THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11565, 31 January 1901, Page 6

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

AUCKLAND'S FAREWELL.

A PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION,

GREAT GATHERING OP CITIZENS.

AN IMPRESSIVE DEPARTURE.

To Auckland belongs the. honour of farewelling the Sixth New Zealand Contingent

for South Africa. Unfortunately, owing to the death of the Queen, the loyal residents of the northern metropolis had not the

fullest opportunity of farewelling the

| troopers in the way which they desired. I Orders issued from headquarters informed J the citizens that the Government desired I that there should be no demonstration, and Ito the best of their ability Aucklanders ' I carried out the instructions. The people of ' I Auckland, however, are too loyal to require ! I such a message as that sent by the Acting- ' I Premier, but nevertheless, although the pro- ' I ceedings were exceedingly subdued, the ' 1 march of the troops from the Drill-shed, • 1 where they assembled at three o'clock, after • | a ninety minutes' ramble through the main 1 I streets of the city, was enthusiastically ! | cheered. The reception grew greater and ! greater as the troops neared the Railway ! ! cheered. the point of embarkation, when greater as the troops neared the Railway Wharf, the point of embarkation, and when ■ the men finally stepped on board the vessel, cheer after cheer was raised for the members lof the Sixth Contingent. There was no ! entertainment provided for the men, and j the speeches, which were arranged to have | been delivered in the Domain, had, owing | to a change of arrangements by LieutenantColonel Banks, to be delivered at the Drill-; j shed, where addresses were given by the | Hon. Jas. McGowan, His Worship the J Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie), and Rabbi Goldi stein. Just on the stroke of five o'clock, j the troopship, s.s. Cornwall, got under weigh, and while the sight of the large vessel, followed by the steamers of our local companies, was exceedingly pretty, those : on board the accompanying craft were well | repaid by the view of the thousands who i took up their positions on the wharves and : other points of vantage on the foreshore. | EMBARKING THE HORSES. j The scene at the Railway Wharf throughout the morning was a very busy one. Shortly after nine o'clock Captain Reid, district adjutant, marched down with the Auckland Contingent, for the purpose of embarking the horses, and stowing away ] the kits in the quarters allotted to the j local members. There was some little delay \ owing to everything not being in readiness, | but once everything was announced clear, 1 the horses and kits were got on board in a j very short space of time. j THE SOUTHERNERS LEAVE THE I TROOPSHIP. I Shortly before one o'clock the Southern I members of the contingent were mustered on I the wharf, and, with the exception of a | number who had obtained leave to visit I their Auckland friends during the early part aof the day, and those whose services were I required on board, were marched in order i en route to the Drill Hall, headed by Lieu- § tenant-Colonel Banks, and Regimental-Ser- ' geant-major Mitchell and Sergeant-Major | Hoar. The route chosen was by way of I Custom-street East, Queen-street, and WeiI lesley-street. Owing to the residents of j the city being in mourning no marked de- | rr.onstration was evident, but nevertheless j the pavements of the various streets were | well lined with interested spectators, who, ] without exception, seemed more than pleased | with the appearance of those selected for 3 service in the Sixth Contingent from the I Southern provinces. Here and there a cheer j was raised, but, on the whole, the instruc- ] tions urging that no demonstration should jbe made, were duly observed. On arrival | at the Drill-shed the men were formed into | line, and after going through.various movej ments, wore at last ordered to " stand easy." The men were shortly afterwards dismissed, ! and ordered to fall in again at the Drillj shed at three o'clock. A pronounced cheer j was given by the troopers present (in num- | ber about 240), and in a comparatively few ; seconds the men were scattered over the | main streets of the town. ; THE AUCKLANDERS' MARCH FROM I i THE DOMAIN. ' i The Aucklanders, after embarking horses i j and leaving their kits on board in ! ! the morning, were marched back to the j I Domain, under Captain Reid. Shortly after | luncheon Lieutenant-Colonel Banks* tele- | and leaving their kits on board in j the morning, were marched back to the ! Domain, under Captain Reid. Shortly after I luncheon Lieutenant-Colonel Banks tele- | phoned the camp intimating that the venue 1 I of the public farewell would be the Drill i ; Hall, Wellesley-street, instead of the Do- 1 ! main, as originally intended, and, as a con- | _ sequence, the detachment was ordered to § 6 prepare to march to the given point. Lieu- | I tenant-Colonel Banks arrived, at the camp | I shortly before half-past two p.m., and the | I men were immediately formed up, and 8 \ marched via Park Road, Grafton" Road, I \ Symonds-street, and Wellesley-street East, g ] to the hall, where the Southerners had al- 6 \ ready been assembled. By this time large j | crowds had lined the thoroughfares, the ap- | j proaches to the hall, the slopes of the Al- ; | bert Park, and various other points of van- ; tage, in order to obtain a view of the pro- ! ceedings. The troops, together with a i number of local volunteers in uniform, were : : then formed up in a square extending across Wellesley-street, the carriage from which the speeches were delivered occupying a ; position in the centre, and directly facing j the Auckland division. The whole parade ! was under Lieutenant-Colonel Banks, who i had associated with him as staff officers, \ Lieutenant-Colonel White, Major Morrow, '■ Acting-Major Schofield, Captain Reid (dis- : trict adjutant), and Captain Holgate. Other j infantry and mounted officers present in- ] eluded: Captains Little, Hutton, Knight, j J. R. Reed. Lieutenants Boscawen, Gaudin, i Kay, Salmon, Endean, Wyrryard, Tapper, i Reid, Gardner, and Lees. "• THE FAREWELL SPEECHES. ■] The speakers had a splendid opportunity I of addressing the contingent drawn up as i they were in square formation, on all sides I of the carriage from which the speeches j were delivered. The occupants of the central carriage were: The Hon. Jas. McGowan, the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. D. Goldie), theßev.'S. Goldstein, the Rev. W. E. Gillam, and Mr. Alfred Kidd. The Mayor introduced the Hon. J. McGowan, who first addressed the contingent. THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE. Mr. McGowan said : — Colonel Banks,

