A SEVERE RIDING TEST.

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

A SEVERE RIDING TEST.

AN AFTERNOON'S SKIRMISHING.

FRIDAY.

The riding tests have assumed a new phase, and one that will settle for good all doubts as lo a trooper's horsemanship. On Thursday morning Captain Price took out a. company of about 40 men on the hills above Allanclale and St. Clair. They were given a gallop of about half a mile over the roughest part of the country, being sent straight at gorse hedges, gullies, ridges, and through scrub, oome splendid riding was displayed, some of the men showing that they were rough riders in every sense of the term, and out of the total number about one-third have been passed as finally selected. The fate of the rest still hangs in. the balance, and about 17 will probably be thrown out. During the morning 1 Sergeant-major Metford's horse got away with him, and he had a spill, but was not seriously hurt.

The morning parade was held as usual on the beach, and a squadron of about 60 men, in three divisions, were exercised in company movements by Captain Harvey for about half an hour. After that the divisions were drilled separately by -Lieutenants Fulton 1 , Macdonald, and Bauchop, and were put through a number of movements in extended order. © While the mounted work was going on Lieutenant Freeman and Sergeant-major Knee, and Corporal Marshall exercised three squads in manual and firing exercises. The afternoon parade was the best yet held by the contingent. Over 130 men went out under Captain Harvey, and the officers in charge were Lieutenants Fulton, Bauchop, M'Donald, and Pram, with Lieutenants Morris and -Ukcdonald assisting. After about half an hour of company drill an advance service guard was told off. The point was in charge of Lieutenant Macdonald. The advance guard under Lieutenant Pram, and the main guard under Lieutenant Fulton. The point dismounted and sent out skirmishers, and, presumably, meeting with resistance, sent back to the vanguard for reinforcements. Four sections were brought up in extended order at a gallop, and advanced to support the point. The attack changing round -to the left flank, fix sections were sent out from the main guard and were extended on that flank. These were pushed forward in skirmishing order over the Sandhills, and were instructed, to make tße utmost use of all the available cover as they advanced. T!ie next move was to throw out a skirmishing party of five sections in extended order, and these were extended to the left flank by succjssive rapports until about 20 sections were in action. The whole body advanced in skirmishing order right along the SaitdSulk and up to the Anderson's Bay Cemetery. The work was hot and heavy, but from an instructional point of view was far the best yet done by the contingent. The men again showed great discernment and ingenuity in making use of all the cover available, and the practice will stand them in good ftead on a future occasion. A- large number of them came back tired nut with their exertions, and all had splendid appetites for their tea. After this was disposed of Sergeant Tubman took a sqiiad to St. Glair for a bathe, which was very refreshing after the day's work.

GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS.

Three additional horses arrived from the Fouth on • Thursday. The steamer Gymeric, which is to take the fourth contingent from Port Chalmers to the Cape, is commanded by Qxptain Thomson. She is of 3987 tons.net register, and left London on December 26, for Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. The Gymeric is a steel steamer, built by Russell and Co., in. March, 1899. She is 345 ft long, 49ft Bin beam, 17ft 9iii deep ; 264 nominal horsepower ; classed 101 Al ; 4002 gross tonnage and 2598 net. The Premier wired yesterday that she should be in New Zealand waters about the 16th March. It is intended that the date of departure shall be March 24 if the charter warty will allow. Mrs E. C. Peters, Middlemarch, forwards a truck of oats and a truck of chaff, collected by the residents of the district, for the contingent horses.

Mr Kay, a student of Selwyn College, has offered to accompany the fourth contingent as chaplain.

Ravensbourne has collected more than sufficient to pay for one horse and the. equipment of one man.

The West Harbour Boroiigh Council propose to invite the fourth contingent to spend a day next week with them. The council will act as hosts and entertain their guests on the reclaimed ground.

Additional subscriptions. — Oamaru Committee, £150 ; P. Laffey. 2s 6:1 ; a friend, Is ; Kelso Committee, £25"; Miller' 3 Flat Committee, £25; Clinton Committee, £88 16s Id; Hakataramea estate, £25 ; Dunedin saddlers, £27; Heriot Committee, £25. Collected af; Wangaloa (per Mr P. Hagp,art) . £6 8s ; Macraes Flat (per Mr Fred Elsom), £12 15s.

