THE CONTINGENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11200, 21 October 1899, Page 5

THE CONTINGENT.

SHIPPING THE HORSES. PREPARATIONS FOJt TEE VOYAGE. J THE EMBARKATION TO-DAY. 1 [BT telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION.] ! Wellington', Friday. j Tho work of embarking the horses on tho < Waiwera began at half-post nine o'clock to- j 1 day, and was finished, with tho exception of ! ] six, for whioh stalls have to ho built, by three , p.m. Those animals whioh wero privately | owned gave little trouble, but tho others, | which were strango to men, wero very restive, and frequently had to be blinded or hauled jup tho gangway by main force. The work . was fortunately carried out without acci- 1 dent. Every precaution has been taken, as far as possible, to prevent mishaps on the voyage. Battens are laid to prevent slip- , ping, and tho sides of the stalls are bound with sheepskins to protect tho animals from ' injury in rough weather. i _ Tho ship has been fully provisioned, and 1 included in the stores are a fair quantity of 1 liquids and tobacco. i No. 1 company will be berthed in the after < part of the vessel and No. 2 company for- i ward. I The weather at present is fine, and pro- i mises to continue eo. A largo number of excursionists arrived today by train and steamer, and sevoral of tho oountrjH volunteer companies are expected ' to-morrow. A close holiday will be observed throughout the city to-morrow afternoon. At first it was intended to march the troops ■ direct from the camp to the wharf, but in deferonco to tho wishes of tho Demonstration Coramitteo, who thought many people, fearing a crush, would thus be prevented seeing tho men, the Commandant has agreed to allow them to go along Lambton Quay, and through a few of the short streets contiguous to the point of embarkation. 1 Each man carries a completo kit. When equipped in inarching order, the averaga , weight of rider and kit is about IBst. , Tho Manaia Meat Preserving Works have sent the contingent a quantity of moat ex- 1 tract, and Messrs. Bannatyno and Co. have j presented them with 651b of Juno tobacco. Every horse has been branded with the letters "N.Z." on the off fore-foot, and also with a number corresponding to tho company number of the trooper whose mount : it is. All tho new drill instructors, seven in number, are anxious to go to tho front with the contingent, but tlioy don't like the idea of another sea voyage involved in an immediate return journey to the Cape. Tho Waiwera's first port of call in South Africa will be Algoa Bay. where she is expected to arrive in about 30 days. It is likely a call will be made at Albany i to obtain bunker coal. ' To-night's trains from Manawatu and Wairarapa are crowded with passengers, there boing about 600 on each. ' About 300 of the West Coast Battalion and 1 403 of the East Coast Battalion reach here 1 to-morrow morning by special trains. | Nearly all the hotol accommodation in the city is taken up. To-morrow's demonstration will bo witnessed by an enormous ooncourse of people, and special precautions are being taken to , guard against accident at the wharves.. THE ROLL CALL. LIST OP NAMES. 1 [by telegraph.— correspondent.] : Wellington, Friday. Through the courtesy of Sir Arthur Douglas, of tho Defence Department, I am en- i abled to give you the completed roll of the contingent to date. It is probable that two or three names may be changed to-morrow, but there will bo no material alteration. Major A. W. Robin (in command); Captain 5' N. Davies, No. 1 Company; Captain W. it. N. Maddocks, No. 2 Company; Lieut. D Arcy Cliaytor, Lieut. E. Bartlett, Lieut. A. E. Heave, Lieut. W. s: Canavan, Lieut. G. K. Johnston, Lieut. M. E. Lindsay, Liout. Vet. U. R. Neal, Dr. Thos. Sums (Surgeon), Regt. aergeant.-Major Chas. Rogers, Sergt.-llajor , P. Berland, .Sergt.-Ma.jor D. Cardale, Sergt.Major W. Burr, Sergt. S. Tuck, Sergt. E. Harrowell, Sergt. E. Watkins, Sergt. S. Gourlay, Sergt. E. Harlett, Sergt. J. Bond, ii er W. Mallood, Sergt. W. Morgan, Sergt. I'. Watts, Corpl. C. BoiUd, Corpl. J. Home, Corpl. N. McDonald, Corpl. D. Bodle, Corpl. n rice, Corpl. J. Hogg, Corpl. J. Muir, Corp. w. Grant, Corpl. T. Poster, LanceCorpl. E. Lestrange, Lance-Corpl. J. Hughes, Trumpeter F. Fox, Trumpeter \V. H. Brown. Trumpeter F. W. Bowie, Farrier-Sergt. J. Miller, W. J. farkes (shoesmith), J. H. Barty (shoesmith), E. Wallace (shoesmith), A. J. Bowie (shoesmith), A. Cromie (shoesmith), A. H. Coffey (saddler); Troopers B. Avery, G. Arnold, E. Aitken, F. Arding, A. Bartrop, H. Butler, B. Butlers, A. Batchlar, H. Burroughs, G. Bradford, C. Blenlthora, S. Bowcher. J. Brock, W. Black, W. Bunten, H. Booth, J. Blair, TV. Byrne. M. Oossor, J. Cabot, J. Cummings, B. Crawley, H. Cameron, J. Cleyeley, T. Casey, J. Connell, W. Callaway, N. Curtain, P. Crowe, W. Dick, R. Dawson, 11. Dickinson, A. Douglas, T. Cook, J. Culling, R. Crump, J. Catherall, A. Cooms, G. Elisor, M. Edwards, P. Emerson, C. Edwards, B. Ellis, C. Enderbv, D. Fraser, E. Frietli, H. Forsyth, J. Fahey, C. H. Flavall, W. Franklin, A. Fordham, J. Goble, E. Galpin, T. Gaudin, K. Gorrie, J. Gestro, G. Glasgow, C. Holroyd, G. Heenan, H. J. Hamilton, E. Hogan, A. E. Hawkins, J. Hean, A. Kaliu, J. Htirford, W. Harris, A. Hedges, C. Mangen, H. Haseler, J. Hunt, J. Jenks, 0. Jewell, W. Johnston, F. Joyce, C. Lewin, S. Kella, E. Lockett, N. Kirkbride, - McCallum, W. Morrison, R. McDonald, J. Munro, J. W. Muir, E. Moore, J. McConway, F, Morrison, A. Mcßeth, J. Watson, T. Maunder, S. McKinder, J. Mewbem. Chas. McLean, J. Montgomerie, W. McPherson, A. McKegg, Geo. Mitchell, W. MacPherson. G. Miller, G. Mann, M. McCauley, J. Mitchell, J. Mac Donald, J. Nairn, 0. Newman, A. Newdick, S. Northe, E. Nops, J. Peebles, J. Pepper, D. Prosser, G. Powell, G. Payne, S. Palmer, H. Pawston, F. Pope, E. Palmer, H. Orbell. J. Paterson, W. Pitt, D. Ryan, W. Riddel. F. Eockstraw, W. Benton, H. Boss, H. Smith. W. Saunders, W. Smith, F. O'Shea, E. Smith, 8. Steel, F. Shaw, J. Stranger, Geo. Smyth, H. Sutherland, H. Smith, L. Symes, J. Seelye, W. H. Sheppherd, S. Tasker, J. Tetley, A. Taylor, J. Townsend. T. Taylor, E. Twogood, W. Tubman, J. Taylor, E. Thorpe, H. Valentine, A. Wilkie, A. Whiffln, J. Wyllie, J. Walker. C. Wooffindin, W. Wallis, J. Whyto, F. Wood, D. Waldie, A. Withers, W. Wilson, H. F. Wright, J. Wilson. R. Young, 8. Joyce, J. Byrne.. Tailors: W. Lonergan, A. Mines. J. H. O'Neill, Telegrams of good-byo are coming in shoals to the men. It is interesting to see them sending off little tokens to their friends. Somo of the fellows are leaving anxious hearts bel"ij ® no ' at ' ier is sending off his only child and is proud of the lad's spirit. There have been many affecting scenes already, but the spirit of enthusiasm is 60 strong that if the fellows knew they they were going to death they would go light-heartedly, and their friends would bid them God-speed. 1

