NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 57, 23 March 1900, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE.

Wellington, March 22. Lieutenant Bailey, of Timaru, has heen appointod to the Qinterbury company of the Fifth""Oontingent. "-"-~-™ij Palmbuston Nobth, March 22. The Patriotic Sports meeting yesterday was a splendid success, over j£loo being taken at the gates. In tbi evening a concert was held, the building being packed to the doors. The total amount raised yesterday for the Patriotic Fund is about .£2OO. DEPARTURE OF TARANAKI SEOTION OF FIFTH CONTINGENT. A larger crowd than on either of the previous occasions gathered at the tail-

wuy station to farewell the local members of the Fifth Contingent. The men, having fallen in at the Drill Shed, marched down to the station, headed by the City Band, and, having formed up on the station platform, were addressed as follows by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. E. Djckrill):—" Taranaki men of the Fifth Contingent: When the contingent was first proposed, and the stteugth put down at 500 men, ■ hero were doubts in the minds of some >i* to tho colony's ability to furnish .such a large addition to those already bent; but the splendid rtspoose of the colony set thib question at once at rest. No province has more fully responded to the call than has our own Province of Taranaki. Many of you who now stand before me are the sons of gallant fathers who defended their homes in this district in days gone by, and you are now going to defend tho Empire in a distant land. Others amongst you came in more peaceful times, when the fi ry ordeal that tried the early colonists Wdh pabsed, but your present disp'ay of patriotism is worthy of the best traditionsof our race, and the Empire can be in no danger while such gallant defenders are available. When we couple this with the splendid achievements of your brother New Zealanders at the seat of v.'av (aud wo feel confident you will maintain the high reputation which tliey havo won for their corps) it should make us proud to belong to a colony which has such gallant representatives aud defenders. One great advantage is yours in that you have such a distinguished commander as Field-Marshal Lord Roberts—a general who is worthy of a foremost place amongst the many great military leaders our Mother Country has produced. Many of the generals who are serving under Lord Roberts in the present campaign bid f.iir to win high honours and promotion, md it is a great privilege for you to serve under such men. In wishing you, on behalf of the people of this dis- ! trie-,, farewell and God-speed, I also 1 «sk you to convey these same gotdl

wishes to the comrades who are to join you on your way to Wellington. Wd wish you all a victorious career in South Africa, and hope to welcome yon back again when the war it ended. Throughout your trials and danger* may God protect you all," At the conclusion of his address the Mayor called for three cheers for the Fifth Contingent, which were heartily responded to, after which the City Band played a selection of patriotic airs. finishing up with "God Save tha QueeD." The section, after being photographed by Mr. Oollis, then entrained, and departed amidst a further burst of cheering. AN AUCKLAND SECTION. A section of 25 men from Auckland for the Fifth Contingent, in charge of Lieutenant Bos worth, of the A Battery. arrived by the Gairlooh, from Onehunga, en route for Wellington, on Thursday morning, and remained in town until the departure of the 4 p.m. train. Quite a large number of people assembled at the railway station to wish the men God-speed on their von* 4 ture. In conversation with a sentative of this journal, Lieut. worth stated that through the desired to express his gratitude to tiSH stationmaster (Mr. Aickin), railway! officials, Mr. Dockrill, the Mayor oH New Plymouth, and Captain of the Gairloch, for the consideration shown to himfrff and iblM| men since they left Auckland.' TB» said they would carry away very plav » sant recollections of New Plymouth,'* which would not be soon forgotten. The City Band was in attendance and played patriotic selections, "Soldiersof - the Queen " being prominent amongst the number. The Mayor called for three hearty cheers for the Auckland boys, which were well responded to, and they in return garo three cheers for the Mayor and people of New Plymouth. Some members of the TVw»«H Riflftg marched down in order to giro their comrades a send-off. The train away to the strains of " God Save thefl Queen." Three cheers were given forV iheßand. Some 49 horses go with tht| Auckland section of men. I