THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 78, 29 March 1900, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS.

Wellington, March 28. The Ohristchurch and Auckland men will probably go in the Maori, and the Wellington, Nelson, and West Coast men in the Waimate. Bugler E. J. Cox has been taken on with the Auckland Company, and takes charge of all buglers for the present. E. V. Sanderson has been appointed Acting - Regimental QuartermasterSergeant for the Contingent. Lieut. B. Rose has left camp, as the Minister for Defence objects to the inclusion of two brothers in the commissioned officers. Lieut. J. Rose goes with No. 2 Company. Chbistchurch, March 28. Four boats and four life-rafts to supplement those already on the Gymeric arrived from Wellington by the Mararoa, this morning. Nothing more has been beard of the rumor that the Gymeric is to make Wellington her final port, and it is generally anticipated that she will leave for South Africa from Lyttelton on Saturday. The Otago and Southland sections of the Fifth Contingent are very comfortable in Addington camp, and the men are well pleased with their quarters. Drill is not being neglected. COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF CONTINGENTS. Wellington, March 28. The Post publishes a letter signed by 90 men of the Wellington-Wairarapa section of the Fourth Contingent, protesting against the " shameful way " in which they have been treated. The points which they emphasise are that they were told they should go with the Third Contingent and the promise was not kept. Then that they should go by tha Monowai, no matter what boat the Southern men went by; instead, they had to quietly look on and see others depart. They assert that the Gymeric is in a filthy state, and they have not had a decent wash on board. Both they and their horses had salt water to drink. Even now they de not know when they will start. They contend that as the Contingent was equipped by public subscription, and the accommodation is. barely sufficient for the men and horses already en board, it is "scandalous" that 100 of another Government Contingent should be thrust on them. The Aucklanders, as it is, have had to sleep with their horses in the hold.

A MAORI DEMONSTRATION. Wellington, March 28. Several hundred natives from districts south of Napier and Palmerston ate encamped on the Basin Reserve, where they are giving an exhibition of the various phases of native life, cooking, dances, and bo on, in aid of the Patriotic Fund. Proceedings began this afternoon with a procession through the town to the reserve, where epesches were made bj the Hon. J. Carroll and the Mayor. The exhibition will last two days, and will be carried on by the tiectric light at night.