THE FOURTH CONTINGENT

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 26

THE FOURTH CONTINGENT

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND SECTION. . A WET DAY IN CAMP. FOUR SOUTHLAND HORSES REJECTED. THURSDAY.

The rain interfered considerably with the work at the camp on Wednesday. Four squads went clown to the Pelichet Bay range in the morning in charge of Lieutenants Freeman, Macdonald, M'Donald, and Sergeant-major Knee. No soon% had one squad got through than the rain came down, and the men could not see the target. There was nothing for it but to return to camp, and, naturally, both officers and men were soaked. Fortunately, it was a warm, summer rain, and the afternoon sun helped materially to dry everything. A squad sent out 'for mounted drill on the Ocean Beach under Captain Morris also got a ducking, but the discomfort did not seem to put anyone about. The,, camp and parade ground take the wet wonderfully well, and instead of Forbury Park being transformed into a slushy swamp, with the water squeezing up at every step, the surface of the ground was firm ancl fairly olean. Some dolorous critics predicted that the horse lines would become a quagmire with the fir3t shower, ancl that the animals would stand knee deep in mud, but tliis has not come about, ancl their quarters are fairly comfortable, About a dozen are pa the siok lisij.

and have been isolated; but there is nothing serious wrong with any of them, most of the damage being done by their getting kicked on the lines. There are some rare kickers among the camp horses, and a number pay the penalty for this bad habit by being compelled to endure the indignity of heel ropes. Four squads, comprising .about 140 men, were kept hard at dismounted drill all the afternoon. Sectional movements, and movements in extended order were repeated over and over again, and as this is the very foundation of their education as mounted rifles, they cannot have too much of it. The officers in charge were Captain Morris and Lieutenants Macdonald, M'Donald, and Bau-

Captain Stronach was busy with the Southland horses most of the afternoon, and the whole lot were inspected, with the result thai four had to be rejected. A number of acting corporals have been appointed, ancl the following is a list: — G. A. Ross, Robt. Tubman, J. Jolly,- Keddell, A. H. Challis, Gotik, and R. M'Kenzie. These men wear a band of scarlet braid on their arm to distinguish them from the rank and file. Discretion has been exercised in the choice, and when the contingent get on board the troopship several of them will probably show three bars on their uniform instead of two. Lieutenant M'Millan left, -the camp on Wednesday, having spent three days under canvas, and did serviceable work while there. The camp roll is now up to 211. A large marquee has been erected on the north side of the camp, and it is said to be for the purpose of putting up shower baths for the use of the men. THE MEN IN CAMP. TEe following additional men went into camp on Wednesday : — Seth Kyle, 21, farm labourer; no former service. John Robertson Lamond, 22, stockrider ; no former service. John Salter, 22, butcher ; served in Port Chalmers Navals. William Marshall, 30, sheep farmer; served in North Otago Mounted Rifles, and went Home with Jubilee Contingent. W. B. Henry, 21, butcher; no former service. John Andrew, 23, baker; no former service. William Gunn, 21, butcher; no former service. Jas. Jones, 21, farmer; was member Waikouaiti Club. Charles Stewart Dalgleish, 22, farmer; no former sendee. WAR OFFICE. The staff and Organising Committee are still kept busy at the War Office. The committee met twice on Wednesday, and got through a large amount of business of a routine character. THE OAMARU VOLUNTEERS. The following letter has been sent by the Organising Committee to Colonel Headland, of Oamaru : — I am in receipt of your letter of yesterday's date. We are sorry that any difficulty has arisen betwe« us and the Oamaru district. In the first place, we have never been informed of the number of men coming from your district, and axsplications have not even been sent in from most of them. Technically speaking, as the applications were not received here, they should have been rejected as out of time. We are, under the circumstances, taking applications from, all the men now. It -will, however, not be possible for us to allow more than 13 to go into camp. Before these men go into camp> we hays to ask you to send us the equipment money and horses. Yoii will, of course understaud in the event of the 13 first-named failing, that any one or other of the seven to make up fuch. failures can then go into camp It is essential, however, thai you at once serxi us the equipment money and horses for the 13. as these nmsl become the unconditional property of the committee as soon as presented The committee, of course, cannot guarantee th-r 13 will be accepted finally, but will do all iv their power to give the Oomaiu district ar equivalent representation with the rest of Otago. With reference to the Shaw-Savill donation, it was given to this committee absolutely without any expression that any portion of it should be devoted to any district.

A copy of the above letter was also sent to the Mayor of Oamaru. — UNOFFICIAL ITEMS.

The members of the Fernhill Club have, m addition to the present of four horses already naade by them, handed to the committee ot the fourth contingent a cheque for £35 Ith towards the purchase of horses for the contingent. The sum presented includes a specipl donation of £12 10s by Mr Massey, of Invercargill, one of the members of the club.

Some surprise has been expressed at tho low amount of the tender. (ss' per pair) which, has been accepted from Messrs Bing, Harris and Co. for the supply of boots to the contingent, and it has been hastily assumed in certain quarters that as a consequence boots of inferior quality will be supplied. A moment's reflection would show the groundlessness of this assumption. The boots have to be made in. accordance with specification, ancl of a certain class of leather, and before delivery iB taken of them they have to be passed by an expert acting on behalf of tho Contingent Committee. It is due both to Messrs Bing, Harris, and Co. and to the Contingent Committee that this explanation should be made. The fact is thai Messrs Bing, Harris, and Co. tendered for the manufacture of the boots at less than half their cost price, the difference between the amount of their tender and the cost representing a donation from them to the contingent fund. TEe names of Miss Matheson and Miss J. Clemison were omitted from the published list of ladies assisting at the refreshment booth at the floral fete at Port Chalmers.

Our Palmerston correspondent writes : — The residents here do not intend to be behind other districts in the matter of con-

tributing to the fourth contingent and re. mount fund. The Palmerston Brass Band are now moving in the matter, and intend holding a social in the Town. Hall on Friday, 23rd inst. They will be assisted by the ladies of the district. It is anticipated that the Hon. J. M'Kenzie will give an address on the occasion. His Worship the Mayor and town councillors are actively assisting in the matter, so that a bumper house is assured, and a satisfactory addition to the funds should, eventuate. THE MEDICAL TESTS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I have received many letters, telegrams, and also verbal communications re men applying for the fourbli contingent. Other officers assure me that they have the same experience. JS > doubt this has been done with the best intention, but it does not strike us so. Every communication of the kind really means that the writer considers that his or her influence will weigh with us, or, in other words, that we are to be gofc at, and we — at any rate I — resent this sort o£ thing. I put a black mark against any man. I am asked about, and have him very specially examined. Our business — I am speaking only for the medical board, but I am sure I am echoing the voices of all the others conccr led — is to select the best ami most efficient men. without fear or favour. We have quite enough, to do without outside interference'. — I am, etc., i Haeex A. De Latjtouk, | Lieutenant-colonel P.M.O. j A GOOD DAY'S WORK IN GAMP. TEN MORE MEN REJECTED. ■ FRIDAY. A lot of^ work was got through at the camp on Thursday. Neither officers nor mon were spared, and it is doubtful if anything further could have been crammed into the day's routine. Early in the morning the branding of the Southland horses was begun, under the supervision of Captain Price, and the work occupied tiro or three hours. Sergeant-major Knae had a ?quad of 36, whom he drilled all the mornina; in manual exercises with the carbine, and wi \n he had done with them most of them kne.v how to hold their rifles. Dismounted drill was carried on by Lieutenants Macdonakl aid M'Donalcl and Corporal Marshall, while Captain Morris and Lieutenant Freeman tock a more advanced squad out on the Ocean Beach, and gave them mounted drill. While all this was going on, Captain Stronach and Veterinary Captain Snowball and Captain Harvey were putting a, number of men through the preliminary riding tes 1 . This lasted all day. and no less than 80 were put through, with the result that 10 were rejected. This brings the total number of rejected men up to 50 since the camp instruction began. There are only a few more to undergo the preliminary riding te&t, and probably after this a man's place in the contingent will depend-on the manner in which, he adapts himself to the mounted rifle drill.. The present camp roll, exclusive of all rejected men, is somewhere about 200, and it is improbable that much time- will be. lost in reducing the numerical strength of the contingent, to the required number. The parade of the clay was held in the afternoon, when Captain Morris took out about 70 men in three divisions, under Lieutenants Freeman. Macdonald, and Bauchop. Forbury Pa-.fc is. mrch 100 small for mounted drill, and the (Jcojh Beach is the only available spot. Opposite Onslow House thare is a, waste of sand about a mile long and three furlong's broad. It makes a heavy drilling ground, but this is not altogether a disadvantage, for a number of the hc-rsea, being fresh and unused to the drill, need something' to steady them.- A couple of hours' work fetlock rle3p in sand is wonderfully efficacious in quieienuig them down. Yesterday afternoon a string south-west wind was blowing — the sort ex wind that, laden with sand, will" equal th° hottest sun in burning the face. The srik! whirled away in showers from the horses' ted; and from half-past 2 till about 5 o'clock the whole body were exercised up and doviii the beach, in all the different formatioiis which form part of mounted rifie driil. "Ths company first drew up in line, and th<m forming into three divisions moved off in column of division?. To form company the rear division moves up on the- left and the becond division Oil the right of the leading; division, and the whole body is once more iir line. - Act dancing in line, in divisions, in column ef sections, etc., was practised till the men bei.&n t more and more famjliar with the movements. The extended order drill which, concluded ti- parade was very well done. At .Fortran Park acting Lieutenant Macdonald the • Southlanders busy -with, mounted drill, ancl good work was done here also. In the evenir.c Captain Stronach and Captain Price were .very busy with the camp books — the howe register and the nominal roll, etc., which, iv long as so many are coming ancl going, req'iire a good deal of looking after. About 140 ja^n were permitted to accept Iho Orchestral Society's invitation to be present at the siroke concert on Thursday night. The orderly off cor on Thursday was Acting Lieutenant Macd ,nald, and Sergeant Fox\v<i3 orderly serg-ant. Captain Morris will be orderly officer to-day. The public ?till display the keenest interest in everything about the camp, and as soon as the gates are opened at 6 o'clock people swarm in in Ire 'feeds. THE MEN IN CAMP. The following men went into camp oifl Thursday : — John William Barraclou|h, 25, bootmaker; 1 served seven years in volunteers. _ William Frank "White, 21, miner ; served six years Naseby Rifles. Robert Henry Ward, 22, farm hand ; served in volunteers. Edward John Massey, 26, bushman and shearer ; served in volunteers.

