NEW ZEALAND FORCES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4636, 15 April 1902, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND FORCES.

good-bye to the tenth. FINAL SCENES AT THE WHARF. Wellington has farev/cllcd many contingents, but if there was less preparation there was (pate as much genuine heartiness about the send-olf to the North Island section of the Tenth Regiment yesterday as there had been in connection with tho departure of any previous ‘‘gentlemen in khaki” from this city. The troops camo in by a special train from Truatham at 3 p.m., and as they swung along Jorvois quay to the inspiriting strains of tho Garrison Hand, thoy presented tho appearance nr a splendid lob of fighting men. The day was not of tho brightest, but a thousand flags flung signals of farewell against the dun-grey sky, and imparted a hopeful tone of gaiety to the farewell scone. Flying from the yessols in tho harbour and from tho leading public buildings, they symbolised the unity of nations and the bond of peace which every patriot hopes will bo operas tivo oven before tho Tenth reaches the shores of South Africa.

Tho contingent was mot at tho wharf gates by representatives of each corps of tho Wellington Battalion, and by a gathering crowd of sightseers, who gavo thorn hearty greeting. Thoy wore marched straight away down to the troopship, and were soon swarming over her in search of places of vantage wherefrom to see and to bo soon. As soon as tho men wore thus comfortably ensconced, tho waiting crowd at the barrier gates was liberated, and rushed pell-mell on to tho wharves and along to tho ship’s side. A most animated scone ensued. Tho troopers were in excellent spirits, a fact which reflected itsolf on tho crowd, and a continuous babol of “ barracking ” arose and much singing of hakas and camp ditties, and many who camo to cry with the individual remained to laugh with tho majority. Of course, there wore tho little corner tragedies, ■which no amount of exuberance could hide; but the prevailing tone was that of devil-may-care, rollicking good-humour. “ Good-bye, good-bye, Frank, old man,” cried a somewhat lugubrious trooper from the Drayton Grange. “ Never mind, cheer up, you will soon ho dead 1” was tho consolatory exordium from a mimic on tho wharf, and what might have been an interesting exchange of confidences was drowned in mutual laughter. Great amusement was caused by tho gorilla tactics of numbers of tho troopers, who continually swung up and down the ship’s side on all sorts of littlo errands—to capture a souvenir, kiss somebody olso’a sister, shako hands with a “ pal ” or reinforce tho commissariat. Tho persistency and resourcefulness exhibited by tho many who, impelled by curiosity or more commendable motives, wished to get aboard the big troopship were a study in themselves. A tremendously civil but dreadfully responsible ship’s officer was on that gangway, and tearful and, smiling faces appealed to him again and again for permission to pass. A little square, rod ticket was, however, tho open-se-same, and wee to ho or she who had not this badge of influence. Captain ’Hughes was the military man in charge of that gangway, and it was pathetic to see how ho writhed in his quandary ’bwixt desire and duty, when, instinctively, the ladies constituted him the last court of appeal. It was generally noticed, however, that when a member of tho fair sex was firmly hut courteously shown, off at one minute, if she returned in the wake of a Minister of tho Crown or some other High Functionary a moment afterwards, the wild improbability of tho connection was not taken as a bar, tho ship’s officer assumed tho rolo of . blind justice, and Captain “ Jack ” busied himself in looking over the side. As the time for departure arrived the scene became more and more animated, and tho singing and interchange or compliments more boisterous. The soldiers in search of souvenirs dashed down on to tho wharf and laid violent hands on several canines which had confidingly followed their masters and mistresses down on to the wharf. If red tape does hot strangle tho project these habitues of Lambton qnay may yet help to make history on tbo South African veldt. Indefatigable as usual, Mr Moore, of the Missions to Seamen, was round amongst the men, speaking a cheering word, and distributing a souvenir raxd, which afterwards became a sort of medium or interchange ■■ for private confidences which every now and again were sent fluttering down from ship to shore. The card set forth that “Tho members of the Missions to Seamen wish the Right Hon. tho Premier and Mrs Sodden and family God’s help and presence ashore and afloat, and a speedy return to the shores they are leaving.” It also had some words of counsel for onr departing warriors, a portion of which was expressed in appropriate verse, thus:— A rush is good in its place, lad. But not at the start. I say; For life’s a vory long race, lad. And never was won that way. It’s tho stay that tells—the stay, boy— And the heart that never says die: A spurt may do with the goal in view. But steady’s tho word, say I; Steady’s the word that wins, lad. Grit and sturdy gram; . It's sticking to it will pull you through it; Roll up your sleeves again! Tho enthusiasm was at top when tho Premier arrived—late, hut in buoyant spirits as one having rid himself for tho nonce of stress of work and responsibility. It had been said by some very knowing persons that Mr Seddon intended to adorn himself in uniform. That gavo an additional fillip to tho interest in his arrival, bub the Premier wore no plumes. Mrs _ Soddon accompanied him, and graciously acknowledged tho salutes that wont up to herself and family on every side. No sooner was tho party aboard than Captain Eonnott, who had boon fidgeting over a delay which necessitated taking tho Drayton Grange out of a strango port practically in tho dark, gave the order to let go the mooring linos, and tho vessel backed out into tho stream amidst tho interchange of salvo after salvo of cheers. The Premier stood quietly on the bridge making no demonstration of any kind. Ho evidently recognised that this part of tho proceedings was “not his circus,” but something purely concerning the contingent and those who wore being left behind. And in that ho showed consummate good taste. As tho Drayton Grange slowly backed out into tho stream her docks and rigging were crowded with troopers waving and shouting a vigorous farewell, and their every greeting was re-echoed by tho volleyed farewells of tho thousands clustered on tho wharves and quays.

Shortly before tho departure of the contingent, Lieutenant-Colonel Messenger received the following letter from Major-General Babington:—“The General Officer Commanding desires to express to tho officers, non-commission-ed officers and men of tho North Island Battalion of the Tenth Contingent his ivarrn annreciat.ion of their excellent

their arrival at Tronthani. Tho embarkation has been carried out in a most orderly ami satisfactory manner, and tho way in which the horses were put on board—slo being embarked in under two hours—was most creditable to those concerned. Tho Major-General feels confident the good name of Now Zealanders for courage and discipline is safe in tho hands of this battalion. Ho wishes thorn most heartily Godspeed and an early and safe return.” Lieu-tenant-Colonel Messenger will have charge of tho contingent until it arrivals at South Africa, whore it will bo handed over to Major Andrew. Tho former hopes to see something of tho interior of South Africa before ho returns. On tho evo of his departure for South Africa with tho Tenth, QuartermasterSergeant West, late of tho Post and Telegraph Rifles, was presented by his fellow officers in tho General Post Office with a wrist watch and a pocket filter. Frank Maokinnon, oldest son of Constable Mackirinon, watclihouse-keepcr at tho Lambton quay Police Station, was the recipient of a case of pipes and a tobacco pouch from his father’s comrades, prior to hi.s departure for South Africa' with tho Tenth Regiment yesterday. In response to an appeal made at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral on Sunday last for subscriptions to purchase a set of Communion vessels for tho use of the Tenth Regiment, tho sum of £l9 8s 6d was subscribed. Tho chaplain, tho Rev Sydney Hawthorne, desires to thank tho congregation of St. Paul’s for their generous gift. Thos. Cullen was presented by the IJ.S.S. Co.’s staff with a wrist watch and field glasses on severing his connection with the company to servo with the Tenth Regiment in South Africa.