DEPARTURE FROM LYTTELTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 48

DEPART URE FROM LYTTELTON.

DEMONSTRATION AT CHRISTCHURCH. A THRILLING DISPLAY. (By Ouk Spkoial Reporter.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 17. Everything «as fortuitous for the demonstration on the occasion of the departure of - the third New Zealand contingent to aid the Imperial forces in the war against the Boers in South Africa. A heavy dew had scarcely dried by the time the Rough Rider 3 marched to Hagley Park, and consequent!"

they arrived on tho parade ground with scarcely a spec of dust on their new uniforms. There was a light easterly breeze, changing during the proceedings to the south-west, to modify the heat of a line though rather cloudy autumn day. It must have been a record day for the Railway department, as heavy trains 'arrived during the morning from Dunedin and from all parts of the local system.

Unfortunately the hour at which many of the country trains arrived left passengers little time to reach the park, and most of them went on to town and witnessed the procession through the streets, or to Lytlelton, where thousands secured coigns of vantage early in the clay and kept them until late in the afternoon. It was said that 40,000 tickets from Ohristchureh to Lyttelton were sold, but that this number was carried is a physical impossibility, the limit being 5000 an hour. Prohably 30,000 people witnessed the Lyttelton spectacle.

The gathering in Hagley Park was somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000, and there must have been at least a similar number lining the two miles of route between the park and the railway station. Yet though there did not appear to be any marshal, and the volunteers lined only the last few hundred yards of the route, there was no accident. The volunteers who took part in the ceremonial numbered about 850, and included ■ squads from the Dtinedin Highlanders, Otago Hussars, Clutha Rifles, Oamaru Garrison Band, Wellington Cycle Corps, Wellington College Rifles, Zealandia Rifles, Hawke's Bay Rifles, and every corps in Canterbury. The civilian visitors included representative men from every district in the colony from north and south and from east and west, and, as has been premised, the Canterbury country residents attended in their tens of thousands.

An excellent situation was found for the demonstration on a terrace overlooking the otherwise level park. A platform was erected for the Vice-regal and Ministerial parties and invited guests, and here it must be said that members of Doth Houses of Parliament, volunteer officers beyond the North Canterbury district, and many other public men whose attendance it was understood was desired were not sent cards of admission. However, all was* made right on the ground. The school children, 2000 or 3000 in number, marched on to the ground in good time, and were packed away in an enclosure much too small for them; then came the choir, consisting of members of various musical societies. The wives of invited official guests and the relatives of members of the contingent were given seats in an enclosure on the other side of the platform, and a space of several acres in front of the platform was roped in for the troops. Bands played during the assembling of the gathering, but there was no tedious wait, for slightly in advance of time the contingent marched in amidst cheering, and were quickly followed by the various volunteers. By this time the enclosure was surrounded, often six or eight deep, and the scene was a most animated one. tfxvOM THE CAMP TO HAGLEY PARK.

A bright and early start was made in camp this morning, as all kits had to be packed, and outside the tent lines by 6.30 a.m. Tho reveille sounded at 5, and there was, no delay in getting to work. Breakfast was, as usual, a cheerful meal, and was further enlivened by two well-deserved presentations to non-commissioned officers of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry who had rendered signal assistance to the troop while, in -training. Sergeant-major G. E. Rhodes and Corporal Parkinson were each presented with a riding crop. After breakfast the Canterbury Troop fell in on the parade, and were once more photographed, while the No. 2 Company fell in on their own lines, and practised their Maori war cry. which was prepared for them by Mr Gough, of the Native Lands Court, Wanganui, and runs as under : — " Kia kaha-hi ; lcia toa-hi : ptiritea te mana o te kuini-hi, hi, ha." The translation is: "Be stroug " ; chorus, " Yes " ; "Be brave"; chorus, "Yes"; "Uphold the supremacy of the Queen"; chorus, ''Yes, yes, yes."

