AN OFF DAT" IN CAMP. THE TROOPS GO TO THE RACES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2404, 29 March 1900, Page 62

AN OFF DAT" IN CAMP. THE TROOPS GO TO THE RACES.

TiIUKSDAi". I Thee was no drill in camp yesterday. It was after 10 o'clock when the balance of the ' Otago and Southland equipment wai issued, and this being finally complete, Nos. 9 and 30 Companies saddled up, and were marched out to pay a. visit to the D.J.C.'s Autumn meeting at Wingatui. Cajjtain Fulton was in command, and the troop went straight out to the racecourse, passing through Chversham

about 11 o'clock. ' On Look-out Point .the Industrial School boys were assembled to see them go past, and the school band played " Soldiers of the Queen." 1 At the cattle yards a number of men had collected, and cheered the contingent enthusi1 astically. A considerable proportion of Nos. 7 and 8 j Companies went out by train, while troopers were conspicuous about town all the afterj noon. GENERAL CONTINGENT NEWS. The Tutanekai takes the place of the Hinemoa, and visitors invited to travel by the ! latter boat will note that the tickets will be available for the Tutanekai. Thp treasurer of the Mornington contingent fitnd forwarded £120, subscribed by the i Mornington rebidents, for the fourth coniin- \ a;©nt, and mentioned that he would have a. | further cheque to send to complete the I amount. In addition, the residents had pro-

I yided a horse for Kyle, to be called Mom- ! ington." The Mayor of Jnvercargill wired that horses of the regulation size were getting scarce, and asked whether horses 16 hands as reI mounts would be accepted. A reply was sent I that nothing above 15 hands 2 inches would be accepted. The sum of £1 10s, the result of a patriotic I concert at South Dunedin on the 17th inst., has been Bent in. j J. C. Uow, Shag Valley, forwarded £2 15s, . collected since the forwarding of £51 13s. j J. H. Inglis, Mosgiel, forwarded £6 5s bd, I balance collected by the Mosgiel committee. I A portion of the six cases of fruit for- ! warded by Mrs Douglas, Mount Royal, went 1 to the fourth contingent and a portion to the : fifth. j Mrs Wise, Oamaru, sends four cases of fruit for the fourth contingent, and Mr A. Thomson a case and a parcel for the fourth and a present for the fifth contingent. j The Dunedin Pipe Band have intimated their intention of taking part in the demon- : stration. i J. Napier, Mornington, forwarded two j pairs of boots for Seth Kyle, fourth contin- • goat. j On the 13th inst. Mr Henderson, of Beaui mont, was credited with £2 6s 3d, proceeds ) of donation of butler. Mrs Dalton, of Beaumont, should have been credited with the donation. The Queenstown committee forwards a I postal note with the request that the money 1 may be divided between Troopers Shalders, Edgar, and "Williams. 1 Troopers Andrew and Anderson, of Outram, members of the fifth contingent, were [ ' accorded a send-off at Outram on Monday i evening in the shape of a social and dance, 1 held in their honour. Trooper Andrew was presented with a handsome watch and chain, and three sovereigns, together with a beauti- ' j fully decorated certificate of Good Templary I from the Dawn of Victory Lodge. Troopers \ Kent ami M'Kellar, also Outram boys, were j invited to the social, but were unable to ob- , tain the necessary leave. j In the report of subscriptions from schools , on Wednesday Albany street School was credited with £2 0s 9d. It should be noted that}

this is the second subscriotion, £5 having been handed over last December.

Mrs C. Haynes has donated the sum of £2 towards the expenses of the afternoon tea at Port Chalmers to the contingent.

The Port Chalmers committee acknowledge with thanks the gift of two 18-gallon casks of ale for the local entertainment of the troops from Messrs Strachan and Co. (Limited), Dunedin.

