THE CONTINGENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2405, 5 April 1900, Page 26

THE CONTINGENTS.

FOURTH CONTINGENT.

A VISIT TO THE GYMERIC

CHRISTCHURCH. March 29.

The Lyttelton Times publishes an account of a visit paid by a member of ite staff to tho troopship Gymerio to investigate the rumours as to the treatment of the men ou board. He found the hordes all very comfoitably quaitered, a good number being placed on the main deck, while others were down the holds both fore and aft, the ventilation of which was good. The men, on bern- questioned, all expressed themselves as perfectly satisfied with the commissariat arrangement 1 !, and se^ eral of thorn who hrd expeiience of cr-mp lilo said that the food vvps considerably better than they had expected. It having been said that the men had nothing but salt junk since they left Port Chalmers, inquiries were made both of the men and of Mr 0. Souper, who has charge ot tho provider Ing arrangements, with tho result that it was found that only twenty pounds of corned beef had been cooked on board the ship, and this had not been served out as rations, but had merely been cooked so that the men could have it for tea if they liked. The men p greed that there had been an abundance of fresh meat served out. Tho consumption of freali meat has been at the rate of 14-OOlb per day, while for tea on Wednesday evening 1201b of sausages and 1001b of beef bleak were cooked. There are also on board eight head of cattle and 80 sheep for the voyage to Albany, where fresh supplies of live stock will be procured. Plenty of fresh bread is served out for every meal, and bakers are going with the ship, so that the men will not have to resoit to biscuit. Although there was some reason for the complaints made about the water on the trip from Port Chalmers, this has now been remedied, and the men express themselves as perfectly satisfied with what is now provided. The Wellington men are placed in the 'tween decks aft, and here they appear to be very comfortable, having considerably more space and ventilation than was available on board the Knight Templar, and on being asked, they said they had no complaints to make. In the centre of this compartment is a piar.o, on which one of the troopers was playing, while several others were joining in singing, and all appeared quite happy. Another batch of men are placed amidships, and here, although it is a little dark, they appeared to be comfortable, and had no complaints to make. The Auckland men are placed in the forward 'tween deck*, and are a little cramped at tho present moment; while, as only a thin partition divided them from the horses, further forward on tho same deck, the smell of the plables was decidedly unpTeasant, and, in addition, some of the drainings from the stalk found their way under the partition and under the men's bunks. Orders were given on Wednesday that the horses were to be taken out of this compartment altogether, and the agents for the fhip have given tip the lower hold ju&l abaft of the engines, which is being fitted up for their accommodation, and the place which they previously occupied will bo added on to the Auckland men's quarters, and they will then have even more loom than the Wellington portion of the contingent. Complaints had been made that the latrines were not properly supplied with water, and instructions were at once given that they should be flushed every day by a pump worked by a donkey engine. Tho electric light, is beinginstalled all over the vessel, and it is expected that she will be ready for sea by Saturday morning. So, lie of the men have avowed their intention of writing a contradiction of the letter published by the Wellington Pofl.

Yesterday afternoon the Premier went on board the Gymeric to see for himself the oxact state of affairs. He wa's conducted over the ve«sel by Colonel Sommerville, and during his inspection ho afeked if there were any complaints. Tho only one forthcoming was that of the Auckland men in the forward 'tween decks, as to the smell from the stables, and as to their being too closely packed ; but on their being told what arrangements were being made for altering this state of affairs they expressed themselves as quite satisfied. He suggested that all the men should be paraded, and that then if pny man had a grievance he could stnto it, but the men at-ked him not to do so. At the same time, ho informed them that if anyone fell dissatisfied with the arrangements it would be far bolter for him to say so now and stop behind than to cro to sea clife atisfied. No one, however, volunteered any complaint.

NEWS OF THE MONOWAI.

The Union Steam Ship Co. on Thursday received a cablegram from Melbourne stating that tho troopship Monowai, with the Otag,o and Southland companies of tho fourth cqft-

tmgonl on board, parsed Capo Otway during the afternoon and reported "All well."'

A VISIT TO THE GYMERIC.

CFJIISTCHOiICH, March 30

Heferiing to a \ i=>il to the troopship Gymeiic, the Pros'; representative says that the men and horoos were se'iL en board before the ship was ready. Thus arose the whole trouble. Efforts are being made to reduce chaos to order, and by to-mortow the ship will bo habitable for both. Yesterday she was unclean or filthy m patches. The men were discontented, having mad a unfavourable comparisons with tho palatial Monovvai, and some of their Quarter** were un&avourv. At the same time, the conduion of afiaiiv we>s rapidly improving, and there was cverv rea c on to believe that the Gj-meric would, when ready, compare favourably with the Knight Temp Hr. Mr Daniel* informed the lepreseniative of the paper iVi- he wa^ not goinc; to allow her to go out of his hands until all was right. The vc~i"l, in his opinion, would be as right as any that had leit — with splendid accommodation for horses and good qti'iriei'a for the men. When she \va^ finished he was sure she would be the bo-l of them all.

Colonel Sommei", ilia, interviewed, said that the condition of the Gymeric was exactly that of any other troopship when be-in q; cot ready. Only 14 horses were loose in the hold on the w?y from Dunedin. They were the beet oi? in the chip. If the men did not want to go they could leave the ship, and he could get 100 more from Wellington any moment. The Gymaric would be as good as any troo23ship that hsd. loft tbo colony. The food was well cooked and of good description. If the men could not put up with, a little hardship they ware not fit for service.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE NOTES.

Surgeon-captain Watfc writes from Lytteilon to the chairman of the committee as followa : — Will you kindly accept for yourself and your committee my sincere thanks for your very kind letter. Might I acknowledge tho very great kindness and courtosy I have received not only from the members of the Otago and Southland Contingent Committoe, but from Brigade-surgeoii Lieutenant-colonel Do Lautour, Surgeon-major Cough trey, Captain Stronach, and all the officers of the camp.

The fe'low - employees of Trooper H. I. M'Donpld in the D.I.C, besides presenting him with other gifts, provided him with a mount, and the balance available after i aying for the horse was handed by them to the Indian famine relief fund.

Dr Ne'l, surgeon of the Otago and Southland companies oi the fourth contingent, provided his own couipmenl. Tbo einp^r' l^ of his father's firm throughout the colony proEented him with a horse.

GENERAL ITEMS.

The Organising Committee still holds meetings cwico a day to dispose of a large quantity of detail bu=mes-s connected with the continpents. There is a great quantity of work yet ahead, and there is not likely to be any relaxation of the committee's duties till the n^iddlo ot next week at least.

By -some o^ ersight, two names were inadvertently omitted from the roll of No. 9 (Otago) Company of the fourth contingent. They were David Robert Corson (21) : clerk, Dunedin. and William Johnston M'Ara Ross (27), stockrider, Dunedin. Prior to his departure to South Africa by the Monowai, Trooper James Gray was presented with a handsome pair of field glacses, suitably inscribed, by the residents of the Blue Spur.

Trooper H. I. M'Donald, late of the D.I.C, w as presented on Friday last by his late fellow employees with a watch, chain, and maltese cros=, with inscription, also sovereign purse, filled with sovereigns, the latter a gift from intermediate friends and others most closely associated with him. Mr R. Brown, who made the presentation, spoke in high terms of Mr M'Donald' s patriotic courage and pluck. Mr M'Donald suitably replied, and the gathering closed with cheers and wishing him God-speed.

The third free consignment of parcels to the New Zealand troopers now in South Africa, was despatched by the New Zealand Express Co. (Limited) per s.s. Gymeric, and consisted of 491 parcels for members of the first, second, and third New Zealand contingents. An idea of the public's appreciation of the company's offer to ship free of cost may be gathered from the fact that this last shipment measured 369 cubic feet, and weighed 4- tone 6cwt 3urs.

We are requested to state that it was Mr J. F. Herbert, of Ardmore station, who precented to Trooper John Ross, of the fourth contingent, the mount, which, in the register of horses supplied to us from the office of the Organising Committee, published in our issue of Monday last, w r as credited to the Kelso district.

Tho stands erected for Demonstration Day at tho Oval were inspected on Friday, with a view to purchase, by Mr A. 0. Stronach and Mr E. F. Duthie, on behalf of the Otago A. and P. Society. This was done in accordance with a suggestion that the stands would form a valuable acquisition to the society's show fjrcmnd at Tahuna Park, -where it was proposed 1o re-erect them. Messrs Stronach and Duthie, however, came to tho conclusion that 'the timber (rod pine) was of the wrong kind to bear exposure to the weather, and consequently could not recommend the purchase. The timber w r as subsequently offered at auction, and knocked down to Mr John Ryley for 5s 6d per 100 ft, returning to the committee £260.

