PARTINGS AT THE CAMP.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3955, 22 January 1900, Page 5

PARTINGS AT THE CAMP.

About 10.30 an effort was made to clear visitors off the flat, so as to allow the men to get the work done more quickly. But the public did not want to go, and the men entrusted with the duty of clearing them, off were not inclined to be over-strict. “We invite yoh to com© and se© us,” said on© of the guard to a party of ladies, “ and then we turn you out.” Everyone agreed it was too bad,” and as fast as they were turned off one part of the ground they re- i. entered it at another part, and said one t more “ good-bye ” on the principle, ap- t. patently, that “ parting is such .sweet o sorrow, that I could say good-bye till it be morrow.” And so they stayed or c many of them did, saying good-bye, and n having a final yam with their departing o friends, till dinner-time came at 11.45. tTHE DOCTOR’S FIRST BLOOD. It was no use having a hot meal, as the “ mess tins were all away in the a kits, and there was nothing to put it G on. Cold meat and bread and sandwiches 0 were served out at the cook-house, the ji officers—rather better off—having a i, cold meal in their marquee. borne n amusement was caused by burgeon- -y Captain Fenwick cutting his finger while o carving a fowl. “ First blood, to the doc- tl tor,” was the cry, and the doctor laugli- o ingly, vowed to be revenged on them e when they cam© under his tender mer- c. Cie COLONEL BANKS’S SPEECH. b But time presses, there is always a £ lot to he done at the last. “rub in sounded the bugle at 12.30, and the men fell in right cheerily- La ,st f boys,” sang out a trooper, and they feu in with the glee of boys assembling in v the big schoolroom just before going c home for the holidays,, rather than like n men starting for the front, where the a war game is being fought put to the a death. Major Cradock arrived at this „ time, followed shortly afterwards by Colonel Penton and juicutenant-Coloncl Q Banks. The latter rode up to where the d first division of No. 1 Company, was p drawn up. The division is composed ot a the Auckland .and northern men, and is in charge of Lieutenant Banks, a son of Lieutenant-Colonel Banks who bade p them all good-bye. Ho had heard good r accounts of them so far, ho - S a id, and a he hoped they would get on well together and work like brothers—a sentiment v , to which the men responded by giving t three hearty cheers for the father of j, their lieutenant. t . , a