DEPARTURE OF THE EIGHTH.

Evening Star, Issue 11677, 8 February 1902, Page 4

DEPARTURE OF THE EIGHTH.

[Special to the Star.]

CHRISTCHURCH, February 8. Throughout yesterday members of the contingent were busy packing up and saying “Good-bye.” Leave was almost universal in the evening, and the camp was nearly deserted until & late hour. On board the Cornwall a detachment of men were at work shipping horses till two o’clock. Shortly before that hour the local agents of the transport entertained a party, including the Governor, at luncheon, and later on gave an “ at home ” to some 650 guests in Christchurch. Meanwhile Captain Rhodes was entertained at luncheon by his fellow-members of the Lower House and at many other impromptu farewell functions.

The Premier and Sir Joseph Ward did not arrive in Christchurch till this morning. , At daybreak the sky was overcast, with a strong tendency to a nor’-wester. Happily, although the upper current was from this direction, the lower current wind remained north-east. The show grounds were thrown open to the visitors at 12.30 p-m., and at 2.30 the contingent left bv special train for Lyttelton. The Cornwall is expected to get away about 5 p.ni. Sir J. G. VVard, on arriving at Lvttelton, left almost immediately for Kaiapoi to inspect a railway station and post office and after lunch hurried back to be present at the “ send-off.”

THE SCENE AT THE CAMP,

CHRISTCHURCH, February 8.

Shortly after the camp gates had been thrown open the crowd began to collect, and must have numbered some thousands at 1.30 p.m., when the Governor, escorted by a detachment of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, arrived on the ground. His Excellency wasted no time in beginning his address. He made a stirring speech, which elicited approval on all sides. He said that the people of New Zealand, although first in the field among the colonial forces, meant to be there at the finish, in order to help and give the final touches to the war, which, he hoped, would shortly be over. In conclusion, he advised the troopers to obey their officers implicitly, and to laugh at any hardships. The mayor followed, and on behalf of the citizens wished the battalion God-speed. Then, after a short interval, the march from the camp to the train began. The work of entraining was soon over, and a t a few minutes after three the first stage of the battalion’s journey to South Africa bad been commenced-

A BRILLIANT SEND-OFF,

[Per United Press Association.]

CHRISTCHURCH, February 8.

The South Island Battalion of the Eighth. Contingent left for Lyttelton this afternoon. The men were busy all the morning in preparing, aud at noon, all being ready for the final leave-taking, crowds swarmed to the camn at Addington. Many distinguished visitors were present, including Lord Ranfnrly, General Babington, Colonel Webb, the Premier, the Hon. W. C. Walker, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mayor Rhodes (Christchurch). Addresses were given to the men at one o’clock. Lord Ranfurly, in the course, of his speech, referred to the sacrifices New Zealand had made, and emphasised the value of discipline. He hoped that ‘‘our hoys” would return in safety. They knew how to uphold the honor of the colony. “We were there first,” His Lordship added, “ and we shall be there at the finish.” Mayor Rhodes delivered an encouraging address to the men, who were entrained just before two o’clock at Addington, and ran right through to Lyttelton. The men are now (3 p.m.) embarking on the Cornwall.

RECEPTION IN LYTTELTON

THE PORT IN GALA DRESS,

[Special to the Stab,]

LYTTELTON, February 8. There was considerable effort at decorating the town, which was quite gay with bunting. The streets and shipping are ablaze with flowers, streamers, and flags, and the scene leading to the wharf where the Cornwall lies is quite an animated one.

Large numbers of people from Christchurch began to pour into the town by two o’clock, and by three o’clock it was a close holiday, every shop except the purveyors of refreshments being closed. The Christchurch infantry battalion, who had entrained at the Christchurch station shortly after two, reached the Port jrpst in front of the contingent. The .streets of Lyttelton were so crowded that it was with difficulty that the men made their way to the troopship. The Cornwall will hardly get away to time. She will be accompanied down the harbor by the Rotomahana and other steamers.

All along the line to Lyttelton the stations were crowded, aud great enthusiasm was shown.