At St. Joseph's Cathedral las'! Saturday (says the Tablet) the Rev. Father Ryan, after referring to the departure of the contingents, said he noticed that many among them bore Irish names. He hoped that they would be true to the best traditions of a race w hich had proved itself so strong a bulwark of the Empire. And (he continued) so long as liberty and civil and religious equality are reco*gnised under ihe British flag there will be found no more devoted and faithful subjects than the sons and daughter of Ireland. But, after all, it matters little from -whom they are descended. They are New Zealanders ; and I feel quite sure they will uphold the honour of this, the fairest of the British colonies. In South Africa they will have an opportunity of meeting and fiphting; side by side with men from England, Ireland, and Scotland. May they fight bravely and honourably, and ever remember, even when tho battle is raging most fiercely, that they ought to be first and above all Christian men and Christian soldiers, and that they are fighting for one who has proved henself the model Christian Queen of the nineteenth century.

THE WELLINGTON COMMITTEE.

WELLINGTON, March 30. At a meeting of the More Men Fund Committee the delay in the despatch of the fourth contingent Wellington men was discussed and some caustic remarks made regarding the In-each of faith on the part of the JDcfence Minister, who had- promised that tho Wellington men — who were practically part of the third contingent, but shut out — should be senb away; the first o^ortunitj^ yet. jsg&t&s&

j vessel (the Monowai) had been de^p-ached since, and the Wellington men were still in the colony. This, too, in face of the fact that the whole coiit of the equipment and transport had been borne by the public of Wellington and district, while only the cost of equipment had been paid for those who lelt on Saturday last from Dunedin. Strong remarks were also made about the defence authorities and the condition of the Gynvric. Objection was also taken to 100 of the fifth contingent going in the Gymeric, thus making the condition of the Wellington pection of the fourth less comfortable. Ultimately a resolution, to be forw ai-ded to the Defence Minister, was carried, protesting again&l delaying the departure of the fourth contingent beyond the time agreed upon by the &oi eminent, while others have been despatched. Further, that the delay was said to be mainly owing to trade reasons ; also protesting aeainst the insanitary condition of the sfeamer Gymeric, at least in tho first days of the men being on board.

THE GYMERIC LEAVES LYTTELTON.

THE OTAGO SECTIuN OF THE FIFTH CO WITH HEPv. CHRISTCHURCH, March 31. Tho hordes and men of the Olago section of the fifth contingent and some belonging to the fourth, who were in camp at Addington, were taken over the hill and shipped on board the Gymeric this morning. The men went through by train, where they joined the men from Wellington and Auckland districts of the fourth contingent. There was no ceremony when the men left Christchurch, but at Lyttelton previous to the departure of tho stean-.er they were entertained, and addresses wero given by Mr G. Laurenion, M.H.8,., and the Mayor of Lyttelton, and two brctss bandh played. As the Gymeric moved away from, the wharf «oon after 7 p.m. a display of fireworks was given. Rumours are rife hero that another contingent is yet to be sent by one or more of tho boats which the Government have chartered

to carry fodder to the Otipe. LYTTELTON, April 1. Tho Gymeric, with tho balance of the fourth and fifth contingents, left for Durban at 3 o'clock on Saturday evening, and had a very enthusiastic send-off. Nearly the whole population of Lyttelton and many people from Chri'tcliurch assembled on the wharf. The Lyttelton 3>as3 "Band played patriotic airs, and f> display of fireworks was given by the Lyttelton Demonstration Committee. Mr W. Kt^clifte. Mnyor of Lyttelton, and Mr G. L-\nrenson, M.H.R., delivered brief speeches, wifhin<r God-speed to the contingent. Cheers were gncn for the contingent, Major Sommerville, 'Captain Thompson, of the Gymeric. Mr G. G. Stead, end Mr& Hoivie, who did much for tho entertainment of the contingent during the stay ai Lyttelton. Rockets were fired and v»"!>istles blown by the vessels at the v."]'arve«. It i* considered that refuting the vessel has removed the overcrowding and other grievances. Six horses were rejected on Saturday. Trooper Armstrong, of ihe fourth contingent, broke his left arm by a horse falling with him on Saturday morning-. WELLINGTON, April 1. The troopship Gymeric, bound from Lyttelton to Albany, passed through Cook Strait tit noon to-day.

MOKE HOKSB YUND.

THE DAILY TIMES LIST

This fund is now closed. Agents holding money are requested to forward it at once. The following subscriptions are acknowledged : — Collected by A. Ewart, Barewoocl Siding: T. C, Is; M. Stevenson, ss; G-. Sheath, ss; J. Coatsworth, 2s 6d; D. Ewart, 2s 6d: total

. .0 16 0

Collected by J. Washington, Kaikoura

We have received a further amount of 15s 6d, being a balance of stamp collection by Mrs Nixson, St. Ciair. The amount has been handed to the treasurer of the Otago and Southland contingent and remount fund, bringing- the total of the Daily Times more horses fund up to £365 8s 9d.

FIFTH CONTINGENT.

COMPLAINTS AND ALLEGATIONS, (From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, March 28. The discontent in the camp of the fifth is stronger than ever, and the officers -are thoroughly disgusted with having to turn splendid material from Hawko's Bay and Poverty Bay out of tno camp to make room for the nominees from tho West Coast. Tonight's Post very truly expresses the po&itiou in the following words : — There is a strong feeling of disaffeotion among the men of the fifth contingent now in camp at Newtown Park by reason of what appears to be gross favouritism in the selection of tbo men. Briefly put, it appears thnt 'some of the men of the West Coa*t have been thrust upon the contingent after having been rejected on their tests, and that this act of injustice, for which the Premier appears to have been entirely responsible, has resulted in some of the very pick and flower of the men of Tarauaki, Hawke's Bay, and Poverty Bay, after being passed and finally accepted, being thrown out. It seems certain that the fifth contingent will not be made up of the best men who have offered, and, considering how deeply the honour and credit of the colony is affected, the fact is both deplorable and reprehensible. The Minister of Defence will probably answer that oach district was promised its proportion of representation, and he was bound in honour to carry out that promise, but surely not at the cost of efficiency. Some of the West Coasters who have been included have not, wo are assured, even passed the riding tetts, and cannot by the wildest siretch of imagination be called " rough riders." On the other hand, there are Hawke's Bay and Taranaki men who have had to give" place to incompetents who, besides being good shots, aro ready to challenge the best riders in the country, or in the camp, and abide the result. The scandal of the fourth contingent commissions was an imposition upon the generosity of the public, besides being a wrong to the_ men ; but the composition of tho fifth contingent seems likely to strike directly at the honour and credit of the country. The Premier will do well to give at once a frank and fair statement of his reasons for his extraordinary proceeding.

NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, March 28. The following men have been taken on since the prcuous li'-t was telegraphed, and they have been attached to No. 2 Company: — C. E. Crawford, H. Connor, J. Ford, W. Foster, G. Moran, 0. A. Northcroft, W. Paisons, and J. Sjhgggg:, fetfson.B £066 aj(nugVi^cyjn|,a i^a!id A

if not require'!, v ,-.1l join the first contingent under M^jur Robin.

The Chri.-.tchurch and Auckland men will probably go by the Maori; the Wellington. Nel-on, and West Coast men in the "Wainiate? E. J. Cox has been taken on with the Auck-J land Company, and takes charge of all tha buglers lor the present. E. V. Anderson haa been appointed acting regimental quarter* master-sergeant for the contingent, and a nunx* ber of other non-commissioned officers have! been appointed temporarily, but they will noti be confirmed in their positions until expert ence show"; whether they are properly qualified, tho reason being that nearly all of them had no previous volunteer experience.

Lieutenant B. Rope has left the camp, a^ the Minister of Defence object's to the inclu-* sion of two brothers as commissioned officers;Lieutenant J. Rose gees with No. 2 Companyi Se\eral hundred Natives from districts south 1 of iSapier and Palmerston are encamped on the Basin reserve, where they are giving an exhibition of various pba=es of Native life, cooking, dances, and so on, in aid of the pa^ triotic fund. Proceedings began this afternoon with a procession through tho town to* the reserve, where speeches were made by, the Eon. J. Carroll and the Mayor. The exhibition will Ir.st two days, and will be carried on by the electric light at night.