Lieutenant Sommerville • addressed the \vanganui section. Afterwards the men paraded. The parade strength consisted of 101 non-commissioned officers and men of the Canterbury Troop, under Captain Rose, and 112 rank and file of No. 2 Company, under Captain Chaytor. Thirty men of No. 2 Company, under Lieutenant Berry, had been left in Lyttelton on the previous night, .in order to attend io the horses on board the Knight Templar.

Colonel Penton, in briefly addressing the parade, said that all provincial jealousies must now be done away with, and they must one and all work together for the good of tihe contingent. The officers must ever consider the welfare of the men and horses, and be considerate in their manner of addressing the men, while the men must obey implicitly the orders of their officers, who had practically the power of life and death while on service. If they did this they would be as good as the previous eentingent, which, he was proud to say, had earned New Zealanders the reputation of being the best scouts among the colonial forces. He could only say, " God bleso you. May you have the best of luck and plenty of fighting, and show the Boers what good soldiers New Zealand can turn out. ' At 9.15 the contingent, escorted by the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, left the camp gate, led by Colonel Penton. who, with the sole exception of the Mounted Rifles, was the only officer on horseback. Lieutenantcolonels Slater and Sommorviile and Major Wright followed on foot, and immediately behind them came the New Zealand Rough Riders Contingent, in column of section*. The men were accorded hearty greetings en route. On reaching the park the men were heartily cheered." _ • THE SPEECHES. The Premier and party and the Hons. W. 0. Walker and W. Hall-Jones and parties then arrived, and were cordially welcomed, and they were scarcely in their places when his Excellency the Governor and the Government House party drove in, escorted by a guard of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, and took their places on the platform. His Excellency at once rose and read the official telegram from Lord Roberts: — "French, with cavalry and hor?e artillery, reached Kimberley Thursday evening." This ovoked enthusiastic and prolonged cheering, and from that moment the proceedings were marked by an. enthusiasm -which frequently became emotional, and the success of the gathering was assured. His Excellency the Governor, who, on coming io the front of the platform, was greeted with ringing cheers, said : Mr Mayor, Ladies, and Gentlemen. — We aro mot together to-day to bid farewell to the third contingent despatched by this colony to uphold the rights of Great Britain in South Africa. In a moment of heartfelt anxiety

we feel the utmost pride and pleasure when we see the many brave and fine young men, the flower of the land, who are ready — yes, and more than ready — to leave their homes and cross the seas to a distant land, in order to vindicate the honour bl England, and to champion the cause in the Transvaal of their fellow subjects. Their patriotic action is not without sacrifice, both on their part and on that of their relations and friends, who have to bear the anxiety of their absence. — (Cheers.) We all sympathise deeply with those who have to part with their dear ones, but we must remember that we are all citizens of a great country, and we come of a great race, which has spread itself over a large portion of tho world, by virtue of their indomitable pluck and endurance, and we must uphold our glorious traditions at any personal sacrifice, even to our dearest and our best. — (Cheers.) The generous enthusiasm which has equipped and sent out this continbent is beyond all praise ; it yroves that the old British spirit is still present with us, and so long as that spirit animates us, England need fear nothing.— (Cheers.) That spirit has been abundantly shown already in this war by the valour and endurance of our men, the splendid gallantry of our officer,", and how admirably they have displayed the best qualities of the soldier is apparent to all. — (Cheers.) This is the first time in history Canadians, New Zealanders. Australians, Cape Colonists stand side by side with their comrades of .the Imperial troops; one race, under one Queen, fighting in freedom s glorious cause. May the God of their fathers stand by them, and give them the victory.— (Continued cheering.) The choir pang " The red, white, and blue. The Premier was the next speaker, and upon rising he was greeted with enthusiasm. Mr Seddon spoke as f ollows : — Your Excellency, Ladies, and Gentlemen, and you, the soldiers of New Zealand, the soldier? of that vast Empire to which we belong,—Let me say that I feel proud— proud to have the opportunity to meet you under the existing circumstances of to-day. Today is one of the proudest moments, one of the proudest experiences that the people of Canterbury have ever enjoyed. Little did those who founded the Canterbury settlement think, when the flax was growing here — and I am told th-t this was a fine wild shooting ground — that in the j^ear of Canterbury's Jubilee such a spectacle as is now being witnessed would be possible. There is nothing impossible to the race to which we belong. — (Applause.) Yes, you have here to-day the flower of Westland — (cheers and laughter) — and of Canterbury; you have here, from Wanganui, from Taranaki, and from the Buller district, men who are prepared* to go and fight for their country as did your heroes who fell at Waterloo ; who are prepared to show the world that they can do as their fathers did before them. The same blood flows from your veins, and the historian of the future will show to the world that there lias been no drawback, that you are as good to-day as those who have gone before you. — (Applause.) It will warm some hearts amongst those friends who have been left behind in tho districts I referred to if I am permitted to read communications received from the mayors of those districts. Mr Seddon. here read telegram", each of which was received with enthusiasm, from the mayors of Hokitika, Westport, Wanganui, and others.

