"CANDIDATES FOR THE TRANS VAAL."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11659, 16 February 1900, Page 6

"CANDIDATES FOR THE TRANS VAAL."

TO THE EDITOH. Srit,—l am very glad that " Half-inch Too Short " has had the courage to say something in regard to the candidates who applied for South Africa, and have pussed the medical examination. I myself have a very particular friend who applied, and it appeal's was rejected on account of not being able to correctly number the. squares which were placed up before him at a very long distance as a test of cyoi-ight. The test, it would be admitted, is pretty Eevore, and I thjnk my friend in this respect could pass if at any reasonable distance. He is, I consider, qualified in every way, physically and otherwise, to go to South, Africa, and L think the letter which appears in to-day's Times is very weu timed, as I am quite sure a number of these men, who are Qualified in every respect, have been rejected on very puny ground*. The name which your correspondent brings before us is an example, and many others can be pointed, to. The friend I refer to, who was examined by Dr do. Lautour himself, in. chest-measurement and expansion, was regarded by him as the l>est ho had examined. The only trouble was that he was a litfle .deScient in eyesight, but this was no .doubt owing to the very hard test the applicants were put to, and on all hands it is admitted that it is the most severe that any contingent has yet been subjected to.- This young, man is still very anxious to go, and I hope that those who have the selection will yet see their way to admit him. It is ridiculous to think that a. Ir.d described in the letter in to-day's issue signed by "Half-inch Too Short " should be accepted in the face of men whose qualifications really entitle them to be ■included.—?l am, etc., John R. Lowbt. Onslow House, Ocean Beach, February 15.