THE THIRD CONTINGENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11658, 15 February 1900, Page 2

THE THIRD CONTINGENT.

(Per .Unttkd; Press Association.)

' AUCKLAND, February: U. : Sixty-five men are now in camp. Several arrived to-day fromthe country, districts bringing their hors.es with them. The Government veterinary surgeon has passed 50 horses brought before-him at the camp for ; examination; About 30 horses presented by would-be sellers and volunteers .were rejected, for various, reasons.. The men whose horses were not passed are now:bringing Tip-fresh ones for'examination. A number of young men are ■ still volunteering. The .Auckland : Selection. Committee re-. ceived the folfowing telegram : from the Premier:—"l am '■ glad to hear you have. 60 men selected. ■■. It is a very pleasing feature, indeed, to {bid there 'were 300 applicants. /It is evidently not a question of who will go, but how many we can take. I am glad to hear the men are in'camp doing good work, but regret to say nothing is yet definitely settled as to a transport. I think the "difficulty lies in the Imperial authorities being unable to obtain the services-of steamers. We are making inquiries, but as yet have been unable to make arrangements. I will let you know so soon as I am in a-position to do so."■

Mr T. Miller presents the Auckland members, of tlie fourth contingent Rough Riders with 6Q copies of the New Testament. . .For the Rough Riders' fund £2800 has now been raised. AVKLLIINGTON, February U. There will be no representation of Wellington, volunteers as a whole at the sendoff to the contingent. The Government consider the department has already done enough at . previous demonstrations; and that northerners have had. their fill of these celebrations. Free passes, however, will be issued to every unit of not, less than 100 volunteers in the south to enable them to visit Christcimrcli for what is looked upon as a special Smith. Island ceremony. The eonvmissioner of police has forwarded: £248 6s to the Lord Mayor of London as the contribution of 561 members of the force to the patriotic fund.

The Imperial authorities have not so far been able to arrange for a troopship to -be sent for the remaining Rough Riders, but

are still endeavouring to get one. The local committee have offered the Government 62 men. The fund is over £3200. Chinese, residents contributed £36 8s 6d, and the Phcbnix Assurance Company 50 guineas.

BLENHEIM, February 14.. Mr C. F. Walts, of Erina station, presented Captain Chaytor with a serviceable horse before his departure yesterday for Christchurch to take a command in the third contingent. CHRISTCHURCH, February 14. This, morning 12 men, witli 12 horses, from. Wanganui arrived at Lyttelton in the s.s. Takamjna. The Flora, which came in an hour later, brought 45 men with, horses from Napier, and the Tutanekai, which arrived at noon, brought 11 men and 22 horses, from Wanganui. The whole of them were under the care of Lieutenant-colonel J. R. Sommerville. - The men and horses 'wont to camp by road. They were on the I;whole a very fine lot. Colour-sergeant Rose, formerly captain of the Lyttelton Navals, has been promoted to'the command of the Canterbury troop, vice Major Jowsey, promoted to the command of the- contingent. The New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association is sending 1031b of tobacco to the x- Knight Templar for the Canterbury troop. Mr Stead invites other merchants to send gifts,.pf tobacco, so that the North Island company may be treated in the same manner as the Canterbury troop. TIMARU, February 14. The mayor forwarded Cluis.tch.urch today .€575 for tho Canterbury war fund. Other sums will follow. The chief postmaster forwarded £i 20s 9d to the head office fund.