The following are the St. Clair and Allandale subscriptions : — Misses Inglis, £6 6s ; Mrs Kirkcaldy, £3 3s; J. Fotheringham, P. Fenwiek, T. R. Fisher, W. A. Shields, J. F. Nixson, J. C. Burrowes, J. H. Jones, A. L. Isaacs, £2 2s each; A. C. Stronach, W. D. Houston, J. M'Kay, Baker, M'Leod, G. Blyth, T. J. Collins. J. A. X. Riedle, J. R. Thornton, Powell, R. Campbell, Mrs Campbell, J. H. Hancock, H. Shrimpton, R. Bolton, E. C. Crawshaw, W. J. Shiel, A. C. ■ Court, Mrs Forbes, Mrs Hegarty, £1 Is each j R. M'Quaid, £1; J. Ritchie. F. J. Walker, 10s 6d each ; J. Couston, F. W. Ibbotson, M. Fleming. J. R. Dick, W. B. Taylor, 10s each ; —total, £51 16s.

Mr P. Miller on Thursday forwarded £27, being the Dunedin saddlers' contribution. The individual subscriptions were: — Butler 8r03.. and Brace, Windle, and Blyth, £3 3s: P. Miller and B. Hatfield. £2 2s; W. J.. Crofts, C. Moore, G. Smyth, A. M'Kenzie, J. Clark, J. B. M'Callurn, J. Lacey, and J. Wilson, £1 Is: Reid and Maxwell, £1; J. Moir and G. Wilson, 10d 6d each. Smoller amounts, £6 Is.

Master Percy Bridgman collected the sum of 26s 3d in pence for " more powder " at the floral fete on Wednesday.

THE FLORAL FETE.

In the tent occupied by the decorated baskets, shower bouquets, hoops, parasols, etc., it fiiould have been mentioned that Messrs Ilowden and Moncrieff staged, for exhibition only, a very tastefully arranged table of artistic floral deigns and foliage plants. The plants comprised well-grown specimens of kentia, palms, asparagus, and ptcris ferns. Most prominent amongst the designs were amoclel steamer canying the contingent's colours and pennant lettered " Mountefort." The hull was of white flowers tastefully decorated in red and blue, with adiantum and autumn-tinted foliage to complete. Standias

on mirror glass, edged with rustic work, the effect was very fine. A large basket of choice roses, including — Victor Hugo, La Franco, Souv. de L. Guillot, and others — finished with pale tinted ribbon lettered in gold " Success to our boys," was a feature in the exhibit. A very fine wreath of tuberoses, stephenotis, arid other exotics, artistically finished with autumn-tinted and other foliage also shown. The other designs were made up in the firm's usual good taste, and the w,hole was much appreciated by the public, the difficulty being to geat near enough to view the various exhibits.

PATRIOTIC EVENING AT ROSLYN.

So successful was the patriotic evening given in St. John's Hall, Roslyn, on Thursday, that it is estimated that close on £20 will be realised for the contingent fund, though this amount was certainly not represented by the audience present, good as it was. The evening was promoted by Mr A. H. Burton, and was on the lines of that given in the city last week. Mr Burton took the larger portion of the work of entertaining upon himself, and even added to the numerous items he had engaged himself to recite and read.

SEND-OFF TO THE NURSES.

The nurses who are now on their way to South Africa were entertained at afternoon tea at the V.M.C.A. Rooms on Thursday afternoon, there being a large number of ladies present. Mr T. W. Kempthorne (chairman of the Organising Committee), Dr de Lautour, Messrs J. A. Park, and W. A. Shields, and the Rev. A. Don were also in attendance

WESTPORT, March 1. A number of candidates for a place in the fourth contingent were put through the shooting test to-day. The scoring was poor over 300 yds. Those from the districts around Westport shoot to-morrow. GREYMOUTH, March 1. Eighteen men have volunteered from Greymouth for the fourth contingent. Seven more have promised to volunteer to-morrow. Several horses have already been presented, and seven more "are promised. AUCKLAND, March 1. There are 200 applications to serye in the fifth reserve contingent, and 40 have passed the medical examination. The rest have not yet been tested. The more men fund is nearly £4000, and the joint funds £10,000. Arrangements have not yet been settled for a steamer to take the men and horses of the fourth contingent to Wellington. CHRISTCHURCH, March 1.

