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Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 12, 15 January 1900, Page 6

SECOND EDITION.

CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.]

THE DEPARTURE OF THE CONTINGENT. The vexed question as to where the official proceedings that are to mark the departure of the second Contingent shall take place wa.s again discussed at a meeting of the Executive of the Citizens' Committee this morning — the Mayor being in the chair — and resulted in 'a manner that will be very disappointing to the whole community. Colonel Penton has from the first discouraged the idea of holding the demonstration in Newtown Park, but last Friday agreed that if the committee would undertake to " police " the crowd while the men were packing their." kits" he would withdraw his opposition. Today, however, a letter was received by the Committee from the Commandant stating, with quite military brevity, that after his experience of the "crowds at the Park on Saturday and Sunday he must request that some other spot be selected for the ceremony. We need not repeat what transpired at the meeting, tho proceedings of which aro reported elseAvhere, but we heve no doubt that a great majority of the citizens will hold the opinion that' the Commandant has not advanced any sufficient reasons for what, in their absence, has all the appearance of an arbitrary act. Further, knowing how intent the city is upon making a demonstration in every way worthy of the occasion, he might have strained his /ourtesy so far as to have personally attended the meeting, and given his reasons for this change of front. If he fears the camp will be invaded by tbe crowd on the day of departure, why cannot he police it with the volunteers who are to take part in the proceedings? And if the gallant officer cannot successfully handle so peaceful and well-ordered a crowd as will be then assembled, it ia a little curious to reflect how he Avould succeed in a "tight place" with a crowd of quite another kind. HoAvever, Aye have no desire to embarrass the situation, and shall be content at present by expression of the hope that the Executive and the Commandant may yet erne together and devise means by which he evident Avish of the people may be successfully carried out.