THE FAREWELL CEREMONY

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11552, 16 January 1901, Page 5

THE FAREWELL CEREMONY

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.

ROUTE OF THE PROCESSION.

A meeting ox the General Committee arranging the ceremony for the departure of the contingent, was held. yesterday" in the City Council Chambers. The Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie) presided.

The Mayor read a telegram from the Act-ing-Premier, to the effect that it was highly improbable that the Governor could return to the North Island in time to take part in the ceremony. Should His Excellency arrive in the colony, however, "before the.de- ; parture of the contingent, . Mr. Ward' said he would telegraph to him and ask if lie could take part in the send-off. Mr. L. D. Nathan and Mr. J. McK. Geddes reported' that they had so far got guarantees amounting to £200, ' and subscriptions amounting to £26 2s 6d, and Mr. Tho?. Peacook and Mr. Loo. Myers reported guarantees amounting to £202 and three guineas in subscriptions. Mr. A. H. Nathan and. Mr. "W. B. Leyland reported, having interviewed the shipping companies with reference to steamers to aceouitnpany the troopship round the Heads. They had been received cordially by all the companies, and all, had stated that they would be delighted to give the committee a share of the proceeds. Mr. Nathan said he suggested one-half of the takings as a fair proportion. The Auckland Yacht Club, Parnell Sailing Club, and North Shore Soiling Club had also agreed to give an aquatic display. The steamship companies, however, wished it to be borne iii mind that if the send-off was on January 29 it would be impossible to get the steamers. All the reports were received, and the committees instructed to complete their work. The report of the Musical Committee, outlining the proposed arrangements for the musical part of the ceremony was read, and it was agreed to authorise the committee to carry out their programme, and to have 1000 copies of the music lithographed. The committee appointed to arrange speakers, recommended that the speakers at the ceremony be selected from the following: His Excellency the vera or, Sir 6. M. O'Rorke, Sir Robert Stout, the Hon. J. G. Ward, Mr. R. Monk, M.H.R., and Mr. W. J. Napier, M.H.R. The report was adopted. It was agreed that the Harbour Board be requested to erect barricades on the Wharf, and arrange for the berthing of the steamers which may be placed at the disposal of the committee. The committee also resolved to accept the proffered services of the veterans, and to provide a vehicle for those veterans who are unable to march. The Demonstration Committee reported that, they intended calling _in every shop in Queen-street, and asking the oocupier to make as liberal a display of Tjdocoration a3 possible. The various volunteer corps were also to be asked to arrange to have scrolls stretched across Queen-street with suitable farewell mottoes. It was agreed to ask the Auckland, Avondale, and Takapuna Racing Clubs to contribute to the funds. The route of the procession, as recommended by the Demonstration Committee, was adopted as follows:-— the Domain to Khybor Pass, -via Grafton Road, down Symonds-street to Wellesley-street, down Welles!ey-street and Queen-street to the wharf. It was agreed that the city and suburban bands be asked to give their services for the

day. Tho charge for entrance to the Domain during the ceremony there was fixed at sixpence. . It was decided that the Friendly Societies Conference be asked to arrange for its' members to be present in the Domain in regalia, and afterwards form a guard of honour in Queen-street. The committee also decided to ask tho Railway Department to arrange special excursions for the day.

REFRESHMENTS FOR THE TROOPERS.

A LIVELY DISCUSSION.

PROVISION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS.

In the course or the meeting of the committee arranging for the farewell ceremony, tho question of providing refreshments for the departing troopers was referred to, and Mr. Alfred Kidd ■ moved, " That the question of the class of refreshments to be provided by tho committee be left to the Refreshment Committee to consider and report to next meeting." Mr. Wesley Spragg moved as an amendment, "That in deference to the expressed, wish of the Commander-in-Chief, it be a recommendation from this meeting that the Entertainment Committee, in making provision for the luncheon, should not provide any intoxicating liquors." _ He said he would object to take any part in anything which, would help to bring the volunteers to any sort of injury. His firm was positively anxious to contribute to. the funds, but they could not contribute if any portion of the money was to be spent on intoxicating liquors. That was tli© opinion of some members of the Refreshment Committee, it was the opinion of a good many people in Auckland, and what was of more importance. Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener, _ and Lord Wolseley were of the same opinion. Mr. Graves Aickin: You would have a sort of substantial afternoon tea. Mr. Spragg said afternoon tea would be more desirable than some things. He did not question the liberty of any man to taEe drink ifiihe desired it, but it was another matter when lie and others were asked to give men that which might hurt them. Mr. Loo Myers said he considered it injudicious of Mr. Spragg to raise this bone of contention. Mr. Spragg said he had no objection to any man taking what he pleased, but was immediately inconsistent when he suggested that no alcoholic "refreshment should be allowed on the ground. He thought Mr. Sprang'* suggestion should be oarried out, and that those who desired a glass of alcohol should be able to obtain it at the expense of the subscriptions, and that those who desired to keep aloof from it should bo allowed to do so. He would certainly feel it his duty, as a matter of principle, to vote against Mr. Spragg' amendment.

