LORD KITCHENER'S TOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 2915, 26 January 1910, Page 24

LORD KITCHENER'S TOUR

MELBOURNE, January 18. Lord Kitcnener had a lengthy conference with Federal Ministers, and afterwards reviewed the cadets. Lord Kitchener is preparing his report on the defences. It is expected to be leady by the middle of next month. ADELAIDE, January 21. Lord Kitchener had a flattering reception from a great gathering on his arrival. NEW ZEALAND ARRANGEMENTS. WELLINGTON, January 19. The New Zealand Times announces that preparations are being made by the Defence authorities to enable Volunteer troops and Cadets of different provinces to be concentrated in the four centres of New Zealand during Lord Kitchener's visit. Lord Kitchener has expressed a desire to make a thorough examination of the fortifications at the four centres, and every facility will be afforded him of doing so. The Government will entertain Lord Kitchener at Wellington, and the Mayor is making arrangements to give him a civic reception at the Town Hall. . January 20. Arrangements have now been completed for the reoeption of Lord Kitchener in New Zealand and for his tour through the Dominion. He will arrive at the Bluff on Thursday, February 17, and will be received by the Prime Minister and members of the Defence Council, who will accompany him throughout the tour. After arrival he will proceed to Dunedin by train, and on Friday, the 18th, will inspect (the harbour defences, garrison artillery, and senior and junior Cadets. The Defence Force of the distinct will be brought into camp near Dunedin, and on Saturday they will be put through field exercise under the eye of the visitor, returning to their homes on Sunday.

On Monday the Field-marshal will proceed by train to Christchurch, and on ! Tuesday will, as at Dunedin, inspect the harbour defences, garrison artillery, and Cadets. The Defence Forces will be mobilised and put through field exercises pn Wednesday, and the same night Lord Kitchener will leave for Wellington, reaching there on Thursday morning. He will be accorded a civic reception by the Mayor, and be entertained at a banquet by the Ministry, and on the following day will inspect the harbour defences, garrison artillery, and Cadets. The Defence Forces will be mobilised that day, and will engage in field exercises on the following day. On Monday his Excellency will leave by train for Auckland, where the same programme will be gone through. Lord Kitchener will leave Auckland for Fiji on Thursday, March 3. INSPECTION OF CADETS. WELLINGTON, January 24. Field-marshal Lord Kitchener will arrive in New Zealand on Thursday, February 17, and will, .inter alia, inspect the Junior Cadets (late Public School Cadets), which aire now included in the defence scheme of the Dominion. Junior Cadets will mobilise as follows for inspection : Dunedin, exact time and place not arranged ; outlying units, on Tuesday, February lf>; city and suburban units, Wednesday, February 16. ChristchuTch, exact time and place later; outlying units on Monday, February 21; city and suburban units on Tuesday, February 22. Wellington, at Hutt Park ; outlying units, Wednesday. February 23; city and suburban units, 'Thursday'24. Auckland, exact time and place later; outlying units. Saturday, February 26; city and suburban units, Monday," February 28. The orders refer only to those units that can be transported by railway or on hairbou.r ferry steamers. Free railway passes will be issued. Officers commanding battalion will make all necessary train arrangements for (their corps, and aire urged to endeavour to get as many Cadets who have ceased to attend school as possible to turn out on this occasion. Camps or quarters will be provided for the Cadets from the outlying districts of each centre, also free rations during the period the Cadets are in camp. A telegram was forwarded by the Mayor (Mr J. H. Walker) to Sir Joseph Ward asking what form the reception should take, and to this the following reply was received yesterday from the Prime Minister: ' In reply to your telegram, I hope to advise you in tjie course of a day or two. The whole matter is how receiving attention."