CHRISTCHURCH REVIEW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11685, 21 June 1901, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH REVIEW.

DEPARTURE OF AUCKLAND VOLUNTEERS.

Some 400 Auckland volunteers left for Cliristchurch yesterday to swell the ranks of the Canterbury volunteers at the Royal reception and review at Christchurch. The departure or the contingent was witnessed at the Auckland railway station by a large crowd. The volunteers assembled at the Wellesley-street par ids ground, about halfpast twelve o'clock, and about an hour later inarched down Queen-street, en route to the railway station, headed by SergeantMajor Mcintosh and the bugler-, who timed the march with a blare of their instruments. The men were all fully equipped with camp requisites, and were in full marching older. On arrival at the railway station the men embarked for Onehunga in a special train provided for them. All were in high spirits, and the send-off was a most enthusiastic one. Several officers in mufti were on the platform; amonst these being Lieutenant-Colonel White. 0.C.D., Captain James Reid, district adjutant, also Lieutenant-Commande- Patterson and Captain Napier, the two latter being cheered by their respective companies as the train (hew out from the station. On arrival at Onehunga the contingent was joined by the Oneiiunga Rifles and nine returned troopers, and all embarked on the s.s. I'otoiti. The Naval and Garrison Artillery Battalion is under the command of Captain H. Parker, and Captain J. It. Peed commands the infantry. The returned troopers' section is tinder the command of Lieutenant J. T. Rosworth. Sergeant-Major Mcintosh and Provo-Sergeant Turton are also with the No. 1 Battalion. Appended are details of the musters: —

Victoria Rifles: Lieutenant Derrom and 29 men.

No. 2 Native RiSes: Lieutenant, War nock and 45 men.

No. 3 Native Rifles: Captain Reed and 31 men. Gordon Rifles: Lieutenant Kay and 31 men. Newton Rifles: Lieutenant Bloomfkvl (No. 3 Natives) and 21 men.

College Rifles : Lieutenant McHardy and 30 men.

Ponsonby Naval Artillery: Lieutenant Spinley and 44 men. Dcvonport Submarine Miners: Captain Parker and 38 men.

Devonport Coastguard Artillery: Lieu tenant Lee* and 30 men.

Auckland Engineers : Lieutenants Tapper and Gumming and 29 men. Bearer Corps: Surgeon-Captain King and nine men.

Onehunga Rifles: Lieutenant Williams and 27 men.

Surgeon-Captain Murray and three men have already left for the South, also the Auckland Naval Artillery (102 men), and the Garrison Band (23 men).

MANY VOLUNTEERS DISAPPOINTED.

On account of the lack of steamship accommodation many of the volunteers who were anxious to go to Cliristchurch were disappointed, but a further opportunity is to be given to-day. and no doubt a. large number will take advantage of the opportunity. At first the members of the "A" Battery were excluded from the contingent on the ground that they would be of little service unless properly equipped with field guns. This gave rise to a good deal of feeling, and some members of the battery resigned, feeling that they had not been properly treated. As will be seen below, however, the members of the " A" Battery are invited to join the contingent leaving to-day. The No. 1 and No. 3 Waikato Mounted Rifles were also anxious to go to Cbristchurch, but the military authorities have so far failed to get a steamer to carry them.

Yesterday Mr. Napier. M.H.R.. received the following reply from the Defence Minister to his telegram in reference to the Auckland volunteers going to Cliristchurch: —"I am pleased to hear so many of the Auckland volunteers desire to go to Christchurch review. Colonel White ha« had his instructions to make arrangements for those volunteers who desire to go, and make best arrangements possible with yourself. I hope no one will be rejected for want of room.(Signed) R. J. Skdbon." Mr. Napier replied as follows:—"Gh'.d to hear instructions were to take all volunteers offering, but this 1;.".- not been done. Arrangements could be made to take all in time. "A" Battery of Artillery wholly excluded, and men naturally indignant. Even now members of battery and others could be sent if authority given. — (Signed) W. J. Napiint."

The Premier telegraphed to Mr. Witheford. M.H.K., last night as follows:—"I am sorry to learn there has been so much trouble "in respect to the Auckland volunteers. I presume the trouble has arisen from the fact that there is not shipping accommodation sufficient to bring them down. However, you have now authority for stating that as far as the Government is concerned the more who come the merrier and the belter we like it." CONTINGENT LEAVING TO-DAY. Lieutenant-Colonel White, officer commanding the Auckland volunteer district, telegraphed the Defence Minister yesterday asking if the "A" Battery could be sent to Christchureb without their guns, and in reply received a, telegram last night instructing him to send the men on. Captain O'Brien was at once communicated with, and by district orders, published elsewhere in this issue, all members of the " A" Battery, as well as members of the Newton Rifles and Cycle Corps, desirous of making the trip to Gliristchurch are notified to assemble at the railway station at half-past eight this morning, and proceed to Ouehunga, by the ten minutes to nine a.m. train, to join the steamer. Each man will take his blankets, knife, fork, spoon, plate, and pannikin. The troops will be in command of the senior officer present, and will land at New Plymouth, proceeding to Wellington by train.