Sergeant W. H. Ross has been appointed a lieutenant in the Otago section of the fifth contingent. Corporal S. L. Jones, who has always proved himself to be a most courteous and obliging hand during his lengthy service with the Union Steam Ship Company, was presented with 9 pair of field glasses on Tuesday afternoon. Mr T. W. Whitson made the presentation, and referred in eulogistic terms to Mr Jones's many good qualities.

Rifle pockets to the number of 158 were sent to the camp on Wednesday morning.

Mr Laing, manager of the D.1.C., is presenting the Kensington School children with a beautifully-designed fourth contingent badge on a rich white silk ribbon. At a special meeting of the Olago Typographical Association on Wednesday night Corporal Newman received a pair of field glasses. The president (Mr Wathen) in making the presentation, expressed the hope that if the corporal arrived in time to take an active part in tho war in South Africa he would have an opportunity of obtaining the highest honour of the soldier — the Victoria Cross, and return, to the colony with credit to himself and his regiment. It might be Ftated that Corporal Newman received from the association a bay horse that cost £30, and an outfit from the Daily Times employees. In acknowledging the kindness of his friends, Corporal Newman said that he felt that he had been exceptionally well treated, and hoped that he would be able to do his duty to the colony with credit to himself. Neat speeches of farewell to the corporal were made by Messrs Ash, Judge, Baird, and James Jago. Several songs were well sung, and a recitation of King Henry the Fifth's speech. " Onco More unto the Breach," was included in the iirogramme. The entertainment closed with \he pinging of "Auld lang syne" and the National Anthem.

On Saturday a few of the Hillside Railway Workshops employees met at the Criterion and spent a very pleasant evenirg, the occasion being a leave-taking of their late shopirate " "Bert " Black (G. C. Biack), who has been accepted as a volunteer for South Africa. During the evening Mr Muirhead, on behalf of the men in the fitting and machine shop, in the course of a few well-chosen remarks, said that it gave him very great pleasure to present Mr Black with a small memento as a token of esteem from his shopmates — the presentation taking the form of a gold compass locket, suitably inscribed, and a fancy silver matchbox with engraved monogram.

ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

The following additional subscriptions were received on Wednesday : — Married ladies (per Mrs M'Dermott) £2 (further subscription), Nurses fund (per Miss Nreol) 11s 6d, Mornintrton committee £120, concert at South Punedin by Miss May Smith and others £1 10s, Palmerston committee £2 15a (additional), Mo-^iel £6 5s 6d (additional).

A SOCIAL AT PORT CHALMERS

A social send-oft to the Port Chalmers members of the fourth contingent was given in the Garrison Hall on Tuesday evening, 'vhon there was an excellent -attendance. The hall was prettily decorated, and the committee — consisting of his Worship the Mayor, with J3r Borrie, Messrs F. W. Platts, D. Marr. and W. Wilson — did everything in their power to make their guests comfortable. On arrival at the hall the detachment, under lieutenant A. Bauchop, consisting of Troopers Salter, Ward, Bowling (of Port Chalmers), J. Mackley (West Coast), and Shalders (2, of the Otago and Southland contingent), marched up to the dais where his Worship the Mayor, on behalf of the people of Port Chalmers, greeted them, and expressed his satisfaction that their services had been accepted for the fourth contingent. Messrs E. G. Allen, M.H.R., and J. Mill, J.P., also addressed the detachment. An excellent musical programme, in which Mesdames Gilmour and .Tack, Miss Weir, Lieutenant Bauchop. his Worship the Mayor, Messrs J. ftennie, F. W. Plaits, and Geerin took part, was gone through, Miss Geerin acting as aecpmpanist. Lieutenant-commander Waters, with Lieutenants Dodds and Churchill, and a large number of the gunners of the Port Chalmers jNaval Artillery were present to do honour !o their late comrades, and dancing was carried on with great spirit till a late hour. Light refreshments were plentifully dispensed by a committee of ladies. The sum of £1 16s lOd was collected after the singing of " The absentminded beggar " by Mr A. Walker. MEETING OF IRISHMEN IN SOUTHLAND.