Frederick Henry Collis, 27, farmer; served in cadets. , Thos. Hogg, 34, shepherd; no former service. '■ Arthur Francis Stock, 21, farmer; served an volunteers. Silas Lousley, 27, labourer; served two years North Otago Mounted Rifles. i Alfred' James Roberts, 27, stockman; Berved in volunteers. Frank Pettingill, 25, station storekeeper; £.0 former service. William Harris, 27, shearer ; served in volunteers in Australia. John Armit Millar, 22, labourer ; no former F» Gr VIOG Alex. M*Lennan, 36, farmer; served in .Volunteers. Alfred Thomson, 24-, farmer; no former service. David Howatson, 27, ploughman; no foramer service. David Turner, 28, ploughman; no former service. Herbert Thomas Alexander Lilburne, 33, printer ; sergeant in Bruce Rifles. PATRIOTIC MEETING AT MIDDLEMARCH. On Wednesday evening a patriotic meeting ■was held in. Webb's Hall, and towards 8 o'clock it seemed doubtful if many would come out, as the weather was anything but good. However, a strong gale of wind, accompanied with na6ty showers of rain, did :not keep the people at" home, and shortly after 8 o'clock Webb's Hall held one of the largest gatherings ever seen in the township; Mr 'John -Elliott was chairman, and Messrs Buckland, Harrison, and Carnoross, M.H.R., occupied seats on the platform. The meeting opened with the National Anthem, and after ; a few introductory remarks by the Chairman, ; a piano duet was given by Misses M'Cassey and Ulrioh, and the audience showed its appreciation of good music. Mr Buckland gave an address, which proved not only interesting, tut also instructive, and was most suitable | to the occasion. Miss Lulu Roberts sang, ; and was brought back again with hearty \ •clapping and stamping. Mr Farquhar Yopng, ! of Dunedin, proved the life of the meeting, | and was brought back again and again. Mr , Sutherland gave several very interesting recitations. The following also" took part : — Miss i Kuby Roberts, violin boIo; Mr M'Olintock, j song ; Mr Matnieson, song ; Miss Webb, song. Mrs Hunter- Weston and Mrs Mathieson were j the accompanists. Addresses were given by j Measrs Carncross arid Harrison, and Mr ] ,Young recited "Bobs." The amount sub- j scribed by the Strath is as follows : — Gross : receipts of concert, £21 12s sd ; collected with lists, £83 14s 9d; thrown on sheet at the kinematograph performance, 17s 3d ; em- ; ?loyees Gladbrook (previously remitted), £31 ■ 0b; — total, £137 14s sd. Middlemarch also ; subscribed £2 odd at the bellringers' perform- i ance. , ' GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS. Mr H. S. Brookman writes that £27 10s is subscribed by the following commercial travellers : — James Malcolm, James Hutton, J. Barnett, J. G. Gow, J. A. X. Riedle, H. S. Brookman, J. Collins, Fred Bennett, J. Fancourt, W. Poole, W. fi. Duke. J. H. Kitt, George Wright, William M'Lean, Frank Haig, F. W. Robertson, *W. J. Carden, Joe Wright, I. De Beer, J. S. Pearson, W. A. Marshall, H. H.. Cohen,. J. Purvis, Dr De Carle, G. D. Turner, W. Drew, Fred Kemplin, W. H. Fahey, C. J. Coombs, M. S. Todd, W. Bright, Robert Young, J. Heatley, J. M.NLaing, J. F. Marshall, D. M'Pherson, S. P. Eaton, A. Wedderspoon, iW. Wright, R. Emerson, R. W. Godfrey, Albert Wright, Joe Waite, B. R. Simpson, C. Owen, W. B. Haywood, A. Jognson, Ted Woods. K. Gray, Alf. Archenhold, D. Kingston, W. Bagley, W. Murie, Harry Hart, E. W. Wade. The sum of £18 is already in hand, and the balance is to be collected. Kaitangata forwards a cheque for £25 for tho equipment of Riddell, and the mayor intimates that the local committee will, he believes, be able tp^supply the price of another horse. The following additional subscriptions have been received: — Otago Paper Mill em--ployees, £25; J. H. Morris (Timaru), £1; Kaitangata Committee, £25 ; Mrs M'Nab (Mornington), 2s 6d; Dunedin Club, £35 10s; Dunedin doctors, £23 Ze; Braemar House, £7 3s, in addition to the amount preriously subscribed; Waipahi Committee, £25 ; collected by Master Warsaw, £1 0s 6d ; Mra M'Dermott, £2 ss, in. addition to amount previously collected. A number of additional applications for enrolment have been received, but unless it is for the purpose of making an equitable representation of the districts, no further enrolment .can. be permitted. The Dunedm Burns Club decided on Wednesday to give a horse to the fourth contingent, and the sum of £10 12s '3d was collected at the meeting, and it was resolved to make tip the bstlanoe required for the purpose mentioned from the reserve fund of the club. The Mosgiel Committee have decided to fully equip from that district four men, who are already provided with horses — viz., R. Smeaton (from the East Taieri Rifles), D. Gibson (from the Oddfellows), J. Sutherland (who has supplied his own horse), and G. Williams (whose horse was supplied by the Biccarton residents. The horses will be known by the following names: — Volunteer horse, "Kirsty of Woodlands" ; Oddfellows', "Noble Grand"; G. Williams's, "Riccarton"; J. Sutherland's, "Mosgiel." The ■Mosgiel subscriptions total £130, and the treasurer of the fund has been instructed to forward £100 to Dunedin to provide equipments for the four men on their being acofepted. The question of sending further remounts by the Undaunted has been discussed by the committee, who on Thursday sent the following telegram to Colonel Penton: "Can only Bend 10 more horses for the Undaunted ; but if the Government wish we will procure, at the Government expense, such further horses as may be required, through our buyers, who are experienced men. The adoption of this course will probably be a saving in cost." The present position, then, is that the Otago-South-land Committee are prepared to send thirty, instead of twenty remounts. , Messrs J. W. Faulkner and Sons have agreed, instead of providing the picketing pegs, to supply all the iron rings and shoes connected with the , heel picketing pegs. The British and Colonial Waterproof Company offer to make 150 waterproof sheets for the contingent. The Blue Spur committee have already sent a horse for James Gray, and now advise that £25 is forwarded for equipment. The Mosgiel committee send £50 to provide a horse and equipment for Harry Miller. The horse is a gift from some residents of Saddle Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen advise jthat the khaki cloth ordered for last^ week's boat has not come to hand, but they expect it next jveek. Tokorahi advises that £60 19s 6d has been fcolleoted in iUt diekiofe