Up to ,date the authorities here have received 116 applications for enrolment on the reservists' contingent.

SATURDAY.

GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS.

The American Tobacco Company have promised 4001b of tobacco for the use of the contingent on the voyage. The Hons. J. Carroll and J. M'Gowan have notified their intention of being present at the departure of the contingent. Tne Clyde Committee have passed a resolution that if more than one candidate from Clyde be accepted, the money in hand be divided between them ; if only one candidate passes, the whole of the money be placed at his disposal; £25 for outfit, the balance to be paid him in cash. If no candidate be accepted from Clyde, the money to be paid over to the Otago Contingent fund. Mr Jas. Eden, manager of the Hillside workshops, writes' that the employees request that the horse, for the purchase of which they provided funds, be called " Hillside." The man to be fully equipped is J. A. Mathie, at present in camp.

Of the Otago men, 76 had up to Friday, passed in everything. Sixty are left in camp, and have to undergo their final tests. All these are first-class riders, and it will be very difficult to make a final selection. Tne Nelson Contingent will arrive, with their horses, to-day, reaching Port Chalmers about 2 p.m. They will be met by the mayor, members of the Organising Committee, and others.

No definite arrangements have yet been made about the departure of the nurses, but it is probable that they will leave by the Talune on Monday. The difficulty is to obtain steamer accommodation to the Cape, the port to which it is proposed to send them. The following additional subscriptions to the fund have been received: — Wangaloa Committee, £6 8s; Clyde, £17 12s 9d; Macraes, £12 15s ; Dunedin Builders' Association, £25 ; United Friendly Societies' Dispensary. £20; ladies of Palmerston South, £3 10s ; Evening Star Company, £50 ; Mr J. Cooite (per Mr G. L. Denniston) , £1 Is. ,

PATRIOTIC CONCERT AT PORT CHALMERS.

A gratifying sequence to the news of 'the relief of Ladysmith, w.hich reached Port Chalmers on Friday morning, was the entertainment given last evening in aid of the contingent fund, under the auspices of his Worship the Mayor (Mr D. A. De Maus), who, with Dr Hendry, Messrs J. Rennie, 8.A., and G. Hendry, formed the Organising Committee ; and to their credit lie it spoken they succeeded wondrously well. The Garrison Hall was charmingly * decorated for the occasion, the upper end of the building being furnished to represent a drawing room. His Worship the Mayor was the host, and the ladies and gentlemen who gracefully volunteered to lend their valuable aid were his guests.

AUCKLAND, March 2

It is now definitely decided that the Rough Eiders go to Wellington on Monday via the West Coast by the Hinemoa. 'A half-holiday will be proclaimed for the send-off, and the Mayor will entertain the Governor, Earl Beauchamp, and other notaries at a public luncheon at the drillshed, where the troops .will be reviewed

GREYMOUTH, March 2,

Forty have volunteered for the 10 places in the contingent. The riding competition will be held to-morrovr, and the men despatched next week. Subscriptions and horses are freely offering.

ARRIVAL OF THE NELSON MEN. MONDAY.

A useful morning's work was put in on Saturday, the routine being similar to that which obtained nearly all the week. Captain Morris and Lieutenants Freeman and Pram put 60 men through the cross-countrj riding test adopted on Thursday and Friday with very fair results. In a few instances, however, it proved too severe an ordeal for the men, and consequently the list of eligibles has been further narrowed down. Captain Harvey had charge of the mounted drill on the beaoh, and manual and firing exercises were practised by another squad in camp. The following figures, which are pretty nearly accurate, give a fair idea of the position of the men in camp. The total number who went into camp (exclusive, of course, of the Nelson me.^ jipja whom yze have na-

thing to do) was 264. Of these £5 have' been rejected for being unable to display the required horsemanship, and eight men went out for being under age, which left 171. Out of this number 126 have been, finally passed, so that out of the 45 remaining, 24 men have yet to be selected. All of tfiem would creditably represent their province in the contingent, but, unfortunately, the limit of 150 cannot be exceeded. There is little doubt, however, that every man amongst them will find places in the fifth contingent if they are still bent on going to the war.

