THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2272, 16 September 1897, Page 12

THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

ARRIVAL IN WELLINGTON.

Wellington, September 8

Drawn up on the deck of tbe Ruahine Ibis morning, the New Zealand contingent was inspected by the Minister' for Deft-nee (fcbe Hon. T. Thompson), tbe Hon. J. Carroll, Colonel Penton (commandant), Major Haddocks, and Captain FalcoDer, who visited the vessel as she lay oufc in the stream. Mr The rnpson, fct the the conclusion of the inspection, briefly addressed the men, complimenting them upon the manner in which they had upheld the credit of the colony aud their own. On behalf of the colony be thanked them for their services aud welcomed them back to New Zealand. He also informed thtm that the Government had received a despatch from Mr Chamberlain complimenting the men upon their behaviour while in England. This despatch was read <o the men by Sir Arthur Douglas, and the Mii'ister promised that it would be gazatted, and a copy of it sent to each of the meu. The coatiogent was banqueted to-night. Wellington, September 9.

SpeakiDff at the Fiuoke concert last light Colonel I'i'.t, replying to the toast of "The Contingent;," mentioned the warm welcome they had at Hobatt. The people of Tasmania felt that they had made a mistake in not sending a contingent of their own. He spoke of the enthusiastic Feeling shown in England to them, and ptftiscd the conduct of the men, evpry one of whem was now fit to be a non-commissioned officer.

Captain Browne thought that the contingent should nofc end he:e, but that Maori corps should be established in every part of the colony. Mr Seddoo praised tbe behaviour of the men, who had been Maori and European brothers-in-arms throughout the trip. He had told the military authorities that the men were only samples of thousandp. He thought there was a great deal in the proposal for an interchange of troops with England, bat it would depend on Parliament.

The Maori members ot the contingent visit Greytown to-day, whero a great festival will be held in their honour. The Natives have come back deeply impressed with the grandeur and glory of England. The Prince of Wales told them that, though once they fought against the English, all were now part of one great Empire, and would fight together all the time, and, as one of them said, " We are the English now." The only complaint the men have to make of their sojourn at Home was in regard to food, which was very poor. Fourteen of them have IM>t come back, but return by the Matatua.

(Fhom Oub Own Cobeespo^ideht.)

Wellington, September 8. Chatting with some members of the contingent to-day, I found there waa very little that is new to be gleaned regarding their stay in England. Respecting their treatment by the public they speak most highly, bat barrack room life does not seem to have pleased them, (be cause of complaint being the food supplied. '"It was generally a terrible mixture, all boiled ,np together, and not fit for a pig," one of the imen remarked. This, however, seems to have .been the only ground for complaint. On Jubilee Day the men were nine hours in the saddle without food on » trying day, but as ,'they caw all the sights their lot was rather an enviable one than otherwise. In marching they distinguished themselves with the Vioiorians, who were placed firafc in the march past at .Windsor. Colonel Pitt saya their horaeaum-

ship wts really splendid. The conduct of both Maoris and Europeans was fxetcplar/. As the Ruahine drew up at the whftrf a larg^ crowd had assembled, bub not a solitary cheer was giveu, probably owing to the fact that the men were not al'owed to land. They were kept; on beard in readiness lo take psrfc in the proces6ioa at the reception of the Premier.