THE OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND CONTINGENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11649, 5 February 1900, Page 5

THE OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND CONTINGENT.

PKOMPT ACTIOjyUV THE OOMMITTI'TB.

MUCH .ENTHUSIASM AND GENEROUS GIFTS.

The General Committee met in the Board Room at the Agricultural Hall on Saturday morning, when the members presont were— Mr T.: W.: .'Kcmpthacne .(chairman), Dr Coughtrey, and Mes3rs J. Hazlett, J. Hoskine, J. F. M. Fraser, 'K. Smith, W. A. Shields, J. A. Park,' C.' R, Smith, C. Speight, G. Cripps, F. StroiiaclCand E. F. Duthie (secretary) A letter was received from Lieut. Morris (of the Otago Hussars) offering the services of himself and those of the offioors and noncommissioned: ofiicersi of the company for instructional purposes in mounted work for the men volunteering, from'-Qtago for service in South Africa, The . Hussars would also be most happy to assist the committee by all the means in their power to make the contingent a credit to the province.—The offer was accepted .with, thanks; I-.I i

lhe H0n..J,.G.-;Ward.telegraphed authorising Mr Kempthorne to'frank letters and telegrams on contingent,business in the absence of the- mayor. •■■■■■■.•' ;■ ■ The following were appointed a Selection and Equipment Committee:— Colonel Webb, (ex oflieio), Surgeon-major Coughlrey, Adjutant Stronach. Quartermaster Park Captain Hawkins (Jnvereargill), Captain Nichols (Oamaru), Captain Harvey (Balclutha), and Lieutenants Morris, Pram, and Freeman, with power to add to their number. The committee were directed to appoint an executive. ■'■•:'■'•'.■

Tho Horse Acquiring Committee were chosen as follows:— Messrs K. Stronaeh, J Mazlett, J. Duthie. W, H. Taggart, J. Gow and U. Tunibull. Their purchases must be made subject to the" horses passing a veterinary surgeon, and- the secretary was instructed to ask the City Council 'to allow Mr Snowball to assist professionally. A large number of applications were received from men willing to serve, and some ol them offered to .'bring'their own horses. Mr \V. Blaekie,. of Otago Farm (Taieri) generously offered to giro all the clover hay required by the horses during training. _ Mr 0. R. Smith Offered to confer with the I'loral Fete Committee and organise a similar fete to raise more funds. Horses have been offered by the following: Manorburn Dredeging Company, A. and T Inglis, Otago Daily Time.? (2), John Louden and \V. Tiirnbul], James Smith, jun., Otago Cricketers' Association, and Robert CamnMl (2), Mr Thomas (of Thomas and Cook,"brokers, London), Massey-Harris Company, Otago Rowing Club, Pirates Football Club (also equipment for Pirates' volunteer), Donaghy's employees (horse to be called "Roper"), W. P. .-Watson and friend. *An Australian visitor, not content with subscribing liberally to.the fund, gives three horses. The Otago Rugby Union have decided to donate the Sum of £25 for the purchase of a horse, or, should the cost exceed this amount, then the excess will also be given. The horse is to be named. "' Scrum." The Organising Committee will give one horse, to be called Organiser." At 0.30 p.m. the meeting, having still a good deal of work to'transact, adjourned to meet in the Otago Hussars' orderly room, Garrison Hall, in the evening-. On resuming, the following members' were present: Messrs T. W. Kempthorne (in the chair),' J. A. Park, W. A. Shields, I<\ Stronach, Dr'De Lautour, T. Mackenzie J F. M. Fraser, J. Hazlett, J. H. Hoskiug r' Glendining, R. Smith, 0. Speight, G. Cripps and Dr Coughtrey. It was decided to meet daily in the same place at 4 p.m. , On the sngjresuon of Mr Fraser, it was decided (o call a meeting of the women of Dun' edin in the Garrison Hall at 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon,, when the various schemes whereby they can be of material assistance to the committee will be submitted. It is. earnestly'hoped that there will be a very large attendance. Mr T. Mackenzie mentioned that Miss Jane Kinder, Stony Creek, Balclutha, who has just finished her medical course, was desirous of going to the front in the capacity of nurse. This question was then discussed, when it was mentioned that a large number of women in Dunedin were anxious to go in a similar capacity. —A .'subcommittee, consisting ,of Mr Shields, Mr Fraser, and Dr De Lautour, were appointed to deal with the matter. It was decided to accept the volunteered services of Miss Hay.to canvass the Lakes district for the contingent fund. Mr J. H. Hosking announced that; the law practitioners of Dunedin have guaranteed two horses for the contingent, .to be called "The Devil's Own" and "Costs." Any surplus from the money raised for this purpose will go to the contingent fund. The Dunedin Golf Club intend to-present a horse, to be called "Bogey" (after "Colonel Bogey!") Messrs Shields, Cripps, Tockl, Mackenzie. Hosking, and Speight were appointed to select names from suitable men all over tho province to act with -the committee in carrying out their duties. . ■ It was reported that the necessary arrangements for the use of .Forbury Park for the camp had-been made, and it was unanimously agreed that, in order to give the utmost possible time for the training of the horses, would be necessary that the 180 required should bo at the camp at Forbury within a fortnight. It is anticipated that work at the camp will be- commenced in a few days.