officers, and men, of the Sixth Contingent,— On the eve of your departure for South Africa, in order to maintain the liberties and privileges of our brethren there, I could have wished that circumstances had been other than they are, so that we could have given you a send-off perhaps more fitting to the occasion. But we have lost, by death., our beloved Sovereign, Queen Victoria, .and it is meet under those circumstances that ail social functions are for the time being left aside. She has departed to receive her reward. The loss of such a Queen we cannot properly estimate ; only time can prove the advantages that noble woman has conferred not only on the English-speaking people, but on all nations of the earth. I had the honour of being present when the First Contingent went away. That contingent went away as the Queen's soldiers, and this, the Sixth Contingent, is the first to go away as the King's soldiers. When we sent the First Contingent away, we sent them with hope and confidence, "but now we have had experience of the actions and con--duct of our New Zealanders in South Africa, and we are no longer troubled with the feeling of hope because we have full confidence, and that confidence is not only shown by us, but by the position taken up by Lord Kitchener in his desire to have New Zealand troops. Those New Zealand troops will, I am satisfied, show that they are made of the right, stuff, and give a good account of themselves ' in their warfare against the Boers. It is perhaps unfortunate that such a war should have occurred during the latter period of Her Majesty's reign, but if there is one thing more than another that should have soothed the Royal head lying upon a sick bed, it was the fact that her subjects all over the world, with one spontaneous thought, were, prepared to sacrifice their time,';their.lives, their money, and everything else to uphold the Empire. I

