THE SEND-OFF TO-DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6625, 17 February 1900, Page 2

THE SEND-OFF TO-DAY.

(Per Press Association.) L Chhistchukch, February W&~ The horses of the Contingent m^ embarked on the Knight Templar- today. They were taken to Lyttelt-m by 1 road, and their shoes having been ra. •' ™ moved they were taken on board by specially prepared gangways. The work was expaditiously done. Visitors are flocking into town,' which -^ is crowded. • i' f 5^ The weather promisee to. 'ae fine, and W there is no douty that the p&gjeedinm in >1P connection witbUhe eend-oijfof th* fott.yi||

tingent will be witnessed by the largest crowd ever assembled here. The Contingent will leave the "camp about 10 o'clock, and march to Hagley Park, whijre they will be ad dressed by the Governor, the Premier, the Mayor of Christuhureh, and Bishop Grimes. Bishop Julius will offer prayer, and a choir and the school children will sing the National AntK.m and patriotic songs. = r The Contingent, escorted by local f "^Hjftlunteers, will then march through the principal streets to the railway station, A%ere they will embark for Lyttelton. At the port members of the Contingent will be entertained at luncheon by the Lyttelton Committee, and subsequently the men will be given an hour's leave to bid farewell to their friends. They will be inarched on to the wharf shortly after 5 p.m., and short addresses will be given by the Governor, Premier, and Mayor of Lyttelton. The troopship will leave the wharf about 5 p.m., and be escorted down the harbour by the steamers in port. The Canterbury war fund now amounts to £12,584. Christchukch, February 17. There was a great demonstration at Hagley Park to-day on the occasion of the departure of the third contingent, including the Canterbury troop. There was wild enthusiasm on the Governor reading the telegram with reference to the relief of Kimberley. Cheers were given for Major-General French and Lord Eoberts and also when the Premier mentioned there was a probability ! of the first contingent being with French. About 16,000 people congregated in the Park. The city is gay with bunting and enormous crowds lined the streets on the route to the railway station. It is estimated that nearly 40,000 people witnessed the departure of the troops from various points and never such a sight has oeen seen in Christchurch. - The men left for Lyttelton by train amid great cheering. Invercargill, February 17. ! _ Of the Southland contingent of Bough"Jriders thirty-five left for Dunedin to-day. An enormous concourse assembled at the rotunda, where speeches were delivered by members and Ministers. When it was announced that Kiniberlev had been relieved the scene was one of unparalleled enthusiasm. Dunedin, February 17. The announcement of the.-relief of Kimberley was greeted with the ringing of the Town Hall bell, the hoisting of i flags and cheers at the camp and the ] War office. There k, general rejoicing, j "WellikCtTon, February 17. : News of tW u , X 'M of Kimberley was ....• received h<are with much enthusiasm, ' and is r.Jrie sole obsorbing topic of to-day. ,••' Stratford, February 17. .'- There is great enthusiasm here over <■■ ■ the relief of Kimberly. Flags are flying . everywhere. In Palmerston the news of the relief of Kimberley caused much excitement, and all flags in town were hoisted. The Palmerston Band assembled in the rotunda and played " Soldiers of the Queen, " and the " National Anthem. "