INVEROARGILL, March 2L

At an enthusiastic meeting of Irishmen, presided over by Dean Burke, it was decided, on the motion of Dr Young, to cable the following resolution zo the Queen: — "That the Irishmen of Southland desire to convey to her Majesty their warm appreciation of her gracious recognition of the valour of the Irish troops fighting in South Africa, and pray that her thoughtful visit to Ireland may prove pleasant to her and entwine still more round her throne the loyal affections of an ancient and chivalrous nation."

THE REVIEW OF THE BATTALION BY THE GOVERNOR. - THE MARCH THROUGH THE CITY. FRIDAY. The first business at Forbury camp yesterday was the swearing-in of the Otago and Southland section of the contingent.

The contingent paraded after breakfast for inspection by Colonel Penlon, and subsequently for review by- the Governor. His Excellency, escorted by a detachment of the Otago Hussars, arrived at Forbury, accompanied by Lady Ranfurly and the Mayor, about 11 o'clock. The contingent was drawn up in quarter-column of divisions in line, and as her Majesty's representative drove up the "battalion gave a general salute. The contingent then marched past in column of divisions, trotted past in sections, and finally went by at a valk in Finnic file. Ilis Excellency informed Colonel Penlon that he was liiglily pleased with_ the appearance of tho troop, and Colonel Pcnton took occ.\=ion to thank the officer^ of the camp for the acal t'lev Lad shown in their ta^k of iuF-tructir.g the men.

The fifth conliii'jenl. under Captain Jackeon, wore present, and trotted past in the rear of the fourth.

The cercvemny concluded, Lord Kcnfurly xc union to town about no ,n.

'Iho contingent, Lining attended lo their *"<3ases» cgaiu paraded clismouiitecU and jvci'g

eonvovod by the Tram Company to town to attend the Organising Committee's luncheon (a report of which appears elsewhere), returning therefrom about 3 o'clock.

The work of embarking the contingent horses ab Port Chalmers will commence early this morning, and it will be well into the afternoon before they are all on board.

MARCH THROUGH THE TOWN,

AN INTERESTING SPECTACLE,

No time was lost in saddling up for the march through the town to Mr Glendining's residence, but it was after half-past 4 before the advance guard appeared above the rise in South- Princes stieet, .and the expectant crowd first caught sight of the troop.

By 3 o'clock the people had begun to gather in the principal streets of the city to witness the parade of the troops, and half an hour later the crowd had become so dense in the neighbourhood of Moray place and Dowling street that it was with considerable difficulty that the trams got along. It might have been thought that by this time the sightseers had turned out to theii full number, but such was not the ca=e, for the crowd f-eemed to be an ever-increasing one, and by 4 o'clock from the Colonial Bank Buildings to the Octagon was black with peoiile, and gettirg- along either on the footpath, or in tne road, was a slow and extremely difficult task. When it is paid that the crowd extended, in greater or less number, from far down George street, right out to the Cricket Oval, an idea of its size may be obtained, and it is probable that not less than 20,000 j)ersons were about. Almost every window along both sides of George and Princes streets was filled with spectators, chieify ladies and children, and the roofs of many of the buildings accommodated hundreds more.

Captain Stronach and Major Fiancis redo at the head of the troop The Otago Company (No. 9), led by Captain Fulton, were in the van, and were followed by Captain Harvey's Company (No. 10), with Lieutenant Nicolson in command. The Aueklanders (No. 8), headed by Captain Walker, cams u«xi>, and No. 7, the Wellington men, under Captain Pringle, brought up the rear.

As the contingent entered the thronged parts of the streets cheers went up on all dicles. and sn.itch.es ot patriotic song" cou'.d he heard at riiort intervals as the men rode slowly along. 'they cert-iinly made a fine display, and produced a stirring effect. Judging by the attitude of the crowd, the public arc perfectly well F&li'-fi.ed that they are well and worthily represented, and thit the outcome of the movement to provide a fourth contingent is highly satisfactory.