All Saturday afternoon was devoted to moving the camp. This occupied from 2 ' o'clock until after 6, and the work formed ' excellent practice for the men in tent-pitch-ing. The order of the camp has not been materially changed, the whole having been shifted in a straight line to the west. The officers' tents and the forage marquee still occupy their old positions. The next work will be to shift the horse lines to the new camp, and this will probably be done to-day. We are informed that 14 days is generally the period that the horse lines are allowed to remain in one place, and after that it is, where practicable, ' considered desirable to move them to fresh ground. The troopers' equipment is beginning to come into the camp. The nose-bags were delivered last week, and a number of the saddles are in. They are well made, and the weight is 13£lb. (j , The Southlanders desire to record their gratitude to Mrs W. and Mrs M. Coughlan, of the Shamrock Hotel, for several large hampers of good things which they have kindly made up and sent to the camp. Such gifts are very welcome when discriminately made, but sometimes the lady friends of the men are not so careful, pnd when the young woman who is aboxit to be left behind brings her soldier boy two or three pounds of semi-ripe plums, the young man generally pays a visit to the hospital tent next clay. The prevalence of diarrhoea in the camp last week was attributed to the large quantity of fruit brought in by visitors. The general health of the camp has, however, been excellent * from the start, and the ambulance men have had little to do beyond tying up cuts, treating bruises from horse kicks, etc. The other day, Avhen one of the cooks poured boiling water on his foot, the presence of the hospital tent was a godsend to him, but the camp surgeon, Dr Watt, will probably have to wait till he goes to. the front before he finds much to do in his particular line. i The Nelson men went into camp on Saturday night. They have a trim khaki uniform, but of course this_ will have to be changed for the regulation "uniform of the contingent. * On Sunday the crowd of visitors was not nearly so large as the previous Sunday after- . noon, but doubtless the sudden change in the woather accounted for this. The Citizens' and Garrison Bands were both present, and played selections turn about during the afternoon.

The general manager of the O.P.Q. (Waipori) Gold Mines (Limited) has handed over to the local treasurer of the patriotic relief fund a cheque for £29 5s 6d, being the amount subscribed by the company and its employees. This is beside the Otago and Southland Contingent fund, towards which the employees of the company have also subscribed liberally.

CHURCH PARADE,

The event of the day on Sunday is the church parade, and on the 4-th there was a large attendance of the men. Those who managed to dodge it, however, did penance for their neglect by being pxit on fatigue work in camp while the rest were to parade for mounted drill at 11 o'clock. Fortunately the rain kept off till after the service was over. The Rev. Ourzon-Siggers conducted the service, and liq had the assistance of several members of St. Matthews Church choir The hymns used during the service were among those dedicated by the Rev. Mr Cur-zon-Siggers to the contingent, and we print one of them below. The service concluded with the National Anthem.

Tune: Austria,

•V Britain's sons, with hearts and voices, Raise to God your praise alway ; God hath made our arms victorious, Been our Empire's Strength and Stay,

Praise the Lord our God, Who sitteth High enthron'd and judgeth right!

Praise the Lord, Who vict'ry giveth To the cause right in His sight!

Praise the Lord for deeds all glorious By our arms on land and sea! Praise the Lord, Who to our Nation Giveth wealth and liberty! Praise the Lord, Who hath upholden All our plans to bless mankind! Praise the Lord, "Who doth embolden Warriors noble, true, and kind!

