THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11840, 18 December 1901, Page 5

THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

AUCKLAND SECTION.

150 APPLICANTS.

Applications for enlistment in the Eighth Contingent for South Africa still continue to be made at the local Brigade Office. During yesterday the number of applicants was swelled to 150, many of them being returned troopers. The majority are, however, members of town ant! country volunteers' corps, and there is a good percentage of civilians. Nothing beyond the noting of names and addresses has been done, as the authorities are awaiting definite instructions from Wellington. The Premier is in communication with various shipping companies with regard to the transport of the contingent to South Africa, and iv is anticipated that it will bo despatched a month' hence. The Auckland district's quota of the Eighth Contingent will lie 200, made up as follows:—Auckland 14-0, Thames 20, Cambridge, Huntly, Whnngarei and Dargaville 10 each.

MILITARY ENTHUSIASM AT TAURANGA. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN" correspondent.] Tauranga, Tuesday. Numerous inquiries are being made as to volunteering for South Africa by the young men in the district, a great number of whom are also in a positicn to provide their own horses. Captain Lewis, the captain of the local volunteers, tells me he could easily enrol 100 troopers suitable ir. all respects. There is also considerable excitement amongst (he natives, who are anxious to volunteer to fight for the King, and they say that surely they ought to get a show this time, when so many are going, and after they have so repeatedly volunteered. The whole youth of the district is in a ferment of anxiety to volunteer, and numbers of returned troopers were the first to head the list.

MOBILISING THE CONTINGFNT. [liY TELKCIIAPn.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Tuesday. For the purposo of mobilising the Eighth Contingent, officers commanding district: 1 are instructed to arrange that selected men shall reach Wellington or Christchurch between January 3 and 6. Recruits are to be fair riders, unmarried, and between 19 and 35 years of age. Though returned troopers are to have preference, none who have been invalided for enteric or malaria within 12 months, or who are at present on siok leave, are to be taken.

ENROLMENT IN CIIRISTCHURCH. [IIY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION".] Christchurch, Tuesday. Although the office for the enrolment of members of the Eighth Contingent was only opened here this morning, already a large number of applications have been made by letter and personally. Enrolment offices have been established at Culverden, Rangiora, Ash bur ton and Timani.