The Premier continued: I can only say this: — I know that from each and every part of tlie colony there will be envy because of the opportunity thab has been given to those here to-day. His Excellency recently referred to the fact in connection with this contingent — sent to help our motherland, to help in meeting an emergency — that the whole of the equipment has been provided by public contribution; that every expense in connection with it has been defrayed by the patriotic people of the colony. We have shown in this case — and vithout detracting in any way from those who have gone before — I say that from no nart of her Majesty's dominions has a contingent been sent as you are sent on this occasion ; no cost to the colniy no cost to the Imperial exchequer ; fully equipped, ardent, and desirous of doing your duty to our Queen and our country, of doing your duty to those who have sent you — sent you as their deputies to fight foil our country. After glancing briefly at the past history of Canterbury and at the causes which led to the war, tho Premier continued : Tyranny and oppre.-sion was on the other side. I say our demands were moderate, that they were placed moderately before the Transvaal Government. The reply was, as you know, watching and waiting till, weak as they thought thqy had found us, they embraced the opportunity. Afacaulay has said that a tiaveller from New Zealand would stand on a ruined arch of London Bridge, and would sketch the ruins of St. Paul's. But, sir, that time is not yet. When Macaulay spoke thus, people little thought that from all corners of the earth those of our race would band together as we have done, and that our Spartan mother', would send their sons, and our sweethearts would say to their lads, '' Go and fight for your country and come back, and then we will take you with honour." No! the ruins of St. Paul's are never going to be sketched by olie from New Zealand. I toll you what I think will come to pass, and that which I hope and pray may happen — namely, the day shall come when our New Zealand troops shall be at Pretoria, and shall help to hoist that grand old flag on the forts. — (Cheero.) No, I am not afraid. I say God speed you. You have our sympathy, you have our good wishes, and as our representatives, we 'feel you will come back covered with lauro I s, having earned the respect of the Englishspeaking race, as the contingent now fighting in the front have done, and. p» they have been brave, and have been steady under fire, so, when you are at the front, and in the thick of the fight, news will be again flashed to our colony of the brave New Zealavdert. — (Applause.) May you also be mentioned in the despatches, that is my earnest and mv heartfelt de>ire. I will say nothing more than that 1 feel that at tho present moment I air speaking to men who are going to do or die. — (Prolonged' cheers.) The Premier, shortly after, rose again, and added : lam almost, sure that when we get the details, we shall find that our New Zealand Contingent has been with General French, and has taken part in tho relief of Kimberley. Upon his rail, three heavtjt cheers were given for Major Robin and tbc boys of the first contingent.

