THE RETURNING TROOPERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11917, 15 December 1900, Page 7

THE RETURNING TROOPERS.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOANA.

TO-DAY'S ARRANGEMENTS.

The "welcome which will be extended to-day to the boys returning from the war in South Africa by the Moaiisi will be d hearty one, and though the arrangements will not be on the extensive scale which was intended if tiie whole of the men came by the Harlei:h Castle, they will not reHect discredit on the city, and will serve to convince our reluming warriors of the interest which the public, apart from their personal friends, 'nave taken in their doings.

The Moana left Lyltelton at 4.30 p.m. yesterday, and should "be off the head?, at daylight. Sergeant liV/.lolt lias supplied the following Dailies as (hose who will arrive under his charge:— Sergeants Hazlelt (Dunedin). nnd .John .Miiir (Waik-oiKiiti), Corporal -U'Kesrg (Henley). Troopers (i. L. Hcenan (Southland). H. Smith (BaleUithn). Harold F. .Smith (Soulhliind), Bunten (Balclutlia), W. Johnston (Oamani), Rental (Tnchc'.utha). and Mack (Waikouaiti). Representatives of the Dmirciin Committee will proceed to Port Chalmers by the 7 a.m. train, and arrange preliminaries. The Plucky will leave the Kai'ray street wharf, according to the official programme, with the relations of the troopers and officials at 8 o'clock sharp, and .'trill return to the same wharf with (lie men and iliciv relations at. 10.30. The troopers will be formally received by the mayor and committee, after which they will be driven to the Agricultural Hall by way of the Octagon, reaching flic hall at 11 o'clock. The committee have decided to make a small ehargo of

sixpence to the hall in order to assist in defraying the expenses in connection with the reception. At the hall there will be a thanksgiving prayer, songs l>y the school children, a patriotic song, selections by the- Dun!>din Pipe Band, and another band under the leadership of Mr Rnbertshaw. Mr Kempthorne will read a patriotic poem composed by Mr .Tolin il'lJlashan. and an address will be delivered by the Mayor.

The Committee request citizen?, and masters of vessels in port to display as much bunting

as possible, so as to give the city and appro;!?^ ii festive appearance. The Agricultural Jr-.il will be linndsomcly decorated.

The Mayor of Port, (.'hahners '(Mr De Mans) and hi? enthusiastic Patriotic Committee are prepai'ed to give the men a hearty welcome at the port, and would have arranged a demonstration there, but as there will not bo much tinm to spare, the Mayor has decided to fall in with and assist the Dunedin Committee in every way. Nothing will, therefore, be done until the Plucky reaches Port Chalinen. with the Dunedin Committee, when -Mr Do ileus will place himself and the Port Chalmers Band at, the disposal of'the Dmiedin Committee, and will probably come up to Dimedin in the Plucky.

Captain Stronaoh will proceed to Port Chalmers tv-> Colone-l Webb's representative, to make arrangements in connection with the men's landing. Sergeant Hazlett was ielographed to yesterday, and with the troopers nndor him will remain at Port Chalmers until the Plucky arrive-;. Arrangements an- in progress at Balclutha nnd Vaikouaiti io give the men from these districts a hearty reception on their arrival. Tin- Mayor (Mr Cbishoim) rccoived ilie following telegram from the Hon. H. Butler, A.D.C. to Lord Ranfurly, yesterday: —" The (Governor understands from the napors that you liavo abandoned proposed reception to men by Harltvh Cattle; in any casa, that it will be much smaller affair that that originally contemplated. Please reply urgent to Oxford West."

To this his Worship replied :—" Kindly inform his Exrallency that the proposed reception to men in Har'oc'n Castle has been abandoned. As> decision was only arrived at last night, sorry could not inform his Excellency sooner. Trust no inconvenience occasioned."

The four troopers from the Halclutha. district will be given a public reception on their arrival at- IMelutha on Monday—a patriotic demonstration on similar lines to thai received by Trooper Mitchell on his return. The formal reception will take place at the railway station, and a procession and sports will be. held afterwards. Fis Worship the Mayor has proclaimed a holiday from 11 a.m.

TROOPERS' RECEPTION FUND. Previously acknowledged .. ...£352 10 0 .'lames Allen, M.H.K. (simrantep) .. 5 5 0 Cogim and Cnuvlord (guarantee) .. 2 2 0

£353 17 0

LETTERS FROM THU FRONT

Lieutenant .1. K. Mac Donald, of the/oiu-fh contingent, has sent a few lines to Mr Anflpraon. of Moasrs Bnttenvorth Bros., containimf little beyond the intimation that lie is well and in good form, after spending six ivccb tiv.vor.jing the country, getting a little fighting every few days. I-Tn. says they hsve br'Mi Belting plenty of wort, being in the saddle"oftev.'[ov 10 and 12 hours, and they are ■jetting ciuite accustomed, when the ordnrs s>o round at S p.m.. to find they have to be i'lp at 1.30 a.m. and be in position at 2.30 a.m. Breakfast under those circumstances hap oftra besn at mid-day.

Lieutenant R. G. -Tnbmaii. in a letter to Mr .T. W. Smith, of the High street School, written from near Zecrust on October 17, mention!- that as he has been in command of the Olago Company since they left Ottoshnop, ho had commandeered Lieutenant .1. K. M;:cDonald, and they had been shoulder to shoulder in all the little scrimmages and what big "in the courfc"of a letter written at Oti.cshobp on October 26 by Sergeant G. C. Black, of the fifth contingent, to his sister, Miss Black, of Stafford s'.fc.l.. he dntaih a number of incidents in connection with his earner in South Africa, but most of thorn have already appeared in print. The writer says, inter .y.\' a: —" One morning lho Yeomanry were scouting-,on our left, v.lifin they come to an orange grove, and of course they went in for 0. feed. While they were up the. trees the Boots fired nn their..' The officers' told them to keep still, as they might not be seen. However, they were seen, and the Boers captured their horses mid one ov two of the men. The captors naked thorn who they were, imd when they said 'Yeomanry' the Boers let them go, saying: 'We cart get you crowd any time.' We were, with Lord Meliiuen from September 4. He is a. fine fellow, a rpal genuine ram, and everyone likes him. Hn doer, not go to officers* to find out how the men are, but goes to the men himself."