It was nearly 7 o'clock before " The Fourth" got back to camp, and the Otago and Southland men were necessarily a little late in their arrival ot the theatre to avail themselves of Mr Band Holt's invitation io witness the opening performance of " The Absent-minded Beggar.''

AFTERNOON TEA AT NITHVALE.

Favoured with a beautiful day everything went' well with the afternoon "tea function at Mr Robert Glendining's beautiful residence of Nithvple, in the North-Eupt Valley. The grounds, after the recent rain«, looked exceedingly ->\ell. Mr and Mrs Glendmmg had made excellent arrangements foi 1 tho entertainment of everyone. His Excellency the Governor. Lady Ranfurly, tlie Hon. J. M'Kenzic, the ifon. J. G. Ward, Commander Stewart (of IJ.xVI.S. Pyladcs), the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr R. Chisholm), Captain Alexander (aide-de-camp to Lord Ranturly), and the officers of the contingents were entertained ft the house, and for the members of the contingents a large marquee had been erected in a paddock adjoining the "house grounds. There were some 3000 or 4000 people present, and during the afternoon, both before and subsequent to the arrival of the men. they roamed about the ground at their own sweet will and pleasure, deriving much delight from their rambles. The men in khaki, instead of arriving on the grounds at halt-past 4, as anticipated, did not put in an appearance until an hour later. The Southern Band, which played selections during the afternoon, pleasantly wiled away the time until they came on the scene. On their arrival in two companies, the men dismounted, and picketing their horses in the paddock, they proceeded in detachments to the marquee, where they were regaled with tea and an abuudance of edibles at the hands of a bevy of waitresses, under the direction of Mrs G-ordon Macdonald. The men received the best of attention, and were loud in their praises of the pleasant way in which Mrs Macdonald and her able and willing assistants ministered to their wants. About a quarter past 6 the proceedings came to an end and the men, again forming into two companies, took their departure amid ringing cheers from the guests within the grounds and from the public outside, a very large number of whom were congregated near the entranced and for a considerable distance along the roads towards the Leifch bridge. On the whole, the Valley made a very pretty picture in the afternoon with the crowds of people and the many flags waving in all parts from prominent points. The crowd began to assemble in the vicinity of Nithvale shortly after 2 o'clock, and from that hour up to 6 o'clock the locality was lesplendent with life and colour. The tram service was tested to its utmost capacity, and it is a credit to the carefulness of the drivers and the conductors that no accident of any kind occurred.

ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS,

The following additional subscriptions have been received: — Portobello residents, £1 15s (per Mr Porterfield) ; F. Oakden, collected on s.s. Rotoiti, £2 Is ; Kaitangata Committee, £15 Is 2d (additional) ; D.1.C., £20 : and Berwick Committee, £5 19s 2d (additional).

GENERAL CONTINGENT NOTES

Miss C. Marks, Miss Sinclair, and Miss Burlc disposed of souvenirs at the garden party yesterday, and thereby raised the sum of £6 19s.

The Phcenix Confection Company have forwarded two cases (154 boxes) of chocolate to bo divided between the men of Otago and Southland contingent. Acting under instructions from Messrs Mackerras and Hazlett, the same firm sent one case (77 boxes) of chocolate for the Invercargill men.

Mr J. Porter, Queenstown, forwarded a post office order for £6, the money to be divided between A. S. Shalders, J. Edgar, and D. I. Williams. Tho money was a donation from the committee.

The Kaitangata residents present a horse for bugler M'Donald.

Messrs l^orn, chairman of the Vincent Coiiiity Council, and G. H. Swan, Mayor of Napier, tendered their thanks by telegram for the imitation to attend the demonstration, but regretted their inability to be present. They sent messages wishing every succej'j to ll. e contingent.

Mrs C. Findlay, Mosgiel, forwarded a case of fruit for (ho fourth contingent men. Me-,rs J. Sparrow and Sons have presented a hor-e to be called " Ironside."

