NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 56, 22 March 1900, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE.

Wellington, March 21. The Gymeric left for Lyttelton m route to Dunedin this evening, and she and the Honowai will take the Fourth Contingent to South Africa, also 100 men of Otago's section of the Fifth Contingent. Both steamers leave Dunedin on the 24th inst.

The Premier says that in appointing Lieutenant-Colonel Sommerville to the command of a half section of the Fourth Contingent they heartily appreciate the services of that officer, not only in assistance rendered to the Defence Department in connection with the despatch of contingents, but his highly meritorious services to volunteering in, this colony, and particularly with respect to the advancement of shooting. The Waimate and Maori will take the Fifth Contingents, and both vessels leave here for South Africa on 31st Inst.

Mr. Seddon says that there has been great difficulty, and not a little unpleasantness has arisen, owing to the Defence Department not notifying the various localities as to the number of men which will be taken from the chief centres. The result is that in Wellingj ton alone men are coming from various districts, and there must be quite 300 selected men, while only 150 could go. How to discriminate was tbe question, and the authorities are at their wits' end. It is thought that the result will 1 be that those who have passed the teste, and are unable to go with the Fifth Contingent, will be formed as a reserve to await further developments in South Africa.

Further appointments areannounced to the Fifth Contingent as follows: Dunedin Company—Lieutenants McLennan and Marshall; No. 1 Wellington —Lieutenant Poison.

A hundred horses selected by Mr. 2. Stevens, M.H.R., have arrived in Wellington for the Fifth Contingent.

Dr. Thomas arrived from the South to-day, and the medical tests of members of the Fifth Contingent is proceeding. There are 142 horses now in camp, but the riding tests have been delayed owing to the absence of saddles.

Captain Lomax, of Wanganui, has applied for the post of adjutant to Lieut.-Colonel Newall in the Fifth Contingent. The Fifth Contingent have composed a war-cay, which is: "E rima patu tangata! E rima kia tangata! Ko kiri! Kai mati, hi, ha! " Freely translated, it means '* Fifth, the mankillers ! Fifth, the man-eaters ! Charge to the death." Captain Davies, now serving with the First New Zealand Contingent, and who takes command cf one section of the Fourth Contingent, has been promoted to the rank of Major. The Defence authorities refute the statement from Duned'n that the Fourth Contingent horses were sent a* iy without heel-ropes. At th pe«id-ofl - to the Eough-riders onSctu.dsy, the following resolution moved by the Premier was enthusiastically carried : -" We here assembled endoise the policy of the British Premier, and resolve to support it to the very last man." The resolution was sent on to the Home Government by His Excellency the Governor, and today the following reply was received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies:— ,: Referring to your telegram of 18*; h March, Her Majesty's Government welcomed the assurance expressed therein by the Government and people of New Zra'and fully endorsing the position taken up by Her Majtsty's Government as regards the future of South Africa, ar-d thtt they will support them in maintaining if. Tbe zealous cc-opwation of Now Z-. island in Sjuth Africa has been must, to Her Majesty's Gov . r„. ment, and also to the ;w otJj o; tic Jlo-.berliind. —Ouamw:k{.vu." The Brough matiuee iu aid of ti;< More Men Fund whs v-i-y succc-shi'id. The proceedings lasted till uo'iiiv 6 o'clock. Including £i4 thrown on the stage for Mr. Smith's singing of "The Alwent-Minded Beggar "ami £2l fiotr. a special sale of programmes, tut receipts were .£175, but there will bt come tickets beyond this to swell th< amount. Home 200 of die contingent were present. Girls in khaki up penred on the stage and sold pro grammes. Cordial cheers weiegivei for the Brougbs, and Mrs. Brough wa; m»!o the recipient of a number of flora offerings. The whole proceedings werv ' fif a PwtiQvdarly kWfty '

Auckland, March 21. j Captain Major was farewelled by his I corps. He goes as an officer in the! Finn Contingent.

The second detachment of officei s and 25 mm of the Auckland Tolunteers join the Fifth Contingent of mounted infantry left Ocehunga this afternoon for New Plymouth in the Gsirloch, en route to Wellington, The detachment jcorsiets of Lieut. Boswortb, late of the IA Battery of Artillery, in charge, and Lieut. Curiie, of Waiuku. The contingent received a cordial send-off from the people of Onehunga. The wharf was packed with spectators, and cheers were given for the departing soldiers.

FIFTH CONTINGENT, TARANAKI SECTION. The following are the names of the men selected to go to Wellington for final selection in the Fifth Contingent: —F. Baker, W, V. Bashford, J. E. Bond, J. W. S. Brewer, J. Brooking, O. K. Brown, G. G. Calvert, G. Dobbie, A. Feek, Fleetwood, L. Fraser, J. H. Harrison, R. Jacomb, A. W. John-1 ston, G. J. Johnston, Hansen, R. Hifkson, W. Kaddell, T. H. Lash, E. Laikin, A. Lister, A. Lock, G. M. Longstaff, K. E. Maxwell, C. Milne, W. E. Meredith, J. McCutchan, J. McKinnon, G. McKenzie, W. J. Newell, W. O'Brien, E. O'Carroll, W. A. Pearce, J. Perry, B. Robbie, R. Rhodes, W. J. Rose, McK. Runciman, A. Simmons, W. Simmonß, F. Stanley, P. Stanley, A. Street, O. Turner, O. Till, G. L. Warner, L. Wells, J. Welsh, J. W. Wormold, E. O. King.

The men Trill fall in at the Drill Hall at 6.15 this morning, proceeding therefrom to the Bailway Station. Any man going from New Plymouth and being absent will forfeit his place. The City Band will play the men down to the Railway Station, and the Taranaki Bine Volunteers will also take part in the send-off.