! know that every man of you will follow out I his, duty in doing bis best to uphold the J prestige of our grea,t Empire, so that it will I be in the future, ..as it has been in the past, I that wherever the British flag is flown there I will be freedom under it. For that we are J sending you from our shores. I hope you I will return victorious and in good health I] back to your own land. i THE MAYOR OF AUCKLAND. | The Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie) said : — I Colonel Banks, officers, and soldiers of our I King,—-I am here to-day on behalf of the I citizens of Auckland, to express to you their | very great regret that circumstances have J arisen which make it impossible for us to | give you the hearty send-off which we had I intended. the hearty send-off which we had intended. But I doubt not that each and all of you will commend us for the action jwe have taken. There can be no joy in the home when one we dearly love has de- ; parted this life, and whose mortal remains i are still with us awaiting interment. That b is our position to-day, for Her Most Graci- ] ous v Majesty Queen Victoria, beloved of all j her subjects, has passed into the spirit j world, and we and you, with millions ofI others, are left behind to mourn her loss. ; Instead, therefore, of those demonstrations i of joy, with which we intended to have ; witnessed your departure, we come before | you with bowed heads and stricken hearts, j to wish you God-speed and success to your ; arms,. We commend you for the prompti- \ tude with which you responded to the ap--3 peal for additional assistance; and as a reI suit, we see before us to-day the flower of i our land ready to leave their homes and cross the seas to uphold the honour of our Fatherland. To fight even to the death if | needs be, in the interests of our fellow sub--1 jects in the Transvaal, and by this means | assist in extending beneficent British rule. | We are fully persuaded that you will not be | faint-hearted, but will, with all earnestness, ! continue to do your duty until victory, I thorough and complete, shall crown your I efforts, and that of the brave men associai ted with you. That you will be as resolute, [ steady, cheerful, and persistent as any of 3 those who have preceded you, we doubt not. ; Never forget that the eyes of New Zealand j are upon you, and that the hearts of her i people will go with you. And now, in coni elusion, let me, on behalf of the citzens of \ Auckland wish you God-speed. I trust 3 that in the good order of God's providence | you will one and all return crowned with \ dignity and honours. God bless you now !' dignity and honours. God bless you now and ever. RABBI GOLDSTEIN. | The Rev. S. Goldstein said :—Colonel j Banks, officers and members of the Sixth I Contingent,—The occasion which has ! brought us together this afternoon is a j unique and solemn one, unique because for ' the first time the whole of the members of > a New Zealand Contingent have left AuckI land, solemn because you are about to enter I upon solemn work. You have taken upon 1 yourselves serious responsibilities, responj sibilities which you have not undertaken j without serious thought. We confide to ] you the honour of our country; you leave us | with every confidence that you will uphold j the prestige of the British army, of which j you form now an integral part. You are | about to evince and give practical play to | j one of the deepest sentiments of which hu- j j man nature is capable. You are now about ; I to give play to that feeling of patriotism 1 which has its roots deep in the instincts and j affections. Patriotism, as has been said, I jis an expansion of filial love. You are 1 now going to show that love for your couu- | try which you have hitherto shown for | j your parents. May the God of Abraham, | I of Isaac, and of Jacob be with you all. I I May He endow you with that fortitude and i j courage which will enable you to face the | j difficulties which lie before you. liny | jHe imbue you with a stern sense of the i j duties which you have to fulfil. May He I I implant in you a sense of obedience to an- I J thority. I will conclude by wishing you | i God-speed. May the Lord bless you and | i guard you. May the Lord cause His coun- 1 I tenance to shine upon you, and be gracious | ; unto you and may He lift up His counte- 1 ; nance and grant you peace. * t.V j ! MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR^ J | Mr. McGowan read the following fare- 1 ! well telegram from His Excellency the Go- 1 vernor: —" On the eve of your departure I for South Africa to serve His Majesty .1 1 pray that the Almighty may grant you a 9 ! safe passage, a successful mission, and ,a I | happy return. I feel sure that the Sixth 1 ' Contingent will ever uphold the dignity of | the King and the honour of his Empire, j Our eyes will be on your movements and I our hearts on. your success.(Signed) Ran- 1 furlv." ... " ' 1 THE PREMIER'S FAREWELL. 1 The following telegram from the Premier | was also read by Mr. McGowan: — Convey 1 to the officers and men of the departing 1 contingent my hearty, sincere, and good | wishes for their welfare. I feci sure they I will acquit themselves in a manner worthy | those of our contingents who are now in | South Africa, and bring home laurels to our | colony. Give them my best wishes, and | wish them God-speed." Mr. McGowan | added that the Hon. J. G- Ward had asked | him to give his best wishes to the contin- 1 gent, to wish them God-speed and a happy | and prosperous return. II PRAYER FOR THE CONTINGENT. 1

] The Rev. W. E. Gillam, senior chaplain, j offered up the following prayer prior to the | men marching to the wharf:— O Lord God j of Hosts, the God in whom our fathers have j trusted, our, only refuge and strength, we | beseech Thee let Thy protecting hand. be over these Thy servants who are now going forth to fight the battles of their country, I for the deliverance of the oppressed, and i the maintenance of equity between man and I man. Preserve them in all their journey- | ings by sea and land, strengthen them for ! the hardships and perils they may encounter, make them brave in conflict, patient in suffering, merciful in the hour of triumph. Comfort their families in their absence, and soothe all anxieties with Thine own consolations. May it please Thee to give continued success to our arms, to bring about a speedy and abiding peace, and so to overrule the course of events that this war shall result in the spread of enlightenment, the establishment of true liberty,' and the desire for brotherly concord between the opposing races. Look, O Lord, with compassion upon all who are suffering: both among our own people and among our enemies; sustain the widow and the fatherless; give resignation to the wounded, the sick, and the dying; and set to this warfare bounds that it cannot pass. May these Thy servants take Thee for their guide, counsellor, and Saviour, and ever remain in Thy gracious keeping, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Mr. Gillam then offered up prayer for the King's Majesty, and pronounced 'a benediction, after which three cheers were given for the King, and the ceremony at the Drill Hall ended.

