SEND-OFF OF THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7376, 30 January 1902, Page 2

SEND-OFF OF THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

Wellington, January 29. All the morning the trains to town were crowded, chiefly with friends and relatives of the departing soldiers. The first function was at one o'clock, when the Citizens' Committee entertained the departing battalion at luncheon in the drillshed. Among those present were the Governor (who had travelled direct from the Bluff to be present). His Excellency, as usual, spoke in a strongly patriotic manner.

General Babington, who received a great welcome, said that wherever men from the colony had a chance they had done their duty in South Africa thoroughly well.

The Premier was satisfied the Eighth Contingent would prove equal to its predecessors The more men they sent, the sooner the war would be ended, and that was why a Ninth Contingent was being enrolled, and a Tenth would follow if wanted. He announced, amid applause from the men. that LieutenantColonel Davies was promoted to BrevetColonel, and Captain Bartlett to Major. After a brief speech from Major Bartlett, the men were given leave for an hour.

At four o'clock, when they mustered in the triangle in front of the General Post Office, there was a crowd of about 10,000 people.

! The Governor said he had a most pleasant duty to perform, and called upon Captain Poison, intimating that he had been commanded by His Majesty the King to present Captain Poison with the Star of the Distinguished Service Order for his services in South Africa with the Fifth Contingent. The Premier also addressed the men, pointing out that for the first time in the history of New Zealand a brigade was about to leave its shores, and he was pleased to announce that he had communications from Colonel Porter, now at the front, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the Com-mander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army, that an endeavour would be made in South Africa to keep the New Zealanders together as a brigade. (Cheers,) As the brigade was commanded by Colonel Davies and worthy officers, he felt they would exert themselves to merit the good words spoken of them by His Excellency. They left behind them 18,000 trained ruon, in addition to which they had rifle clubs, which brought the total up to 25,000. He said he had received communications from, a number of native chiefs, representing a large number of natives, and they said that if there was any place where soldiers were stationed who were required for war they ought to send them, and natives would take their station. (Cheers.)

General Babington said he was sorry he was not going with them, as if he had been connected with the present contingent he no doubt would have had the same affection for it as he had for the Fourth.

At the Glasgow wharf, from which the transport took her departure, there was an immense gathering, quite equal to any seen at the despatch of previous troops. By six o'clock apparently all the men were on board, and the Surrey drew out and sailed away for Auckland. Hearty cheers and counter cheers were given as the steamer left.