THE ORIENT'S CONTINGENT AND THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

Evening Star, Issue 11453, 22 January 1901, Page 6

THE ORIENT'S CONTINGENT AND THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

INTERVIEW WITH THE ACTING-

PREMIER. This morning a deputation, consisting of His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. CMsholm), Colonel Webb, Major Owen (adjutant of the New Zealand forces), and Mr Gaw (railway traffic manager) -waited on the Hon. J. G. Ward, Acting-Premier, to talk over various matters connected with the reception of the Orient's Contingent to-morrow and the visit of the Imperial forces'. In reply to the Acting-Premier, The Mayor said that if the news regarding the Queen's condition continued reassuring he thought it was likely that the programme adopted to-morrow would be that drafted by Mr J. A. Park. That programme was to meet the troopers at the railway station at about 10.45, mount them as previously arranged, take them down Cumberland to Frederick street and up»to George street, and along probably to the Oval, where a short service would be held and one or two short speeches delivered. After that go to the Agricultural Hall, where there would be luncheon, and also where the speechifying and music would take place. THE IMPERIAL TROOPS. The Hon. Mr Ward said it was his own opinion that the»lmperra,l troops would come to New Zealand. Military etiquette was thatin cases of this kind they would come, but in the present case, of course, big functions would be avoided. The opinion of those qualified to judge was that they would come. The intention at present was that the troops would stay in Invercargill for three hours, and leave there at about twelve o'clock, stay an hour at Gore, and arrive in Dunedin at seven o'clock on the evening of Saturday, February 2. Mr Gaw said that a time-table could be drafted to enable that to be done.

A short discussion took place as to the reception to be accorded the troops, and it was arranged that on their arrival the troops would be met and taken to the Agricultural Hall, where they would be entertained, and on Sunday there would be a great church parade, the service being conducted probably on the Asylum Ground, an admirable situation, because of the convenience of the surrounding hills. It being Sunday anything in the shape of a demonstration was, of course, considered out of the question, but the Mayor said he thought the Minister could very well arrange "for excursion trains into* town for the church parade and service without offending the susceptibilities of the people: at any rate he (His Worship) ivould be prepared to take his share of the responsibility. In this suggestion Mr Ward was" understood to concur.

It was decided that as the day on which the troops were to be in Dunedin was a. Sunday, there would be no necessity to procure horses for the mounting of the men. In regard to the expense of entertaining the Imperial troops, Mr Ward said it was desirable that this should be borne by ti;> people, but should they be averse to doing this in any town the Government -wiu'l bear it. He understood that the Chrbtchurch people were prepared to pay all erpenses there.

The troops will leave here on the morning of Monday, February 4, bv special tram at about half-past seven* staying an hour at Oamaru, Timaru, and probably Ashburton. The Britannic, after landing the Imperial troops at the Bluff, will come on at once to Port Chajmers, where she should arrive early in the evening. The Mayor informed the Hon. Mr Ward that the Grand. Wain's, and City Hotels had agreed to provide accommodation for the officers of the troops, and that it was anticipated that quarters would be found without trouble in the other hotels for the men.

THE TROOPSHIP ORIENT. The troopship Orient will leave Port Chalmers to-morrow evening about five o'clock, and will proceed to Wellington direct with the. home-coming troopers. The. ActmePremier will accompany the Contingent. 3