When, we fight to give the nations Righteous rule and equity. God of Comfort, end all suffering By a speedy victory. "When we raise in supplication, With our thanks, as now to-day, God of Hope and Consolation, j^» Be our soldiers' Strength and Stay. — Amen. ARRIVAL OF THE NELSON CONTIN-

The Nelson Contingent, in charge of Ser-geant-major Healy, and accompanied by the Mayor of Nelson (Mr J. A. Harley), who has full power to act for the local committee, arrived by the Talune shortly after 6 o'clock on Saturday evening. The names of the men are as follow : — Sergeant Jickell, Corporal Gorrie, Troopers Bright. Bolton, Meade, Creswell, Bovey, and Best. On the arrival of the steamer at the cross wharf, the contingent were met by his Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Chisholm), Messrs J. H. Hosking, J. F. M. Fraser, W. Shields, J. A. Park, and C. Speight (members of the Organising Committee), and E. F. Duthie (secretary). There was also a large number of the general public on the wharf. As soon as the steamer was berthed at the wharf, the Mayor called for " three cheers for the Nelson boys of the fourth contingent," the call being heartily responded to. His Worship and the Organising Committee afterwards boarded the steamer, and formally welcomed the Mayor of Nelson and the Nelson "boys." The latter were drawn up in line on the upper deck of the steamer, and were briefly addressed by Mr Chisholm, who, on behalf of the citizens and Organising Committee, heartily welcomed them to this city. He also advised them to be very careful to obey orders while in camp, and to show their respect for their superior officers, and predicted for them a glorious career in South Africa. He likewise extended a cordial welcome to the Mayor of Nelson, and said he would endeavour to make his stay in this cily as pleasant as possible. He concluded by calling for three cheers for the Mayor of Nelson and the Nelson Contingent. The call having been warmly responded to, Mr Harley returned thanks for the reception of the contingent and himself, and, in referring, to the former, said they were all Nelson-bred boys, and he was mire they would give a good jtccojnit of

themselves. After leaving the steamer the men went straight out to the camp at Forbury Park. THE NURSES. Mr H. F. Hardy has forwarded to Mrs Gordon Macdonald seven handsome Mpsgiel rugs, one for each of the nurses proceeding to South Africa. Mr 3 Lee Smith sends a dozen aprons. The Rev. Mr Bannerman forwards 51b of arrowroot for each of the nurses.

The total amount collected up to date for the nurses' fund is £1133 2s sd.

GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS,

A meeting of the Demonstration Committee was held on Saturday morning, and attended by the Mayor (Mr R. Chisholm), Messrs Park, Speight, and Shields. The committee reported what arrangements they had made for the send-off of the contingent" during the absence of his Worship, who approved of everything that had been done. The head office and out-door staff of t\e U.S.S. Company have subscribed *£25 to the contingent fund. The Milton Committee have written forwarding £150, and they ask that £50 of the money be expended in purchasing horses _f or Horatson and Drinnan, the balance to go to the equipment of the four Milton men now in camp. The committee wish the two horses provided by them to be called "Toko" and "Mairo."

Ida Valley forwards £4 3s 6d to the contingent fund. The manager of the Round Hill Mining Company has collected £25 in Southland, which he wishes to bo expended in purchasing a horse to be named " Sludge."

Mr G. Burnett, secretary of the committee of the railway patriotic fund, has written to the Organising Committee, stating that at a meeting of the committee held on Saturday it was decided to donate £276 7s 8d from the general fund to the " more men " fund. The Defence department intend calling for tenders for the supply of forage on the voyage. Mr A. R. Falconer, the sailors' missionary, has very kindly offered to provide at the camp a properly-furnished tent wherein the men can of an evening do their letter-writing in quietness, and Mr Falconer has also volunteered' to personally attend and keep the tenl tidy. The Organising Committee have decided to accept the offer, provided that it meets with the approval of the camp commandants. Messrs Irvine and Stevenson have forwarded three ease? of delicacies for present use at the camp. Plenty of applications are being received by Colonel Webb for enrolment in the reserve that the Government are about to enlist, but he is wailing to sea what good men are passed out of the Fourth Contingent volunteers, and they will get the perference. Thirty tents are already pitched at Tahuna Park/, a guard of the Permanent Artillery is in occupation, and the contract for the catering has been taken up by Mr S. Lean. The Hyde Committee have forwarded £25 to equip Wm, Matheson. Ngapara sends £25 for a horse. Hampden provides horses for W. P. M'Kerrow and Amos Booth.

