COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAJOR ROBIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2412, 24 May 1900, Page 36

COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAJOR ROBIN.

Three letters were received from Major Robin by his parents and sister on Monday, I from which we have been permitted to make the following short extracts. In a lette/ dated 23th March, and written at Bloemfontein, the Major says: — "Tell j Stronach and Morris not to forget that the , Otago regiment of mounted mea Stronach h adjutant for has two men on the roll of fame 1 and honour — Sergeant Gourley and Trooper Booth. They are the greatest, because they . have given their life — all a man can give: God be merciful to their souls." And, in ano- ■ tlier part of the letter, the Major expresses ' the deepest personal sympathy with the Hon. ' Mr Gourley, and the hope that he bears up well under his great loss. Referring to Trooper Orbell, the Major wrote: " Harry Orbell is in Kimberley Hospital — the last I heard of him he wns improv- , ing. Hope it will continue." Mention is also ' made of a photograph of Miss Robin, which, ' t at his reqtiest, had been sent to him to Africa. ', He writes: "Do you know it '[his sister's photograph] has a history. It was captured by the Boers at Sounaspont, where Sergeant Pitt escaped with the mail, and I got the photo two days afterwards." Major Robin's favourite horse " Kony," the one which he always rode with the Otago Hussars here, has often been referred to by the Major, ancl this time is mentioned twice. The first mention

is simply that '" Kony is to be photographed to-morrow, if any k>ck," and the next : '""Kony got a tickle from a shell striking round him when changing position, and one piece raised the hoir off the inside of his hind leg below the Lock, and how he did jump about." fl> Enclosed in Major Robin's letter from Bloemfontein was a most interesting invitation card, of which tho following is al'copya l ' copy : — To Meet Military Atiianes of Foieign Power?, Field Marshal Lord John Keberts Requesbs the honom- of the cgmpairy of Major Robin At Dinner at the Government House on Tuesday, March 20th, at 7.30 p.m. 11.5.V.P. to avoid waiting. Government House, Bloemfontein, S.A. It may be mentioned that Major Robin was unable to act upon the invitation, as, unfortunately, he had to be on duty at the time specified. The original of the following letter, which fully explains itself, was also enclosed, and it may be* mentioned that the field glasses sent were of the best description procurable : Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria street London, January 26, 1900. • My Dear Major Robin,— As an assurance of the deep interest taken in you and the contingent you command, a few of your New Zealand friends and well-wishers in London (whose names I append) are desirous of sending yo- t a small New Year's gift, and on their behalf it is my very great pleasure to ask your acceptance of the field-glasses and compass which are being forwarded to you by parcel post today, and which it is hoped may prove of good seivice to you. We are proud of the ' distinctions already won by " the New Zealanrlcrs, and heartily -wish you and the contingent every possible success and the best of health — , e ,i ieve _ :i:re > yours very sincerely, J. K. Campbell. Xlie list of names is as follows-— A >C Arthur, H. D. Bell, H. J. H. Blow, H. C. CaW£ ron, J. K. Campbell, John Can-utters, CE W. Dymock, Robt. Galloway, Frank Hyams, n\Tr. ln R h %' A - Hill Jaok > Walter Kinnaway, C.MGr., JIM. Khmaway, C. Ray Palliser, w! B. Perceval' (Sir), C. Pharazyn, W. "P. Reeves (Hon.), Chas. R. Valentine, and H. Yon Has.st