The choir having sung "Rule Britannia.' his Worship the Mayor of Chi'i^tchuich (Mr William Recce) said : Your Excellency. Ladies and Gentlemen, Officers and Men of the Third New Zealand Contingent, and Volunteers, — Permit me to rend a telegram from the Hon. John M'Kenzie. He "ay: "T have to apologise for not b"ing able to h" with you to-day to say farewell to tho third contingent. I regret veiy much Hint chciunstances have oven<uatod which necessitate my leaving for the south to-day. T had hoped to bo present to say farewell to our ronreaeiiia..

tives, who are going to take up ouch arduous duties in joining to assist the British army in South Africa. I foel confident that the Rough Riders' Contingent, from what I have seen of them, arc equal to any other fighting men wlio arc likely to take part in the .struggle toi' liberty which is now going on in the Transvaal. As a member of the Government of New Zealand, I foci proud that our colony has done so well, and that so much public spirit has been shown by our citizens in providing the ncccs'.iry funds for equipping and sending forth in the best possible manner the young men of our colony who are prepared to do "battle on behalf of the mother country, and who may, perhaps, sacrifice their own lives in doing so. I have a special interest in this contingent, as a nephew of my own is a member of it, who, I hope, will do honour to his clan. Again expressing my regret that I will not be able to be present to say farewell and God-speed to Our Boys. — I am, yours, faithfuiiy, John M'KeKzie. His Worship the Maj^or of ChrUtchurch and Members of the Demonstration Committee." — (Cheers.) The Mayor then went on to &ay : I have received from a large number of the mayors who were invited to be present to-day telegrams regretting their inability to attend. Time will not permit of my reading all their messages to you, but they one and all unite in desiring me to express their fervent wishes that you may be very successful, and" return safely. His Excpllency and the Premier have expressed, on behalf of the colony, the great debt that wo owe you. I wish to do so as, representing Canterbury. You have phown great courage in volunteering to assist in a work which is now known to be fraught with con-fidei-able clanger ; and courage, ia my opinion, is the chief virtue. As we worship beauty and purity in a woman, so does our heartfelt admiration pour forth to the man of courage. (Applause.) It is hard at a time so close to that in which we are wont to wish "peace on earth and goodwill to men " to have to feel otherwise ; but there is a time to pray and a time to fight ; a time in which our manhood asserts itself, and we arise in the nobility of our Anglo-Saxon blood and insist upon peeing justice done. However Britain may be envied and perhaps hated by some, even her enemies have to admit the beneficence of her rule. You are going to a strange land to assist in extending that rule, and may your aid, &o eagerly and nobly proffered, help such a desirable end. — (Cheers.) It is needless to remind you that the eyes of New Zealand will be upon you, and our hearts with s"ou. You are the trustees of our good name, and we confidently leave it in your hands, knowing full well that whether in camp or the field you will act your part nobly, and I can only add that I trust that an All-Powerful Providence will guard and watch over you, and bring you safely back to us. — (Cheers.)