MILITARY v. CIVIL LAW.

CR-RI3TCI-IURCH, March 29.

A detective went to Lyttelton yesterday, armed with a warrant for the arrest of a member of the contingent on board tha Gymeric, on a charge of bsing about to leave the colony without finding surety for fulfil? ment of a me,intenn,nce order. Lieutenant^ colonel Sommerville forbside the arrest, as the police had no authority to apprehend men on a troopship under the Imperial Army Act.

AUCKLAND, March 30.

The committee of the rough riders' fund have to date £M2OO subscribed towards the cost of the equipment. It is anticipated there will be a bailee of £1000 to £1200, but before arriving at tha exact figures the committee have to receive accounts from the south for articles wh'ch the contingent had to purchaso in Wellington ond Dunedin. With regard to disposal of ths surplus a subcommittee is o£ opinion it should be held in Iru3t for the purpope of making provision against any casual-. ties that may befall any of the members of any of the New Zealand contingents during the war.

WELLI A":-. TON, March 30.

The P, amier. in renly v die allegations of th 0 - West Coast and Nel-o.i men being thrust into the contingent and di-nLicirig others, says that only the 50 pllo'.te-l co those districts had been ipL-ir.ded. Ti.ey were selected and tested in thair own. districts, and ii would have been unfair to make (hem go through tests again in Welling I on. Some of the men who had to be turned out may, the Premier says, be utilised to fill gaps in the older contingent?.

Tho sum of £534- was taken at the gate 3 during the Maori carnival in aid of the mora men fund.

WANGANUI, March 30.

Ser^eanc-niajor Dowar, drill instructor of the West Coast battalion of "Wellington volunteers, left here this morning- to take a lieutenancy in the fifth contingent. Dewar was in the Jameson raid, and was taken prisoner. He is a most capcsble officer, both in infantry and mounted drill.

DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON.-

AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF. WELLINGTON, March 31. The last of the contingents was got away to-day in excellent woatlier and amid much: enthusiasm. The proceedings were rather more informal than on previous occasion?, but, nevertheless, a large crowd turned out to see the men oft, and the town and shipping wore gaily dressed with bunting. Ad - ' laide road was profusely decorated with, flags' , for its whole length. There were also several mottoes on festoons, such as " God Speed Our Boys," "United we Stand," "A Speedjr Passage," '"To Pretoria and Back by First Class Excursion Return," - ' Good Luck to the Fighting Fifth," "Au R avoir, but not Goodbye, elc. It was intended to march the men from _ the camp to the Skating Rink, but! shipping the horses occupied all the morning", and the troops had to go direct from the wliarf. Thus all ths peoplo who had made ready 10 welcome the soldiers en route, including the Maoris, at the Basin Reserve, were disappointed. This was not the only di3ap» pointmenf for the Natives, as it had been, intended to include them in the procession, and allow them. t,o give a demonstration of their own. Tho committee, however, feared they would colleen too great a crowd and interfere with the proceedings, so it w{ls abandoned, and to console them two parties were taken on the Government steamers, where they could salute the departing troops in their own fashion. | A public luncheon took place at > noon. The speeches wera very brief, and thi3 po.'lion of the ceremony went off extromely well. ti The Premier, responding to the toast of "Parliament," ,ud they had met to give our "Fighting Fifth" a royal send-off.-j There was no ]"e;,v "or a colony which could ! send away .men ' '-c them. When they had left there would • c nearly 2000 New Zealanders- on the wa> ov fighting in Africa,, and more to follow if ;iecc-=>3ary. He alluded to the eagerness of tho Maoris to go if they only got_ leave. They would put 2000 men at the disposal of the Government os good as any Boers who ever pulled a trigger. Of fetich men as the c ntingents every member, of Parliament must feel proud. In less than a month from the request of the Imperial Government they w Ad have afloat over 500 men. New Zealand had shown the other colonies how to do „, is sort of work, and in. a very short space of time. Some had said they would be too bis but he did not think: so. Some brave spirits had been chafing because they could nnl get away, but if they, had been allowed In ;,o and everything had! not been <*afe. the v--- -onsibility would have! fallen on Parliament. " Surely, 'it was better, to wait a short time and take no risk. H0 paid a high tribute tc, the way the men had! worked fitting up the Waimate and Maori in so shorl a timo, and he publicly returned! thanks to the companies owning them foi? their public spirit and to the workmen and

officers of the Defence department. He then read some verses, specially composed for the occasion by Mr J. M'Glashan. As regards j ways and means in this emergency, money ; was no object. The country would never I feel it. Wherever the language was spoken i and the flag floats, New Zealand had been ( deservedly extolled for its action, In doing i what it had done, Parliament had been fur- j thering the interests of civilisation. He explained to the contingent their agreement -.was only for 12 months or the term of the war. He mentioned this, as he understood some had signed the agreement under the belief they had bound themselves for life. ■ The Hon. J. Carroll briefly proposed "The Health of the Contingent," and then led the j Native chiefs present in singing the song j known as " Waiata a ngere," or the Native , song of salutation and triumph. The song [ to departing warriors followed, and it was , given with so much fire and vigour as to •evoke the heßrty applause of those who ikeard it. The presence of the Natives gave a most agreeable fillip to the usual routine of a European banquet, and everyone showed great appreciation of their perf orrrLance- • ■During the afternoon it was mentioned that the Native festival at Papawai had produoed £500 for the patriotic fund, and the carnival at the Basin reserve £526, with some more ' to come. Needless to say, the announce- , me-nt was received with great applause. I Colonel Ne-vn.ll, who responded for the contingent, was Aery brief. Though he said they might be a little late, they would not , impair the fame they came to share. J The formal part of the proceedings then i ended. . I The following telegram was read from his Excellency at Auckland: —"l regret that I am unable to be in "Wellington to-day to b& , ►.present at the send-off to the fifth contin- j gent, owing to engagements in Auckland. ■ . Please convey to the offioers, non-commis- j eioned officers, and men my best wishes to j them. M*y they have a "brilliant, but short, j campaign, and distinguish themselves in the ( same manner as preceding contingents are : doing." i The volunteers had meanwhile formed np outside, and, headed by the band, they escorted the contingent to the wharf. The ■ streets were thickly lined with people, who welcomed the men with demonstrations that Jiave now become so familiar, and, with a little trouble, the troops were got on to the wharf. The process of embarkation was, as inual, rather long, and it was five minutes ; to 4 when the "Waimate moved away, followed immediately by the Maori. The men on board were in high spirits, and kept ub a ' l-unning fire of cheers and choruses. The volunteers and people on the wharf enthu- j eiaslically responding. The shipsl finally got ■ clear amid a forest of waving handkerchiefs and a volley of bugle-blasts, the volunteers ' presenting arms to each in turn as she passed. Then came that portion of the de- ' monstration which has always been so sue- • eeesful in Wellington—namely, the marine j parade. In full view of the wharf H.M.S. ; Mohawk lay dressed with bunting and her ( yards fully manned. Around hovered a . number of yachts and a fleet of 15 or 16 ( steamers, mostly the Union Company's j boats, gaily decorated and crowded with ' people. , | One division flanked the troopships on , ■either side, and the third line steamed be- , tfcween them, making a most effective panorama. The people on board were very en■thusiastic, and the final farev/ell was much ) more effective than on the last occasion, as ' &>oth steamers stopped and the escorts closed t up for the last greeting. The Maoris chanted iNstive songs in honour of the contingent. Taken with the volleys of cheering, and the flutter of the handkerchiefs, the spectacle was ■both pleasing and imposing. , Including "the additional men who were .passed by the Premier to-cky, nearly 500 men have gone, the exact figures being : —Waimate. 13 officers, 268 men, 233 horses; Maori, 8 officers, 200 men, 180 horses. It will thus be eeen there are 55 more men than horses, as it ■sras, of course, impossible to find sufficient , chargers at the last moment. _ _*•) Lieutenant-colonel Newall is on the Wai- < mate with the Wellington, Hawke's Bay. and ( West Coast men. The Canterbury and Auck- i land Companies travel by the Maori. The latter was not quite ready when she left the .wharf, and anchored in Wor&er Bay to com- ' plete her eqxiipment. She is not expected to he detained long. _ i At the la&t moment, owing to the influence lof Mivjor Steward, the Premier was induced t to include the reserve men, numbering 66, | \rho will aot as supernumeraries, and fill any ' vacancies in the 'fifth contingent. Only five < or six men were rejected, ond the dejected \ anen left. Amongst those vho will proceed ' - direct to the front to join Major Robin are ' line sons of Major Steward, Colonel Collins, ' and Mr 7ia,y Mackenzie. j Lieutenant M'Millan, of the Cycling Corps, Dun&din, is one of the special officers to accompany the fifth contingent. The second position was offered to Lieutenant Collett, of , VVaipavra. The Defence Minipter will ask , Major Robin to appoint one of his officers in i Collett's place. j On the way to the wharf some pathetic scenes -were wilnesssd. April 1. The troopship Maori sailed from Vv r orser B<vr, for Albany, shortly after 7 o'clock on . ifSaiurday night.