Major Alfred Robin, who goes in command of the New Zealand contingent, was one of the first members to join the city contingent of the Otago Hussars, when the company was formed several years ago, His abilities were readily recognised, and promotion quickly fell to his lot, Sergeant, sergeant-major, and lieutenant—all these offices he worthily filled in succession. Then the position of captain became vacant, and Major (then Lieutenant) Robin was unanimously chosen for the post. The Government recognised his merit by appointing him to the command of the mounted contingent that represented the colony at the Queen's Jubilee celebration, and this was followed by his elevation to the rank of major. _ Uuder his command the New Zealand contingent will have a con- 1 Bcientious, capable/ and well-trained head. " / ENTERTAINMENTS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. [Br TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday, His Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Ranfuriy, who have taken a keen interest in the New Zealand contingent, eni tertained the officers and a large number of ['people at Government House to-night. The j 1

; following were present at dinner:— Robin, Major Maddocks, Captain Davis, Lieutenants Ohaytor, Woarne, Lindsay, Canavan, Bartlett, Johnston, Dr. Burns (veterinary), Lieutenant Nield, Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Hon. Captain Russell, Hon, W. C, Walker, Hon. G. McLean, Sir Arthur Douglas, Colonel Pole-Penton, the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. John Duncan, Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, Lieu-tenant-Colonel Messenger, Captain Norman Smith, Mr. Gilruth, Dr. Wallis, Rev. W. C. Waters, Sir James Prondergast, Hon. H. J. Millar, Hon. Sir G. M. O'Rorke, and Lady Ranfurly. Later on Lady Ranfurly was " At Home," between half-past nine and elven p.m., when the bcautifully-decorated drawing-rooms were thronged with between 300 and 400 visitors. The guests were received by the Countess and His Excellency, and the timo was spent in conversation, mainly about the war and tho contingent, and listening to tho musio, supplied by a string band. Supper was served in the dining-room. Visitors were present from all parts of the colony, and the function was generally voted to bo a very happy idea on the eve of tho departure of tho contingent. _ LUXURIES FOR THE VOYAGE. [Br TELEGRAPH.—speciaI correspondent.] Wellington, Frid.iy, Owing to tho foresight of Lady Douglas, tho members of tho contingent aro likely to roceivo a considerable supply of delicacies, in the shape of dates, prunes, figs, or other dried fruits, for uso on tho voyage. Lady Douglas, in an hour or two this morning, collected some £20 for the purchase of these delicacies, which will be a very acceptable addition to tho men's bill of fare. The Countess of Ranfurly, on hearing of the project, sent a special parcel for the men. THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Svdn'ey, October 20. After ap all-night sitting tho Legislative Assembly, by 78 votes to 10, adopted a resolution sending troops, and voting £30,000 for expanses. The result was announced amid great cheering, and the National Anthem was sung. The Imperial authorities hare declined the offer of a battery of field artillery. Tho Cabinet has decided that tho Lancera shall disembark at the Cape. It has also been decided to send a unit of mounted infantry, and a unit of infantry. They sail in the steamship Aberdeen at tho end of the month. Melbourne, October 20. The Assembly have passed a Bill provid« ing £30,000 for tie expenses of tho con* tingent.