Bishop Grimes spoke most eloquently. He drew an analogy between the j\ r ew Zealand contingent and the Crusaders of eld. The cry which centuries ago came from the Ea^t saying that the land where the light of truth first- shone was about to fall into the hands of the Mussulmans — the bitterest foes of civilisation — had its repetition in the cry which now reached us, and told us how the liberty and the rights of those bound to us by the ties oi flesh aid blood on the bonds ot a common brotherhood had been trampled under foot. It told us how ii threat of defiance had been hurled in tho face of our mother country. This by a tyrannical oligarchy, the foe of alltrue civilisation and progress. That cry told us how the gauntlet had besn thrown dovtu by a race reckless of truth, unfaithful to the most solemn promises ; n raco described us one subject to alternate fits of lethargic sloth and wild, animal-like courage ; a r.\ee as narrowminded, prejudiced, and fanatical as li, :s: s full of. craft and cunning. That cry was taken up by everyone beneath the Southern Cross, but nowhere did it find a more symjiathetic response than in the hearts of our young- New Zealanders. Like the Crusaders of old, it was taken up by a first, then o second, and now b}- a third contingent, made up of the noblest and the best in this fair land, With a "God wills it! God will-- it!" they answered in deeds, and in word — ''We. too, will it; we, too, are willing — aye, cager — to go to the rescue of our down-trodden brothers or kinsfolks." Bishop Grimes referred in glowing terms to the outburst of loyalty and patriotism which culminated in the proceedings of that day ; and, in conclusion, earnestly warned the contingent that though mistakes might be made, and there might le fresh reverses or appalling disasters, a spirit of criticism against legitimate authority must not be harbouied. Blind obedience is a soldier's duty — the sole pledge and assurance of success. No matter tlTe present or the future reverses, British valour must ultimately tuiuinph and be victorious. A fervent invocation that the God of Armies would guard, guide, and de f end them closed the address. Bishop J tili us offered up prayers, the Lord's Prayer being repeated by the assemblage. Cheers were giver for the Governor and Lady Ranfurly, the contingent, the mothers and sweathcarts left behind them, tho mayor, and the Premier, the cheering being accompanied by the waving of the flags of the thousands of school children. A verse of the National Anthem was sung, and the ceremony enrWl. The speeches were worthy of the occasion, thouah their previous preparation was elearJy betrayed by the absence of any jubilant expression. THE PROCESSION. The procession was quickly formed, the Oamaru Garrison Band being gi\ en the leading position. The volunteers followed, then the carriages of the Premier and other Ministers and the Governor, and finally the Rough Riders (on foot, as were yll the loices except the guard of honour). Several bands were included in the procession, and "Soldiers of the Queer! " was the prevailing march. The route was by Armagh «lre«4. Colombo st, Cathedral square, High «tveel, and Manchester street to the railway station, and from the platform in the park to the gates of the station there was a dense throng of spectators. Every place along the route which was capable of it appeared to bo decorated, and balconies, windows, garden walls, and even the roofs of buildings were occupied, often to the point of danger. A clear way was made for the procession, and the cheeiing of the Premier and the Governor was incessant, but the contingent was. simply rushsd by those determined to shake hands, and many whose faicwclls were ol a more affectionate nature, and towards t l c fc. minus the march was in very ii regular order. All the way the cheeiing w.t- wildly enthusiastic. Such a displ'iy of uuinl er-. and enthusiasm was never before seen in Olnistchuroh. and it is said tint it far surpassed the Wellington demonstrations. Th p public were excluded fiorn the railway station, and the entraining was quickly and safely accomplished, fluid le.ic-hmeuls woie distributed, and the louir.ej to Lyttclfon was quickly made. AT LYTTELTON The scene at Lyttelton was most striking.