( THE SUBSCRIPTION LIST. i The following additional subscriptions have , been received: — Waikoikoi residents £25, 1 Owaka residents £17, Mosgiel committee £50 i (in addition to £100 already sent in), Blue j Spur committee £25, Sawyers' Bay £6 10s (in I addition to a previous subscription of £22 IJJs 6d), the Locomotive department of the railI ways £27 5s 6d, A. C. Broad £5, St. Bathans committee £75 2s 6d, Tapanui committee £90. | The committee have received £16 3s 9d from ! Mr Flamank, hon. secretary of the. Sawyers' Bay contingent fund, subscribed as follows; Mr and Mrs Charles Duke £5, Mr Charles Leijon £5, school children's donation £2 8s 3d, Mr Edward Laby £1, Messrs O. D. Flamank, J. Nelson, W. H. Rennie, and F. Foote 10s each, Mr Layburn 5s 6d, Mr Maurais and Mrs Marshall 5s each; — total, £16 3s 9d. ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT. A smoking concert which was given by the Dunedin Orchestral Sooiety in the Agricultural Hall on Thursday night in aid of the contingent fund proved a modified success. The inevitable collection on the singing of " The absent-minded beggar," raised the handsome sum of £10 12s. The National Anthem, fervently sung by the whole audience, was the last item, un<l it wo* followed by enthusiastic cheering, in the midst of which the bugle call warned the con- , tingent to fall in. This they did in Crawcoul street without delay, and amid rene%ve>l cheering they were driven away in drags to the camp. I WHAT IS BEING DONE ELSEWHERE, j AUCKLAND, February 20. The Rough Riders in camp are discontented at the fact that the men will be some ! three weeks under canvas without getting any j pay. It is thought some small allowance j should be made to volunteers present. Three i officers and 66 men of the proposed Rough j Riders' Contingent are in camp at Potter's i paddock. They take part in a sham fight in , the Domain on Saturday in aid of the patri- ! otic fund. j February 21. : At the Brough's matinee at the Opera House in aid of the patriotic fund the proceeds totoalled £172. Mr George Reid sang "The i Absent-minded Beggar," and £18 10s addi- '' tional was thrown on the stage. ' A number of ladies have contributed a case ; of hospital comforts for the New Zealand contingent containing 60 suits pyjamas, a dozen nightingale bed jackets, a dozen knitted j wool socks, 18 knitted caps. Dr Moir con- : tributed 800 rolls of bandages, specially prepared, also several parcels of boric wool dressing and surgical tow splints. ; February 22. ! In inspecting the Rough Riders contingent i this afternoon his Excellency the Governor asked the men to be put at jumping a wall, i which they did successfully in single file, and ; sections. After mounting and dismounting ; drill under Lieutenant Walker, he went down the lines and conversed with the men who hailed from the Emerald Isle and from settlements in the north he had recently visited in his Jiorthern tour. He congratulated the corps on their appearance, considering the short time they had been in camp and Under drill. Over £3200 has been raised for the Rough Riders contingent. The Chinese of Auckland subscribed £20. A library is being made up for use of the contingent. NAPIER, February 20. At a meeting of the Hawke's Bay Third Contingent Committee it was resolved that the Government be communicated with to ascertain if they would accept a Hawke's Bay detachment for the fourth contingent now being raised ; and, if so, how many. It is understood that transport will be provided for the next contingent, and if so the committee will have funds to equip and deliver on board the transport about 30 men and horses. NELSON, February 20. Thirty-four men have offered for the fourth contingent. At the examination to-night 13 were weeded out, as it is only proposed to send eight men. -Four men are finding their own horses. | . . WESTPORT, February 21. A gift auction in aid of the Transvaal war fund held to-night was largely attended. The bidding was good. Mr Kirk's singing of "The Absent-minded Beggar " realised £3 10s 4-d. CHRISTCHURCH, February 22. At a meeting of the Contingent Demonstration Committee «6-day the draft balance sheet showed a surplus of £165, which will be returned to the contributing bodies in ratio cf their contributions. Among the beleaguered residents of Kimberley were the father and one of the brothers [ of Mr F. Montague, of this city, who are in | business there as wine and spirit merchants. j Another brother, who is in the business, and I had gone on a visit to Capetown, was pre- , vented from returning to Kimberley through the outbreak of war; and Mrs Montague, sen., went to England when matters took ! a serious turn in South Africa. Upon the | news of the relief of Kimberley being received j on Saturday, Mr*F. Montague cabled his j congratulations to his mother in London, and on Monday he had the satisfaction of re- | ceiving from her a reply which implied that i ehe had been in cable communication with her husband since the relief. Mr Montague hopes in due course to receive from "his father an account of his experiences in Kim- [ berley during the siege, and this will be placed at our disposal for publication upon its receipt. Among the Imperial Yeomanry who have gone to the front in South Africa is (the Jewish Chronicle reports) Trooper Ben Isaacs, of the Hants Carabineers, who is a first cousin of Messrs Philip and Alfred Isaacs, of Dunedin. The same paper mentions that Captain Claude L. Marks, of the j 4-th "Highland Light Infantry, has been ordered for service with the Imperial Yeoj manry. Captain Marks is married to a I daughter of- Mr A. Hoffnung, who is in Sydney connected with the firm of D. Benjamin and Co., of this city. EXCELLENT PROGRESS MADE WITH CAMP TRAINING. PROSPECTS OF AN EARLIER PAYDAY. SATURDAY. The work in camp on Friday was'varied to a degree. The preliminary riding tests were oonducted by Captains Stronach, Harvey, and Price and Lieutenant Freeman, and the men put through were mostly from North Otago, along with some 20 Southlanders. Only four failed absolutely^ to show good form on horseback, the majority shaping remarkably well. There were a couple of falls, and in each case the rider went over the hurdle without ' his horse. In one case a girth broke, as the* horse propped suddenly, -and the rider, "sticking to the saddle, shot over his horse's head, much to the amusement of the onlookers. No damage was done, so Dr Watt is still looking for patients. Camp life is so healthy 1 fehfttu gxoejpfc for. gecid^ats^ jth,o^ doctor baa a_u

