PARCELLING THE EIGHTH.

Evening Star, Issue 11676, 7 February 1902, Page 6

PARCELLING THE EIGHTH.

[Special to tkh Star..]

CHRISTCHURCH, February 7. One farewell to a departing contingent is much like another. Speeches cast in the same mould, only dressed np in fresh language, hearty cheers, health-drinking, and tears, are the usual concomitants of such occasions. Ail will be apparent to-morrow, though perhaps in a lesser degree than usual. The military authorities have apparently set their faces against any popular and the public, in their turn/ seem willing to fall in with the wishes of the military only too closely. There is still some doubt concerning the programme that will be carried out to-morrow. It has, however, been settled that the men will leave Addington at 2.30 p.m., then go straight to Lyttelton by train. Arrangements had been proposed for some ceremony to take place at the trotting grounds, next door to the show grounds, before the actual departure, but it has been found by the officials to be unworkable, and it is now almost certain that the men will be addressed by the Governor and any Ministers who may be here from the grand stand at the show grounds. This arrangement will probably curtail the proposed programme.

Lyttelton critics are unanimous in commending the arrangements on the Cornwall They describe the vessel as all that a troopship should be. About 300 horses were put aboard yesterday, and the balance are being shipped to-day. While the horses were being taken over the hill to the port yesterday Sergeant Morgan’s horse reared and fell on its rider, who was badly bruised. Morgan is an old contingenter, and wears a ring presented to him by Prince Adolphus of Teck for saving the latter's baggage from capture.

The Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry entertained Captain Rhodes at dinner last evening. Much enthusiasm was displayed. It was stated that the corps have sent fiftv men altogether to South Africa.