THE ROLL CALL. The following is the roll call of the various taompanies: — I JTo.l Company (Wellington district). —Captain ' EF. W. Abbott, Lieutenants H. P. Tnekey aacl « Poison, Quartermaster-sergeant V. Sanderson, ' Camt> Sergeant-major W. J. Parker, Seigeants 'lE. a. Fletcher, J. F. Speedy, A. Morgan, J. \ S. Kaiit-John&on, Corporals EL. Thompson, TV. ' A. Carter, F. B. French, 11. F. Henry, Btiglers I A. Bell, 3." Orr, A. T. Moody, Privates A. An- ; derson, G. Bodley, B. Bairsto-w, C. Bartlett, H. W. Blake, T. M. Barnott, H. D. Cowell, ' A. Cook, F. Charles, J. Coffey, H. W. P. Cox, •W. Caldwell, &. G. Calvert, J. G. Cooke, M. 3. Collins, S. A. Campbell, E. Camp- ] bell, A. A. Dj-er, W. P. Dorset, M. E. J Dickson, S. Davies, F. M. Eade, N. Early, ] J. S. Fleming, H. H. S. Fletcher, H. Furlong, i Gk Fernandos, H. H. Gowith, G. Garvy, W. \ Garvy, E. E. Grove, TV. IST. Higgie, H. C. ' Hawke, E. H. Hogg, W. G. Hill, H. Hodder, : 3?. Harcom.be, A. TV. Haywaid, B. Holnrvvood, G. Hosking, TV. Hurley, TV. Hume, TV. llamil- , ton, F. Hawke, J. D. L. Leech, H. J. H. Lock, | B. TV. H. Leech, S. TV. Lankshear, F. C. Long, J ■D. G. Lowrie, Maxwell, D. U'Donald, D. D. i EM'Lean, G. Meulie, H. H. Marsh, TV. E. Marsh, j <D. M'Gill, T. J. Monnock, L. M'Williams, ' •51.5 1. Mundeli, F. M'Cutcheon, G. M'Kenzie, C. | fNeilson, E. P. Newman, E. Pritchard, L. Po'desta, F. W. Eoydhouse, D. TV. Reid, J. -I-iutherford, J. A. JRenall, A. Bitter, A. B. Rob|bie, F. J. Schofield,^ H. Sewill, C. Shillitoe, 'G. TV Ru'livmi, G ""7. Simpson, J. Skeet, C. ,"W. Smi'jh, IL. '1 bomson, H. Thompson, T. ; T)cr»rove, G. A. 'faj.per, R. TV. Thomson, T. i C. Tester, W. W-Json, A. Watkins, R. A. Wil- j liamb, J. Waiiea, J. S. Wilson, J. B. Wood, I if W'ute, A. S Weir, J. S. Young. Reserve i£ca— CX T. M'Ko/a/.ie, h. Wills, W. J. Newall,

