Sixth Contingent.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 278, 3 December 1901, Page 3

Sixth Contingent.

A REPORT DENIED.

(Special to Times.)

Auckland, last night.

Iho following letter from a member of the Sixth Contingent in South Africa, appears in to-night’s Star. The letter should interest Gisbornites, as many prominent Gisborne men are included in the Sixth Contingent “ I havo been asked by several ol my comrades to write in answer to reports recently published in your paper concerniim the return of the Sixth Contingent before their stipulated term of service had expired. I may say this report is absolutely untrue, as no member of this regiment has any desire to shirk work. We have been at it for the last eight months, but on the contrary, all are doing their best to keep up New Zealand’s reputation, and to do credit to themselves. Taking into consideration the fact that we have done more trekking and chasing of the enemy than any of the earlier contingents, and havo received praise from our general for our persistence, you will agree that we have reason to rightly feel insulted at such a report being received with credence by peoplo at home, who might at least have ascertained whether it was the whole contingent, or only a homesick mernbor who made such despicable enquiry. But wo all believe that a mistake has been made, and it jvas perhaps with reference to some of the officers in the first contingent who signed on with us for six months’ extra service that the question was raised. We cannot believe any of our boys did ask what has been reported. However, the harm is done now. Our reasons for sending this are that you may publish it, and show at least a portion of the public that they havo no reason to feel we have (as “ Zamiel,” in the Auokland Star, sarcastically remarks) tarnished the reputation gained by the earlier contmfvents. I wish he could have but beard our remarks at the undeserved sarcasm.”