SPEECH TO THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 10, 14 January 1901, Page 4

SPEECH TO THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

RAW ONES PROM CANTER-

BURY.

Wellington, Saturday. Some indignation lias been expressed here at the fact that the Canterbury members of the contingent were not subjected to the prescribed tests before being forwarded on to Wellington. The Hon. J. G. Ward made reference to the fact in a speech which he delivered in camp while holding a review in the pouring rain. He said he desired ofiiciaily to thank the officers, whose assistance had been voluntarily offered and accepted, for the excellent work they were doing, which was of great service to the colony. Arrangements had been made for day and night attendance whenever possible, and it was a most gratifying feature to find that such efficient arrangements had been made for the comfort of so large a body of men as were now in camp. It was a pleasure to see the officers devoting the whole of their time to the work, and that such, a fine spirit was displayed by those who were giving valuable assistance, which was highly appreciated by him. He regretted, .however, that a number of the detachment from Canterbury had not passed through the riding tests as members of the contingent from other parts of the colony had done, in accordance _ with the general instructions issued in all parts of the colony. He would be sorry if, after going so far, it should be found that any of them were unable to fulfil the conditions necessary for their final enrolment. The Defence Department had been obliged, with very great regret, to decline the servi ce °f 160 b volunteers for the front, but those who had not been successful then: applications were as deserving °* the thanks of the colony as the men now on parade. The men who bad been selected from the different districts had been chosen upon thei r merits after the prescribed tests h a( l been passed, with the exception °1 the section frem Canterbury, who bad not complied with the riding test s before their departure. He, howev er J ex " pressed the thanks of the Govo ruin ont to the large number of men thyoUS=bout the colony who had so readily re * sponded to the call to proceed to youth Africa, in order to reinforce th e meri already there in upholding the honor and the interests of the Empb' e » But it was unnecessary for him to point out that after the experience the colony had gone through it would be an improper act to despatch men to the seat of war who were not individually and collectively efficient in those duties, in which good riding was an essential qualification. Though it might not be regretted that some men would have to be set aside on this account, the conditions which he had referred to would have to.be insisted upon. The steamer which would convey them to South Africa was timed to leave on the 25th of the present month, and as far as possible that arrangement would be adhered to. He expressed the thanks of the Government and the country to the men who had volunteered in such large numbers, and he wished the men now around him the utmost success in the various duties which would devolve upon them.