The streets, the wharves, the shipping, and the slopes of thn hills were covered with spectators. Ships were gaily dressed with bunting, and flags and banners were flying everywhere. The local committee adopted the sensible idea of giving the contingent and visitorp a good luncheon, and in the hands of Caterer Burke the idea was carried out well. About five hundred sat down in the Drillshed, the Mayor (Mr Radcliffe) being supported by the Governor, the Premier, Bishop Julius, Colonel Penton, Major Jowsey, and-ya number of other notable-. The toasts were only three in number — " The Queen." " The Governor," and " The Third Contingent." In replying to the toast of his health, his Excellency read tin extract from the Berliner Po^t, a leading German paper, received by last mail, highly apprcciatory of the calmness of the British nation under reverses, and the heroism of the troops in ftice of death. Success to the " New Zealand Rough Riders " was proposed by the Premier, who took occasion to strongly reprehend the publication by newspaper correspondents and their employers of occurrences which, though really trifling, pueh as punishments for slight breaches of discipline, were calculated to hurt the feelings of relatives and friend', and throw discredit on gallant voting men. He ako condemned the adverse comments by fome members of the first contingent on other regiments fighting along with them. Mai or Jowsey and Captains Rose and Chaytor responded in a few worcU. Captain Rose, a Jjyttelton man, was given rounds of cheer?. The luncheon lasted a little over an hour, and the contingent were then dismissed for an hour to pay good-bye to their friends, a fenced enclosure being set apart for this purpose. The contingent fell in at 3 o'clock, and MARCHED TO THE WHARF. At this time the streets and approaches to the wharf were deusety thronged, and there were some cases of fainting' in the crowd, which pressed to the barrier at the wharf as the contingent passed through. The lonic and the Koramea, which overlooked the troopship, the Knight Templar, were crowded chiefly with ladie=. On the lonic were the ChrUtehureh Garrison Band and a large choir, including the children of the LytteUon public and Native schools, several of the Maoris being in Native dreas. The Premier i:a-s=ed along the lines and chatted with many of the Rough Rider?. On tho Governor's airhal the children fans? the National Anthem. His Excellency read the latest cablegram from tbe Ageiil-seiieral. which brought --rolongec l cheering, and then addre^ed a few feeling w orcU of farewell and good wishes to the contingent, which v-eie acknowledged by c'.ieers for his Excellence and Lady Ranfurly. The Premier spoke of the gvent .-igniiioaiico of the evert os showing that the resources of the Emoiie were uu'known, and could not be mcTuircd. He referred to tl.o father of Lady Ranfurly, aged nearly seventy, soluntcering for service. He declared the Knight Templai carried the most valuable cargo which had ever left New Zealand, and .■aid the memory of mothers and children and other.-, dear to them wo aid urge them to show themselves c.'orthv men. New Zealand's record that day was glorious. ?nd he iva 5 confident i 1 vovld be doubly glorious with the third contingent. He wished them good lurk and GM-sneed, and that they might '" strike it hea^y " on tho other side. The Mayor briefly assured the contingent that the sympathies and good wishes of the country were with them, and exhorted them to play the man and show that they were worthy to be soldiers o[ the Empire.

Bishop Julius said that their lp=-t words would be words of prayer. He had placed on board the ship in the care of Maior Jowsey a copy of a small book of prayer for each man in the contingent, with a few words from himpelf printed in each. He hoped the books might be of service to the men. The Bishop then offered up a prayer and pronounced tho benediction. A later telegram with the news from Kimberley was here put into the Premier's hands, and read and cheered. Mr Seddon added that if more men were required more would he sent, and they would not atop until a complete v'ctorv had been achieved by the British army. The Premier also referred to the valuable services rendered by the Union Steam Ship Company and their foreman, Mr Daniel. At the Premier's call, hearty cheers were given for Mr Daniel. Cheerp for the Premier and Mrs Seddon followed, and " Aukl lang- syne " was sun?. The contingent was then drawn up into line, and the work of embarkation was begun. As the men answered to their name^. and passed up the gangway, those of them who had been members of volunteer corps were cheered by their comrades. Captain Rose was carried shoulder high to the gangway by the Lyttellon Navals, and Lieutenant Lewin, the well-known clerk of the course of the Canterbury Jockey e Club, was given a royal parting by the members of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. Punctually at 5 p.m. (strict punctuality was observed all day) the Knight Templar cast off and steamed out toward" the heads, escorted by a fleet of other steamers, which steamed round her and cheered her as she lay at anchor. The Knight Templar will not sail for two or three days, as the 'tween decks accommodation for horses requires to be entirely remodelled, being at present insufficiently ventilated. The contingent will, however, remain on board, and, as the Premier told them, it will be 0 calm beginning of their voyage. % WELLINGTON, February 17. Some 20 Taranaki volunteers who came down last night on the way to the Cliristchuroh demonstration found when they arrived that all the steamers had gone. They were under the impression that one bo?t was to be kept back for the northern train, and were greatly disappointed. Some of the men now in training at \he camp are beginning to grumble at not being paid, especially as they have a month's detention in prospect. Some of them having given up situation-., are short of money. CHRISTCH TT RCH. February 18. On Friday evenina the Right Eon. the Premier entertained the We=tland members of the Rough Riders' contingent at dinner. Sovpr.il "Webt Const gontlerr.cn were amonpr the guests. The Mayo 1 ' of Hokitika occupied the vire-ohair. Mr Scldon proposed the toast of " Westlancl members of the contingent." and iv the course of a sympathetic speech said he hod no doubt that the men would acquit Ihomtphen with credit. Mrs .Seddon hod inf exited her.-elf on behalf of the men, and had collected n number of articles to supply a kit of comforts for their use on the vovns™. thu, placing them in the same position as their comrade 1 ! from other centre-. In n'ldiiion, Mr Seddon handed o^rr a pur-c of 20 s-iverel^ii'- which htH been subscL-ibxl, and v, as to be equally divided r.mo'i" the men. Before the embarkation on Saturday tho Premier's party again saw the mea, and had

