(PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11643, 29 January 1900, Page 5

(PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHTJRCH, January 27. J.he list for the Canterbury contingent has been closed. Volunteers are so numerous that selection will be difficult

n „ , January 28. On Saturday the practical training of the Canterbury troop was commenced at the show ground encampment. Foot parades were held at 6.45, 9.30, and 2.30, and agood start has been made. Staff Sergeantmajor Coleman reports the men as intelligent and willing. The following acting appointments have been made with the distinct proviso that they, comer no right or claim to confirmation by the officers who will be permanently appointed:—Troopers Rose and Rule, to be acting sergeants;. Troopers Ensor, 0 Pan-ell, Wilson, and- Walker, to act as senior troopers until further orders, and perform the duties of corporals, irooper Rose, appointed acting sergeant is an ex-captain of the Lyttelton Navals, and one of the smartest drills in the colony. _L_ieutenant. H. D. Buchanan and Tram-

pet-major Thompson, both of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, joined the camp on. Saturday night, and will aid in instructing ' the men." Lieutenant Buchanan is orderly officer for tq.-day (Sunday), Lieutenant R. Heaton Rhodes, of the samecorps, being next for duty. Foot parades were held-at 6.40 arid 9.30 this morning, and the camp was thrown open to the public between '2.30 a-nd 5 o'clock this afternoon, when large numbers of visitors were present.

Sir Arthur Douglas visited the camp on Saturday.' A .wire was received in Christchurch on the same date stating thatf Colonel Penton had confirmed the appointi ment of Major Jowsey to the command of the troop. Several citizens have promised to lend horses for the use of the troop, as at present there.arc only 11 horses in camp, and these are not sufficient to conduct riding tests with. It is anticipated that great cmtic'ulty will be experienced in buying-suitable-horses.

Eight South Canterbury men of a good stamp came up by the express on Saturday night. ■ '

The selection from the 120 picked men who have not yet been examined will take place on Tuesday.

AUCKLAND, January 27. Harry Head, a well-known marksman, has wired to Colonel Sommervillc volunteering for the third contingent. He will provide his own horse and equipment. WELLINGTON, January- 27. The number of applicants as rough riders had increased by 1 o'clock to-day to about 400.

The steamer Undaunted was expected from Japan at Sydney on the 25th, but as no answer has been, received from the agents it is supposed she has not yet arrived. In the meantime no answer can be given to applicants for cargo space until it is ascertained whether she is capable of taking the rough riders. As her tonnage is now said to be only 3200, it is feared she will prove.unsuitable.

As there appears to be some doubt as to whether the Government will provide transport for the rough riders, it should be mentioned tuat the promoters have to pay the cost. All that the Government do is to provide such facilities as they can in the way of getting a steamer. It is not even settled whether the Government pay begins, from the time of leaving or from arrival at the Cape. Mr John Plinimer intends to give another hundred guineas towards the equipment of the rough riders' contingent HOKITIKA, January 27. The mayor has convened a meeting for Wednesday re more men. Steps will probably be taken to send Westlanders over to the Canterbury camp immediately.

GENERAL NEGLECT -OF SCOUTING.

With reference to General Buller's indictment of British officers for neglecting scouting, a military critic, writing early in December to a Home paper, said: "It is certain that the reverses which have of late been suffered by- tho British' have been for the most part tho result of imperfect performance of scouting duties—not merely the general scouting duties, which are under the direction of the headquarters staff, but of the duties for which - tno generals commanding brigades, the colonels commanding battalions and regiments, and the majors and captains commanding batteries and companies aro responsible.. The Brjtisb officer is as a rule, especially in, the early pai-t of the campaign, so keen to get at his work, and so eager to jom issue, at once with the enemy, that ho is very apt to forget or hurry over the preliminary precautionary measures."