THE OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND CONTINGENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 28

THE OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND CONTINGENT.

PROMPT ACTION BY THE COMMITTEE. MUCH ENTHUSIASM AND GENER- j OITS GIFTS. i The General Committee met in the Board | Room at the Agricultural Hall on Saturday | morning, when the members present were — I Mr T. W. Kempthorne (chairman), Dr Coughtrey, and Messrs J. Hazlett, J. Hoskin?, J. ¥. AI. Fraser, R. Smith, W. A. Shields, J. A. Pork, C. B. Smith, C. Speight, G. Cripps, F. Stronach, and E. F. Duthie (secretary) A letter was received from Lieut. Morris (of the Otago Hussars) offering the services ' of himself and those of the officers and noncommissioned officers of the company for instructional purposes in mounted work for the men volunteering from Otago for service in j South Africa. The Hussars would also be ' most happy to assist the committee by all the j means in their power to make the contingent a credit to the province. — The offer was ac- ' cepted with thanks. j The Hon. 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 I and Equipment Committee: — Colonel Webb, j (ex officio), Surgeon-major Coughtrey, Ad- ' jutunt Stronach, Quartermaster Park. Cap- j tain Hawkins (Invercargill), Captain Nichols (Oainaru), Captain Harvey (Balclutha), and J Lieutenants Morris, Pram, and Freeman, j with power to add to their number. The ! committee were directed to appoint an executive. The Horse Acquiring 'Committee were chosen as follows: — Messrs F. Stronach, J. Hassletf, J. Duthie, W. H. Taftgart, J. Gow, and C. Turnbull. Their purchases must bo 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 of them offered to bring their own horses. Mr W. Blackie, of Otago Farm (Taieri) generously offered to give all the clover hay required by tho horses during training. Mr C. R. Smith offered to confer with, the Floral Fete Committee and organise a similar j fete to raise more funds. Horses have been offered by the following: Manorburn Drc-degin<v Company, A. and T. Tnalis, Otago Daily Time-: (2), John Louden and W. Turnbull, James Smith, jun., Otago Cricketers' Association, and Robert Campbell (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 (hor-.o to be called i "Roper"). W. P. Wat-on and friend. An Australian visitor, not content with bubseribina liberally to tbo fund, gives three horse-*. The Otago Rugby Union have decided to donate the sum of .025 for the purchase of a hor-c, or, should the eosl, exceed this amount, then tho exc3<r will al-o be given. Tho hove is to bo named "Scrum." The Organising | Committee will oivc one hor-e, to be called ! " Oraaniser." I At 0.30 p.m. the meciing, having still a pood , deal of work to transact, adjourned to ;iicet in the Otano lTu=sar-.' orderly room, Garri&on ITa'l, in the e\euing. On rp-uiiovi'-., tln> f(llf>v,ing member*; \\ pit pi-e-ojil : l[p.,i, T. W. Eemplhorne (in the ' chaii), J. A. Tor]:, W. A. Shields F : Stronrdi, Dr Dc Liutour, T. Mackenzie J F. M. Fraser. J. Hazletl, J. H. Forking, R. GlendiiMiio, I\. Smith, C. Speight, G. Cripps, , and Dr C'oupjitrey. : It mo? dorifWl to meet daily in the same place at 4 p.m. j On the sugjxf LOll of Mi Ftaser, it wo.'i do-

cided to 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. t Mr T. Mackenzie mentioned that Miss Jane I Kinder, Stony Creek, Balclutha, who has just I 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 thot 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 I 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, Todd, Mackenzie, Hosking, and Speight were appointed to select names from suitable men all over the province to act with the committee in carryingout 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 horsos, it would be necessary that the 180 required Fhould be at the camp at Forbury within a fortnight. It is anticipated that work at the camp will be commenced in a few days.