Mr J. Horn, of Bannockburn. forwards by cheque £45 18s 3d, of which £43 5s was subscribed by Bannockburn residents, £1 5s at Nevis, and £1 8s 3d was obtained by the singing of " The Absent-minded Beggar " at the Montgomery Company's performance. The i>ubscribers wish £25 to be expended in purchasing a horse, to be called " Carriole," the balance of the money to go to the general contingent fund. The members of the Dunedin Tailoresses' Union, who have for some time past been engaged during their spare time in. making up the " hold-alls " and " housewives " for the Rough Riders' Contingent, celebrated the completion of the work on Friday evening by holding an impromptu social. Songs, recitations, and suitable speeches were given, and during an interval in the proceedings the secretary (Miss* Ada Whitehorn) was presented by the members of the class with a silvermounted purse, in recognition of her services in superintending and completing the work assigned to the union by the Contingent Committee. The presentation was made by a member of the claps (Miss Ella Hay ward}. Miss Whitehorn thanked the members very heartily for their unexpected and handsome reminder of the few happy hour? spent by >the 'class in performing a good and patriotic work. On the 14th of this month Fuller's Waxworks, under the management of Mr Ben Fuller, will celebrate their first anniversary, and, to publicly mark the occasion, the whole of the takings at the performance on that night will be handed over to the Fourth Contingent fund.

The following additional subscriptions have teen received: — Mrs A. Lee Smith, £5 ss; Bannockburn residents, £43 ss; Nevis residents, £1 ss; Montgomery Company, £1 8b 3d; Robert Rutherford (Ophir), £4 4s; Mount Cargill and Sawyers' Bay residents, £3 10s; Ngapara residents. £25 ; Head office and outdoor staff of the U.S.S. Company, £25. The following subscriptions have been collected by Mr H. Graham in the Mount Cargill and Sawyers' Bay- districts : — B. Barrownian. Is; Wm. Perry, ssi* A "Friend, 2p; V. M., 2s &d; A Friend, 2s 6d ; M. Clemison, ss; J. Williams, jun., 2s; R.. Leslie, Isj John Bulton, 4s ; W. G. Sinclair, 3s ; George tTenry, Is; C. Lockford, 2s; S. Brownlie, ss; F. Carving, 2s 6d ; Esther Gunn, 2s 6d ; Mrs Lang, 2s 6d ; W. Lang. 2s 6d ; Thomas Lang, 3d; Mrs Kemp, 2s; Jacob Graham, 2s 6d ; Morton, 2s 6d; A. Graham, 9s; — total, £3 10s.

THE AUCKLAND SECTION,

AUCKLAND, March 3

At a meeting of the Patriotic Fund Committee to consider the disposal of the fund, it was decided to devote the surplus to the patriotic fund for the New Zealand contingent. Mr.J. Kirker then asked the mayor to communicate with the mayors of other provincial centres and endeavour to arrange for the organisation of a definite scheme of relief. If the administration of the relief is not done systematically there would be endless confusion. He thought each province should contribute to each New Zealand case for relief on a pro rat a principle. He also wished to aay that the committee held that the Government should bear the cost of all future contingents, and that the Rough Riders' fund is now closed. It was agreed that the mayor should communicate with the other mayors as suggested.

GREYMOUTH, March 4.

Yesterday there was a procession, consisting of firemen, friendly societies, volunteers, Rough Riders, school children, and the general public, with an open air concert at night in aid of tho more men and horses fund. The Rough Riders were ,tested in riding, a charge for admission being made in aid of the fund. Most of the men acquitted themselves well.

TUESDAY.

All the tests .have now concluded, and tho contingent has been selected. The men will be sworn in to-day, and those rejected will have an pppprttmity of volunteering for the

reserve corps. Matters in camp will then be on a much more satisfactory basis. The ofiicers instructing will know exactly what men they have to do with, and the training will go ahead much more expeditiousiy. Not that excellent work has not already been accomplished, but after to-day every man in camp will feel the reins drawn a little tigh'.er; discipline will be stricter, and from now up to the date of embarkation the men will be kept pretty hard at the task of fitting themselves in every possible way for the serious work they have undertaken. 4