EN ROUTE TO THE WHARF. Long before the proceedings at the Drillshed had concluded, the crowd had become so dense that all traffic had to be suspended, but by means of the excellent arrangements of the police, under the supervision of Inspector Cullen, the way was soon cleared for the troops, and the Colonel could be heard to. give the order to move off. Promptly at a-quarter to four the troops got undei way, and moved clown Wellesleystreet, amidst cheering and, waving of handkerchiefs, the ordei of procession being as under: —Carriages, containing the Hon. Jas. McGowan (Minister for Mines), His Worship the Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie), Sir Arthur Douglas (Under-Secretary for Defence), Geo Fowlds, M.H.R., the Rev. W. E. Gillam, the Rev. S. Goldstein, Dr. Erson (Mayor of Onehunga), the following members of the Auckland City Council: Messrs. A. Kidd, R. Salmon, A. Atkin, J. Patterson (Karangahape Ward), J. H. Hannan, Graves Aickin, F. E. Baume, R. Farrell, A. J. Entrican, J. Stichbury, J. Court, J. Jamieson, the town clerk (Mr. H. W. Wilson). Sur-geon-Major Walker, and Surgeon-Captains King, Lindsay, and Murray. Then "came the mounted escort of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, followed by detachments of the Naval Volunteer Corps, Seddon Horse, infantry corps, and Auckland Fire Brigade. Nexjj, in order came the troops for South Africa, headed by the Aucklanders—oreceded by Lieutenant-Colonel Banks, Lieu-tenant-Colonel White, and staff—the Wellington No. 1 and No. 2 Companies, and the Canterbury and Otago detachments following in the order mentioned. A cheer or two went up as they swung through Wel-lesley-street and rounded into Queen-street, where the crowds, unable to suppress their enthusiasm, gave vent to their pent-up feelings in cheer after cheer. Friends and relatives, eager to embrace and shake the hands of the departing troopers, here rushed into the roadway and somewhat impeded