easy time of it, and in this latter respect the Ota so carap has been singularly immune . Throe squads went down to tho Pelichet Bay range to see what they could do with the rifle, and they, were in charge of Lieutenants Pram, M'Donald, and Bauchop. The results were much the same as recorded in the previous tests, some being really good and others poor. In thf camp Lieutenant Morris, Lieutenant Freeman, and Sergeant-major Knee kept squads busy with dismounted drill, and Lieutenant Macdonald was entrusted with a troop of 13 sections on the Ocean Beach. This was rather a large company for one officer to manage, but Lieutenant Macdonald gjne them a useful hour or two in extended movements and attacking by sections. The afternoon parade on the Ocean Beach is always worth going out to see, and the public axe beginning t-o find this out. In spite of a strong wind which blew the sand about disagreeably, about 150 people occupied the Sandhills to obtain a view of what was going on. Captain Harvey was in command, and Captain Morris was in charge of the first division, Lieutenant Maodonald the seoond, and Lieutenant Freeman the third. Six sections constituted a division^ so that there were 72 men on parade, exclusive of the officers. The company was exercised in attack formation in extended order, advancing and retiring in succession.- The first division was extended by sections of 20yds interval, then the second and third divisions were brought up at a gallop through these intervals, and formed up about 200 yds in front of the first. The principle of the movement is, of course, that the first division shall continue firing to cover the advance of their comrades, and the firing is kept up until they oome through the intervals. The foremost division then supplies the firing line, and the division which has fallen to the rear again moves forward as described. It is by these tactics that mounted infantry in rough, hiily country pass from ridge to ridge, and keep up an almost continuous fire at the enemy. When the order is given to retire the movement is executed in a similar manner, each division in turn covering their comrades' retreat, and thus hampering the enemy's advance. While the mounted drill was being carried out on the Beach, Sergeant-major Knee had a squad of about 40 men in a large marquee in camp, and gave them a lecture on musketry. He very pointedly told them how to look after their best friend — their rifle. If is surprising the amount of attention the Martini-Enfield rifle or carbine requires, and how quickly it or any other modern rifle will deteriorate if not kept speckless. While referring to the carbine the contingent will use, we might as well correct a wrong impression as to what make of rifle it really is. It has been called the Lee-Enfield, the MartiniMetford, and the Lee-Metford ; but anyone who cafes to take a contingent carbine in his hand may read stamped on the lock: "M.E. .303, 1899." The oarbine has the Martini action and the Enfield barrel, and although not the most up-to-date rifle, it is a very fine weapon. The calibre is .303 in, taking a long, thin, nickel-coated bullet indented at the point. The sighting goes up to 2000 yards. At close range the carbine would leave a clean hole just as the Mauser rifles used by the Boers, and referred to in our correspondent's letters. About half a dozen men, who are under age, have been ordered to leave the camp. Among them are severaj really* good men, who have done first-class work while in camp, and are very much disappointed at being excluded from the contingent. The Waitahuna School children, in charge of Mr J. H. Patrick, head master, visited the camp on Friday. The youngsters were immensely pleased with what they saw, and inspected everything — from the guard tent to the pook house. It would be difficult to imagine a better object lesson for any school, and the patriot's duty in going out to fight for his country is forcibly impressed on the juvenile mind by the eight of the long rows of military tents, the mounted men drilling, and the squads being put through manual exercises with the rifles. If it does not interfere with the camp instruction and discipline, other schools might well follow the example set by Waitahuna. The orderly officer on Friday was Captain Morris, and Acting-sergeant Keddell was orderly sergeant. Lieutenant Freeman will be orderly officer to-day. [ THE, MEN IN CAMP. Only four additional men went into camp Friday: — Warren Allen Bowling, of the Permanent Artillery. William Russell, vaninan; served in volunteers. j Robert Anderson Drinnan, farmer ; no former service. ! R. T. Carruthers.* | * No particulars yet available. GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS. I Colonel Penton has telegraphed to the chairman of the Organising Committee stating that it was originally intended to embark the Fourth Contingent early in March, but a troopship not being available, the Government had decided to pay each non-commis-sioned officer and man of the Fourth Contingent from March 1 at half the rates of pay laid down in the volunteer regulations for men called out on active servioe. The full rate of pay will commence from the date the troops embark. The Secretary of the Southland Patriotic Committee has written intimating that they were sending four horses, three of which were i for remounts for their "boys," and the fourth a mount which had been selected by the Dunedin Commercial Travellers' Association. The residents of Blue Spur have forwarded £25 for the equipment of James Gray, for whom they had previously sent a horse. TEe maids of Dunedin have bought a horse for Mr Russell, and have forwarded £10 19s 9d for his equipment. ; Mr E. H. Reid has promised £5 5s to the contingent fund, and Mr J. W. Swift £10 10s. The Dunedin Amateur Boating Club horse i "Dabs," which had been reserved for | MAdam, who failed to pass the medical examination, is to go to C. S. Duff. Three applications for the position of surgeon (Drs James H. Neill, James Watt, and G. G. Gillon) have been referred to the Minister of Defence for consideration and selection. j Two applications have been lodged for the j post of chaplain (Mr Tennent and Mr A. R. D. Tosswill). These have also been referred to the . Minister of Defence for selection. The Dunedin Burns Club has forwarded £25 for the purchase of a horse. The committee are forwarding by Monday's train another 10 horses as remounts for ship- , ment by the Undaunted, which leaves Lyttel- \ ton on Tuesday. This brings the Otago and i Southland quota up to 30. I A complete list of all the horses so far purchased by the Horse Seleotion Committee has been made out, and the committee purt pose paying a visit to the camp tntlTafternoon ' and, gljpcajiinjyjjie ho^geg

It is pleasing to note that there is scarcely a trade in Dunedin or a district in Otago and Southland that has failed to provide a volunteer or a horse. So far, 59 have been rejected, either for riding or for being underage. The horse provided by the Otago Paper Mill employees for the contingent is to be ; called " Woodhaugh." : The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr Chisholm) has given his patronage to the contingent per- j formance at the Princess Theatre to-night. ! The Misses Logan, cf Popotunoa, Clinton, offer £50, if required, to equip a man and horse from Clinton. James Smith and Sons,_of Greenfield, are • sending from Waitahuna three horses. One i of these, given by the firm, is intended as a remount for Sergeant Hazlett, another as a gift from Messrs John Louden and William Turnbull. Mr J. A. Park and Mr W. A. Shields were 'on Friday appointed a subcommittee to make preliminary inquiries with a y view of drawing up a programme for the send-off to the contingent. They are to interview Mr Arthur j with reference to train arrangements on the Port Chalmers line, and are also to see the j municipal authorities as to the route, so as to come to a conclusion as to how best to secure a clear march for the troops. The subcommittee's duties will likewise embrace all matters connected with the handling _ of the crowd. They will also express an opinion as to whether there should be a separate function at Port Chalmers. The following additional subscriptions have been received: — Tapanui committee £90, Teschemaker and Ritchie (Otematata station) £26 ss, Bayley and Sons and employees £25, medical men £2 2s (in addition to £23 2s already subscribed), Mrs Justice Williams's dance £50, North-Eaet Valley committee £5 5s (in addition to amount already subscribed), Brighton residents £9 6s (collected by D. M'lntosh and George Westwood), Kuri Bush , residents £7 12s (collected by T. Walsh and I George Perkins), Mr George Blair £2, col- ! lected by Miss Maxwell £6 5s 6d, Mr Botting £1, Dunedin Burns Club £25, and the Dunedin maids £10 19s 9d. UNOFFICIAL ITEMS. Mr Abbott, on behalf of Mr Northcote, has offered to give the Contingent Fund Committee 5 per cent, of the groes takings of his kinematograph entertainment during the seaj son of six nights, opening on the 28th inst. Mr Garden, of Waitahuna, has received j half a ton of chaff from Mr Alfred Rowe to- { { ward second truck of forage that he is trying to collect from the Wailahuna farmers for ] the fourth contingent horses. j Mrs Langmaak, of Naseby, has volunteered to go to the Transvaal as one of the Otago nurses. The sum of £8 16s, of which amount only 12s 6d was required for expenses, was raised at Adams Flat on Friday, 16th inst., in aid of the fourth contingent fund. The residents of Saddle Hill have subscribed £20 for the purchase of a horse, to be called Te Puke, the Maori for "The Hill." j The individual subscriptions were : — Residents of .Saddle Hill: Mr and Mrs Murdoch £1 Is; Messrs James R. Walker, A. Hunter, J. Gi'acie, Thomas Finnic, sen., and James Barron, sen., £1 Is each; Messrs Andrew Hatelie and Christie (Broomlea), £1 each ; Messrs James Gracie, Mr J. Hatelie, a friend, i M. B. Finnic, Thomas Finnic, jun., John ] M'Master, and D. Davidson, sen., 10s 6d each ; j Messrs William Barron, J. Hunter, Jas. Callander, James Fegans, John Harris, John Stewart, sen.-, and Wilson Bros., 10s each; Messrs E. M'.Killop, John Stewart, jun., ' Walter Jaffray, Alexander Callander, sen., ! W. L. Christie. Thomas Thomson, John Gibb, M. Gibb, R. Callander, and D. Kennedy, 5s ench; Kennedy boys, 3s; Messrs Charles Stratton, W. H., L. C, James Miller, Douglas Miller, D. Davidson, jun., Archibald M'Coll, Andrew Phillips, G. K. Miller, William ', M'Coll, and Maggie Christie, 2s od each; J. j Hett, M. Mac, and a Briton, ,2s each ; Alfie (second contribution), Is 6d ;' Messrs J. Russell, F. Marshall, Walter Walker, Mrs John Callander, and Mrs H. Smith, Is each ; — total, £20. CONCERT AT ST. CLAIR. • A very successful concert and ball, organised hy Mrs F. W. Petre with the object of helping the more horses fund, was held in the School Gymnasium, St. Glair, on Friday night. The room, which was prettily decorated for the occasion, was comfortably filled. Amongst those present were several officers from fi.M.S. Tauranga, at present lying at Pojtf' Chalmers. The programme arranged contained fewer items entitled to the name "patriotic" than is usually the case with entertainments promoted with a like . object, but it was nevertheless a very enjoyable one. An enjoyable dance followed the concert, the music being supplied by Herr Paul Sonderhof. CONCERT AT CLINTON. At Clinton on Wednesday evening an enthusiastic concert was held to swell- the local funds in aid of the fourth contingent. Stirring speeches were delivered by Messrs J. M. Thomson, J. Allen, and R. M'Nab, M.H.R.'s, and Mr T. Mackenzie, and a lengthy programme, including many national songs, was presented. The song of the evening, " The Absent-minded Beggar," resulted in aehower of coins being thrown on to the platform. No admission was charged at the door, but a collection taken up during the evening amounted to £10, which, with the funds already collected, brings the total up to about £80. THE NURSES FUND. For some unexplained reason little or no information has been allowed .to transpire concerning the movement to send 'six nurses to South Africa. We learn unofficially that the Premier has as yet received no reply to his cable to the Home authorities offering the services of the nurses. The response made to j fhe appeal for subscriptions has been most I generous, and it is understood that there is about £600 in the bank to the credit of the ; nurses' fund. This is believed to be exclusive of the amount collected in country districts. The Oamaru Mail states that the nurses who have been exploiting North Otago during the past fortnight have' collected £160, and hope to make the total £200. AUCKLAND, February 23. The Mayor (Me Goldie) visited the Rough Riders' camp to-day, and expressed appreciation of the progress in drill made by the men. The ladies of Epsom entertained the men at afternoon tea. Six of the new arrivals were put through their riding test, and all passed satisfactorily. The whole eqiiipment for the contingent has now been ordered. The patriotic combined funds amount to £804-"7. NELSON, February 23. Eight men have been selected for the fourth contingent. They leave for Wellington on Wednesday. WELLINGTON, February 23. Lieutenant Ross, thrice carbine champion of New Zealand, has applied for a commission '&}]s: .thf jiext .contingent E«>S4 Hawke'i?