A good deal of useful work was got through on Monday. In the morning Captain Harvey had several divisions bmy with company drill and divisional movements. The men can never have too much of this, and the increased familiarity with the movements naturally has resulted in their being executed in a very creditable manner. The horses arc dropping into their places very quickly, and nothing can be more pleasing than to see the movements smartly performed, and at the same time preserving the alignment. In the afternoon some very good work was done on the Sandhills. Three divisions, under Captain Harvey, formed a line of outpost^ from Lawyer's Head to the Anderson's Bay Cemetery, which consisted of two pickets in charge of^Jieutenants Bauchop and M'Donald. From these cossack posts were thrown out. The fourth division was under Lieutenant Fulton, and remained in the vicinity of the Central Battery until Captain Harvey had time to take up his position. Reconnoitring patrols representing an enemy were then sent out to ascertain the strength and disposition of Captain Harvey's force. Some of the men worked their way close up to the line of outposts, and one man brought back a very intelligent report. The work was greatly hampered for want of blank cartridge, which should have been supplied some time ago. The men being all in p'.ain clothes, had nothing to distinguish each other by, and the sentries could not ue expected to know if the parties approaching were friends or enemies. Patrols have also yet to learn that when they stand out against the skylme they form a very good target for a considerable range.

The day's operations, however, were very satisfactory, but the country is not tho best for instructional purposes, "there being too many fences and locked gates to allow free moving about. It is probable that the officers will try the hills between St. Clair and Brighton during the week.

Captain Stronach lias been trying the new saddles, and speaks in very favourable terms regarding them. They are well made, and good material has been used. The bridles are on a new model, and have yet to be tried. The ordinary curb rein is replaced with one of a new type. A strip of leather going over the horse's head and flown through the rings of the bit, is drawn together, forming a pretty strong curb on any horse. The bridle also serves a 3 a headstall, merely requiring the 7)icket rope to be fastened to it.

About 40 men, including the Nelson section, came into town on Monday afternoon to be measured for their uniform?.

Sergeant-major Knee is still busy on the manual exercises, and puts through a different squad every day.

GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS,

Three little girls (the Misses Gore, Rutledge, and Parker) organised a ooncert, the charge of admission to which was Id and 2d, on Saturday afternoon, and raised the sum of 8s 8d for the fund.

The collections in South Dunedin realised the sum of £69 9s 6d, of which £42 10s was handed over, the remainder being used for the purchase of a horse, and expenses. The collectors were — Messrs J. Osmond and W. M'Connell £18 2s 6d, Messrs Robertson and Stirling £13 7s, Messrs Scott and Marlow £6 8s 6d, Messrs T. Fiddis and W. Warren £5 12s 6d, Messrs S. J. Lyon and Fleming £5 5s 6d, Messrs Todd and Clark £5 10s 6d, and A. Smith and J. Pnterson £2, sundry £11 18s. The following Bums have been received: — Brighton, per John Graham, £4 Is (additional) ; s.s. Waikare (passengers and crew), £38; Alexander Sligo, £3 3s; Roxburgh £15 Is 9d (additional).

The. farmers in the Inchholme district have forwarded 50 sacks of oats for the use of the contingent.

The Hampden Committee have forwarded -two "horses/ one to be named "Hampden," for W. P. M'Kerrow, and one to be named " Moeraki," for Amos Booth. The Organising Committee invite the children from the public schools to visit the camp on Saturday, the 10 th inst., at 1 o'clock. They suggest that the Cadet Corps might appear in uniform.

The officer in command has granted permission to Messrs Robt. Logan and Trotter the entry to the camp to receive instruction from the officers there, so as- to facilitate and assist them in organising a corps in their own district at Kokonga.

The Mayor of Gore telegraphed on Monday that two remounts and a charger would b» forwarded in a few days. The Gore Committee are prepared to forward three or f oxxr more spare horses if desired.

The Secretary has received £2 2s 9d, the proceeds of a baaacr got up for children by two little girls (Mildred Fish and Amy Thompson) living in Walker street. As there are now a large number of horses in camp, it is desirable that no further horses should be donated, but any further purchases should be left entirely to the committee.