I the onward march of the contingent, while 'from windows and housetops handkerchiefs 1 were fluttered and hats waved in all directions. Despite the fact that no demonstraI tion was intended, matters here and elseI where showed " how great; a farewell i New Zealand's latest contribution to the South African cause would have received if the colony and Empire at large had not been j in ■' mourning. On nearing the foot of > Queen-street the scene became even more i animated, and all along Custom-street East to the Railway Wharf dense crowds lined the roadways, the Devonport and Northern Company's tees and the slopes of Emily ! Place, while those who were shut out from these places betook themselves to the Queenstreet Wharf, from which point thousands witnessed the embarkation of the troops. On reaching the end of the Railway Wharf the troopers again came in for a great reception, and it was with difficulty that the posse of police and members of the Permanent* Force stemmed the onrush of the crowds as the troops passed through the gates of the impromptu barricade, so anxious were all to see the last of the men. - , THE EMBARKATION. Shortly after ■; a: quarter-past four o'clock the first of the troops appeared on the wharf, and straightway marched on board the troopship, the Aucklanders still leading the way. Those of the Southern detachments who had remained on duty stationed themselves on the rails • and in the boats of the vessel, and lustily greeted their embarking comI rades. There was little delay in the emon the rails • and in the boats of the vessel, and lustily greeted their embarking comrades. There was little delay in the embarkation, but with such a large number of men to. get on board, the process took some 30 to 40 minutes, and afforded time both f, for many affectionate farewells and amusing incidents. That the troopers were leaving ! those they loved was evidenced by the tears those they ?o"ved was evidenced by the tears shed, not only by those on shore, butto \ their credit, be it 'said—many of the troopers themselves. Considerable excitement was | caused by the hoisting on board of quite a number of canine and feline pets—and it will be a great surprise if one of the numerous, animals does not prove the mascotte of j | the contingent. . . . ! Promptly at five o'clock LieutenantColonel Banks made his final rounds to as- ] ! sure himself that no one was left behind, I the order was given, and the gangway thrown off. Ropes were cleared, and as the huge vessel slowly swung out into the stream the troopers, who had taken up their positions in the riggings, boats, and on the tops of the shelter sheds for the horses,, on the main deck, and along the bulwarks, sung the first verse of "Auld Lang Syne," and then set up cheer after cheer, among those most lustily greeted being the Mayor, the Permanent Artillery, and the Auckland girls. Simultaneously counter cheers rose from those on shore, and the band upon the s.s. Eagle struck up " Soldiers in the Park" and " The Girl I Left Behind Me," concluding with ,; Auld Lang Syne." The crowd remained on the wharf for a considerable time after the troopship had cleared the wharf, and many who had been borne up by the- excitement of the hour showed outward signs of grief in parting with those they held dear. THE DEPARTURE FROM THE WHARF. Just previous to the Cornwall casting off from the Railway Wharf the Eagie, with Mr. Witheford's party on board, left the Queen-street Wharf, Hunter's Band being on board, having as the contingent marched passed the angle of the wharf at the Ferry Tee struck up "Farewell," and " Goodbye, Sweetheart, Good-bye." The bandsmen wore emblems of ' mourning, and the instruments were similarly draped. Viewed from the Eagle, could be seen the masses of people on old St. Paul's slope, the Council reserve there, down to the cliffs at Beach Road. On the wharves every tee was black with people down to the Harbour Board sheds (whose flag fluttered in the breeze), at the end of the Queen-street Wharf. The Eagle crossed the bows of the Cornwall, to enable the returned invalided troopers on board to greet their departing comrades with the New Zealand war-cry, " Ake, ake, ake," which was heartily reciprocated by the Sixth Contingent. The. troopers on the Eagle also signalled to their comrades on the Cornwall loving messages of goodwill and sympathy. Mr. Witheford called for three cheers for "Our boys," which were heartily given. At five o'clock the Cornwall cast off from the Railway Wharf, and proceeded slowly down the harbour, the steamers of the Northern Steamship Company and the Devonport Steam Ferry Company forming two columns one on ea«h side of the Cornwall. Among the steamers were the Wellington, Waiotahi, Rotomahana, Taniwha, Paeroa, and the Eagle, Tainui, Admiral, Osprey, Terranora, Rob Roy, Nile, and some yachts. The Auckland Rowing Club had also a crew out in an outrigger. The Eagle kept close to the Cornwall, in order that the contingent' might hear Hunter's Band, which rendered many selections on the way down the harbour, namely, "British Grenadiers," "Soldiers, Adieu." "The Girl I Left Behind Me," " Just One Girl." " The Vacant Chair," " The Old Folks At Home," and " Auld Lang Syne." When the troopship got into the Rangitoto Channel some of the escorting steamers -turned back, but the Wellington, the Eagle, and Osprev went on down to the beacon. Here Captain Barter signalled for the Eagle to come alongside, and for Mr. J Witheford to come aboard, a foot rope-ladder being put over the side of the troopship to enable him to board her. On getting on the deck of the Cornwall an adjournment was made to the saloon, where Mr. Cox, one of the directors of the company (the Federal Steamship Company) to which the Cornwall belongs, expressed his thanks to Mr. Witheford for what he- had done to give the ship a good send-off. The officers of the contingent also expressed the thanks to Mr. Witheford for what he had done, and for haying Hunter's Band, which had I put the men in good heart, and sent them j away cheery, and grateful for the send-off | of the Auckland people. Mr. Witheford's | health was heartily pledged. As Mr. j Witheford • descended the ladder to return ! to the Eagle, the contingent gave him three cllGGl'S i THE FINAL SCENE. The final scene was the most impressive ! of all. Hunter's Band on the Eagle struck ! up " Rule Britannia," the guests sang "* God i Save the King," with bared heads, and then I the band gave the world's national anthem, " Auld Lang Syne," while the bugles ! on both the Eagle and the troopship sounded the calls. The troopers on the Cornwall heartily reciprocated the tokens of goodwill. The last adieus had come, and the Wellington and Osprey also stood in towards the Cornwall, crowded with a living mass of humanity, and tendered their farewell. Presently the troopship increased hor speed, the last strains falling on the ears of those on board her being "Auld Lang Syne," from Hunter's Band. The sun was throwing its evening rays othwart the waters of the" Hauraki Gulf as the noble troopship ploughed her way towards Tiri, followed by the prayers and well-wishes of the returning Aucklanders for the men who were going forth from our colony to maintain its honour, and if needs be to lay down : their lives for King and country. On the , Eagle returning to the wharf, those on board i gave three hearty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. i Witheford, and oue for "Bobs." Mr. I Witheford, in acknowledging the compli- , ment paid to him, said it gave him great j pleasure to enable the returned troopers to see the departure of their comrades, and for their friends and relations to be present. He would take care that the next batch of fl returning Auckland troopers did not arrive | in Auckland without the Government giv- | ing notice of their being on the way, so that | the citizens could welcome, and suitably re-1 ceive them. | THE OFFICERS OF THE CONTINGENT. The members of the contingent, who num- | ber 525 all told, including 25 men sent from | Canterbury to fill up vacancies in the Rough | Riders' Contingent, are under the command c of Lieutenant-Colonel Banks, late officer i commanding the battalion of the Auckland I district, the senior staff officer being Cap- § tain Andrew, adjutant of the contingent. | The other staff officers are as follows: — | No. 16 Company (Auckland): — |. Captain : N. I. Markbam. \ Lieutenant: F. B. Sykes (late Second [i Contingent). • ■ I Veterinary-surgeon: McEacharn. ' ,; No. 17 Company (Wellington): — | Lieutenants: A. Rose, C. Blenkhorn, and | J. Woods. . I Surgeon-Captain: Purdy. | No. 18 Company (Wellington Sub-dis- I trict): — I v. Lieutenants: R. M. Williams and J. Mit- 1 chell. :..;V", - I . No. 19 Company (Canterbury): — I .Captains: A. "W. Andrew* and D. Cos- | grave., ' : : '.■'■■ j! Lieutenants: M. Jones and McDonald. N Surgeon-Major : Skirman, | |