Bay, Dr Percival, of Wellington, has offered his services to the Wellington contingent. PROBABLE DATE OF DEPARTURE, MARCH 13 OR 14 MENTIONED. WrLLINGTON, February 24. It is probable that the next contingent will get away from the colony on the 13th or 14th. prox. Port Chalmers will be the port of departure, and Dunedin will have the honour of giving the contingent its official send-off. THE PRELIMINARY RIDING iISFD SHOOTING TESTS FINISHED. SUNDAY IN CAMP. MONDAY. On Savurday morning the last of the shooting and riding tests were got through, much to the satisfaction of the officers in charge of the camp. * The afternoon was devoted to mounted drill on the Ocean Beach. About 20 sections went out, and Captain Harvey was in charge, assisted by Lieutenants Morris find Freeman. The work was chiefly exercises in attack formation, advancing and retiring in extended order. These movements have already been described. There is, however, a marked improvement in the way they aro executed, and the men show clearly that they are rapidly grasping the nature of the • work they are required to perform, and seem to take a pride in doing their level best. POLLARD'S PATRIOTIC MATINEE The matinee performance; of the comit opera "The Belle of New York" by Pollard's Opera Company in aid of the fourth contingent fund took place on Saturday, and was witnessed by a capital house. Though the attendance was not so large as the occasion and the merits of the entertainment demanded, there was a fairly well-filled circle, and a full house below. The theatre was beautifully and elaborately decorated, the decorations being more effective and quite as appropriate as they wer6 when the Brough Company gave their patriotic entertainment in the same building. So ' good were they on that occasion, however, that any comparison would be most ungractf ous, but for the fact that the credit in both oases belongs to the same people — Mr J. F. Earby, of the Union Steam Ship Company, by whom the work has been done, with tha assistance of men from that company, and oi some of Mr Pollard's stage hands, — is ens' titled to the credit on this as on the former occasion, and the improvement noticeable ia merely the result of experience. Generally the decorations were similar, though the arrangement was different, and bunting was used in even greater profusion for the Pollards than it was for the Broughs. The drop curtain was again availed of as the best place for the large Union Jack, by which it was pretty well covered. Across its face, near the top, were the words "A -Triple Alliance," and below the Jack, in red, white, and blue letters, the word " Kimberley," and towards the top of the big flag, in explanation of the words triple alliance, were entwined the New Zealand flag and\the Stars and Stripes. Along the top of the proscenium were the words " God Save the Queen," immediately thereunder Ijhe nam6 "Roberts," and surrounding all the Union Jack and Stars and Strides entwined On the right of the proscenium was the name "Buller" and to the left "French," in red, white, and blue letters. Draping the sidt-a were the standards of Scotland, England, Ireland, and Ne\Sr Zealand, and below them, on the left, was an excellent life-size oil painting of Major Robin by Mrs Clayton, of th« Gaynor studio and opposite to it a smell full-length portrait in oils of Sergeant Gour^ ley, who fell nobly fighting for Queen and Empire. Piles of arms, with bayonets fixed, completed the decorations immediately facing the stalls. To the left of the stage was tha reply of Lord Kitchener, "No armistice," and corresponding thereto the names, of "Baden-Powell" and "Mafeking." Tha front of the circle was draped with red, white, and blue, with Union Jacks at tha ends and in the centre, and the following suggestive names were displayed in national colours: — "New Zealand Hill," the kopje named in commemoration of the bravery of "our boys" there; "Rendsburg," where Major Robin's sagacity and courage got "our boys" out of a very tight corner; "Fighting Mac," a name dear to true Britons all the world over; "Kekewich," the officer who defended Kimberley during its long sieg}; and "Kimberley," the relief of which marked the advance of the British troops into Free State territory. Other names to which due prominence was given were "White" and "Ladysmith," names that must always be honourably associated. From the roof on a line with the front of the circle flags hung in abundance, and the walls, which were brightened by two large mirrors, were practically covered with flags and colours all arranged with much taste. The decorations, altogether,, were most effective, and showed that a great deal of thought, skill, and labour had been bestowed thereon. Of the performance given by the company nothing but good can be said. Every m3aiber did well, giving of his or her b«st. It was in all respects as good a presentatitsfc o! " The Belle of New York " as has teen given. Miss May Beatty was most faeolnating, Mr A. Whelan at his best (and how good that is will be long remembered by all who have admired his skill and laughed &\ hfe quaint but artistic impersonation of Icbabdd Bronson). Messrs Quealy and Percy in- , creased the previously large number of tljeir admirers, and the other members of the company maintained the character for excellence which they have earned for their enduring popularity. . Upon th« curtain fallir-g for the interval, Mr G. L. Dennis' on made his appearance on the stage, and addressed the audience as follows : —Ladies uid gentlemen, I am here this afternoon as the mouthpiece of the Organising Committee of the Otago and Southland Contingent Fund, and I desire to express to the Pollard Opera Company the warmest thanks of the committee and the public, and I am sure also the thanks of the present audience. — (Applause.) As you are aware, ladies and gentlemen, the whole of the proceeds of this entertainment are to be given to the contingent^fund, without any deduction whatever. I am very certain, that the fund will benefit very largely from*, this entertainment by your presence here this afternoon. It is very gratifying, ladies and gentlemen, when our -patriotic fire is burning so brightly, to find that strangers who come amongst us are ready to devote their time, their energy, 'and their talents to the cause. of patriotism, as our friends have done this afternoon. — (Applause.) I will not detain you longer. I only wish to say that this ..week, with us all, has been a week of mingled grief and triumph — grief for the thousands of brave men who have fallen in our battle? in South Africa, and triumph for \he suocess -which our arms have experienced,, and wjhich they \yill experience^ I beli&YSr

