NOTE AND COMMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3955, 22 January 1900, Page 4

NOTE AND COMMENT.

Favoured with fine, though cloudy, weather, the pageant of ouk Saturday last, when second the , second ‘ contingent contingent. o£«.New JSealand troops left for~South Africa, was in every way worthy of the occasion and of the Empire City. The occasion was a great one, and the celebration was unprecedented. If the people were not frantic with enthusiasm, it was because, in addition to the wonted philosophic- calm of; a colonial crowd, there was . present the chastening influence of a feeling of sadness that so many fin© young fellows were going off on a dangerous adventure iiv a distant land with a deadly climate in some parts. The weather of Saturday, with its hardly felt sprinkling !of rain, was typical of the mood : of the immense gathering that filled' the open, spaces around Jervoia quay and occupied coigns of vantage all around the cityward shores of the harbour. Cheers were tempered by tears, and patriotism enthusiasm was modified by the sens© of sacrifice. . The addresses of the Governor, the Premier and the Mayor—representing the Imperial, the colonial and the municipal authorities—were true in every note; the singing of the immense choir was well fitted to unite the sentiment of the multitude ; while the closing prayer of Bishop Wallis was in the best spirit, recognising as it .did the possibility of error in the British negotiations that preceded the war, and including a prayer for the brotherhood ‘of Boer and Briton in the future. It speaks volumes for the excellence of the arrangements made by the committee, the marshal and his assistants that the great gathering was controlled without the slightest inconvenience or accident. While acknowledging the valuable services of these gentlemen, mention should also bo* made of the hearty co-operation of the Defence authorities, the willing muster of volunteers from all over the colony, the assistance rendered by the captain of H.M.S. Tauranga, the countenance dent by members of Parliament, Mayors and public men, and the labours of those* who trained the choir. Not least deserving of recognition are the steam-boat-owners and their employees, who at no little cost and inconvenience freely gave the steamers that conveyed some ten thousand people out to the heads to see the Waiwera off with “the boys.” The Union Steam Ship Company alone might have earned for itself a sum of ; £3OO to £4OO had it made the occasion one of profit. No doubt, owing to the large amount of money obtained from, the steamboat trips, the committee will be able to hand over a good sum to the “More Men Fund” now started in this city. The demonstration was in every way a success, and it only remains to hope that the troops now on their, way to the scene of conflict may acquit themselves worthily and come back in triumph to receive the plaudits. of the people, without any jarring not* of sadness or apprehension.

Within three or four weeks, it js expected, a third conjtmmaoeilaxd gent will be ready to kocch- leave New Zealand for Rii'Ens. South Africa. This will

not consist of trained volunteers, and its members will not be restricted in the matter of age. The Maoriland Rough-riders, as this force of 250 men will be called, will consist of men from twenty to forty years of age, who can ride and shoot, and who are otherwise fitted to do scouting and* outpost work on the field of battle. Canterbury has given a magnificent lead in the formation of this force, and it seems probable that an entire company will be raised in the great- agricultural and pastoral district of the colony. Possibly the North Island may supply no more than a halfcompany, but it is intended that the rough-riders from this part of the country shall go into camp at Newtown Park. In view of the prominent part taken by Canterbury, it would be a graceful thing were a camp for the South Island to be formed at Christchurch, and the final send-off of the rough-riders fixed to take place at Lyttelton. It is understood that the steamship Undaunted, 4000 tons, which ■ has been chartered by the Department of Commerce to convey produce to South Africa, will also carry the Maorilaud Rough-riders and their horses. She has to call at* Dunedin and the Bluff for cargo, so there is no reason why she should not also call at Wellington, take the North Islanders on board here, and then proceed to Lyttelton to ship the Southern contingent. If, ns is thought probable, a camp, of 200 men should be formed at Christchurch, an excellent site for the purpose exists on the Show-ground at Addington. The placing of the camp there would be a compliment to Canterbury patriotism that would he much appreciated by tbe, people, and ,we feel certain that Wellington people are not so devoted to centralisation that they, will begrudge this honour to' their Southern neighbours. : Wanganui lias done nobly in making money offerings towards the expense of '’the roughriding contingent and in providing volunteers for service. It is to be hoped that Wellington, with the Wairarapa and Mariawatu districts, will enter with enthusiasm into the project and enable the programme we - have outlined to be carried into effect early in February. In war, as in other matters, “no .news j is good news,” hence the , news of absence of any important the war. tidings at the present juncture is a proof that all is going well. The British forces have been brilliantly manoeuvred in , Natal, and are now steadily advancing to the relief of Ladysmith.’ The rumour that obtained currency yesterday, to the effect that . the beleaguered garrison bad been relieved, will soon die verified. That at; least is the expectation of military, men-who- know the country and who understand the significance of the movements lately ©fleeted. .■ In the words of one critic, the British “have now at least, sixteen or Seventeen thousand’men on the north side, of the Tugela, they having; driven the .Bo alright. centre ; back, and probably; by this tune they have pierced it, and cut their lines in two, practically’ relieving Ladysmith. The position of General’ Warren's division when he dressed-the Tugela is about eighteen miles south-west of Ladysmith,’, while the position of General Lyttelton’s brigade is about sixteen miles south-south-west of the same place. ‘ The advance of’ these two bodies 4 is over a tolerably easy country,*’ mostly downs, with here, and there .small ridges that afford excellent coyer for riflemen, but offer few, if any, commanding positions for artillery.” From these, facts it is concluded that “it would be useless of Joubert to attempt to hold Warren’s troops in check advancing over such country, and an immediate retreat • of the Boers may bo expected, unless they are,determined to risk all on a decisive engagement.,”' .This is perhaps too sanguine a view to take of the situation, but the hews is the most cheering that has been received for some time. As the Boers are rapidly massing and entrenching themselves, we may expect at any time to-hear that the British generals have ordered' an assault in force to dislodge them before their large field guns arrive. ’ .