THE FOURTH CONTINGENT

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 25

THE FOURTH CONTINGENT

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND

SECTION. 20 MORE MEN REJECTED,

WEDTn'ESDAY.

Tuesday was the hottest day yet experienced by the contingent. From early morn-" ing the heat was intense, and on the sandhills it must "surely have equalled the shimmering glare that is associated with the South African veldt. Four divisions sweated down their surplus weight by ploughing through the hot sand for two hours in the course of the morning parade. Captain Harvey, as usual, was in command, and the work was similar to that done on the previous morning. Captain Price and Captain Harvey put about 60 men through a severe riding test. They were made to gallop in sections round given points, and given leading work to do. Next they were ordered to gallop up and down the sandhills, keeping in a certain line, and finally they were given an opportunity of showing' their skill in catching horses that were turned loose. The men shaped exceedingly well, and this made the task of weeding out very diffi"cult. In every case the horse that was turned loose was caught. The result of the te3t, however, reduces the camp -roll by 20. The 5 number in camp yesterday morning was 221, so that there -are still 51 too many. The mounted drill is so evenly performed that selection is rendered very difficult, and within the next few days a number of good men will have to go out.

Up to the present 95 have been measured for their uniforms, which is equivalent tc saying that they will be among those finally selected. All the Southlanders are included in this number, and 45 of the Otago men.

During the morning Sergeant-major Knee exercised a squad in manual and firing exercises.

The afternoon was devoted to attack practice on the sandhills. As already described, the sections dismount and, advancing, are sup posed to form the attacking party. At intervals reinforcements were sent forward, presumably to replace casualties or cope with the increasing strength of the enemy. The officers in command of divisions were Lieutenants Pram, Macdonald, Fulton, and Bauchop. Lieutenant M'Donald acted as adjutant to Captain Harvey. The movements were watched with keen interest by a large' number of people, who occupied positions on the sandhills, commanding a view of the whole beach. There are many things more unplea-, sant than to lie on the shady side of a sandhill enjoying the cool sea breeze, while watching a troop of 100 mounted men drilling. The movements of advancing in column o£ divisions and forming into line or into column of sections forms an extremely interesting spectacle, and the gallery is rapidly gaining, sufficient knowledge of the orders to be able' to criticise their execution. "When a division gallops past, kicking tip the dry sand in, showers, and suddenly wheels into another formation, the interest of the spectators is intense, and some real idea of what the men ara going to do in South Africa is felt. Captain. Price yesterday afternoon had a division of. about eight sections, which he exercised apart from the main body. Sectional work chiefljr formed the drill, and as nearly everyjfhws^

was done at a hand gallop, the perspiration poured off the horses and men. I GENERAI CAMP NEWS. | •Additional horse lines have been erected during the past few days, and now the officers' Uor3ee are picketed by themselves. The sick horses also have lines to themselves. , Mr"J. A. X. Riedle writes to the chairman .of the Organising Committee as follows : — " Dear Sir, — Like most Otago people, we are very desirous that the men forming the contingent to leave Port Chalmers shall not in any way be placed in a worse position as regards comforts on the voyage than were the other contingents, and we regret therefore to learn that you cannot accept out offer of~a piano because the steamer that is to take them^ to the Cape/ does not return to New Zealand. We have alrady contributed in a Clumber of ways to the many funds in connec- ■ tion with the war, but rather than see " our boys " done out of their sing-song, we have decided to place a piano at your absolute disposal, and beg to suggest that when the | voyage is, ended the piano shall be sold in Capetown, and the proceeds handed over to ! the officer in command for the purpose of , procuring comforts for r ,our gallant lads, who will probably so soon afterwards be on short j commons. Blindly let us know when the transport is ready to receive the piano." 1

THE NURSES.

The nurses on Tuesday morning each re- | ceived a cheque for £25 to provide them with the clothing necessary ~~ for their equipment. . There will, however, be a furthur expenditure to equip them with surgical appliances. They j are to have three costumes of khaki, with a red cross on the pleeve of the dresses; also a dress costume of blue, and the ordinary nurses' bonnets.

Miss Hay and Miss Fraser, who have been" collecting in the country for the nurses' fund, have returned with £230.

The ladies of Port Molyneux have forwarded £10 Qg 6d for the nurses' fund.

The Rev. Father Coltey has written, forwarding £10 collected at the Catholic Church at South Dunedin on Sunday for the fund. The Rev. ,A. Don has forwarded the sum of £7 0s" 6d, contributed by members of the Chinese Church to the nurses' fund. ,;.' .

WAR OFFICE NOTES.

The journeymen j>ainters anc l shop employees v have donated £20 for a horse.