Mr. P. Cheal said a. great many citizens had conscientious objections to giving subscriptions unless the luncheon was to be free from intoxicants as far as the committee was concerned. There were others, of whom ho was one, who did not see eye to eye with those he had referred to, but who would yet like to support the request of Lord Roberts. Ho was satisfied that if it became known in the Old Country that in Auckland there was in? liquor at the send-off, the fact Would be hailed with great satisfaction. If such liberal-minded men as Mr. Nathan and Mr. Myers cared to send up liquor to the men, ho did not think there would be any objection, but many citizens did not care to feel that the subscriptions they might give would be spent on liquor. Mr. Geddes suggested that the difficulty coiud be got over by the money subscribed by Mr. Spragg and his teetotal friends being used to provide the tea and the toast, while the liquor could be provided from the money subscribed by others. Mr. L. D. Nathan said on canvassing for subscriptions and guarantees, Mr. Geddes and himself had not had a single refusal, not had any questions been asked about what they were to provide. They really ought not to treat the men as if they were children. It was unfair to ask a man to have cold buns and tea.

Mr. W. B. Leyland said the committee should honour the wishes of the Commander-in-Chief. He did not think they would bo insulting the volunteers even if they did not give them liquor. When Lord Roberts said they were heroes on the battlefield, and gentlemen everywhere else, lie did not insi* 1 them when he afterwards said they should not get intoxicating liquor. The committee should not, even as Mr. Cbeal suggested, ask Mr. Nathan or anybody else to make a present of drink to the men. They could give the men a hearty send-off without

Mr. J. M. MoLachlan paid he was not a total abstainer, but he could not help agreeing with Mr. Spragg, out of loyalty to Lord ivoberts and the other generals who had warned the public against providing intoxicants.

Lieutenant-Commander Clemens, as a volunteer officer, said it would be wise to carry Mr. Spragg s amendments. Ho had found that in volunteer gatherings there would always be one or two go to exoess when intoxicants were provided; and even one or two might mar the success of the send-off. At the military tournament there were no intoxicants, and there was not a single case of anybody going to excess. Sir. A. 0. Caughey urged that Lord Roberts' wish ought to be respected. The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury expressed the hope that Mr, Sprnggg's amendment would I>e accepted. It was a fatal error tc imagine that they were not treating a, man as a man by refusing to put a temptation before him. Commandant Le Roy stated that whenever the volunteers had gone out and had kept in- j toxicating liquors ,way from their parades, everything had gone off well, but when intoxicating liquors were there one or two had spoiled everything, and the others had j

expressed a wish, for the sake of those who could not keep within bounds, that there should be no liquor at the parades. Mr. A. Ividd said he could claim to be as strong a teetotaller as any man in the room,' but he failed ;to see that the argument for Mr. Spi-agg's motion had been strong enough to convince the committee. Lord Roberts' objection to giving drink referred mainly lip the English army, and the men being sent from New Zealand were of an entirely different class. The colonial youth woe not . a drunkard; he was satisfied that two-thirds of the volunteers would not take drink if they were offered it. The Mayor then put Mr. Spragg 1 s amend-; ment, when 15 voted in favour of ; it-—a clear majority of those present. " Mr. Geddes: r Are they all members of the committee? Mr. Leo Myers: The meeting is packed by the Prohibition party. ; It Was evident when S I entered the room. Mr. Spragg said it was important that only those who had been elected members of the committed should vote. It would be a mistake to elect any person a member of the committee for the purpose of carrying this special vote. The Mayor then, called for a show of hands of those who had been elected members of the committee, when eight voted for Mr. Spragg's amendment and eight for Mr. Kidd's motion. Mr. Myers suggested that the matter bo postponed, as there was a feeling that the meeting had been packed. Mr. Spragg then withdrew his amendment, leaving the whole matter to be considered at a meeting of the committee on Friday, when the Refreshment Committee is expected ito report. .'■■■■ . GUARANTEE AND SUBSCRIPTION LIST. The following . guarantees against loss on the ceremony have been received by the committee:— . . : £ s. d.