On Monday Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen roc sived an order for 179 pairs of shoes, all of which had to bo made to a special pattern. .Tliqjjqqcls _wer§ read^; and delivered Iq the

men at the camp at half-past 6 last evening. This is a moot commendable bit of work, and deserving of credit.

The Nevada residents met in the house of Mr Francis Wilkinson, Roslyn, tost night, and presented Bugler R. W. Wilkinson with a handsome pair of field-glasses and a purse of sovereigns. Mr Edward ilulland made the presentation.

Mr John H. Tennant, of the British and Colonial Waterproof Company, Dunedin, has very good naturedly gone one better than his original promise, and has done all the labour of hemming and putting eyelets in and otherwise making up 23 extra waterproof sheets free of co»t to the committee, the latter pioviding the sheeting. On Tuesday evening tLe employees and friends of the Otago Paper Mills met in the social hall of Mrs Vaunini's Hotel, North Dunedin, for the purpose of saying au revoir and wishing Cod-speed and good luck to Trooper Finlater, who has been appointed to ride the horse " Woodliaugh." Mr C. i\ Mitchell expressed the pleasure it gave him in saying a few words re the many good qualities of their guest, feeling sure he would do his duty to Queen and country and uphold the prestige of New Zealand, and that lie would be a splendid example of herois-m and patriotism from this far-off i-?le of the Southern Seas. He had much pleasure in asking their guest's acceptance of e> small token of good-luck — namely, a silver horseshoe, suitably engraved, wliicli he hoped Mr Finlater would be spared to wear through tho campaign. He hoped it would act as a talisiurn of protection, and that he would return to his native land crowned -with honour and glory. The tor-st of the evening hnving been drunk with musical honours, Mr Finlater, in c few well-chosen remarks. f.aid that he hoped to bep.r out all that had been said of him, and that in the dim future he would have the pleasing duty of reciprocating their kindness. The rest of the evening was devoted to carrying out a short programme of tongs, etc., and a very pleasant couple of hours were spent, the proceedings cloFing with three cheers for Mr Finlater and the singing of " God save the Queen."

On Tuesday evening t!_e employees of Messrs D. Reid and Co. (Limited) and A. S. Patprson and Co. met at the Provincial Hotel tor ihe purpose of bidding farewell to Trooper R. F. Cra-vford, of the fourth New Zealand contingent. Mr J. H. Spencer occupied the chair. The proceedings were opened by the toast of '' The Queen," after which various other toasts were drunk, including '" Major Robin and his men in Soiith Africa," "The Ladies," " Success to Trooper Crawford,"' etc. The chairman, in a few well chosen remarks, referred to the many good qualities of Trooper Crawford, who was then presented with a very handsome pair of neld-glts-ses, suitably inscribed. During- the evening selections were given by Messrs Alex. MacYicar, Mundie, O'Haia. Jones, Piddington, Rodgers, "Wilson, and the chairman. The singing of "Auld lang syno' f brought to a dose a \evy enjoyable evening. Messrs Jones and Piddington acted as accompAnists.

Messrs Lorie and Co. pent out, up to Thursday evening, badges to the following schools : Green Island, 350; Waknri, 110; Sandymount, 60 ; Industrial School, 84- ; Pino Hill, 50 ; Maea_ndrew road, 425; Port Chalmers 460; United Citholic schools, 800; Ravensbourne, 240; St. Leonards, 54; St. Matthew's, 40; Siwyers' Bay, 90 ; North-East Harbour, 34 ; Portobello, 80; Anderson's Bay, 150; Mornington, 510 : Caversham, 540 : Union street, 600; Forbury, 560; North-East Valley, 450; Arthur street. 600; Albany street, 550; St. Clair, 110; Normal School, 650. High street, 630 ; George street, 800 ; Kaikorai, 700. The chairman of the Kaikorai School has explained to Mr Lorie that he received the letter offering the badges too late to call a meeting of his committee, consequently no application had been made by that school. So that the children might not be disappointed Mr Lorie had the badges for them made, and gave one to every child who brought anything to prove they belonged to the Kaikorai School. Mr Lorie also sent out 250 badges to the Benevolent Institution, so that all the old folk may have something to remind them of the day.

