THE FEDERAL CONTINGENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12402, 16 January 1901, Page 7

THE FEDERAL CONTINGENT.

RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COM:MANDER. [From Our Correspondent. 3 WELLINGTON, Jan, 14. The Government steamer Tutanekai arrived here this afternoon from Sydney with the New Zealand Volunteers who have been attending the Commonwealth celebrations. The men, on landing, were met by members of the Sixth Contingent, who formed a guard of honour. There was a considerable number of people present, and the troops marched to the Basin Reserve, where they were addressed by the Acting-Premier, Mr Ward. On the amval of the Tutanekai this afternoon, Major Hawkins, oil behalf of the officers and men of the Contingent and the Pipe Band, presented Commander Post with an illuminated address as a mark of their appreciation of the courtesy and consideration shown them during the trip, and the high discipline of the ship’s company. The address was slg'ned by the officers on behalf of the Contingent. . Major Hawkins speaks in glowing terms of the hospitality of the Sydney people. He and his officers had the entree to every club, and found the golden fern-leaf the open sesame to everything everywhere. He had the distinction of being placed in command of the First Federal Mounted Regiment, which consisted of units from all the colonies. He reports that our men were on model behaviour throughout, and went through their portion of the great demonstration in a manner befitting the best traditions of tiro colony. The only drawback was the mounts with which they were provided.. They were a wicked lot, and full of the ways that, were dark and the tricks that were vain, and Major Hawkins has an idea that they were given to the New Zealanders as a test of their much-vaunted horsemanship. The Maoris, especially, won golden opinions by their soldierly and modest deportment, arid were extremely popular with the residents of Sydney. The New Zealanders were greatly in demand with the populace, and day and night the lines of the representatives of these islands were crowded with curious and admiring visitors. WELLINGTON, Jan. 15.

The Federal Contingent was paid off today. Some twenty of the men will go into camp at Newtown for the Sixth Contingent and the rest will return to their homes. They are allowed to retain the uniforms supplied them.