NEW ZEALAND FOURTH CONTINGENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8762, 28 February 1900, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FOURTH CONTINGENT.

ENTHUSIASM OF THE MEN. Wellington, this day. The news of Cronje'a surrender was sent to the Bough Riders' camp early, and there was a scene of great excitement and enthusiasm. At the same time a feeling of disappointment was manifest at the men hearing they would not reach South Africa in time to participate in the fighting. The Lieutenant - Colonel paraded and addressed the men. He referred to the great triumph of British arms, and said that notwithstanding the victory over Cronje, there was yet time for the men to arrive to fight, as he thought the subduing oi the Boer* would he a long and arduous task. The Bough Eiders gave three cheere for Lord Boberts and the army, and hoisted the Union Jack. At a meeting of the local execution of the Bough-Riders it was slated that there waa sufficient money in hand to equip 78 men. It was decided to hand over £3000 to the Government immediately, with a stipulation that if the Imperial Govern: mentis defraying the cost of transport a refund be made to the Committee. "It was announced that John Plimmer who has already subscribed £325 to the war funds is willing to increase the amount to £500 if necessary. <■ Auckland, yesterday. The net proceeds of the military carnival en Saturday wore £650. The total of the Rough Eiders Fund ia £3800. Thirty-five applications have been received by Colonel Banks for the Fifth Contingent reserve. He intends selecting a number of volunteers from the last of those rejected by the selection committee of the Fourth Contingent owing to the inability of some to provide their own horses. The list embraces highly efficient volunteers and marksmen. Wairoa, last night. Yesterday four EVasertown men who have volunteered for the front left here to p&88 the tests. They are B. Beed, W. Gardner, P. Breingan, A. Couper. Two others, Wiiitehead and Bobinson, are ' leaving to-morrow. Louis and Oscar McKechnie and K. Charlton are already in Napier. The Hon. J. Carroll wired to-day saying that Wairoa should be represented by two men, and suggesting we should nominate two. It is now thought beat to await the result of the ' tests, and surely out of nine candidates two will be selected. J. Hunter Brown, who is jilst starting for Napier, has offered to subscribe £50 if two Wairoa men are selected.