duriag the next day or two. — (Applatise.) I have to thank every member of the Opera Company, and particularly Mr Tom Pollard, Mr J. G. Williamson (by whope permission ihe performance lias been given), Mr Kirby,' and those who have assisted him to decorate the theatre, the young ladies who have taken so much trouble and been so successful in Belling tickets, and' everybody who has helped iv this entertainment. — (Applause.) I ask you to give three hearty cheers for the PolSard Opera Company. (The cheers were fiven as requosted.) Just one word more, should not omit to mention Mr Paull. for .whose singing of " The Absent-minded Beggar/'* the sum of £4- 10s has been found, and something more -will probably be found on the floor, of the theatre. — (Applause.) 'The performance concluded Ehortly before 5 o'clock, .and as its result, including "The Absent-minded Beggar " donations, a sum of '£56 10s will be contributed towards the funds for the Otago and Southland contingent *>£ Rough Riders. CONTINGENT NIGHT AT THE THEATRE. A (BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. Saturday night at the Princess Theatre Was one to be remembered. It has become the practice for theatrical companies when 2>laying in Wellington, Chrisitchurch, or ■JDunedin, while the preparations for the despatch of a contingent were going on, to in^ vite the presence of the men in camp _on Gome evening during the season. In each instance when, this has been done in the (north scenes of unbounded enthusiasm were witnessed, and on Saturday this extended to ipunedin. Captain Stronach accepted the Pollard Opera Company's invitation on behalf of his officers and men, and, with the ■exception of a few who had to remain on guard, the whole contingent marched into town in several divisions under Sergeant major Knee. The men were in excellent spirits, ready to enjoy to the full a night off after a heavy week of camp training. About half-past 7 o'clock the sound of men marching at ease could be heard in the south end of the town. The strains of an old American Independence song, wherein a noted abolitionist is immortalised, and which will ever be the favourite Bong troops on the anarch, told the man on the street that " our ■boys " were coming. The refrain which condemned " Jeff Davis " to end his earthly career dangling from the boughs of an apple tree was promptly adapted to suit the needs of the hour, and a determination "to hang old Kruger on a sour-apple tree "was trolled forth by 200 lusty voices, while the tramp, tramp, tramp of the four divisions brought the sound nearer and nearer. A crowd collected like magic at the Stafford street corner, ,and as the contingent wheeled into Stafford street a cheer of welcome went up from the crowd that must have gladdened the •heart of every man in the ranks. Inside the theatre was a sight to sand a ■wave of patriotism through even a pro-Boer. In every corner of the ''building save in the parts reserved for the contingent was a mass of people. " Such an audience is rarely crammed into the Princess, and in passing it might be mentioned that, although, the management gave away 200 seats, they had a record for door money. The building itself, as already mentioned, was transformed with a lavish use of bunting. -To return to " Our boys." Wo sooner had the leading fours appeared in the doorway than a great cheer went up, and simultaneously the audience in the lower portion of the building struck up " Soldiers of the Qween." Cheering was continued as the contingent poured in. and filled the space allotted them. The eight of the little company of sturdy, sunburned lads, impatient tp go out to the front and share with "Robin's Own" the perils and the ,glory of active service, seemed to stimulate the already enthusiastic spirit which everyone present was infected with, and for come minutes cheers and then more cheers drowned all else. A lull followed, and then, the appearance in the dress circle of Lieuten-ant-colonel Webb, Major Smith, Captain Stronach, and the majority of the officers connected with the volunteer service in Dunedin was the signal for another outburst. A \ minute later and Captain Stuart and the officers of H.M.S. Tauranga came in. The curtain rose on a photographer, and a flashlight photograph of the brilliant scene was secured. The curtain next rose on the whole of the Pollard Opera Company engaged in the production oi " The Belle of New York." The orchestra played the opening bars of the National Anthem, -and Miss May Beatty led the audience through the first two verses. The play then proceeded, and we may safely say that -the company never staged the piece better. Just before the close of the first act Mr W. Paull appeared to sing " The absent-minded beggar," and the enthusiasm, of the audience Iknevr no bounds. Time after time he was recalled, and the coins rattled on the stage in a silver shower for the .benefit of "the little things" Tommy Atkins is popularly supposed to leave behind him. Subsequently the Mayor, accompanied by Mr W. O' Sullivan (representing Mr Pollard), came forward on the stage. Mr o' Sullivan, ■ in thanking the audience for their liberal patronage of the afternoon matinee, said that *\ie proceeds of it, and of the singing of " The Absent-minded beggar " that evening, had resulted in the sum of £133 18s 2d, which he had very much pleasure in handing over to the mayor. — (Loud applause and cheers.) His Worship, in thanking Mr O'Sullivan for the handsome sum, referred to tho generosity of the Pollard Opera Company in giving their services in ao good a cause, and called for cheers for " the generous and magnificent donation that the Pollard Company had presented to- the committee." Needless to say, the call was responded to with a contingent cheer, which was repeated for Mr Pollard and his company. Mr O'Sullivan announced that it was intended to expend the money on four horses' for the contingent,* to be named "Djin-Djin," "Geisha," "The Belle of New York,' and "Uncle Tom." — (Cheers.) The performance concluded as it began — ■with the National Anthem, and the audience filed out with the consciousness that they had assisted at one of the most fervidly loyal ■functions ever held in Dunedin. SUNDAY IN CAMP. Sunday is the one day that the men can enjoy to the utmost in camp, especially when the weather is a3 perfect as it was yesterday. Stable duties and breakfast disposed of, the men were formed up for church parade. The Rev. Dr Dunlop conducted the service, and gave the boys a good discourse. Ho made quite an impression when he earnestly told them hoy/, "if- he were younger, he would like to go with them. A few words of good advice, urging them to be true soldiers' and good menj\came in very appropriately, and it might be said confidently that few men in camp -jwould miss church parade by choice. The -*3RevV-.D.. Dutton and some members of the s^hoirl of-,the - Caversham Church helped ma-MeriaUy-'witK tHe .musical portion of the ser-

vice. Printed sheets of hymns were issued, and were sung heartily by the men. Church parade over, every hor3e that a saddle could be found for was taken out for exercise. About 100 went out under Lieutenants Morris and Pram, and an hour on the beach was devoted to the dual purpose of i practising the men in a few movements and ,' giving the horses ajjallop. j i In the afternoon visitors swarmed into the | camp in thousands, and it was late in the evening before the curiosity of the last was '. satisfied, and the men settled 'down for the ! night. GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS. The Organising Committee visited the camp officially on Saturday afternoon, and at their meeting in tha evening they passed a resolui tion conveying to Captain Stronach their enJ tire satisfaction with the appearance of the ; camp, noting with pleasure the evident pro- [ gress made by the men, and recording their thanks to Captain Stronach and his staff of commissioned and uon-rommissioned officers. The committee decided, at the request of the Government, to send 10 more remounts for shipment by w the Undaunted. The committee are also sending the 10 horses on their ] own account. This will make 30 remounts forwarded from this district. [ The platelayers on the railway between Mos- : giel and Clinton and branch lines have purI chased a borse for the contingent, to be called "Platelayer." I The carters and expressmen of Dunedin have sent a horse for the contingent, and wieh that it should be given to Trooper R. F. Crawford, if his services are accepted. | The ladies of Wakari have subscribed for a horse for Mr Bunting. | The Ngapara committee have instructed the Organising Committee to purchase a horse for Pettingill, their representative. ! Messrs A. Tapper and Co. have offered free storage, up to 100 tons, to the committee, and the directors of the Agricultural HbII have granted the use of the Machinery Hall for ; receiving the saddlery and equipments, so that it can be inspected and branded before '. being sent out to the camp. Patearoa residents are forwarding £25 to the contingent fund, and 10 pupils of the Haka Valley School, South Canterbury, are sending £1. j The country people are not unmindful of the comfort of the men in camp, and are sending them fruit and lots of other delicacies. I The following additional subscriptions have been received for the contingent fund: — | Mosaey-Harris Company's employees, £25 ; Magnetic Gold Dredging Company, £25 ; Dunedin and Suburban Bakers, £36 15s 3d; "8.," £50; J. H. 8., £5 ss; and Adams Flat residents, £8 Bs. i The following is a list of subscriptions collected by Alesdames Squarise and Blandford and Misses Kate Moloney and M. Chalmers from the- musical profession, of Dunedin towards presenting a horse "to the contingent to be called "Music " : — Siguor R. Squarise and Mr W. E. Taylor, £2 2s each ; Mm Wilkie, £1 Is; Miss M. Chalmers and pupils, £1 Is; Messrs A. J. Barth, A. Vallis, J. Timson, J. C. Easton, and P. Braithwaite, £1 Is each ; Mr D. Cooke and Misses J. M. Aitken and R. Hartley, 10s 6d each ; Mesdames A. Blandford, W. Hislop, R. Hudpon, jun., Mrs Blandford's pupils, Messrs 3. D. M'Donald, F. Leech, L. D. Cox, and J. Coombs, 10s each ; . Mr J. D. Hutton, 8s 6d ; Misses Kate Moloney, E. Yoraton, Lily Hopkins, S. Parker, Greenslade, C. Longford, E. Abbott, M. Rehberg, M. Russell, A. Marias, F. Brewer, and Dunlop, 5s each ; Messrs A. F. Robertshaw, J. L. Lomas, E., J., T., and B. Parker, and E. W. Hutton. 5s each. The sum of £2 15s, donated by Messrs A. and C. Begg, closes t the list, bringing the amount to £25. i At a meeting of Triumph Lodge, P.A.F.S., I held on Friday night, £2 was voted to the 1 D.U.F.S. Dispensary horse fund, and regret was expressed that the funds would not allow the lodge to vote a larger sum. Three men passed the medical test on Saturday morning — viz.. William Chaloraer Adam,.! sawmill hand; Charles Clinton Collins, la- \ bourer; and Roger William Wilkinson, law j clerk). Wilkinson used to be bugler in the j Dunedin Highland Ri£es. ■ Mr A. Lovie spent Friday evening in camp, getting the measures of the socks he has decided to present to the contingent. It was found that sistes of troopers' feet vary very considerably, and that 10 per cent, wear sixes, 23 per cenii. sevens, 30 per cent, eights, 26 per • cent, nines, and six per cent. tens. j The Port Chalmers Patriotic Committee, ac1 knowledge the following contributions since last meeting : — Collected by J. Davidson, ■ Lower Harbour— Malcolm M'Donald 20s, J. , Dingwell 10s, John x>rCulloch 20s, J. Abernethy 10s, W. Heath. 7s 6d, J. Black ss; B. i Pickering ss, T. Omond 10s, R. Dow 2s 6d, • C. Brittenden 2s 6d^ A. Larkins ss, M. Dow ' ss, J. Dow ss, J. Tunnage ss, J. Keenian 2s 6d, EL Kenton 2s 6d, W. Davidson ss. ! A patriotic concert and dance was held at Clyde last Monday evening in aid of the ' fourth contingent, and for the equipment of the Clyde volunteers, 'l'he affair was very ; successful, and the total proceeds amounted to £30. During the evening 10 paid-up shares I in the West Matau Company were sold for £6, and five paid-xip shares in the Prince Arthur Company brought £2 15s. In addition to the horse each from the Oddfellows and the Riccarton residents, and the £20 from the Saddle Hill residents, the amount raised for the contingent fund in the Mosgiel ' district by public subscription amounts to £151 2s. This sum includes a generous donation from Mr A. Gordon Smith of £25. THE NURSES. The chairman of the Organising Committee j has received the following telegram from the I Premier: — "His Excellency the Governor in1 forms me that tho Secretary of State for the Colonies gladly accepts the offer of iYur3es arranged for by your committee. They should proceed by first passenger steamer to the Cape, and report themselves to the chief medical officer of the staff. If. you will send me their names I will give them letters of introduction. t There will hardly -be sufficient accommodation for the men on the steamer which is to take the men, and none whatever for ladies." Nurse Hay and Miss Maxwell have reported themselves at headquarters. The result of j their country tour is extremely satisfactory to the Organising Committee, financially and otherwise. The ladies report that they were received with ths greatest kindness and hos- , pitality throughout the country-. Nurse Hay collected over £115 during her I country tour, and Miss Maxwell over £80 i odd. One of these ladies returned to the trea- ' surer nearly £8 of .the £10 advanced for expenses; the other brought back the £10 untouched. I I MOUNTED DRILL IN REAL EARNEST. AN AFTERNOON OF OUTPOST WORK. TUESDAY. Every day sees another step of progress achieved at the camp, and the contingent is now engaged morning and afternoon in mounted drill. The supply of gad,dleix now;

