THE ROUGH-RIDERS' CONTINGENT.

Evening Star, Issue 11152, 30 January 1900, Page 2

THE ROUGH-RIDERS' CONTINGENT.

THE DATE OF EMBARKATION. OHRISTCHURCH, January 30. The Premier has informed Mayor Reeco that the date x'or the Contingent to leave Lyttelton has been definitely fixed for February 17. WHAT AUCKLAND IS DOING. AUCKLAND, January 30. If Auckland takes no part in the sending of the Third New Zealand Contingent to South Africa, it will not be for lack of volunteers. Already Lieutenant - colonel Banks has the names of 102 volunteers including thirty-three from the Auckland Mounted Rifles. Eighteen of the volunteers are willing to provide their own horses, and one or two have offered to provide the whole kit. NO DEARTH OF WELLINGTON MEN. WELLINGTON, January 30. Quite 550 applications have been received for service in the Wellington section of the Rough Riders Contingent. This morning the local Committee, assisted by Lieutenantcolonels Newall and Collins and Captain Morrison, began the selection of a number who are to be submitted to medical examination. The men, the majority of whom are of a good stamp, are put through examination as to their capabilities for riding, shooting, etc. The selection will probably occupy the whole day. A fair number have offered to provide their own horses. About fitty will be put through the medioal examination, and from these the final selection will be made.

Colonel Pentpn, commandant, is now in Christchurch in connection with the despatch of the Rough Riders' Contingent. The Wellington Rifle Battalion, now in camp at Newtown- Park to the number of 380, are anxious to assist in the send-off to the Contingent, and Lieutenant - colonel Collins is communicating with the Government as to the transport of the men and their accommodation in the Southern city. An enthusiastio public meeting held at Wellington last evening formally stamped With approval the proposal to contribute a quota to the Rough Riders' Contingent, and fixed the minimum number at twenty-five, exslusive of Wanganui, and more if funds are forthcoming. Mr.J. Duncan announced that the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company would give £I,OOO to the fund—£2oo for Wellington, £2OO far Napier, £IOO for Wanganui. The remainder has vet to be allocated. In addition, over £350 was subscribed in the room, Messrs Levin and Co. -■ v itig 100 guineas, and M r John Plimmer 100 guineas. Committees were appointed to select men, etc. An offer was received from five ladies to go as nurssa. It was only on Friday evnning that it was decided to'raise fnnds for the representation of Hawke'a Bay in the Rough Riders' Contingent, though the mayor had over eighty applications. Messrs Nelson Bros, started the ball with £IOO, their office staff gave £SO, and Messrs Cotterell and Humphreys and the Gas Company donated £IOO each. At an enthusiastic meeting at Napier last night it was deterniined to equip twenty five men. The employes of Mr John M'Vay, saddler, offered to find everything for Otton, one of their number. The North British Freezing Company also promised to find a man a horse and equipment, and it was stated that a third similar offer had been.

nude. i.iessra G. S. V. Wenly and R. D. D. M'Lean gave £IOO each, and the latter four valuable horses in addition, in all £1,059 being subscribed.

la view of the faot that 600 applications have been received in Canterbury from suitable men, and the gravity of the s ! tuation in South Africa, the local War Fond Committee definitely decided to provide, equip, and transport to South Africa three divisions of tbirty-two men each-Tin all ninety-sjic men —with the necessary officers. Thus, the Canterbury troop will constitute a complete company in itself. There is expected to be no difficulty in obtaining the additional funds required. C. Hendricks, who is not unknown as a jockey, has Been accepted for the Third Contingent.

Mr J. H. Keddell, of Clyde, has volunleered for service. Mr J. Butler, of Bald Hill Flat, has promised him a horse, and the town of Clyde will, in the event of his acceptance, present Mr Keddell with an outfit.

CHRISTCHURCH, January 30. The men in cj,mp wore provided with arms to-day. The camp woare a busy appearance, and the men are drilling hard. Sixty - five Martini-Epfield carbines and accoutrements arrived in camp yesterday morning. One volunteer, anxious not to miss the second selection, which will take place to-day, rode in a distance of eighty miles on Sunday. Sir Arthur Douglas, Under-Secretary of Defence, accompanied by Mr A. H. Turnbull and Mr J. Daniels, foreman carpenter for the Union S.S. Company, yesterday inspected the steamer Knight Templar with a view to her utility as a transport. The result of their inspection has not yet transpired. The steamer will return to Lytteltpn as soon as her Southern cargo has been discharged.

GISBORNE, January 30. At a large and enthusiastic meeting held here last night it was decided to send at least five men tp join the Rough Riders' Contingent, and £l5O was collected in the room. The necessary funds for the complete equipment of ten men are aßßured.