AN OFF DAY IN CAMP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 26

AN OFF DAY IN CAMP.

THURSDAY.

When reveille sounded on Wednesday morning camp prospects were far from cheerful. The heavy .rain that came down during the night made things wet under foot, and there was no sign of its clearing off. The tents were quite equal to turning off the rain drops, so the men were fairly comfortable inside. After breakfast it lightened considerably, and by the time boot and saddle for parade was sounded the worst was over. The mounted work done during the morning was a repetition of what has already been extensively practised. A squad was also exercised in dismounted work. The afternoon parade was held in the park, so that the public attending the floral fete might watch tho drill, and, neodless to say, they flocked round in thousands. The divisional and sectional movements were capitally executed, and it was very evident that the men and horses are getting a good grip of their work. They are beginning to fall into their places with that regularity and precision that is associate?! with a well-drilled troop.

The orderly officer for the day 'was Lieutenant J. R. Macdonald, and the orderly sergeant, Sergeant Tubman.

The watering accommodation has been found insufficient, and additional troughs are to be erected at once.

WAR OFFICE NOTES.

There was a slack day at the War Office on Wednesday. Owing to the* floral fete .the Organising Committee clid not meet till halfpast 9in the evening. They then found that there was fortunately not much requiting their attention. The only matter of importance that came under their notice wad a telegram from the Premier stating that the Gymeric, which was due in New Zealand waters .about the 16th of March, was the name of the vessel which had been chartered to convey the fourth contingent to South Africa.

The amount "which .Mr Keith Ramsay inti3iiated as available from the Sailors' Home and the Clutha Relief Committee is £250 in each case, making £500 in all.

Nurse Peiper, from Invercargill, came to town by the express last night, and reported herself at headauartord.

The Mayor of Invercargill has requested that free passes from the Bluff to Invercargill should be obtained for the nurses on their way to Melbourne, so that they might visit Invercargill, where the matron of the hospital was making preparations to give them a jond-off. The Organising Committee willingly fell in with the proposal, and intend to do everything they can to assist in the matter. • The Chinese residents of Dunedin are not behind hand -in contributing a Fhare of the cost of the contingent, and have raised £25 2s 6d fcr a horse, which they desire to be called '' Canton."

The following additional subscriptions have been received: — Middlemarch residents, £107; Wairuna residents, £5 ss, in addition to £20 previously received ; and W. 8., £5 ss. Chinese residents (per Mr Lo Keong): — Soy Fong Gardens, £2 2s ; Lo Keong, £1 Is ; Wong King Yip, £1 Is ; Charles Ah Chew, £1 Is ; Wong "Sing, £1 Is-; Kiim Yoon Lee, £1 Is ; Wong Sing "Vow, £1 Is ; Sun Ying Chong. £1 Is; Sew Hoy, "los 6d; B. Yong Tape, 10s 6d; T. F. Loio, 10s 6d; Oy Wah, 10s 6d; On Lee Laundry, 10s 6d ; Yip Kum, 10s 6d; Sing Tong Gardens, 10s 6d; See Wah, 10s 6d; Wong Ye.en Wah, 10s 6d ; Yung Chiu. ss; Yip Foon, ss'; Joe Say, ss; Sing Lee Laundry, ss; Yet Lee Laundry, ss ; Wong Earn, ss ; Leung Chung, 5s \ Pon Man Ying, ss ; Wong Clioy Vow, ss ; Wong Lai Choy, ss; "See Lee, ss; Chu Yung, ss; Sam Wah, ss; Joe Ching, ss; Chum Wai King, ss; Chang Hok Chin, ss; Wong Ling Bow, ss ; Chin Pal, ss ; King Lee, 7s ; other contributions under 5s total 6s 2d; — total, £25 2s 6d.

UNOFFICIAL ITEMS

On the evening of Monday last a con3ert was held on board the U.S.S. Company s Waikare (Captain H. J. Richardson), and contributions amounting to £5 wera received, making a. total in all of about £40, -winch will be devoted to providing a horse and equipment for the late bugle* qi the Waikare, W. Chees eman, whose services have been accepted for the fourth contingent.

The total amount raised in Out ram for the patriotic and contingent fund was £251 7s sd, as follows: — Subscriptions in Outram Riding for patriotic fund, £72 13s ; Otago and Southland Fourth Contingent fund donations, £72 2s ; Outram concert and dance, £51- 4s sd ; Outram ladies' floral fair, £52 8s : —total, £251 7s sd. There was paid to the treasurer general patriotic fund, Dunedin, £72 13s ; for a horse purchased by the ladies for Outram Volunteer Andrew, £23 : Outram ladies for equipment for Outram Volunteer Andrew, £28 14s 6d ; three horses for Outram Voluntears Buckland. Kent, and M'Leod, £54;, equipment do. £72; sundry expenses, 19s lid ; —total, £251 7s sd.

Nurse Monson, who goes to South Africa with the nursing sisters, was for over three years in the Dunedin Hospital and eight years private nursing.

PATRIOTIC CONCERT,

A fitting finale to Wednesday's rejoicing and holiday - making was provided in the patriotic concert in the Agricultural Hnll by the combined musical talent of Dunedin in aid of the fourth contingent fund. Tho hall was admirably decorated for the occasion, and the ladies and gentlemen who were entrusted with this work may justifiably be proud of the results of their labours. A number of children from the Industrial School were also present, and they were not the least enthusiastic in an audience that was brimful of enthusiasm, and that would have accepted with acclamation a much less admirable programme than that which was presented to it. WELLINGTON, February 28.

At a meeting of the local executive of the Rough Riders it was stated that there Avas sufficient money in hand to equip 78 men. Ifc was decided to hand over £3000 \o the Government immediately, with tho simulation that if the Imperial Government were defraying Iho cost of transport a refund would bo made to the committee. It was announced ths4 M-v. Jciitfi Pliainier, who has already sub-

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scribed £325 to the war fund, was willing t(» 1 increase the amount to £500 if necessary. The Premier says there must be a mistake on the part of Sir A. Douglas in demanding payment for the shipment of the fourth contingent.