The- Dunedin and Suburban Tramways Company thoughtfully sent a parcel of monthly tram tickets for the use of the iroopers, with a note stating that if the 200 were not sufficient more would be supplied. Mr Lo Keong writes that the Chinese residents of Dunedin are ready to provide a horse for the contingent.

The following additional subscriptions to the contingent fund have been received : — Seacliff Committee, £25; Lily of the Valley Lodge, 1.0. G.T., £5; Wright, Stephenson, and Co.'s employees, £5 ; Mr Livingstone, lOis 6d ; 'residents of -the Borough of Maori Hill, £50; ladies of Outram, £28 14s 6d; Port Molyneux residents, '£25 ; A. G. Mathias (Hamilton's station), £3 ; H. E. Williams, £5 ss ; Adolph Ahlfeld, £25. ' Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.'s employees have sent £5 for the month of February.

The ladies of Outram have presented a horse, and forwarded £28 14s 6d for the equipment of John Andrew.

The Otaki residents have collected £50 to assist in sending nurses to South Africa, and suggest that the daughter of Mrs Stevens, Rangitikei. be sent. — It was decided to reply that it would be imposfible for the committee to send another nurse as suggested, because arrangements had been made with the Imperial Government for seven, who would leave here on Monday next. Mr Adolph Ahlfeld has forwarded £25 for a horse, which he suggests should be called " Jimmie Duncan," after the Kaikorai footballer.

Colonel Penton has the committee that the horse 3 arrived safely and have been (shipped by the Undaunted, which left the wharf at noon yesterday.

The residents at Port Molyneux have sent i 825 for the equipment of J. Morton. The New Zealand Express Company's employees, .from Auckland to the Bluff, have Subscribed a day's pay. The total amount is £52 12s Bd, and.the directors have apportioned JSfae as follows ;•— Otago and

Southland Contingent, a horse, to be named "Transport," and to be selected by Mr Jas. Duthie; Wellington Contingent, £10 10s; Auckland Contingent, £10 10s; and Christchurch Contingent, £10 10s. As the companjr's business extends all over New Zealand, the directors recognised that it was only fair to subscribe through the various committees, and had instructed managers accordingly. — It was decided to thank the company's employees for their generoiis offer.

UNOFFICIAL ITEMS,

The head office and out-door (Dunedin) staff of the Union S.S. Company have subscribed sufficient money to purchase a horse, but as Captain Cameron had given his horse to the member of the staff who has been accepted (S. L. Jones), they have decided to allow the money to go to his equipment.

It has been decided to send 15 men from Gisborne to form part of the fourth contingent. Arangements for their selection have been made.

The committee of the Roslyn patriotic fund announce that Mr Alfred Burton will repeat in St. John's Hall, Roslyn, on Thursday next the "Patriotic Evening," which was so successful in the Garrison Hall. The evening will be composed of speech, sonor. reading, and recitation, while the Dunedin Pipe Band and the Kailcorai Band will render selections.

THE MAIDS' SUBSCRIPTION.

The maids of Dunedin have not only given a horse^for tho use of a member of the fourth contingent, but have also handed in £11 towards the trooper's equipment. The following is a list of the individual sub&cribers : —

Collected by Miss Atkinson : M. M'lntyre, J. Atkinson, M. Jarvis, Kate Ferguson, L. Eafferty, Maggie Hetherington, Nina Eurre, Harriet Hood, Ellen Kilgarriff, Kate Phillips, A. Johns, B. Mains, M. Mains, M. Clark, B. C. R., S. Lander, E. D., ABC, M. J. J., E. Ross, P. Henry, C. L., C. G., J. M'lntyre, A. G., E. W., A. M., J. A., Is each; Maude, 6d; May Hall, ss; Barbara Cameron, ss; Eleanor Black, M. Holt, G. Borrie, A. Mowate, L. Olsen, B. M'Nab", M. G., L. C, M. Southberg, C. R., A. B. H., A. R. -W.. C. Carson, M. Finnic, B. Miller, Fanny Morley, M. Hetherington, N. M., G. C, R. 8., L. M., B. R., A. M.» E. S., B. D., V. 8., J. G., J. Grant, Ann Lyon, E. Gordeon, M G-., J. T. R., Y. 8., E. H., S. 8., L. C, M. J. Scott, B. A., B. G., M. S., J. 8., J. F., M. 8., E.-H.; M. S., Is .each; L. Comh3, Eliza Cutler, M. Eedman, M. Macpherson, 5s each; M. Laverty, 2s 6d; M. Garr, S. 8., C. E., A. Howe Johns, Is each ; R. Muirhead, 2s 6d"; E. M. C, A. S., A. S., Is each; M. L. T., 2s 6d; J. L. Carruthers, ss; E. 8., B. S., Lottie Livingston, Is each; S. A. S., 2s Gd; Mary Donely, Kato Auld, Maggie Hynes, Is each; total, £6 12s. Collected by Miss M'lntyie: M. Fleming, Clara Andrews, Alice Welsh, Christina M'Donald, Lizie M'Donald, E. Eichardson, A. Cunningham, A. Thompson, L. Duckworth, A. Graham, Is each; J. A., 6d; R. E., A. H., M. Butcher, M. Hurndell, Is each; J. Olsen, 6d; M. E., la ; C. Bate, Gd ; F. Fletcher, M. Whitaker, C. S., M. H., M. Cameron, B. H., W. Borwick, Eogers, C. Begg, Nellie, C. Durrmond, Is each; A Friend, 2s; S. D., Is; C. Williamson, 2a; A Friend, A. Bell, M. Stewart, Is each; A. Crowley, 2s; Annie Merk, Is; total, j£2 0a Gd.