February ""

a final farewell. Buttons and trinkets werff given to Mrs Seddon as mementoes. As the contingent, with the local ai^d visiting volunteers, marched from the park through the principal streets yesterday to the railway station to entrain foi* Lyttelton the scene was one of wild enthusiasm. The streets were gay with flags and bunting, and thronged with thousands of people, who cheered themselves hoarse. The Cathedral bells rang a neal as the contingent marched through the square, and from this point the crowd was &o great that it was with difficulty progress was made. At the station the -volunteers lined the roadway, and the contingent, with the Governor. Premier, and other* went through to Lytlelton by special train. Here they were greeted by enormous crowds, long trains having been despatched from Christchurch station at intervals of 15 minutes. February _"". The visiting volunieer officers were ci I attained by the local officers on Saturday night. Trains and steamers were crowded with returning visitors. The troopship Knight Templar left the hcids for Albany at 7.60 last night. Yesterday morning a message was received from the Knight Templar stating that the Rough R'dcrs vere disappointed on finding that there were no musical instruments on board. Mr G-. G. Stead was communic?ted with by telephone, and he at, once promised to rectify the omission. The time was short, but Mrs Stead was equal to the occasion, and she decided to send a piano from her own house 'as a present to the men. The messnge was only received in Chr&tclnirch at 11 a.m.. and by the 2.30 afternoon train the piano was pe:it by rail to Lyttelton. The troopers, who greatly appreciated the gift, made good use of the piano during the afternoon and evening. JnCrs Stead wroto *to Maior Jowsey stating that she was pleased to be able to make the men a present of the piano, suggesting th.it on arrival in South ..Africa they should sell it, and use the proceeds for the pvrp-isa oi forming the nucleus of an amusement fund. The mil in train conveying the military to Lyttelton on Saturday consisted of ovci 50 carriages, and contained over 2EOO people. The quantity of oats shipped on board the troops-hip Knight Templar w;<« 19,875 ! sacks. j Thirty thousand people went through | from Chri.-tchurch to Lvltelton by train on Saturday. Tbe gi>Mp of the city 10-day h w3iolly taken up by the splendid send-nfV of the Rotu;L Rideis on Saturd-iv. When early in January ~ttv G. G. Stead advocated pvov'd'ng and equipping by p-.iblic subscription :; mj.vi n* light hor-8 or io;iL'h riders for South Africa, few, if any, besides the proposer imagined that .so fine a b jdv as the 250 men shipped in the Knight Templar could be despatched within four weeks, ;.nd that 500 additional men would be ready tn follow m a month. THE ' ACCOMMODATION OF THE KNIGHT TEMPLAR Statements having been publish d_ that the accommedntioii o.i the troopship T vniglit Templar for liorf.es and men was imuicnuate excited a good deal of comment Some gentlemen who went on bowl ilm ship as she lay in the stream on Sunday were interviewed. The accommodation f'-r the men was. considered very bad by the visitors, who expressed themselves very strongly on the matter, but the arrangements for the horses were considered to be even Avorse. The opinion was freely expressed that those on the forwaid deck would be drowned should bad weather be met with. Those on the after decks were more comfortably situated, but the animals in the holds, will have a very bad time from want of light and ventilation. A rumour circulated to-day that the Knight Templar had returned to Lvltellon caused a good deal of anxiet}". The story probably arose through someone misfaking the steamer Undaunted approaching the harbour for the troopship.