! permits of a troop of 100 men being taken out at a time, and they form quite a respect-able-looking force. On Monday morning Captain Harvey took command and supervised the drilling of the four divisions separately under Lieutenants Morris, Pram, Bauchop, and Macdonald. Divisional and sectional movements were practised, and advancing in extended order. The men were also exercised in dismounted duty. To understand this clearly a word of explanation is needed. As is well known, the unit in mounted infantry work is the section. A section consists of four men, No. 1 being leader. He may be either a noncommissioned officer or a senior trooper. It should always be borne in mind that mounted infantry fight on foot, and that their horses are to enable them to be placed with rapidity in some desired or chosen position. In going into action, Nof. 1, 2, and 4- of the section dismount and hand their horses over to No. 3, who seeks cover while his comrades advance. As soon as the horses are giveti over, each section, keeping; together, double to the front, and constitute a firing line. "When it is desired to advance or retire, tho horses are ordered up, when the men mo\mt independently and take "their places in the ranks. Although No. 3 is to a great extent out of the fighting, a good deal depends on him, and it requires all the skill at his command to ensure the safety of the horses, on which depend the safety of his comrades. It is frequently a difficult task to lead three horses and bring them up to a given spot at precisely the right moment. This, then, is, briefly, part of the work that the contingent is being practised in, and so far, nothing but praise is due to them for the ready way they are picking it up. In the afternoon on Monday four divisions of six sections each again went out on the Ocean Beach, when more advanced work was given them. The company formed up in line facing the sea, and, wheeling into column of divisions, moved off. Almost immediately the command was given to form company, and the second division moved upon the right of No. 1, and the third and fourth on the left. The movement was neatly executed, but ihe soft sand makes it rather laborious work for the fourth division, which, naturally, has rather a long way to go to come up into position. A few movements in column of sections, and then the real work of the afternoon began. A service advance guard was told off. The party forming the advanced guard was divided into the following parts : The Point, the "Vanguard, and the Main guard. First, two troopers were despatched and then four more followed, a single trooper forming a connecting link between the two parties. Flank patrols of two troopers each moved rapidly out to the right and left respectively, and this party, comprising three sections, was in charge of Lieutenant Freeman. When they were supposed to have come in contact with the enemy they halted, and supports were seni, forward. The vanguard, following immediately after, was in cha.rge of Lieutenant Morris, the main guard under Lieutenant Macdonald. The movement having been completed, was only performed once, and the parties en receiving the order returned to their places in the ranks. Instruction in the posting of pickets and cossack posts was then proceeded with. This was most interesting work, having for its object the throwing of a protecting screen round the frontage of the main body. The supports form the <-ba.se o£ operations. Three pickets partly encircle the supports, and out from each picket five cossack posts are stationed. These consist of a section, and a sentry is stationed over each. The formation isj in the sh-ipe of a fan, so that the picket is the base of the cossack pests, just as in turn the supports from the base of the pickets. A picket usually consists of some 60 men, but yesterday, as it was only for instructional purposes, a single section was made to do duty as a picket. The troopers do not reciuire much teaching to make use of every available inch of cover, and showed a remarkable ingenuity in effacing themselves behind tufts of grass, hillocks, etc. In one case, where a post was stationed on the level beach, where a post never would be stationed, save for instructional purposes, Captain Harvey, in passing, suggested to the troopers that they would stand a better chance if they scooped out an excavation and disappeared behind the miniature embankment thrown up. The men seized on the advice with alacrity, and soon raised a mound. Next time the officer passed he told them that when they had had a les-. son or two in saving their skin from being punctured by bullets, it might occur to them t to throw up a few additional mounds, so that the enemy would not know which one they I were behind. The common sense of this idea impressed itself strongly on the outpost. Further development of the principle was deferred for the next parade. On the whole a very profitable afternoon was spent. The troopers showed a keen interest in the work, knowing full well, of course, that their place in the contingent depends on their familiarity j with their work. GENERAL CAMP NEWS. About 35 of the Southlanders were sent into town during the morning to be measured for their uniforms. A similar number of tho Otago men, about whom thcrfe is no 'doubt of their selection, will be measured to-day. Captain Stronach now has the assistance of a clerk to help with the correspondence and the registers, and will thus be saved a good deal of work. As illustrative of the way he has been tied down with office work, it might bs mentioned that he has not been able to get out once with the contingent .on a mounted parade. The Organising Committee visited the camp officially on Saturday afternoon, and expressed their satisfaction at the general appearance. They have recorded the following in their minute book: — "The members of the Organising Committee, after visiting the camp, desire to convey to Captain Stronach their satisfaction with the appearance of the camp, and note with pleasure the evident satisfactory progress made by the men, for which they beg to record their thanks to Captain Stronach and his staff of commissioned and non-commissioned officers." The Dresden Company sent a piano out to the camp on Monday. It is, however, not an unmixed blessing, and already schemes are on foot for its removal to the far end of the park. From after tea time to "Lights out ( " it is in constant use, and just now the songs from " The Belle of New York " are in great demand. The demure Salvation Army lassie, " simply created to love," succeeded in capturing the heart of the contingent collectively at the theatre on Saturday night, and she is still " the subject of all the camp talk." Acting- c.orp orals Keddell, Tubman, Marshall, Hunter, and Jolly have. been temporarily appointed sergeants. Lieutenant J. R. Macdonald was orderly officer on Monday. Acting-sergeant Marshall was orderly sergeant. A summary dismissal from tho camp took place on Sunday. A trooper " talked back " to an officer, who promptly leporled him, and out he went. It seems » matter for surprise that no mem-