DINNER AT WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRKSS ASSOCIATION.] Wkixington-, Tuesday.

A Citizen's Committee are collecting subscriptions for the purpose of a dinner to the Sixth Contingent on the day of their departure. ' ' AN INSURANCE PROPOSAL. [BY telegeaph. —PIUCSS ASSOCIATION.] Christchtjrch, Tuesday. At a meeting of the Patriotic War Fund Committee an offer was received from the National Mutual Life Association to insure 25 men of the Sixth Contingent for 12 months. The committee decided to thank the association for its offer, but to inform it that as the funds in the hands of the committee could not be applied to insuring only one section of Canterbury troopers, and as the insurance of the whole was beyond the committee's means, they regretted the proposal could not be entertained.

THE FIGHT AT RIETFQNTEIN.

INTERESTING DETAILS.

Corporal Charles Clews, of W&ihi, of the Second Contingent, who Was wounded in the fight at Rietfonlein,' writing to his mother from Pretoria on December 4, says:l suppose you will have heard before this reaches you that I was amongst the unfortunates who got hit in the big fight at Rietfontein, but I am pleased to say it is nothing serious, and before long I expect to be all right again, and very likely I shall soon be on my way home, as they don't seuci anyone who Has been wounded to the .front now. I was shot through the foot. The bullet entered above the instep and came out under the ball of the big toe. I am very sorry to say that there were a lot of cases far worse than mine. I will endeavour to give you a description of the fight up to the time of being wounded. We had been pursuing the Boers foi three days previous ti> the engagement, but on November 28 they made a stand as wo were close upon then laager. We camped about four miles off, and the next morning we were out at two a.m., and started to the attack. The Boers showed up on the sky line, and we knew by their movements they intended to make a firm stand, but that did not alter our intention to dislodge them if possible. The first shot of the fight of November 29 was fired at five a.m. by the Boer's, into our advance guard, but they shifted their aim as we approached nearer to them. When we got on the sky : line our guns opened fire in quick succession on our left. The Second and Third New Zealanders were ordered to dismount for action. We advanced out (about 120 of us) down a gradual slope, and before we had gone 200 yds the Boers opened a fearful fire upon us. Our captain gave the order to advance by rushes, so while onehalf of our men Were firing, the other half advanced about 50yds, and then lay down, and opened fire, while the rest came up. All this time the Boer firing was kept up in terrible earnest, but I am proud to say " our boys" were as cool as if nothing particular was going on, some of them, when not immediately engaged, were actually smoking. It was about half-past six a.m. when our first man (Sergeant Smith) was hit, and soon '■/•or that it was quickly passed down the r®"-! every few minutes, "another man-hit!" We were then firing at 450 yds range. It was about 'ten a.m. that I got wounded, and I called Seaville (one of the men in our group) to come and help me bind up my foot. In the meantime the enemy's bullets were going past with a noise like that made by a swarm of bees. I remained there lying at full length behind a small anthill, which afforded little or not protection, until noon. I then told Seaville that I was going to try and get out, for the pain was so great I felt I must risk it. Before leaving, I remarked to Swainson that I would leave him to settle my little account with the Boers. " All right, mote," he replied, and lie straightaway crawled to the place I had just left. I crawled out on my hands and knees for about 400 yds, Seaville coming along ' with me, in case I required assistance. As Soon as I got under cover one of our chaps brought a horse to me, and I was a«on on my way to the ambulance waggon, where I was made a-s comfortable as possible. It was au awful sight to see strong; "men dying all around you, and the piteous, groans of the wounded made one feel very sad indeed. The doctors were kept very busy dressing wounds, etc. Well, the very next man amongst the New Zealanders to be brought in was poor Swainson, the man I had left in my place behind, the anthill, so you see if I had not shifted my quarters, when I did, I would have had a second bullet wound, and most likely my comrade Seaville would have been hit also. There were 000 rounds of ammunition fired by the New Zealanders alone, but it was impossible to shift the Boors from the rooks, , as wo could not get support from the artillery. The latter could only get a sight of the kopje the Boers were On by showing them- ; selves oft the skyline, which brought them j within easy rifle range of the Boers. The artillery had therefore to remain under the brow of the hill, and fire <by chance, and most of the shells were thrown too far. At about two p.m. the Boers were reinforced by Botha, with a thousand men. At night our. men retired and entrenched ~ themselves on the hill, and it was while in the act of retiring that poor Devereux was killed, shot through the heart. It was a bad day for

