THE FOURTH CONTINGENT.

Evening Star, Issue 111548, 6 February 1900, Page 2

THE FOURTH CONTINGENT.

OTAGO-SOUTHLAND SECTION,

We have every reason for believing that, encouraged by the liberal response made for funds in aid of the despatch of the Fourth Contingent, the local Committee will increase their offer to provide 100 men from Otago and Southland to at least 150, and this will be followed by a corresponding increase in the number of horses. Of course a good deal will depend on the assistance rendered by Southland; but in all probability that district will not lag behind cither in its contributions of money or of men. It will not surprise us to find that, should a suitable transport be provided by the Imperial Government, the Fourth Contingent, with the nurses, will comprise over 500, particularly as it is to include the Wellington section who were to have left with the Third Contingent. It will certainly be a red-letter day for Dunedin and Port Chalmers when this big body of troops are despatched.

Mr R. Neilson C. Tennent, son of the Rev. E. O. Tennent, of Port Chalmers, has written to the Dunedin Presbytery suggesting that he should be allowed to volunteer as a missionary to the troops in South Africa. He is a theological student of two years’ standiog, and has had charge of the church extension station of Mount Cargill, Prior to that Mr Tennent was a volunteer. He offers to provide his own horse. The Presbytery like the suggestion, and have appointed a committee to consider the matter, and, if necessary, approach the Government. A public meeting to assist the Fourth Contingent movement and provide Corporal Christie with a horse and equipment is to be held on Friday evening in the Gaversham Hall, which Mr Geddes has placed at the disposal of the Committee free of charge. An Executive Committee meeting will be held this evening at the Caversham Town Hall. Persons wishing their names added to the Committee are requested to attend. As many members of the Pirates Football Club as could be gathered together on short notice met at the Crown Hotel at luncheon time to-day, Mr J. H. Hnskihg (president) and Mr J. F. M. Fraser (vice-president) being amongst those present. Mr Hosking said that he understood the members of the club were desirous of presenting a horse to Mr John C. Maclean, the Pirate who has volunteered for service in the Otago-Soulh-land section. All present cried assent. In (heir opinion it was a right and piopcr thing to do, and they thought the neivssarv ivonry would he Willingly subscribed. A" motion embodying the proposal was rained unanimously, and those present put down their names on the subscription-list, .unit: taking also (o canvass the other memheis. Air cording to the chairman’s esiinuite, about, £27 will ho raised, and it was deeded tiiat any surplus above the cost r :i the horse be applied to the expense of Mr Maclean’s equipment. The horse is .uivady named Hie X Hate. About £6 was subscribed in the room. Wc congratulate the Pirates on their prompt action, and hope that dher football clubs will follow the lead this given. 1

The printers of Dunedin arc interested in a movement to assist in equipping a member of the craft who has volunteered. Their horse, if one is purchased, ought to be named “Taipo.”

The ladies of Balclutha are giving a horse to Captain Harvey. We believe that the Maori Hill Borough will, at their meeting on Thursday next, bring forward a proposal to raise a fund for the supply of one horse for the Fourth Contingent.

There will be a meeting of the residents of South Dunedin at Naumann’s Hall tomorrow evening to consider the question of the borough’s residents contributing a horse and one man’s equipment to the Fourth Contingent.

An urgent meeting will be held this evening in th>- mayor’s room, Port Chalmers, at eight o’clock, to take steps to augment the funds for the purchase of horses, a. good number being required, as the enrolment forms are "being speedily filled up. The meeting will also consider the holding of another demonstration.

The Mayor of South Dunedin convenes a meeting of residents for Wednesday evening, at 7.30, at Naumann’s Hajl, to assist the Fourth Contingent. The Mayor of North-east Valley calls a meeting of residents for to-morrow evening in the Town Hall to consider patriotic proposals.

A meeting of Kensington residents is convened to be held in the schoolhousc on Wednesday evening to arrange for purchasing a horse.

Tlie Mayor of Caversham calls a meeting for Friday evening, in the Caversham Hall, to arrange for the equipment of a Caversham volunteer.

The grocers of Dunedin have decided to give a, horse.

The mayor has received the following message from Wellington :—“Have authorised Mr Roberts to contribute £2OO to the More Men Fund,—Shaw, Savill and Co.”

VOLUNTEERS FROM OTAGO

The following Chitha residents have definitely volunteered for the Fourth Contingent:—Captain Harvey, Lieutenant P. A. Watt, Troopers H. Shalders, C. A. Smith, and J. R. Melvjlle (all of tbe Chitha Mounted Rifles); also Messrs F. McDonald, Chus. Duff, W. Gordon, A. Dryden, F. Marshall, P. Jenkins, W. Stewart, A. Thomas, Miss Maxwell, of the ‘Evening Star’ bindery department, has volunteered as nurse.

Messrs W. Mitchell, compositor (a sou of Captain Mitchell, of the City Fire Brigade), and Harry Clarke, of the ‘ Evening Star’ bindery department, Tiave enrolled their names at the Defence Office.

A GOOD EXAMPLE,

The annual meeting in connection with the picnic held by Messrs Savgooll, Son, and Ewen’s boot factory employes was held on Saturday last, the manager (Mr A. E, Bone) presiding. It was then decided to hold the picnic os usual, and at the same time to donate a horse to the Contingent, and name it Crispin, after their patron saint. However, a further meeting was held yesterday morning (Mr Bone again presiding), when it was decided, after mature consideration, to abandon the picnic this year, and to donate the money it would cost to not only the purchase of a horse, hut also for the equipment of a man for the same. One of the employes was appointed to go round with the list, and in an hour or two was able to report that the amount required—viz., Bso—was forthcoming. The enthusiasm and self-sacrifioe displayed by the employes on this occasion speaks" well "for their devotion and loyalty to the Empire. One of the employes of the firm, Gunner Paape, of the B Battery (Artillery), has volunteered for active service, and if selected will no doubt ride the gallant Crispin to victory; We believe that the example shown by the employes of Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewcn's bood factory will be followed by the employes in some of our other large firms. The employes of Sargood, Son, and Ewen’s warehouse in Dunedin have also subscribed £SO for the purchase of a horse md to furnish the equipment for a man. Lieutenant J. M'Millan, being one of the employes in the warehouse, has applied for active service in South Africa, and should he be accepted the subscribers will have a direct representative in the field riding their horse, which is to be christened “Triangle.”

Last evening the members of the Otago Cycling Club entertained Mr A. Ralston at a smoko concert, in honor of his having won the Enfield Challenge Cup at the championship meeting in Wellington. On (he arrival of the North express a procession was formed of cyclists, headed bv'the Dunedin Pipe Band, who led the way to the Oban Hotel, where the health of the gucs. of the evening was drunk with musical honors, after which a programme of musical items was gone through. The following gave items:—Messrs J. Jago, C. Morton, E. Dunne, Courtis, J. Swan, L. Morris, W. Reid, A. Swan. D. Boyd. During’ the evening Mr T. Maw was presented with a purse of sovereigns by his cluhmatcs, to help to defray the expenses incurred through his injuries received in a spill which happened on New Year’s Day. Mr K. Lancaster, of Dowling street, sends us £1 Is in aid of the More Horses Fund.

A GENEROUS OFFER.

IjS VLRCARGJLL, February 6. Mr M Nab, has offe.rcd to provide five horses and equip five men for South Africa.