H. Vickeiy, "W. G. Billow, R. Moeller, W. J. Rose, H. D. Beastou, Peter.°oii, E. H. Mimfie. I No. 2 Company (Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, i and Nelson districts). — Captain F. W. Tanner, I Lieutenants J. Rose, C. Srnisoa, and J. L. i Hazolden, Sergeants M. G-. JJell, TV. H. Fletcher, and J . M'Morrin, Corporals A. Francis, W. i E. Brown, C. P. Ryan, and A. J. G-oodall, j Buglers F. F. G-rubb and Jacobs, Prirates G-. j Asliby, G-. Adamson, W. Anderson, F. G-. Baker, F. Brace, J. T. Burnett, S. G. Breigham, J. W. Brown, <Jr. Buchanan, W. J. Biown, \V. D. Cator, A. Croft, J. Colter, E. Casey, R. J. Cravern, G. W. Corletl, A. S. Callaghan, G. B. Carter, TV. B. Currie, H. Connor, A, Caldwell, C. E. Crawford, D. Davis, TV. H. Davis, Id. J. Diyscoll, J. D?rhngton, J. Erskmc, R. Edwaids, C. Fields, TV. J, Fly mi, TV. T. Fitch, j J. S. Ferris, W. Fosler, R. Griffin, VV. "W. ', Goddard, TV. A. Gemmell, J. Glass, 3. Hames, C. Hegglun, It. Head, ft. Hall, C. Jones, F. ; TV. Jones, R V. James, TV. H. Klee, J. C. Kir- ' win, D. Lumsden, J. H. Lissing, A. P. Lister, TV. Marshall, T. M. 11. Macfarlane, E. Murton, J. M'Murray, T. M'Ghee, TV. M'Kenzie, G-. sloigan, TV. L. Mason, D. Mitchie, J. Nichols, C. A. Northcroft, J. J. Powick, F. Parker, C. Powell, J. Patterson, C. Paul, J. TV. Richards, A. J. Risden, M. Ryan, C. J. Shields, R. TV. Scott, G. A. C. Simpson, J. Singer, E. M. Snook, R. J. Stevens, C. J. Smith, H. TV. Stallard, J. Thomson, J. A. Tannion, F. Vickers, J. Vocaricli, TV. Western, A. Wallace, i C. R. Waddell, D. Wilson, E. S. Williams, J. ! R. Watson, J. Whittle, J. A. Wilson, Webster, N. R. Wellwood, ff. Yardley. 'Reserves— Acting Corporal J. W. Baker, Privates D. Buigess, A. TV. Cassidy, A. S. Charlton, P. Hickey, E. Lascelles, B. Reid', H. J." Simpson, W. W. Wilkinson. I Auckland Company. — Captain C. F. Major, Lieutenants d. T. Bosworth, H. R. Potter, H. Shaw, Sergeant-major C. G-. Eyre, Quarter-master-sergeant S. C. F. Spencer, Sergeants Baddily, W. B. Heflord, R. Colhoun, W. G. Clarke, Corporal H. A. Edwards, G. Lecce, L. C. Lirnmsr, T. E. Roberts, Lance-corporals P. Bayly, H. J. Bray, D. Robertson, G% Hunter, Bugler E. Dormer, Troopers A. Allan, D. Allan, A. Atkins, H. Abbott, G. W. D. Armer, A. Braithwaite, J. Brown, W. J. Brown, F. W.,, Bezar, D. Byrne, J. Beck, A. W. M. Budge, E. L. Bradbu/n, R. Ccun, H. Coburn, H. Cr.mpbell, J. Copeland, jR. D. Connell, J. Campbell, R. J. Cottmgharn, M. Douglas, F. TV. Davidson, Fitzgerald, 11. J. Flood, T. Finch, E. Fahey, F. TV. D. Forbes, TV. N. Gordon, C. H. Hinton, R. C. C. Harsant, E. W. Harris, C. Hammond, TV. G. Henderson, J. G. E. Hawksby, W. Hope, E. Hedley, E. S. Innes, W. E. Linkhorn, T. Lyons, A. Kendall, G. T. Koller, M'Lean, G. K. Manktelow, N. M'Gruer, T. Murdock, H. M'Leod, J. A. H. M'Leod, J. A. M'Kee, W. M-Leish, A. JB. Mikkclsen, C. Moller, J. Mays, J. P. M'Donald, H. J. M'Donald, H. Nesbitt, PI. Nightingale, J. Nicholas, J. Papesch, J. TV. Porter, J. Prentice, F. J. Pctchell, E. A. A. Potter, A. G. Pillinger, J. Regan, M. J. Sutherland, H. Sutherland, H. Smith, R. J. Smith, R. Smith, O. Sieele, F. C. Saunders, F. Spark, N. C. Stitchbury, T. J. Stables, F. Stott, J. Taylor, W. Urquhart, P. S. Ussher, T. Withers, R. Woodley, A. E. Wild, E. Woodward, J. A. Wilson, W. C. Wright, A. E. Watkins, W. G. Whittington. Reservists — J. Appleton, F. C. Saunders, W. Gordon, J. Murray, F. W. Smith, G. Dignan, T. Hiokey, J. Farrell. The Canterbury Company. — Officers : Captain Currie (of Auckland), and Lieutenants Bailey (of Timaru), and Wliyle (of Christchurch). Nonconunissioned officerc: Campbell, Murray Graham Lyon, Studholme; Dunlop, David, Asliburton ; Glendining, Logan, _GlenlogF.n, Waimate; Hight, Ernest, Sheffield; Hill. Thomas Clifford, Syclenham; Johnston, Robeit. .Kaiapoi; Strong, William Blundell, Pahau Pastures, Culverden ; Vidal, Iltyd Cunlifie, Mount Somers. Bugleis: Chegwm, Frederick Charles, Sydenham; Lind&ay, Patrick, Timaiu. Farriers: A' Court, Sidney Charles, .Christchurch ; Hill, Victor John, Kaiapoi ; M'Taggarl, Duncan, Morven, Waimate; Piiic, George Carey, Christchurch. Troc] ers : Andresen, Martin Christian, Little River; Andrews, Hciatio George, Mount Somers; Andrews,, Thomas, Mount Sorners ; Atkinson, James Hattersly, Sheffield; Ba-rrar, Ernest Robert, Timaru ; Berry, William, Waddington ; Burnip, George Thomas, Lyttelton; Bull, Clarence Fiederick, Waddington ; Brookes, John, Akaroa ; Barker, Frank L., Ohapi, Orari ; Byng, John Anstruther, Pareora Estate, St. Andrews ; Boakes, Henry John, Shirley road, Christchurch ; Carlyle, John Thomas, Kaituna ; Campbell, Arthur Stewart, North street, fot. Albans; Chaplin, Peter Alfred, Templcton; Clough, Edgar John, Chatham Islands ; Cox, Cecil Cleve, St. Asaph street, Christ-church ; Durham, Walter, Dublin stre-et, Lyttelton ; Emms, Ernest, Blue Cliffs ; Fitzroy, James, Colombo street, Christchurch ; Foster, Charles Nelson, Papanui ; Grofsld, Joseph, Hill's road, Marshland ; Grofski, Alexander Robert, Marshland; Gardner, James M'Kinley, diet; Gould, Jprnes William, Timaru; Green, Arthur, Christchurch ; Gue6t, William, Christchurch, Christchurch; Geddes, Guy Wesfcland, Orari Goige; G osling, William Charles, Timaru ; Hardey, Edward Alexander, Chester street, Christchurch ; Harwood, John Henry, Banks Peninsula; Hobbs, John Burton, Timaru; Hill, Charles William, Glengarry House, Opawa; Hawkins, .Albert Thomos, Waddington; Hanson, Joseph, Upx 361 Riccarton ; Haiper, Ernest, St. Martin's, Opawa ; Hodgson, Stanley, Woodlands, Invercargill ; Johnston, Andrew Charles, Tuorn street east, Christchurch ; Jeffries, Wm. Richaid, Island Farm, Harewood road; Jones, John William, Wilson's road; Kain, Wolsey, Christchurch ; Knox, Frederick, Ashburton ; Lorrimor, John, Kaisii^oi j Le Grange, Hugh Ccmit, Longbeach, Ashburton ; Lindsay. James Douglas M'Knight, Ripon street, Lyttelton ; Lindsay, James Ferguson, Waimate; Low, John Gibson, Styx; Lunn, Herbert Guthrie, Longbeach, Ashburton ; Lloyd, John, St. Asaph street, Chiistchureh ; Leslie, Alexander Forbes, Temuka ; Lange, William Francis, Marshland ; M'Gowan, Ernest James, Honelville; Murphy, William, Cheviot; Murphy, Joseph, Briggs roud, Marshland; M'Kay, Daniel, Winchester; M"Laren, Donald Alexander, Ashburton; , M'Kay, William John, Amnri; Manson, John ', De Putron, Kirnberley, Kiiwee; Nicholls, Haiold, George street, St. Albans; Percy, ! Ernest Roger, Hororota; Philpott, Thomas Herbert, Styx; Petham, Frank, Duvauchelles Bay ; Parker, William George, St. Asaph street, Christchurch ; Ridley, John William, Rangiora ; Rae, Charles Alfred,. Waddington ; , Reed, William George, Masterton ; Robertson, ■ Frederick William, Cashmere ; Roeves, William j Henry, Belfast; Reynolds, Geoffiey, Little j River ; Simpson, Walter Herbert, View Hill, ! West Oxford; Savage, George, Sunnyside; I Sand, Tyro Tressilian, Riccarton ; Smith, Chas. [ Frederick, Cooper's road, St. Albans; Smith, ' John Henry, Westerfield, Ashburton ; Smith, Sidney Lambert, Otahuna, Tai Tapu ; Seyj mour, Hugh, Colombo stieet, Chri&tchurch ; i Thompson, James King, Highbank; Thrclkeld, ' Colin, Lich field street, Christchurch; Taylor, ! lieonard Albert, Station-house, Christchurch ; | Thomas, John Harold, Duvauchelle's Bay; ; Williams, George S alter, Btunes street, Sydenham;. Williams, Nathan, Timaiu; Walls, Albert, Belfast; Watt, George Alexander, Mendip Hills; Wilson, Andrew, Dean's Bush, Riccaiton. The following are the names of the acldii tional troopers sent away to-day by troopi ships to fill gaps in former contingents: — I Troopers Appelton, G. Bodley, Brasfeel, Brad- ' ley, Brewer, H. Brown, J. Brow, J. TV. Baker, Beatson, A. Barty, Brandon, J. D. Cameron, kC. Collins, Cassidy^ A. H. Charlton, Ivan

Davidson, G. Dobbo.i, TV. H. Davie-s, Dienan, J. Farrell, J. E. Ford. TV. Gordon, Hume, D. Hickey, R. Harding, TV. J. S. Hoi.ie, H. J. Harris, Irwin, TV. H. Jones, J. J. Johnston, A. TV. Johnston, H. King, A. F. Leslie, _T. Lucas, R. G-. H. M'Kenzie. M'Kechnie, TV. E. Marsh, J. Muiray, E. Marshall, llmifie, Miuphy, C. Neilson, Newall, J. Oir, TV. Parsons, G. A. Paul, Peterson, J. Price, J. Quhm, E. Reid, W. J. Ro&e, Rhodes, F. Saunders^ Y. TV. TV. Stewaid, H. T. Simpson, A. Sm^ll, John Smith, Speck, James Smith, W. Taylor, Vickcry, Walsh. J. J. Wilson, A. J. Webb, F. TYilkms, L. Wills. The non-commissioned officer^ named in the list have all acting appointments.

ADD T TIONAL NOTES.

