CROMWELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 39

CROMWELL.

February 14. — Although the dredging fever is again with us, it has been almost smothered out "of existence by the war fever. This distric: has no occasion to be ashamed of the part it has taken in upholding the honour of the Empire. We contributed about £120 to tlu patriotic fund, exclusive of .£l7 raised at Bamiockburn by the postmistress there, and last Wednesday we had a meeting to see what could be done to help the fourth contingent, and on Saturday evening the committee found that they had £50 and several volunteers. The list of Cromwell volunteers is at present Messrs Ernest Jolly, Henry Solomon. Thomas Smith, "William Eady, Robert Philips, Frank and James Mason, all of whom are physically of

an excellent type. The list contains the name of our best footballer and our crack cyclist. All these are wiling, at their country's call, to throw up good billets for the dangers and hardships of a soldier's life, the more honour to them for it. Bannockburn, which is acting independently of Cromwell, sends three recruits, Messrs J. M'Cabe, Arthur Lawrence, and William Crombie, all used to riding and to rough hill work — the very stamp of men wanted. At time of writing Ido not ■know what has been done towards mounting and equipping these men. Two of the Crom> well volunteers, Jolly and Solomon, provide themselves wich horses and equipment; one of the Masons has been provided with a horse by -the patriotic generosity of Mr J. L. Scott. Eady and Smith can do a lot towards equipping themselves. At Saturday's meeting, the committee purchased two horses, to be named Cromwell and Kawarau, and will very likely purchase a third, which will be called Clutha. A farewell social will be held on Monday evening, and our boys leave for camp on Tuesday morning, when they will get a right royal send-off. Each and all of our volunteers are good men and if accepted will do good work. Individually they are not afraid of 100 Boers, and that is the spirit to tackle an enemy in. We hope they will be accepted, and will return safe and sound from the field of battle.