NEW ZEALAND'S SECOND CONTINGENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11275, 19 January 1900, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S SECOND CONTINGENT.

REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNOR. CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM ENGLAND. RETIREMENT OP CAPTAIN REID. [BY TKLEGIUHI.—OWN" CORRESI'ONDEVT.]' Weuixotok, Thursday. This morning a parado and march-past ol the contingent was held before His Excellency the Governor, who was accompanied by tlio Countess of Runfurly and Ladj Constance Knox. The scene was quite an animated one, and was witnessed by a crowd of onlookers, » large number of whom were armed with cameras. The contingent marched past in divisions at a walk, and at the trot and full gallon, no evolutions being loudly applauded bV the onlookers. The troops"gave the Roval salute in single tile, after which they were Drought up in square formation, around tho Governor s carriage. His Excellency, addressing the men, said lie had reserved for their first hearing messages from Home, conveying good news. The Secretary of State had cabled out io our Government a message containing tlio heartiest congratulations to the people of -New Zealand upon the braver,- shown by our contingent at Itemizing on the 15th. lhen another message had been received containing tho pleasing information that Major Mnddofks (captain of the No. 2 Compnny) had led a gallant charge, in a recent action at SlingersfoiHein, near Rendsburg. His Excellency read tho messages amid cheers from tho soldiers and civilians, and concluded by expressing his assurance that the men of the second contingent would also do something to win a name for the colony in South Africa. At tho call of Colonel Penton, cheers were given by the troops " for our men ill South Africa," and the soldiers then (at twelve o'clock) returned to camp. I It is current rumour in camp to-.-lay that Captain Reid, of Waikatn, who wits Appointed to the command of the No. 1 Comply, ■ has resigned his commission, mid \\<J\ not, after all, go with tho contingent to Smth. Africa. It is said that this is owing to urgent private business. The -Vijwrfc uo>fl Gil to say that Lieutenant Hiitson will be promoted to the command of tue conipniiv, vim that Mr. Montgomery, ulio is at present sergeant-major of the troop, will reciivj n commission, Sergeant Blair gomg up nga;n to tho post of sergeant -:,uj.ir, whi'li he nlltd Until displaced by Mr. Montgomerie. Lieutenant. Todd (of the Nowton Rifles, Auckland), the officer who led the Civil Service Ritles in their capture of the Maxim gun at .Saturday's shomflght, is mentioned as having been placed upon tho list as a, supernumerary officer, Another statement is that Captain Reid has had a difference with Captain Cradock, who asked him to resign. In any case, by Captain Reid's retirement, the contingent will lose one of its smartest, officers and best soldiers. Bugler Chegwin, of the contingent, has declined to proceed to South Africa unless guaranteed that he will bo promoted sergeant, alleging that ho was senior to Fox, who went with the first contingent and was made a, sergeant. The authorities, not being prepared to give the necessary guarantee, Chegwin declined to sign the agreement, and has left the camp, [bt TELEGRArit.—rnEss ASBomTioN.l Wellington, Thursday. Tho reason of Captain Reid's retirement from No. 1 Company is not as at first reported, owing to demands of private business. Captain Reid states that he has been deprived of his command by Major Cradock, who expressed dissatisfaction with his capacity for the position, and refused to allow him to retain it. AT-HOME AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. Fry TELEGiunr.— ow.v coimEsroN'nnMT.] Wkllincton, Thursday. There was a brilliant, gathering at Go> ! remment House to-night, when an " Athome" was given by the Countess of Ranfurly, in honour of tho officers of the second New Zealand contingent. Previous to the guests assembling, at halfpast nine, His Excellency entertained Major Cradock and the other officers of the contingent at dinner. In all, some 30 people sat down to dinner, including Lady Ranfurly, tho Right Hon. the Premier, and nearly all tho members of the Ministry, Captain Stuart, R.N., of the Tauranga, Sir Arthur Douglas, Undor-secretary for Defence), Colonel Polo-Penton (Commander of the Forces), and Captain Stuart (of tho Waiwera). The appropriate t.iblo decorations of red, white, and blue were exouinitely arranged, and, with the beautiful silver plate, made a- fine show. Tho health of the Queen is usua'ly tho only toast ever honoured at dinner at Government House, and that is given every evening. To-night, however, His Excellency made an exception to this rule, for after the toast of the Queen, in a brief speech, ho proposed the health of the second contingent, and wished them good luck. Major Cradock replied appropriately. For the "At-home" 400 invitations were issued, and nearly every invited guest must have put in an appearance, for Lady Ranfurly's beautiful drawingrooms wcro crowded, all the leading citizens and many of the friends of the officers of the contingent being present. Indeed, a special effort was r.mde to secure tho presence of as many of the frieuds of the officers who we.e in Wellington as possible. The decorathns. to which the Coutess herself devoted tvo days, were arranged with exquisite taste. Lady Ranfurly wore black, as she is in mourning for a near relative, Colonel Gnff. who commanded the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, and was killed while gallantly, leading them the ether day at tho battle of Magersfontein, where the Highland Brigade was practically cut in pieces. THE SEND-OFF. [DY TELEGRAPH.— ritKSS ASSOCIATION - .] Wellington, Thursday. It is expected that the send-off to thk second contingent will, in point of numbers and enthusiasm, eclipse anything seen in the colony if the weather is fine. The visiting volunteers will number close on 1000. Excursion trains will be run in all directions, and almost every steamer in port on Saturday will be available for the marine display. The Union Company's steamers alone will accommodate over 10,000 people. DuNEDitf, Thursday. Officers and men to the number of 129 left here by express train to-day to take part in the send-off of the contingent, Thirty-six from North OUigo joined at Oamaru. Captain Hawkins, of Southland, is in charge. CjißisTcnoncir, Thursday. The Rotomahana, which left for Wellington to-night, Jiad over 300 passengers, including 180 volunteers, who intend witnessing the departure of the second contingent,