(From Ouk Owx Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, April 1. Once more an enormous crowd congregated in the streets of the capital city to bid farewell to another New Zealand contingent off to the front, and "The Fighting Fifth," a*, they have somewhat prematurely been called, had no reason to complain of the warmth with which the populace cheeied them forth on their journey. There have been some heartburnings and a good deal of discontent in connection with arrangements and appointments, but eventually all difficulties were brushed away, the la?t problem— the position of the reserves — being finally solved by the Premier precipitately bundling the whole lot— sorre 65 in number — on board the troopship Waimate. This is the fourth send-off at which we in Wellington have assisted, so you may surmise that, though we are none the less loyal, Ihe novelty has somewhat worn off, and we are all hoping that we have said goodbye to the last of our contingents. Once again the weather was fine. It has been j-o on each occasion that a contingent has left our shores, and so the ppople turned out in large numbers to witness the departure of the two fine troopships that lay alongside the Wellington wharves. As they swung slowly out into the harbour the enthusiasm rose to a high pitch. The men were in great spirits, and sang and joked till the last. There were, of course, the usual affecting pcenes, but on the whole the proceedings were of a joyful nature. Amid the excellent music of the Maori Band on the Hinemoa. the stirring bugle calk, the enthusiastic cheering of the crowd, and the pathetic strains of " Auld lang syne " the stately ship steamed slowly on, the Waimate, a model of arrangement, leading the way out in the stream. The bluejackets on the Mohawk clustered on the deck and in the rigging, and c^ave our men a rousing cheer such as only British tars can give. It was racher fine this last good-bye from the seasoned tars on one of her Majesty's cruisers to the Lion's cubs from the very end of the earth, leaving with light hearts for a strange country to bhed their blood in the cause of liberty' and for the dear old motherland which for the great majority of them who have never lefc their sea-girt southern home as but a name. On the steamers that accompanied the troopships down the harbour were a large number of Maoris, the wailing of whose hakas of farewell lent a weird aspect to the proceedings. Talk about loyalty. The average colonial is not in it with the Maoris, who»e reverence for "Queen Wikitoria " is unbounded. From the Press Ae&ociation you will get a detailed account of the proceedings and the speeches at the luncheon, so I will only give you now some personal notes that may be interesting. Sergeant-major Dewar, who at the last moment was given a cominipsion in the fifth contingent, is likely to be one of the best officers of the contingent, and the Government are to be congratulated on this appointment. Lieutenant Dewar has had a somewhat unique experience. He was born to be a soldier, but was unlucky enough to get " ploughed "__ in his first examination for the army. Nothing daunted by this reverse, he resolved to slick to his guns, and promptly became a " ranker " in the Gordon Highlanders. He served for four years as a soldier, and in the meantime the regulations were altered so that it was impossible for him to get a commission owing to his being over the minimum age. He, however, went out to South Africa, and joined the Rhodesian Horse. He was in the celebrated Jameson raid, and ?fter that ill-starred venture he was taken prisoner by the Boers. Afterward he and his wife came out to Napier, and lived quietly on about 7s a day, leaving some small means they had untouched for a rainy day. People who know the Dewars speak in glowing terms of the cheerful manner in which on a very limited income they faced life in a strange country. Mrs Dewar, now that her husband has gone to the war, roturns to England in the Gothic. She is a daughter of General Hutchison. Dewar is a relation of Lord Roberts, and, as he is evidently a born soldier, the chances are that his opportunity has now come to him. One thing is certain : that he knows his drill better than any other man in the fifth contingent, and of another, we may be equally sure, he will do his duty bravely and well.

Another very smart officer is young Tanner, one of the captains. Tanner is a Napier boy — one of those quiet, modest fellows who can be depended upon to keep their heads in any emergency. When I firEt met Tanner a few months ago he had just reliu'ned from the heart of Central Africa, invalided, and he had still the dregs of fever in him. His journey down to the coast took many weeks. Firpt of all, he had to be carried, then he was taken in a river boat many miles, then there was more carrying, and next a long trip down the Zambesi in a river steamer. To-day, when I had a few parting words with him at the gangway of the Waimote, he looked quite a different man, bronzed to a phade that well matched his trim khaki uniform. All the men in camp like him, and admired the outspoken manner in which he talked to the Premier the other day about the political appointments that led to the rejection of some of those splendid volunteers from the Gisborne and Hawke's Bay districts. In token of their liking for him they presented him last night with a whip and a pair of spurs. When in South Africa he was one of Rhodes's young men — captain of a company of black police in the heart of Africa. He is personally acquainted with Mr Rhodes, and when parsing through Capetown recently on his way back to New Zealand he called on him. Mr Rhodes's greeting was characteristic. " Well, what do you want?" he peremptorily demanded. " Nothing at all, sir," replied young Tanner. " I have had fever, and am going to New Zealand to get well again." " Well," replied the great South African (apparently a little surprised that a young man should call on him and not want anything from him), "if you come back here look mo up, and I'll find something for you to do." And no doubt Mr Rhodes when he finds one of his young men coming back voluntarily from a far-away colony to fight in the battles of the Empire in South Africa, will remember his promise. I have just heard word of another Napier boy — and, curiously enough, an old chum of Tanner's — in South Africa. George St. Hill, of Napier, is also well known as one of

PJ.iodes's young men. A little more than a year ago, on my return from Samoa, I met him in Auckland on !:is way to the Elondyke to look after some interests there. A tall, I handsome fellow, in the prime of life, he was I then on a honeymoon trip, having just previously married a well-known London beauty, breorge St. Hill, like young Tanner, had seen a good deal of South Africa. He fought as a trooper in the Jlhode-ian Horse thiough the Matabele var, and subsequently as captain in the Mabhona war. Afterwards he \v«s appointed coi/imi-pioner in North Cliartcrland. On his return to England he found the war with the Boers had begun, and he could not keep oui of it. He is now captain of the Devonshire Yeomanry, fighting in South Africa. Under him ah a trooper is young Tristroin Harper, a well-known Canterbury boy, who had clone so well that Si. Hill has recommended him for his first stripe. Going as sergeant-major is C. Eyre, formerly of the Royal Scottish Fu o ilier«. Ser-geant-major Eyre is known in the south, having been for some time employed on Orari station, in South Canterbury. Colonel Henry, a retired Imperial ofFcc was among-t the spectators at the pend-off today. Colonel Henry and his two sons came out to New Zealand for the deer-etalking. One of the sons is in the fifth contingent" Amongst the departing troopers are sons of $ ce _ Hon - Major Steward and Mr Collins, M.H.S.'s Mr Collins tells me his son is going to join Major Robin's contingent. loungCcx, of Ohristehurch. the ex-champion aa\vn tennis player of New Zealand, is also with this contingent. THE COLONIES AND THE MOTHER LAND. From Mr Harold Beauchamp, who has taken a leading part in matters "connectert witii the two last contingents, I have received the following interesting extract from a letter written by a gentleman occupying a high position in the old country. Writing to a relative here, he says: — "I was exceedingly glad to read in your letter about the genuine loyalty of the Southern colonies, and to learn that •the patriotic pulse there beats strongly and in unison with thst of the old Homeland. Till now there has been no great trial to bring this about. Such patriotism is of inestimable value at this juncture. The material strength added from the colonies is already proving very valuable, and the moral strength added is even more valuable. Indeed, the colonies 'have shown a better front in the face of danger than has been shown at Home. There have been serious reverses, and they were very sickening, but the determination to repair them that followed immediately was imineiisely gratifying and reassuring. The response made to the call to arms has been all that could be desired. The Yeomanry are everywhere drilling, and a, section of themwill go off in a few days. Mostly farmers' eons, they will be a splendid body of men, though I doubt if they will be quite as apt at "scouting" work as the colonials. The <,plendid attitude of Australasia and Canada has silenced for ever the criticisms ond detractions of the pro-Boer advocates. You want to be in the old country to realise the stiffening it has given to the old mother to go through with the struggle, whatever the cost." TVATERING HORSES ON A TROOPER.

On the Waimate one very important improvement, which will do away with much labour, has been effected. The task of watering the horses by hose from the tank supply has been found both arduous and unsatisfactory, fully half the day elapsing before all the animals were attended to. A gang of plumbers were sent down from the Public Works department, and fitted a system of waterpipes along the ifront of the horse stalls, with taps fixed at intervals, so that the watering of the horses in this case will be more expeditiously and 'satisfactorily carried out.

GENERAL NOTES,

As the proce&sion was passing down Willis street this afternoon an unfortunate accident happened. The Premier and party were driving past the head of the fifth contingent in a cab, and the horses became fractious and reared up. Staff Sergeant-major Peacock, in endeavouring to render assistance, had hh left arm broken close to the wrist. After being attended to by Surgeon Purely, he was tiken. to the hospital. Following is the agreement signed by the fifth contingent:— "l, the above-named, do sincerely promise and swear, that I will be faithful, and bear true'allegiance to her Majesty Queen Victoria, and that I will faithfully serve her Majesty, both within and without'the colony, and for a period of at least one year from date of arrival in Cape Colony, or until I shall be lawfully discharged. Mr W. Staveley, son of Colonel Slaveley, is journeying to the Cape on the troopship Waimate for the purpose of joining the Imperial Light Horse in South Africa. The Dresden Piano Company have put a first-class piano on the Waimate, as Mrs Brough's present, at under actual cost, and also, to the order of the Premier, a Fecond one lias been put upon the Maori on the same term 5 !. , ,_..,,. Judge EJwards has a son m the ' Fighting Fifth. '

AUCKLAND, March 31. Mrs Banks states that the ladies of Auckland and districts, through their energy, have enabled her to forward the followingarticles to the Auckland divisions of the contingents:— 334- knitted caps. 384 handkerchiefs, 306 pairs rocks, 248 flannel belts, 73 stable-bags," 181 housewives, ISO tins tobacco, 106 pipes. 901b "Ascot" tooacco, 5b hospital flanelette suiis, 3 cases bandages, W-ic wool dressing and surgicil tow. WELLINGTON, April 2. Just before the Maori sailed on Saturday night a girl, 18 years of age, who had stowed away on the vessel, was found hidden in one of the trooper's bunks. She had commenced to get together a khaki uniform, and was "bent on getting to South Africa. She was taken ashore on the Union Company's launch. Her failure to get clear away annoyed her very much, and she frankly expressed her intention of getting to the war in the next troopship. The head pilot at Lyttelton has wired the Premier that he left* the Gymeric at the heads at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday, that everybody Avas in good spirits and perfectly satisfieci; and that everything was going on right. The Agent -general cables to the Premier thai the total amount of the Rough Riders' fund up to the present time is £2042.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, April 2.