bers of the contingent have yet taken ad- : vantage of the proximity of the St. Clair baths to have a morning dip. There is plenty '. of time for them to do so if they choose, j and a bathe in the sea is a luxury that would j bo esteemed as almost priceless when they are on service on the dusty veldt. ■ GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS. : The journeymen painters have forwarded £20 for the purchase of a horse, to be called ; •"painter," to go to F. Moore if accepted for , service. I : A telegram has been received by the Organ- ! , ising Committee from Toiro intimating that j the residents there are sending another horse. I 3 The Milton residents are sending another { ' horse, to be called '"Bruce," for presentation i to W. Forsyth. / j . The following additional subscriptions have been received : — Collected by Linda Rebekah ' - Lodge, 12s 6d ; J. W. Swift, £10 10s ; Misse3 , Logan, £50, in addition to amovint previously ; sent; Balclutha Committee, £50; ladies of Wnkari, £25 ; collected by Master Ramsay, 4s 6d Waipori Committee, £25; G.P.H., £5 i ss; "8.," £50; Dunedin Painters, £20; Dr < Macpherson, £1; Miss Maxwell, £1 11s (for nurses' fund). Mr Jos. Braithwaite offers to pay the price of admission to the patriotic concert on Wed- : nesday evening of the Industrial School chil- , 1 dren. ( : The -platelayers between Mosgiel and Clin- : ton forwarded the contingent a horse yester- , i day. ' | i Toiro is sending another horde. ' j ' Mr W. Forsyth, of Milton, is presenting a ' horse for Trooper Lilburne. \ Mr W. Snow advised the committee on ' Monday that Oulrom is sending two horse 3. with the money for their equipment. ' '. Messrs M'Leod Bros, had agreed that their : horse shall be given to Trooper Sorenson, their representative having failed to pass the necessary tests. • | Tha carters and expressmen of Dunedin wish that their horse " Carrier " shall bo given, to Trooper R. F. Crawford, if his services are • accepted. The ladies of Wakari have subscribed for a horse for Trooper V 7. E. Bunting. Kurow will provide a. horse and money for equipment for Trooper R. Condon, to be sent down on Wednesday. A letter was received from Mr W. Cunningham, secretary of the Oamaru Commit- j tee, in which he for-warded a cheque for £175, being the full equipment money for seven men. The balance of the money will be tent as soon as the collections from the country j districts come to hand. The Mayor ol Balciutha forwarded £25 for Trooper Sydney Smith's equipment, and also Messrs Begg Bros.' cheque for Trooper Chas. Watts' s equipment. Mr J. L. Wylie forwarded £25, collected at Port Molyneux, for the equipment of , Trooper Morton. j The sum of £8 ss, the proceeds of a patrio- , tio entertainment, was received from Adam's Flat, while from Haka Valley, South Canter- , bury the sum of £1 was forwarded bj r the teacher of tho local school, the money being subscribed by 10 of .the pupils. Mr ii-eith Ramsay wrote that ho had the pleasure to inform tho committee that they could rely on a donation of £250 from the funds of the Clutha Relief Committee and Sailors' Home. Both funds are now deposited in the Bank of New Zealand, and the ; transfer of the amount will be a formal mat-" j ter for arrangement. - j A copy of the Soldiers' Text Book, issued by the Presbyterian Church of'Olago and Southland, has been forwarded to us by the i New Zealand Bible, Tract, and Book Society. The texi book was originally compiled by the Rev. Dr Macduff , and it contains a text for each day of the month and special prayers. Some slight omissions and verbal alterations have been made for the New Zealand edition, and a few well-known hymns have been added. Tho little book, which is of pocket size, lias a khaki binding. It was printed at the Otago Daily Times Office. A conversazione and patriotic concert in aid of the contingent funds nt Warepa was highly successful. In spite of the bad weather a large audience was present. Patriotic addresses were- given by Mrs Gordon Macdonald, Piev. J. JCilpatriek, and Messrs T. Mackenzie and A. S. Malcolm. The musical portion of the programme was well carried out, and, in fact, tho whole entertainment reflected very great credit on the committee, every member of which acted with spirit to make a success. The receipts, including door, dance, sale of - badges, etc., amounted to £20 0s lid. A concert and donee was held at Waipori on Tuesday last in aid of the Otago and Southland contingent fund. Mr W. E. S. Knight was chairman, and the hall was pached with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. A good programme of vocal and instrumental music, dances, and recitations was given by Mesdames J. T. Johnson and H. Eaton, and" Misses Lomae, Gare, Russell, Shaw, and Umbers, and Messrs Whitehou.se, Cameron, "Waddell, Nicholson, F. W. Kuiqht, Boyd, Carlin,, Davies, Lomas, W. E. Knight, and Howes. An auction sale <gf b:\?kets of pro- , visions, kindly tjiven by the ladie,3, was held by Messrs H. Howes, W. E. S. Knight, and R. Cotton, jun. After the concert was con- , eluded the hall was cleared, and dancing was kept up until 3 a.m. The concert was a > great success, adding' about £30 to the funds [ already in hand. I It was Mr A. Lorio who attended the camp on Saturday evening- for the purpose of obtaining the correct sizes of the socks for the contingent. , THE SEND-OFF DEMONSTRATION. The committee have taken in hand the ar- ' rangements^ for the send-off demonstration, but until the date of departure is definitely known a programme cannot be definitely arranged, as the state of the tide will necessarily influence the proceedings. It is suggested that the contingent be marched from Forbury Park to the Oval, where the official speeches should be delivered, but, as already stated, nothing has been definitely decided upon. At an important meeting of the Port Chalmers Committee, held on Monday night, a programme for embarkation day was adopted. After the official send-off at Dunedin, it is suggested that the contingent proceed by the Union Steam Ship Company's Moura to Port Chalmers, where the townspeople will entertain them at luncheon in the Garrison Hall. His Excellency the Governor and suite, the Right Hon. the Premier, and the Dunedin committee are expected to be present. After luncheon, and an interval of half an hour for private goodbyes, the men will be marched to the cricket ground, where a short final demonstration will be held. Thence to the ship the line of march will be dov/n George_ street through Custom House square. Special attention will be paid to the decoration of the town, the committee offering a prize of 3gs for the best design. The following committee was set up to carry the programme through : —Messrs J. Mill, Dr Borrie, Dr Henclry, E. ' G. Allen, -M.H.R., G. Hendry, D. Marr. A. ! Cable, H. A. Warren, J. Rennie, D. Fisher, & flppkj. A._ Walker^ J. Rennie* and W., Wil-

son. The arrangements for the concert on. Friday are in the hands of Dr Borrie- and Messrs Wilson, Hendry, and Rennie. A GENEROUS ACTION. Mr Kempthorne (chairman of the Organising Committee), Mr Duthie (secretary), and Mr A. E. Cohen yesterday interviewed Mr Fitzgerald, of Fitzgerald Bros.' Circus, and! represented to him, in reference to the matinee which it had been arranged to hold on/ Wednesday afternoon, that the committee hacß made a great point of securing a public hobV day on that day, and getting cheap railway, fares from the country into town so that there might be a large attendance at the floral fete^ They further pointed out that if the matinee/ ■was held at the circus on the same day, itf would have a tendency to detract from the attendance at the floral fete. Mr Fitzgerald met the deputation in a very friendly spirit^ and most generovrly consented to withdraw! his advertisements with reference to the matinee, and to hold it on Thursday instead o£ Wednesday. The committee are very grateful to Mr Fitzgerald or this concession, and desire to thank him heartily for his generosity. OHRRTCHURCH. February 26. Twelve horses for the Undaunted arrived from Dunedin to-night. The horses are to be put on board the steamer at 10 to-morrow, morning, and she will leave for Dtirban about noon. The hor<;«« from Dunedin have been, sent by the local committee to be consigned! to Major Robin. The others will be consigned to Lord Roberts, and will be landed at whatever port he diiccts them to. — AUCKLAND, February 26. Tho receipts ai the Domain military dis* play in aid of the Rough liiders' fund are expocted to realise £500. Young- ladies wenjj round with their tambourines during the afternoon, and collected £50. The takings should make the Rough Rider,?' fund up to a total of £3900. A telegram received to-day by the Rough Riders' Committee from the Premier says: — > ■ " You have been in erro\- in coming to tha conclusion that the cost of transport of men and horses for the fourth contingent is to be borno by your committee. The cost of transfer from. Wellington to Scmth Africa will be otherwise arranged Jor. The responsibilities of the committee cease or arrival at Wellington." ; CHRISTCHURCiT. Februai-y-26. ! Up to the present about 60 applications have? been received from men air;i')us to bs included in the reserve for South Africa.