THE THIRD CONTINGENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6626, 19 February 1900, Page 3

THE THIRD CONTINGENT.

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, February 19. The visiting volunteer" officers were entertained by the local .officers on Saturday night. The trains and steamers are crowded with returning visitors. The troopship Knight Templar left che heads for Albany at 7.30 last night. On Sunday morning a message was received from the Knight Templar stating that the Rough Riders were disappointed at finding that there were no musical instruments on board. Mr G. G. Stead was communicated with by telephone and he at once promised to rectify the omission. The time was short as the steamer was to sail in the afternoon. Mrs Stead was, however, equal to the occasion and decided to send a piano from her own home as a present to the men. The message was only received in Christchurch at 11 a.m., and by the 1.30 Sunday afternoon train the piano was sent by rail to Lyttelton. The troopers, who greatly appreciated the gift, made good use of the piano in the afternoon and evening. Mrs Stead wrote to Major Jowsey stating that she was pleased to be able to make the men a present of the piano, and suggesting that on arrival in South Africa they should sell it and use the proceeds for the purpose of forming the nucleus of an amusement fund.

The main train conveying the military to Lyttelton on Sunday consisted .of over 50 carriages and contained over 2500 people. The quantity of .oats were shipped on board the troopship' Knight Templar was 19,875 sacks. /

At Saturday's ■ demonstration, 30,000 people went through from Christdiurch to Lyttelton by train. The gossj(p of the city to-day is wholly taKeriv, up by the splendid send oft;/ of the Rough-riders on Saturday. When, early in January, Mr G/G. Stead advocated the providing and 'equipping by public subscription of a trfjop of fight horse or rough riders for I South Africa, few if any besides the proposer imagined that so fine a body as the 250 men shibped in the Knight Templar could be despatched within four weeks, and that 300 additional men would be ready to follow it,in|x month,', His Excellency has received the following from the Imperial Government: —" Her Majesty's Government learn with very great satisfaction of the departure of the third New Zealand contingent, and of the loyally and enthusiasm prevailing. Also of the contemplated departure of a fourth contingent towards the end of March 11.