A characteristic story, illustrative of the manner in which the Premier brushes aside difficulties, has reached me regarding Mr Seddon's visit to the Maori in Worser Bay a few hours before the vessel's "departure. The Premier, it will be remembered, had

ordered a piano to be placed on bot.S. /op the use of the contingent, leaving some- -dy else, as he him&elf said, to pay for tL., While he wa-s on the ship the piano colUc'j not be found, and the conclusion come to was that it had not arrived. Seeing the. manager of the Union Company on boarc,Mr Seddon asked him if lie could send the company's small launch for the piano, and there being some difficulty about this, Mr Seddon turned to his wife with' " Well, my clear, we must have a piano. We'll commandeer the Tutanekai's."^ Accordingly, orders were promptly given to root out the piano from the Government yacht. Before, however, this could be done, a sailor came up, and, touching his hat, said, " Piano's aboard, pL." It had suddenly been found in some part of the ship.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Ohisholm> forwarded the following telegram on Saturday to the Premier and tl o Mayor oi Wellington: — "On behalf of Dunedin wish fifth contingent God-speed, a prosperous voyage, and a quick entry into Pretoria."

It has been found impossible to find room in the Gymeric for the transpoit waggons purchased in Dunedin by the Organising Committee to the order of the Government, and they will be forwarded by &ome othei steamer.

Lieutenant M'Millan, of the Dunedin Cycle Corps, on Thursday received a telegram to pi exceed to Lyttelton by Friday's express train to join the fifth contingent as lieutenant.

PATRIOTIC FUIND.

THE GENERAL TREASURER'S LIST Concert Taiav/era (Bentley Company) 328 North Dunedin Presbyterian Sunday School 109 G. D. Ross (monthly subscription; 0 5 0 C. A. B 0 5 0 Csvcrsham Baptisi Sunday School i 1 3'o

A FUND FOR THE DISABLE I;,

As has been pieviously stated, Mr By>nd Holt has subscribed £50 ps the mitiiou of a fund for the relief of members of the No* Zealand Contingent* who may be sv/iou-jl^ wounded or permanently disabled, ilr Holt, cheque was accompanied by tho follovrir.Ji let ter to the Organising Committee: —

To the Secretary of the Organising Cosi\ mittee. — Dear Sir,- — Having read in the daily press of a number of New Zealanders attached to the several contingents despatched to ihe seat of war by this colony having ha-d the misfortune to bo seriously or permanently disabled, it has occurred to me that this would be a fitting time to initiate a fund for tho relief of such cases, and in the hope that my humble suggestion will meet with a response in the public mind, and as an acknowledgment of the unvarying kindness of the Ducsdin people towards me, I have now the pleaiure of forwarding for the acceptance of your corn* mittee my cheqxxe for ;£SO. With my hearty appraciatio i of the efioits o£ the people oi Dunedin with regard to the despatch of the fourth and fifth contingents — Yours etc., Bland Holt. The Hon. Secretary (Mr E. F. Duthie) forwarded the folloA^ing; acknowledgment: — Bland Holt, Esq. — Dear Sir, — I beg to nek-

nowledge receipt of jour favour of the 2Sth inst., in which you enclose your cheque for £LQ tor the purpose of initiating a fund for the relief of any members of the contingents whs may have the misfortune to be permanently ot seriously disabled. As you leave Duncdiu to day, it is just possible that I shall not be able to place your letter before the committee previous to your departure, but allow me, on. their behalf, to cordially thank you for your generous donation towaids such r, deserving cause, which, no doubt, the committee will be pleased to place it to. — Yours, etc., E. F. Duthie, Hon. Sec. After consideration, the Organising Com* mittee forwarded the following communication to Mr Holt : — Pland Holt, Esq., City Hotel, Dunedin.— Dear sir, — I am instructed by the committee, in leply to yours of the 28th, and jef earing to the letter already sent you by the hon. secretary, to advise you that, as the committee will dis solve their functions at a short date, they cannot accept the responsibility of opening a fund as suggested by you. They, however, will I pleased to hand over the money, with your cto sent, to the Otago Daily Times or any ollm trustee that you may wish to nominate for th< purpose of carrying out the conditions expressed in your letter. This committee can only ac cept money for the purpose of equipping and despatching the contingent, for which they were appointed. — I am, etc., T. TV. Kempthorne, Chairman.

At the request of Mr Holt, Messrs E. 0. Reynolds, E. F. Duthie, and M. Cohen hava undertaken to see that Mr Holt's gift is use<? in the way suggested by him.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

A native arrived ?t General Buller's camp on December 31 and reported that a large Free State commando i? camped at Spion Kop, sruartliiig the road from Ere.-c to I-sdysmith. They have artillery, and fully 100 wagons. Two cannon are also mounted at Potgieter's Drift, one nearer Ladysinith, also commanding the drift. The laUei b the gun that was damaged in a previous action, and was forwarded to Pretoria to be repaired, and is now available, being mounted near tha Free Staters' camp. The boy further says that the Spion Kop commando is tired of waiting, and declare that if action is deferred they will return to their own country, as Joubert should hold the British at Lp-dy&mith and Colenso, They are also troubled about their comrades at Kimberley, stating that the Boers T?ho have invested the plar.e are in turn encircled by British troops. Questioned as, to the Dutch at Acton Homes, he corroborated the statements that they are almost to a man fighting with the enemy, after sending their stock to the Fiee State. Britishers' homes have been despoiled. C4eneral Joubert denies the allegation in the British papers that he protested against the use of lyddite. He says that up to the 31st December he has no I lost one man by that explosive.

Lady Sarah Wilson, who was exchanged for "Viljoen, a Boer prisoner, is living in a bomb-proof shelter of her own at Mafeking. She is able to exist with some degree of comfort, and if she wishes to spend any time in her own house, her shelter is close enough to enable her to take co\er between the ringing of the bell and the arrival of the projectiles. While a prisoner Lady Wilson gathered that the burghers were heartily sicV of the war, and had lost almost as many from the fire of the sharp-shooters as they would have done had they taken Mafeking by storm. They were devoid of all comforts, and even the field hospital, where die was put, possessed no

luxuries, even being deficient in many necesECirffs. The nurses were German, as v. ere also a majority of the enemy's artillerymen. Hie official descriptions of the Boer victories no longer evoke general enthv.«iafm among; the men, but are jeeeived with sullen silence. Geneial Siiym.au if very unpopular, and the commissariat is iiregular.

