THE RECORD REIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11225, 24 March 1897, Page 6

THE RECORD REIGN.

THE COLONIAL CONTINGENT. [Per Press Association. I LONDON, March 22. The officers of the colonial military contingents participating in the Queen’s celebration will, be quartered at South Belgravia, and the men at the Chelsea barracks. WELLINGTON, March 23. The Premier has communicated with the proprietors of the leading journals throughout the colony, to ascertain if they are willing, to take the course, set by. Mr David Syme.of the Melbourne Age, who has given a contribution ample enough to defray the expenses of a .rilie team to Bisley. The replies will be awaited with interest. Twenty-one Maoris from the Wairarapa willcoineto Wellington to train as a contingent to accompany the military squad to England. ‘ ' DUNEDIN, March 23. Captain Robin, of the Otago Hussars, who takes charge of tho mounted con-tingent-at the record reign celebrations, left for Wellington ’ to-clay, and was given an enthusiastic send-off by tho Hussars and leading citizen's.

Captain Eobin, who has been appointed to take charge of the mounted volunteers, who wil[' represent New Zealand in England at the. celebration of tho record reign, arrived in Christchurch last night, and at •once proceeded to Wellington by the •Penguin* Captain Eobin has fairly won his spurs, as the smartest mounted volunteer officer in New Zealand, and his connection . with. volunteering has- extended over more . than eighteen ' years. A boy in the Dunedin High School Cadets, he, in 1880, joined the Dunedin Field Artillery, in which corps .he was trumpeter for two years,'and sergeant-for one. In 18S3 he joined the Otago Hussars as trooper, became a- corporal three months later, was appointed sergeant tho following year, and sergeant-major in 1885. He was lieutenant commanding in 1889, and captain ■in 1891. His first travelling duty was to bring bis : corps through from Dunedin to the Oamaru camp. In 1893 he was sent by the Government as adjutant to a large volunteer camp at Palmerston North. He assisted in raising the Oamaru troop . of Hussars, and was commissioned by the Government to act as drill-instructor to that troop, and a similar compliment was paid him in connection with the Southland Hussars.