheer from the wharf, answered from the ship, and on* man who had deferred his leave-taking till after the gangway had been removed caused , some amusement by leaping water with all hie clothes on. including boots, and coolly swimming ashore. The soene in harbour as the Snrxey steamed any was one long to be remembered. It was a perfect Auckland day, and the water w&s alive with steamers, rowing boat*, and pleasure boats of all sorts and sizes, and most conspicuous of all was the magnificent display of white sailed yachts. Such a sight could be seen in no other centre in tie oolonv, and not often in Auckland itself. In this way was the Eighth Contingent escorted round the Heads, and thus was terminated one of the most sncoessfnl functions of the kind ever witnessed in Auckland.