COLONEL ROBIN RETURNING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 25

COLONEL ROBIN RETURNING.

Mr J. Robin on Wednesday morning received cable advice that his son, Colonel Alfred - Robin, had left Capetown by the Tongariro on Sunday last. Wellington is the Tongariro's first port of call, and she may be expected there about the 23rd inst. It is safe to conclude that Colonel Robin is in charge of the returning members of the second and third contingents.

DELAY IN ISSUING COMMISSIONS,

Lord Roberts writes as follows to Lord Ranfurly: — "War Office, London, February 15. Dear Lord Ra<nfurly, — M;y attention has been directed to an article in the Hawke's Bay Herald, dated 24th December, 1900, in which criticisms are made as to the delay which has occurred in Gazetting New Zealand officers to their Imperial commissions. j I much regret to say that these delays i proved unavoidable owing to the great difficulties experienced in our being assured that each candidate was fully qualified. The mat"ter was" finally settled on the 4th January, when the -names of all these officers appeared in. the London Gazette, and in order to make sure that no one suffered from the delay, the date of the commissions was ante-dated to the 19th May, 1900. Please give what publicity you like to these facts. — (Signed) •Roberts."

JPft t s>mm &8?$14 understands that Mrs

Jowsey has received a cablegram from Major Jowsey stating that he is a passenger by the Tongariro, which left the Cape on Sunday with the officers and men of the returning contingents. Captain George Crawshaw is also among the passengers. Mr M. J. Knubley has received a cable from his son Francis, who is also a passenger by the Tongariro. Mr J. A. Johnson, head master of the Timaru Main School, received the following cablegram from Captain Crawshaw at 10 o'clock on Tuesday night: — "Resignation posted. Beg to withdraw same. Sailing in the Tongariro." From the cablegram it is understood (says the Timaru Herald) that Captain Crawshaw had written a letter resigning his position in the school, but that after recovery from his wound* he has decided to return and take tip his former duties.

The polica are trying to find relatives of the late R. C. Olphert, who was attached to the army in South Africa, obtained an honourable discharge from General PoleCarew, and engaged on December 23 last on board the ship Persian, from Capetown to Newcastle, N.S.W., as an ordinary saaman. He died on the way out, on the 22nd January, and was buried at sea. His army discharge certificate and three watches axe in the possession of the collector of customs at Newcastle, who is waiting for his relatives to claim them. It is supposed that Olphert enlisted in New Zealand, and found his own horse, atid probably equipment. So far no traces of any relatives have been found.