NEW ZEALAND'S SECOND CONTINGENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8700, 20 December 1899, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND'S SECOND CONTINGENT.

MEMBERS BEING SOUNDED ON THE SUBJECT.

Wellington, This day.

Ministers were in Cabinet last night discussing the proposal to send a second contingent to the Transvaal. The position taken up by the Cabinet was this : The Government is of opinion that in the interests of the Empire anc New Zealand a second contingent should be sent, similar to the one already in South Africa, but before definitely deciding Cabinet resolved to take the constitutional course and ascertain' the opinion of members of the House. Their replies will be received by to-day, when the Cabinet will finally decide the question. The Government have received an offer from the Armstrong-Elswick Company to supply four Hotchkiss machine guns with full equipments if the colony furnishes horses and men for the guns. The Company will supply an expert. The Company stipulates that these guns shall be sent for service to South Africa with New Zealand's second contingent, but after the war is over they will become the property of the colony. This offer has also been placed before the members of the House* Besides the Heretaungas and a number of Navalß, 75 members of the D Battery and the local rifle corps have already volunteered for the Transvaal. Lieul. -Colonel Sommerville is spoken of as likely to have command. Colonel Fox is also suggested. Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, of the Wellington Rifle Battalion, has been informed that ten members of the Zealandia Rifles and College Rifles, all of whom can ride, are anxious to go on active service. Many of those who have volunteered during the last few days throughout the colony are willing to find their own horses. Several Masterton young men have applied to the Defence Minister to be included in the next South African contingent, if one is sent. Later. Replies are coming in rapidly from members re the contingent, and Cabinet is now further considering the matter. It is understood Mr J. Hutcheqpn has entered a protest againßt the despatch of any more troops or the acceptance of Armstrong's offer of guns. At his installation to-day Mr Aitken, the incoming Mayor, said he would call a meeting to morrow re a South African fund. He announced that Messrs Levin and Company bad also promised him £100, half for the general fund and half for the contingent. The 8.8. Waiwera will probably be again employed as a troopship. Carpenters were to dismantle her fittings on the way back, but the operations will be intercepted at Albany if possible. Otters are still pouring in from local volunteers. The Premier has received a cable message from the Premier of New South Wales stating that he has received an intimation that the offer of more colonial troops has been favorably entertained by the Imperial authorities.- Ha had accordingly cabled the offer of a tbousaud mounted infantry, haU a medical corps, and a battery of artillery, and asked whether New Zealand would join with them in this. The New Zealand Government replied that they v? ould have been pleased to act with the Australasian colonies, but before receipt of the message had made other arrangements, and would accordingly act independently. Latest. Ninety-seven per cent, of the members of Parliament have signified their approval of the sending of another contingent, and accepting the offer of the Hotchkias guns. The latter was made through the Imperial authorities. s The Government requires 250 horses, bays, blacks or browns, 15 to 15.3 bandß, five to ten years old. Mr G. G. Stead, of Christchurch, has presented ten, and a settler at Hawera two. The Government will be pleased to acknowledge any other offers of horses. It is expected the men will get away about the beginning of the second week in January.

WAR M»EB ' The statement in yesterday's cables that at Majersfontein one hundred bodies were found thrown into che .river with atones round their neckß, is only capable of explanation by the supposition that, the Boers did this with the objeot of poisoning the water.