THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7191, 8 January 1902, Page 3

THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

■ ' . (Special to Truth.) Wellington, January G. _ UMiere-is seething discontent here in refercuce to the appointment of officers in all branches of the Eighth Contingent. It appears that appointments have been made by Mr Seddon in the capacity of Cotumandcr-in-Chief of the colony, adyij*}.d by Major Norman Smith, who has bcesi appointed historian of the New Zealand Contingents on account of his -.assuiduity in anticipating the wishes of lUr Seddon and his great services in ' iSouth Africa. The result is openly stated to lie that persons with absolutely no qualifications savo their aptitude for kicking the political beam have been appointed. Men back from active service or with long volunteer records have been rejected.

The case of Sergeant Foster, a schoolmate of Major Smith's, one of the rejected, is openly condemned as a public scandal by the local military men. A great deal of favouritism is displayed in the selection of private; also. Political influence having intervened, tho result is that all regulations as to height, ■weight, and chest measurement have ibeea broken. The consequence is that a number of men accepted are remaining out of camp, and an advertisement in the Times this morning warns them that their places will bs filled if they don't turn np. It i» said here that if Major Smith is afffointeil to the command of the Contingent the camp will break up of its o\rn accord.