THE NINTH CONTINGENT.

Evening Star, Issue 11678, 10 February 1902, Page 4

THE NINTH CONTINGENT.

THE NORTH ISLAND CAMP,

AUCKLAND, February 10. There are now about 450 men in the Ninth Contingent camp at Manakau. Nearly the whole of the North. Island Battalion are now in camp. Thirty-three recruits arrived this morning from Napier and Gisborne per Tutanckai, and went to the camp.

A BUNGLE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. On Saturday night the Taranaki portion of the Ninth Contingent, with the Hawera men, who had gone up by train, were paraded in the drill hall at eleven o’clock. Twenty-nine men answered the call. The men were briefly addressed by Lieutenantcolonel EHis and the mayor, and then marched to the station, headed by the Garrison Band, who played the troopers off as the train moved away. On arrival at the breakwater there was no sign of the Hinemoa, by which the men were to be taken on to Onehunga. A dreary wait followed in drizzling rain, and at 2 a.m., as there was still no steamer, the men were provided with temporary quarters in railway carriages and the wharf shed, by the kindness of Captain Hood, the harbor-master. Yesterday morning the men marched into New Plymouth, to await, Micawber-like, for “ something to turn up.” Captain Taunton and other local officers are meantime attending to the wants of the men ; but the whole matter seems the result of bungling somewhere that is regrettable.

THE APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY. The Premier has been informed by the latest advices that the following numbers of men had volunteered for the Ninth Contingent in their respective centres: —Hawera 208, New Plymouth 167, Wellington 900 men (and 124 applications for commissions), Gisborne 42_, Napier 210, Masterton 220, Dannevirke 62, Palmerston North 259, Wanganui 310, Auckland 940 (including applications for commissions), Canterbury district 594, and Otago 994. This makes a total of 5,150, exclusive of Marlborough and Nelson, where the volunteers will probably numbes: about 250, thus making a grand total of 6,400 for the 1,000 vacancies. The totals for the various military districts are : Wellington 2,622, Auckland 940, Canterbury 594, and Otago 994. Gisborne’s quota for the Ninth Contingent were conveyed to Auckland by the Tutanekai. There were 170 candidates, from whom fifteen were selected as Gisborne’s portion. The men are considered equal to the best vet sent from the district.

CAMP NOTES. At the present time there are 466 men under canvas at Forbury Park, and on the arrival of the West Coast section of forty men to-night the South Island Battalion will be complete. Every train from the country on Saturday afternoon and evening brought in recruits. The Canterbury representatives, who reached town by the express, were the last to arrive. After breakfast yesterday morning tbe attestation papers were completed. A general parade was then called, and tbe recruits were put through squad drill for an hour and arhalf under tbe staff sergeants-major. In the afternoon there was another parade for tent inspection. Large numbers visited Forbury during the day. Tbe camp is pitched on the track, facing west, instead of in the middle of the Park, as was the case with the Fourth Contingent. The tents lie in semi-circular rows. Mr Owld has charge of the catering. The hospital tent is fitted up by the Dunedin Bearer Corps. Dr Falconer has taken up the duties of medical officer. The first lot of horses are expected on Wednesday, but.it is doubtful if there will be much saddlery ready by then. The parade state is as follows; 3 staff officers (Captain Nicolson, Lieutenant Freeman, Quartermaster-captain M’lndoe), 4 staff sergeant-majors., 437 troopers; total, 444.

To day was takeu up in drilling the men, erecting marquees for forage, putting up the officers’ tents, and getting the horse fines down. Rifles and ammunition have reached the camp, and the men will be instructed at once in musketry and shooting.

A squad of fifteen men will go out shoot ing to-morrow -with the Lee-Knfield rifle.

The hospital arrangements are up to date, A returned trooper reported sick this morning was placed in the hospital.