At tne Modeler tli^er Lord Methuen's force, which is estimated at about 8000 fighting man, is lying just over the river, on the railway line, and facing- the Magersfoutein range of hills., which are about five miles away, and which are stated to contain 25,000 Boerd. The Boer position &eems impregnable. They have fir^t the steep kopjes. At the foot of these is a fringe of bufh, in which is dug a deep and long trench, the thrown-out earth forming a breastwork. The Boers have also hollowed out the lesr of the tranches and made bombproof caves in which they squat at ease. Id front of the trench is a barbed wire fence, and ihen 150 yarJs of stoiry ground and another (barbed wire fence. Tho Beer riSe shooting at long ranges is not at all good. They draw their water lrom the Modeler River, and tbero are reported to be vleis in the I11II&. The late General Penn-Symona v.as universally beloved and highly regarded, and Li= loss and that of the Carleton Column had a depressing effect on the people. However, the experience of the conduct of the defence 'siives full confidence in General White ih a verr clever and capable commander. Ti^e Boers neae Aruudel observed a truce Jor three days, and many of the officers went 'to iJloemfo.itein for the Christmas holiu°ys. O\er the battlefield (wiites the Daily Mail correspondent from Modder Rivor) there floated a eiiken balloon, so thin and filmy that when the sun shone on it is looked like a sphere of amber. When the sun rose to the zenith it& rays penetrated the airy ball, giving it the appearance of a globe of crystal. We all thought of it as the huge eye of our army. sweeping the Boar trenches and hills and moving groups. It "ramciined to "Tommy" to expres3 a simile in a single phrase. " It's Joey's eyoglass," he said, and by this name it will be known as long as it is used in the war. It not only searched the battlefield, but looked across on Jacobsdal in one direction and on ICimberley in the other, nearly 20 miles away. Doubtless " Joey's eye-glass " made every Beer uneasy. Lyddite cannot (says the London Daily 3Slai'i) be fired from any gun of less calibre than the 4-.7 in 45-pounder. It has its own special fuss, and while the first shell is striking nine other shells are already following in the air. The full range is eight miles. The guns landed at Durban for the Boers were 4.7 in guns, add therefore capable of discharging lyddite shell?. The naval guns at Ladysmith are also, in all probability, using lyddite. Amongst the good sportsmen who ha-s c volunteered for active service with the yeomanry are the Buke of Marlborough, the Earl of Dudley, the Earl of lionsdale. the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of iladdington (the wellknown polo player), Viscount Valentia, iI.JT.H., Viscount Galway, M.F.H., Lord Chesham, Lord Harrß Lord Annaly. Lord 'Arthur Grosvenor, JL.ord Eenyon, Sir Elliott lises, M.P., M.F.H. (winner of the Rouse of 'Commons Point-to-Point Race in 1888 and JIS9Q), Sir John Dick&on-Poynder, M.P., Hon. E. S. Douglas-Pennant, M.P. (eldest pon of iLord Penrhyn), Mr Hermon-Hodge. M.P., raid Sir James Miller, M.F.H., a well-known .fpatron of the turf, who early in his racing tareor won the Derby with Sanfoin, and more recently secured the Oaks with La Sagesse. The Foit Beaufort branch of the Afrikander IB ond has adopted the following motions, to be submitted for discussion and approval at ■the next Congress:— (a) That a searching incuirir be instituted into the omission by Sir '.Alfred Milner of certain sections of President ISteyu's lost despatch to the Imperial Govern■jrnenfc; (c) that an inquiry be instituted into •ithe conditions under which the colonial rail,v/aj r p have boen handed over to the Imperial | Governn*ent.

The Transvaal Government have imposed a new gold tax, superseding all others. It provides that 30 per cent, of the output shall |be paid by persons, companies, and firms iworking their ovvn mines; and 50 per cent, (per ton by those whoso mines are worked (by the Government. Mines having suspended operations to pay 30 per cent., and of the output, estimated on three (months' working. Metallurgical ore-reduc-ing works to pay 30 per cent, of their net jprofits in operations on behalf of others. This "aw takes effect from the 11th of October last.

The Cape News states that Mr Charles Arnold, the v/ell : known actor, bought up all the grapes that were to be obtained in the Capetown market on Saturday, January 20, at 10 o'clock (20001b). and sent them by train sib a present to the Australian and New Zealand troops at the front.

Writing from Pietermaritzburg on December 20, a l|>dy, who is the wife of a high official in the Natal Go-\ eminent, having good means of getting accurate information, ■ifeays that " of 278 prisoners of wor who were temporarily confined in the gaol at Pieteronaritzburg, 268 were Germans."'

Colonel Baden-Powell and Major Goold Adams have deposed Wessels, chief of the Tribe of the Baralongs, who had quarters at Mafeking. Wesseh hao lately been intractable. He spread false leporls among "the tribes thpt the military authorities were endeavouring to make the natives slaves. The government of the tribe was given over to two chief councillors, and a better feeling was quickly established.

I1 1 the Colesberg and Stormberg districts the Boers have on more than one occasion reaped the harvest of loyal fanners almost ■within gunshot of some of the British troops, making use of reapers and binder?.

Mr A. B. Patterson, " Banjo," in the course of his letter to the Argus and Sydney Morning Herald, says :—": — " During the next few days ,%he tmell fr omthe dead Boers got rather bad, ,{3O the colonel in charge of Slingerofontein [icamp went out with a trumpeter and a flaglol truce. He rodo towards a kopje known to jibe held by the Boers, but could not see ony jfcehere. He r told the trumpeter to sound the wall and wave the flag, and at once the hill TbriE-tled with Boers who had been lying '"perdu." They are very clever at talcing cover. Then the Boer commander came out — a German, with army training', fie clicked his heel? together, saluted the flag, saluted the colonel, and stood at attention. He was accompanied by another officr who ppoke English perfect] y, with a very cultivated accent. Our colonel suggested most politely that a 12 ■hours' truce should bo agreed on to enable the Boers to remove and bury their dead. The commandant of tho Boers was much pained to think that our excellent colonel bad given himself all this trouble for nothing. •There was no need of a 12 hours' truce, as 'ihe Boers had alrerdv been up in the night Kind removed their dead — from right under ihe noses of our pickets. This wan a distinct neore for tho Boer commandant, who gravely .ualiited the flog, and retired to re-open ghellSre at the earliest possible moment.''

Telegrams in the Cape Times state ihrt on January 9 an attempt was made by a pprty of Boei3 to take a position which threatened to cut off our communication with Rend-=bur§\ but ix, v. os iruhtrated by the firFt squrdron of New Zealanders under Major Robin. The latter made a. race for it, and got there fir--t, and then fired a volley, which made the enemy retreat towards Colesberg.

According to other telegrams, tho contingent were repeatedly under fire in the second week ot January, but there were no casualties.

This ms-il doei not bring particulars of the engagement at Slinger^fontpin, for which the New Zealander-s were commended.

A private oi the Ist King's Royal Rifie-; in a letter thus describes the death of Colonel Gunning at Dundee: — "Our colonel sjot the word to the hill, so, drawing his sword, he sprang- up, shouting, ' Follow me, Rifles,' and dashed up the hill, vath all our regiment after him; but the brnve li'_ f le fellow did not get far, for a bullet ptrvrk him in the neck, and jus-fc after .aiolhcr hit him right in the ehe«t, and ho fell dead ; but our men gave a howl enough to frighten 15,000 Boers, and charged like mad for the top."

Colonel Stowe, the American consul at Capetown, authorised the American consul at Pretoria to honour the cheques of the Biitish. captive officers to the amount of £1500.

A piivote letter from an eye-witness of the battle of Belmont contains the statement that during tho light a wounded Eoer held up a V/hito flag, and an Epg'li«h officer ••vent up and offered him vater. The Beer refused the offer, and the officer moved on, but a,> soon as his back was turned the Boer treacherously shot him dead. Fortunately, another English officer witnessed the diabolical deed, and promptly blew the Boer's brains out.

At a matinee performance in London for the patriotic fund the afternoon concluded with a "kiss" auction. A kiss from Mm Mabel Love fetched £5, one from Miss Ada Reeve £4-, while one lady r>aid £5 for a kiss from the blushing Mr Charles Morton. Altogether the benefit realised £650.

General Gatacre, in a speech to the troops at Queenstown on November 20, siid: — '" The regulars should watch and take some lessons from the irregulars, who were acquainted with the country and with the habits of the Boed". When onoe the forward movement had begun there could be no question of stopping i* Ho a&ked all to do their be«t. and p deled. ' will never u,sk you to do anything which

am not willing to do myself

The opinion is very generally expressed in America that Great Britain, even at tho risk of complicatiors, should occupy Delagoa Bar.

Captain Cecil MoceadY. who had '.ecope major in the Gordon Highlanders ov, in? to the many changes in the personnel of the regiment at the front, is fiid to be a ron of Macread*" the -actor.

A New South Wales officer in the rom'hO of a letter from Eu&ton v, rites:' — "The orders and in-trueti^n^ w r~e now receiving phow that our leader-, rrp v, pVirn np to the fact that wo are not ?ioh' : v, r : r'oivi-he' J . D^p". il not strike yon r = per" 11 !.'-, rvt mo rye pt.riloyir.o occiii'-c ii»o E^eri tt n >c sane lacticj that t'io (Vn^he* u;c 1 f-ainci; i" — thai i~. wild and de-perate iiMcnrji/-, to r el to elce quarters, coianarrtnely. of course?" The "Monthly Me?&en<!:er.'' the organ oi the Australian Mutual Provident Society, states that the board of directors are determined not to stand in the way of tmmarrioo men, ond V.s consequently given unlimited leave of cadence to the following offices of the sooietv who have expre^-ed n desire to take pirt in. the war: — Me-srs W. R. Harriott (New South Wales). Leslie Donkin (Queensland). F. S. Broomo (New Zealand), and Mr R. P. Smith (Tasmania). These will form a federal unit, so to speak, of the society's staff at the front.