The fifth contingent have not been overpliidowed by the bustle and excitement in despatching the fourth contingent. AYe have just received a khaki cloth badge, bearing the motlo, " Good luck to the fighting fifth." The bodge, which is turned out by Messrs Moili&on and Co., George street, has an excellent design on satin attached to the khaki cloth. In tie centre is represented two riflemen of the .mounted contingent, at " The Ready," while the New Zealand flagis shown in colours. The Maori war cry is printed below in plain type. Altogether the badge is very neat and picturesque, and no doubt Messrs Mollison and Co. will dispose of all that can. be made by the time the contingent leaves. THE BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL AND THE

CONTINGENTS,

On Thursday morning' the Rector of the Boyb' High School, after morning prayers, addressed the boys on the subject of the approaching departure of the fourth contingent for the seat of war. Mr Wilson's remarks were received with enthusiasm by the boys, especially his mention of old boys who take a distinguished position in the contingent. In the course of his remarks the Hector said: — On Saturday you will have an opportunity of seeing an event, so far, unparalleled in the history of Dunedin, the departure of a body of picked men from Otago and Southland for the seat oi war. lam not sure that any of us are really quite alive to the significance of this event, but you will all of you live long enough, 1 hope, to understand fully what the departure of this contingent and similar contingents means in the history of the Empire. I hope that this war may lead to a long period of peace ; that the great nations of the world may perceive from the history of the Transvaal war how serious a matter modern warfare is. But nations can bo foolish, as v, ell as men, and it is not imposbible (I do not know that it is even impiobable) that when you are grown to be men — a time not now far off — you may be called upon to take your part in a war greater even than this, possibly to defend your own if-lancls, possibly to help in defending some distant part of the Empire. If Mich an occasion should arise I trust that Ota2O High School boys will bo found m their places. I hope you mny be found Aioithy to serve in such a, service. If you desire to be found worthy il might bo viell that you should, at the picsenl moment, lay to heart one or two commonpb.co lemons of use to us. The first is thai it is a dexirablc thing-, on occasions, to have a good chest measurement, and that boyrf wlio ha\e nob a good ehe<-i, measurement may increase ib by taking the proper exercise, and bearing themselves properly. It is evidently aa advantage lo be ablo to shoot straight. It is an. advantage to be able to sit

a hoi'FO well; and proficiency in drill is of first importance. Therefore, let every boy who desires to be a soldier when oportunity offers take care that he leaves school with a good elementary knowledge of drill, that he afterwards enrols himself in some volunteer corps, and that he does his work there enthusiastically and thoroughly, and not in a half- ' hearted way. You will remeniber that when I the lirbt contingent lelt, under one old boy j (Major Robin), I told you of the importancs of the event as a matter of patriotic and Im- j pericil sentiment. I said to you at the time • that, if it were really required, w e would send j 1250 men as readily as 250, though certainly I did not think it would be required of us. But it has been required, and the la'-t man of , the 1250 will be sent with more enthusiasm than the nr=t. I am proud to know that in j the contingent that leaves on Saturdajr our old boys take an exceptionally prominent part. To say nothing of many troopers who are old boys, no fewer than nine old boys j hold positions of command or trust. Captain i'ulton, who holds a lieutenant's commission in the Imperial army, visited us here late.y on hi? arrival from India. J remember him well at school, and should have said of him ' then that he had all the qualities to make a good soldier and commander. Captain Harvey, who commands another division, is also an old boy. So are Lieutenants Bauehop and Nicolson, Surgeons "Watt and Noil, Sergeant Jolly, and Corporals Allan and Jones. 1b ought to be an encouragement to you to find that so conspicuous a place is taken by the school in the Otago and Southland contingent, and I hope you will be properly impressed by this fact, and by the whole event that takes place on Saturday.