: No. 20 Company (Otago): — Lieutenants: W. P.. Wallis and W. C. Morrison. _ i Surgeon-Captain : O'Neil. The non-commissioned officers already appointed are as under: No.' 16 Company (Auckland),: — Sergeant-Major: C. C. Cox. Sergeants: J. W. Johns, F. Drake, and ! T. A. Chappe-Hall. !■> Corporals: G. 8.; Banks, J. O'Neill, C. Ashworth, and D. Gallaher. Lance-Corporals: T. J. Coaxes, C. Little, G. Walker, and F. H. Stockley. ' ■ • No. 17 Companv (Wellington): — . - Sergeant-Major.": J. W. Malcolm (late Second Contingent). Farrier-Sergeant: G. Shaw. ■■■-..■_ Sergeants: F. W. Freeman, A. S. Jonson, Irwin, and C. Smith. Corporals : A. J. Turner, A. E. Urwin, G. H. Stubbs, and J. Manning. Lance-Corporals: W. J. Jaffrey, T. Fergusson, M. R. Herbert, and W. A. Cullen. No. IS Company (Wellington Sub-dis-tricts) : — Sergeant Major: S. H. W. Crawford. Farrier-Sergeant: E. J. Quinlan. Sergeants: P. A. De Loree (late Third Contingent), J. McGoldrick, E. Beardmore, and J. N. Leslie., " '■■* Corporals : A. T. Kitney (late Second Contingent), G. W. Sullivan (late Fifth Contingent), J. Jickell, and J. F. L. Leech. Lance-Corporals: H. Mence, C. B. De Latour, H. Connop, and W. J. Morrish. No. 19 Company (Canterbury) :— Sergeant-Major: A. H. Jones. Farrier-Sergeant: W. G. Souse. Sergeants: G. K. Jackson (late Second Contingent), D. W. L. Mehrtens, E. r G. Smith, and P. T. Shand (late Second Contingent) . Corporals: F. B. Smyth, J. Cabot (late First Contingent), W. Moore, A. M. Mcintosh (late Third Contingent). Lance-Corporals: J. Valentine, R. G. Porter, E. Willis, and M. D. Robertson (late Third Contingent). No. 20 Company (Otago): — ■■.;■ ■. Sergeant-Major: H. W. Smith. Farrier-Sergeant: W. J. Crozier. Sergeants: J. L. Taylor, Lorigan, H. Coatman, and A. H. Jones. Corporals: Lewin, E. Duncan, H. Koppert, and O. Cunningham. Lance-Corporals: H. Cook, J. T. Martin, 0. E. Griffiths, and J. Bishop. Rough Riders' Reserve Contingent: — Sergeant: B. L. Hodgson. Corporal: J. Salt. Lance-Corporal:. Hutton.