Collected by Miss Lizzie Warrington : Lizzie Warrington, 2s 6d; Carrie Ritchie, Jane Rumble, Lizzie Fox, Friend, M. Swintoa, Maggie Mitchell, Friend, Miss Walker, Friend, 'Lizzie Hixen, Is each; A Friend, 6d; Two Friends, Is each ; total, 15s. Collected by Miss Si' Coll: M. M'Coll, 2s; Mrs Richards, Is; Friend, 2s; A Friend, ss; Maggie Wilkinson, 10s ; Cissy Grainger, ss ;. M. C. Cotton, 2s; L. Firth, ss; E. M. Donald, Is; Friend, 2s Gd; A. Fraser, 2s 6d; E. T. E.,6d; M. 8., Is 6d; A. M. Fleming, 2s Gd; A. Friend, 2s; A Friend, Gd ; Friend, Is; L. ML., L. M'N., M. L. 8., S. ML., E. C, Is each; total, £2 lls.

Collected by Miss J. Fairiey: J. Fairley, 23; Fjriend, Is ; A Friend, 6d ; A. Burns, A. Bickford, T. C, L. G., E. C. Is each ; G. 8., 2s Gd ; M. X., 2s; M. R., Is; S. C, Is Gd ; M. T., Is 6a ; L. S., M. M., J. H., M. A., Is each; V. W., 2s Gd ; E. M., Nellie Johnston, J. T. Hunter, Is each ; total, £1 6s Gd.

Collected by Miss E. Cutler: L. H. J., S. S., E. M'Lennan, J. "Robertson, E. Judd, Meg, M. Callanan, E. S., A. A., Is each; total, 99 n \ Collected by Miss Maggie Wilkinson : W. Youngman, E. Morrison, Is each ; J. L. G., 2s ; A Friend, Gd ; "W. Payne, Is 6d ; A Friend, 2s; L. Duckworth, A. Thompson, AY. Paget, M. Longiiame, J. Irvine, J. C., C. H. E.,ls each ; L. White, 2s Gd; M. Jnn-ie, 2s Gd ; S. Kelly, Nellie Purvis, D. Spence, L. "Wallctt, Is each; total* 193 £d.

Collected by Miss Alice Cuttress : Agnes Lindsay, 2s Gd; Alice Cuttress, 2s; M. Niven, 0:1, M. Payne, 2s 6d; Lily Cuttress, 6d; Janet Bishop, Is; E. Burley, L. Day, M. Kempthorne, Is each. Total, 12s.

Collected by Miss Beatrice Stewart: B. Stewart, 23 ; Friend, Is ; M. Gillespie, L. Faithful, N. M'Leod. Charlotte Maxwell, M. Hickman, Is each; T. Stewart, Is Gd; M. Smith, is ; Friend, 2a ; Annie Hull, ss. Total, JBI. Collected by Miss Annie Miller : 13s 6d.

Collected by Miss E. Eiddle : 16s

Collected by Miss Mina Thompson : M. Stratton, M. A. Elli=on, M. Foiey, M. Thomson, Is each; C. C, M. Pearcy, 6d each. Total, ss.

Collected by Miss Agned Westwood: Annie Westwood, Agnss Westwood. Mollie Esson, Is each; Mary Miller, Maggie M'Culloch, 6cl each; Maggie Crawford, Gd; L. S., N.A., Is each : L. J. Mines, Charlotte Eose, Gd; M. Scones, 6d; Ellie Gurran, Katie Jacobs, Katie Houston, Helen. Becby, 13 each ; Millie Berrctt, Cdssy Berriman. Gd each ; Mabel Eoss, Jeanie Black, Helen Peak, Harriett Thompson, 3 eannie "VVoodside, Martha Stewart. Mary Richard, Mary Sloan, Lilly Welsh, M. Elliott. Bella Black, Is each. Total, £1 4s 6d.