us Now Zealand era, having fire lolled and 22 wounded, including five officers. It was the hottest rifle fire we had experienced, but it was somewhat consoling to know that the Boers had their share of "lead piHs" aar well as ourselves. The day after the battle,at fir® p.m., the wounded were all plated, in a bullock - waggon, and conveyed* to Bronkhorst Spruit, some 30 miles distant.. This was the worst experience of all.' Tho shaking, up wo got was dreadful, and r to make matters wore®, there was no attention paid to our wounds for two night? and a day. It was not until we were taken* on board the ambulance train at Bronkhorst Sprint tnat We obtained nurses, and received! proper medical" attendance. After remaining at Bronkhorst Spruit for .the night, wo started for Pretoria, and We wore soon com-' fort ably housed in the Imperial Yeomanry nospital, from which place I am writing thi» letter. Ido not know how the rest of our boys are doing, but I expect they are getting on nil right. None of the wounded here are m any danger, and we are all making good progress towards recovery. I"" think my Christmas dinner will be served by that tune 1 ' lo P e *° he nearly wall

D. Goldie 25 0 0 The Campbell-Ehrenfried Co 25 0 0 L. D. Nathan and Co. 25 0 0 Snrgooi!, Son, and Ewen ... ... 25 0 0 Mucky, Log-on, Steen, and Co. ... 25 0 0 Union S.S. Co 25 0 0 Kempthome, Prosser, and Co. ... 25 0 0 T. T. Masefleld 25 0 0 Wilson and Horton 25 0 0 The Great Northern Brewery Co. ... 25 0 0 The Brett. Printing Co. 25 0 .0 Arch. Clark and Sons (Limited) ... 25 0 0 W. B. Leyland 10 0 0 Brown, Barrett, and Co 10 0 0 A. H. Nathan 10 0 0 Titos. Peacock 10 0 0 Heather. Roberton, and Co 10 0 0 H. M. Smeeton ... ' 10 0 0 I). Craig 10 0 0 R. and AT. Hellaby ... 10 0 0 W'osst Davis 10 0 0 Mitchelson and Co 5 5 0 Mennifi and Dey 5 5 0 J. P. Montague 110 ■ i_i £401 11 0 The following subscriptions ars acknowledged:— £ e. d. Rev. R. Fergnson 10 0 Abel. Dylces, and Co. ... 110 D. K. Gray ... ... ' ... ... ... 110 T. Cliing 110 W. Ait-ken 2 2 0 A. Kidd 10 Dan. MeLeod 110 •T. F. Leiglaton and Son 110 Scott Printing Co 0 10 • 6 J. iucCuilonfth ... 1 1 0 Ireland Brothers 10 0 Stimpson 0 10 0 Arthur leave and Co 110 Gillies and Colbeck 11 0 J. M. Marchie 110 II. L. Posseneskie 0 10 0 Cooke and Buddie 0 5 0 Stewart and Fcnn 0 2 0 L. Moritsson 110 John Chambers and Son ... 110 Pearson, Wilson, and Co. : ... ... 0 10 6 A Friend ... ... ••• 0 10 0 A Friend ... — 0 5 0 J. B. Gilfllian and Co. 1 1 0 J. C. Smith 1 1 0 Fatherland ..<110 Winks and Hall 0 o 0 J. Hill 0 2 0 R. W. Russell ... ... 0 5 0 Total <®23 12 0