\ THE TROOPSHIP CORNWALL. "\ The troopship Cornwall, in which the conITHE TROOPSHIP CORNWALL. vesThe troopship Cornwall, in which the contingent sailed, is undoubtedly the finest vesi sel of her kind yet chartered by the New \ Zealand Government to carry our troops to ■ South Africa. She is a steel screw steamer of 5590 tons net register, 420 ft long, 54ft I broad, and 28ft 7in deep, and was built in 11896 by Messrs. R. and W. Hawthorn, Leslie I and Company (Limited), Newcastle, Eng--3 land, for the Federal S.N. Company of Loni« don. Her engines are on the triple expan : I sion principle, and are capable of driving the | steamer along at the rate of a little over 10 I knots an hour. She is roomy, with well-ap--1 pointed quarters; is excellently lighted i throughout with electric light, and has t every convenience for victualling the men, I so that there is little likelihood that the men I will have any occasion to complain of their j treatment on board. The galley, 25ft by 3 25ft, is most completely furnished, and con- | tains 11 large ovens and two large up-to-date N boilers; while two bakers, a butcher, and j six cooks will be engaged, thus enabling the i troopers to have a liberal supply of frozen i meat en voyage. The fittings for the acj commodation of both men and horses were ] carried out by Messrs. W. C. Cone and I Co., of Sydney and Melbourne, who have j made, passenger and stock fitting a specialty, 1 and have for years past contracted for the fitting up of the vessels engaged in the carh riage of remounts from Australia to India. I The men's quarters, which occupy the Nos. 2, ! 3, and 5 'tween decks, are well fitted, being I swung with the hammocks, while along the I decks run the mess tables for the men, each ! table carrying 16 men. The non-commis- j ; sioned officers have rooms to themselves in | I the hatches with the men's quarters, while j ; the officers occupy well-equipped quarters all j round the saloon. The washhouses are aft' I and forward on the shelter deck, and the j ; canteens forward, lavatories being also j provided on'the same deck. The horse-stails S occupy the main and shelter and the No. 4 I 'tween decks, but instead of the stalls con- i ; taming four horses each, as in the case cf i i Imperial troopships, each horse has a stall I to itself, a decided improvement, as it pre--1 vents the horses knocking one another about, I Or being injured to any extent by the rolling I of the vessel in heavy weather. Each stall I is Bft long by 2ft 6in wide, and Bft high, and j \ provision is made for 614 horses in all. The i officers of the Cornwall are as follows: — j I Captain, R. Barter, R.N.R.; chief officer, j Mr. Williams; second officer, Mr. W. | Howell; third officer, Mr. J. Usband; fourth I officer, Mr. G. Hume; chief engineer, Mr. j 1 Slade ; second engineer, Mr. Gerard; third j l engineer, Mr. McGuire; fourth engineer, [ I Mr. Bedford; fifth engineer, Mr. Evans. j { LUNCHEON ON BOARD. \ | At the invitation of Mr. E. Owen Cox, I managing director in Australia of Messrs. \ j Burt and Co. (Limited), representatives of j i the Federal Steam Navigation Company, f ! owners of the troopship Cornwall, a num- I I ber of citizens connected with the commer- 1 j cial and maritime interests of Auckland met | j on board of the steamer yesterday afternoon [ I at luncheon. Owing to the death of Her I Majesty the Queen, the proceedings were | perfectly informal. His Worship the Mayor E (Mr. D. Goldie) proposed the health of I j Captain Barter and the officers of the Corn- i > wall, to which the commander replied.- The I i Hon. James McGowan, Minister for Jus- i ! tice, proposed the health of Mr. Cox, the § ! managing director of the Federal S.N. Com- 1 I pany, to which that gentleman replied. | ] After the luncheon the visitors inspected S | the steamer and her appointments, taking I a particular interest in the quarters provided | for the troopers. The Cornwall has been | engaged in carrying troops to South Africa | for over 12 months past, on one occasion | taking a portion of the British Yeomanry to j Capetown. The Cornwall is stated to be £ the finest troopship which has been employed 6 in the service from Australasia. The | quarters for the men are roomy and com- | fortable, and the accommodation for the | horses is all that could be desired. Mr. \ Cox came to New .Zealand to superintend i the despatch of the steamer, and although E he has had a hard task to fulfil, he has sue- I ceeded admirably. \ PRESENTATION TO LIEUTENANT- I COLONEL BANKS. I HANDSOME GIFT FROM THE I RACING CLUB. ■ - Prior to the departure of the Cornwall on | Wednesday, Lieutenant-Colonel Banks, who ; went in charge of the contingent, was presented by the Auckland Racing Club with | a purse containing 100 guineas, in recog- I nition of his services to the club in the capacity of judge. The committee and stewards of the club met in the offices, Durham-street, at noon, to make the presentation. Mr. Win. McLaughlin, president of the club, occupied the chair, Lieu-tenant-Colonel Banks occupying the seat on his right. There were also present: Colonel Dawson. Messrs. Thos. Morrin, L. j D. Nathan, Alfred N. Nathan, Herbert I Thompson, Alfred Kidd, H. Gorrie, Jno. Smith, A. B. J. Irvine, G. W. S. Patter- | son, A. E. Whitaker, A. J. Denniston, A. P. Wilson, Armitage, S. Thome George, ; W. Percival, and the Hon. E. Mitchelson. ! Mr. McLaughlin said he felt it an honour j to preside on such an occasion. The club j had always been fortunate in having good i judges, but they never had a better judge ; than Lieutenant-Colonel Banks. He had not only had the confidence of the club, but also the confidence of the public. Whenever there was the slightest mistake made on the racecourse the public were always ready to make a demonstration, but Lieu-tenant-Colonel Banks had never' given them a chance. Every member of the club wished Lieutenant-Colonel Banks every success in South Africa. They knew that if • the time should arrive Lieutenant-Colonel Banks-would give the troopers a good lead, and he might depend upon it that the Auckland boys would be right at his heels. The j men who had been selected did Lieutenant- j Colonel Banks a great deal of credit, . and the horses were also. a good lot. He had 5 much pleasure in handing the purse of sovereigns to Lieutenant-Colonel Banks. The | purse bore the following inscription : — j