We are informed that the uniform worn on their arrival here by members of the Nelson section of the fourth contingent was that of the Nelson Rifles, to which corps they all belong.

Mr Eiuley, the treasurer of the teachers' fund, informs us that he has in hand slightly over £100, and that the list will be finally closed at the end of- this week. The teachers will, therefore, be able to perform the task they attempted — viz., to provide mounts and equipments for the two teachers who may be accepted.

Mr Eric Moller, secretary lo the Ravensbourne R3ga'.la Committee, has sent £5, being surplus from the regatta to the Ilavensboume fourth contingent fund. This brings thp total of tip's fund up to considerably over £60. A meeting of the Patriotic Committee will be held on Wednesday night in the Council Chambers.

Miss Dorothy Arundel, of Mosgiel, of the mature age of 6 years, has handed in £1, the result of selling balls of shaving soap.. During the run of the Waikare from the Bluff to Hobart a concert was organised on behalf of the bugler of the vessel, who has been accepted for service with the fourth contingent. The night proved somewhat stormy, so the attendance of passengers was not large. StMl, £2 10s was realised by the sale of programmes, and Mr Brownlow's singing of " The Absent-minded Beggar " realised £6 3s. The officers of tho company subscribed £26 towards the same object.

A social in aid of the more horses fund took place at Hillend on Friday, 23rd February, and, as usual with all tho Hillend affairs of the sort, was a great success, being '»&«

tended by over 100 persons. Many came frpn»a distance, thus showing their appreciation of the Hillenders' - endeavours to help " Tommy." Dancing started sh-rtly after 8 p.m., and was kept up till 1 a.m. Tea, cakes, etc., supplied by the ladies, were landed round '.by the ladies at intervals. The singing of son^e gave variety' to the dancing. Music was supplied by Messrs Adam and Alexander King, who gave every satisfaction. The sum of £8 12s 6d was netted by the social, a sale of sur» plus goods realised £1 15s, and a donation of 2gs from Mr Bishop, added to the remount list, gives a total of £18 as Hillend's contribution to the more men andiioree fund. The money will be paid over to the Stirling committee with a recommendation to have it credited to Hillend, and also a suggestion that one of the horses should be named " Hillend." DEPARTURE OF THE AUCKLAND SECTION. AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF.

AUCKLAND, March 5.

A_ magnificent send-off was given to th« Auckland section of the Rough Riders. The Mayor- (Mr Goldie) entertained the Rough Riders at luncheon in the Drill Shed. The host was supported by the Governor and Earl Beauchamp and their staffs, the Premier, tha Hons. J. G. Ward, and Jas. Carroll, Mr Justice Conolly, Colonel Penton, Colonel Banks, etc. The toast of "The Queen" was given by the Premier, ahd "The Governor" by Mr Witheford, chairman of the Harbour Board/ who said he had given up a private trip round the north an. order to attend ",fcha farewell to the third contingent. He wak now going lo Dunedin to see the fourth contingent off. We ought to be proud of "our Governor. — (Applause.) He was quite sure the Governor was proud of the people oyer whom he presided. The toast was honoured with enthusiasm, the company giving thres cheers for Lord Ranfurly and cheers for Lady Ranfurly and Lord Northland.

It is estimated 30,000 people, including visitors from the country, witnessed the embarkation. Sixteen steamers and a.hox\t 70 yachts accompanied the Rotokino to Rangitoto Channel. PREPARING FOR THE TRANSPORT. WELLINGTON, March 5. Mr Dani-al*, of the TJrion Company, who has fitted up previous transports fiom New Zealand, is busy at work arranging the fittings fpr_the Gymeric, which is carrying the fourth contingent. The vessel is expected here in a few days, and will embark the North Islanders before going on to Port Chalmers. The probable date of departure from Port Chalmera is March 17.

STRATFORD, March 4.

The sale of the patriotic ewe was continued on Saturday evening, and resulted, after sha had been sold a large number of times, in £20 5s being realised, making a grand total of £52 10s. The ewe wad finally bought by the Mayor of Stratford, who is sending her to the Mayor of Hawera, and suggests that a similar course be taken there, and also that she b© sent to Wanganui, Palmerston North, and Wellington.