Collected from the St. Clair maids: "Lizzie Barclay, ss; H. X, 3s; E. M. Aubtin, L. ]M., Miss Scott, SJnggie Alean, Lizzie Harman, Annie M'Pill, P. Kennedy, Mapgie, Maggie Allan, 29 6il each; E. Wilkie, R. Wilson, B. Tilson, Mary Cameron, Dessio Ferguson, Mary Perkins, Dolly Roberts, Friend, Edith, 2s each; J. S., J. Mooney, T. 8., N. Jiidd, M.C.J., S. Tilson, M. Butler, J. W., M. Mayne, Kosina Boyco, la each ; E. Sohre,. Miss Bates, Jessie Hughes, 6d each. Total, £3 3s.

Collected by Miss Maggie Johnston: EL J., 10s; Mrs ML., 3s; M. C. J., M. C, M. F. S., L. S., M. C, S., 2s 6d each; E. G.. M. A. T., JN". "W.. A. ML, J. H., S. 8., X., M. J., 2s each; C. M'K, J. S.. B. L., Is 6d each ; B. C, M. W., J. S., A. S., S. E., E. J.; L. 0., A. X, L. V., X L. S.. D. J., L. C., H., M. L., M. G-., J. P., M. X, M. Me. M. W., M. J.. W. A. L., A. W., G-. D., L. 8., B. C., A. T., M. A., C. P., M. S., A. H., V., S. D., A. M., J. F., ,M. C, A. M., A. R., Mrs H., C, M. T., E. R., L. X, A. M., J. W., A. Me, N. 8.. G-. R., C. 8., C. G-., R., M. 8., Is each ; M. 8., J. C, J. C, M. N. X., E, E., A. N., N. D., 6d each ; M., 3d. THE FIFTH CONTINGENT RESERVE. AUCKLAND, February 27. Thirty-five applications have been received by Colonel Banks for the fifth contingent reserve. He intends selecting a number of volunteers from the list of those rejected by tho Selection Committee of the fourth contingent owing to inability to provide their own horses. The list embraces highly efficient volunteers and marksmen.

The net proceeds of Saturday's military tournament amounts to £550. The Rough Riders' fund now totals £3£oo.

THE PATIOTIC FUND.

OHRISTOHUROH, February 27.

The executive of the nslnotic fund this morning cabled another £1000 to the Lord Mayor of London, and a sum of £50 has been forwarded to Trooper Hunt, who was injured on board the Waiwera when with the first contingent

WOODVILLE, February 27,

The district's contribution to the patriotic fund amounts to £175. A meeting last night decided to send £100 to the Mansion House fund, £50 to the Hawke's Bay more men fund, and £25 to the Wellington more men fund. Tho latter sum was voted so that Troop-ser-geant Grant's equipment may not cost Wellington anything.

DEPARTURE OF THE REMOUNTS

CHRISTCHURCH, February 27

The steamer Undaunted, with the remounts for South Africa, left Lyttelton shortly after noon to-day. She lakes 96 hordes. Forty of them came from Otago, and are consigned to Major Robin for the use of the first contingent. The remainder, from Napier and Wellington, are being sent to Lord Roberts, to be ii&ecl as he may deem necessary. The accommodation for the animals is admirable. Substantial as the s-talls were when erected, they had been strengthened by the direction of Daniels by means of additional bracss. During the morning a cable message was received from the charterers of tho steamer giving instructions that the stalls are not to be dismantled after their preaent occupants have vacated them, and it is understood that the Undaunted will probably return to this colony to convey a second draft of remounts to South Africa. The horses are in the care of 15 men, i"" l^£'JS s M'Gregor, of Wellington, who have

been sworn in for the duty of looking after them, and are expected to be attached to one of the New Zealand contingents on their arrival in South Africa. Meanwhile they have been entered on the steamer's articles as deck hands. The party consists of D. M'Gregor (Wellington), J. E. Hall, H. E. Oppenheim, A. C. Wilson, and H. G. Childe (Christchurch), T. E. Moorehouse (Akaroa), H. H. Fairlie, E. A. Rees, 'andß. W. Johnston (Gisborne), A. B. Donald, J. Feeney (Wellington), A. G. Reynolds, H. J. Gray, and H. Munroe. Most of these have been members of the New Zealand volunteer force. The Undaunted has a large cargo of oats and other produce shipped at the Bluff, Port Chalmers, and liyttelton for Durban and Capetown.