I "Lieutenant-Colonel Banks. From the jj Auckland Racing-Club. January 29, 1901." I Mr; L. D. Nathan, as one of the founders 5 of the club, said he had great pleasure in I assisting to recognise the valuable services 3 rendered by Lieutenant-Colonel Banks to | the club. " Lieutenant-Colonel Banks had I deprived himself of all pleasure, and done his \ duty fearlessly and honestly, and the recognition the club was making was very small 1 in comparison to the services rendered. I The Hon. E. Mitchelson said he could enl dorse every word uttered with regard to the I 'service's of" Lieutenant-Colonel Banks; beS cause he had occasionally had experience of I what a judge had {to do. '■; Ha hoped Lieu- | tenant-Colonel Banks would. meet with every s success in his journey to South Africa,-and i that he would •? return to Auckland, : : and | again* take up the position he had filled for the Racing Club for so many years. :■ The i members of the Sixth Contingent were a credit to■; Auckland, and a credit to the (country i- onv which they i sprang. ~ , They i were, : he thought, the very best lot of men j who had left New Zealand. Colonel Dawson, as an old soldier, expressed pleasure at ~ seeing; another old j soldier in the position now occupied by | Lieutenant-Colonel Banks, and holding the esteem and good opinion of everybody. '■;■■ '.' ' Lieutenant-Colonel | Banks ''cordially rej turned thanks for the gift expressing his appreciation of the club's recognition of his services. - He was only going away for a few months, and he would be very pleased, if the club ' asked him, when he came back, to take up the position of judge again.; (Applause.) He felt very proud of the I position lie was in as officer in command 1 of | the Sixth Contingent. For some time; he ! had felt out in the cold when others were ! doing service for the Empire. He had, however, a* son in South Africa; and another going with him on the Cornwall. They had to do a part in the fighting, ; but his duty was to return here after remaining three months in South Africa. He felt very proud of the men, and he also thought a great deal ot the horses that had been selected. , The health of Lieutenant-Colonel Banks was then toasted, and the gathering broke up. '.-■ - :•''■;' -'. : : ..-. : '-M 'THE VOYAGE. The Cornwall proceeds to Sydney, where she ships bunker coal and replenishes supplies. The run is expected to occupy about five days, and the stay will extend over some 24 hours, after which the troopship proceeds direct to Capetown, a voyage that is expected to occupy about 26 or 27 days, thus landing the troopers at that port about March 3 or 4. The contingent will then be handed over by Lieutenant-Colonel Banks to the Imperial authorities.