NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11727, 20 January 1900, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

embarkation on the waiweha; [i>kfe PRESS ASS CIATtOS-J WELUIbTOX, Januniy.iq.— ■?% *ol^ df embarking th<? Worses on board the Waiwtjta occupied all the, afternoon and part of the evening. Less trouble was experienced than on the first occasion, and most of the animals went aboard very quietly. Three hundred horses will be taken, and there are 12 extra stalls. The contingent, including 38 men for the Hotchkiss battery, numbers 252 oficers and men. Each company is slightly abovethe strength. It is understood • there is some doubt about one of the lieutenants, and that the ultimate choice will rest between him and Lieutenant Todd, who goes as supernumerary. The final decision will be made at the 1 Cape. The alterations in the officers of No. 1 Company mentioned yesterday, as likely have bsen confirmed, and Captain Hutson takes command, Lieutenant Montgomerie succeediug him. Captain Reid is greatly dissatisfied with his treatment, and his oaae Was under consideration of Ministers to-day. In reply to his request for a statement of the reasons leading to his dismissal, he was informed ihat Major 1 Ci'adock had repdi'ted adversely upon liinl, and, as cdmmander" §f the contingent, his" I'epoFt Was final. Tlie Government, however, intend to dffer Captain Reid one of the positions in the Colonial Defence Department at present vacant: i Wellington, JartUary 20.— An enthusiastic" meeting On the subject of Welling- > tdn taking a share 1 iri the third contingent was held last night-. It was decided to • a?k the Maydr td call a public meeting. ■ Ttfenty-iiiile meri roluntoered in tlie •foflm, arid Bne g'ontlemaii promised £25 > Id the f lirid:

TO-DAY'S DEMONSTRATION: Wei^i-sgton-, January 20.— Tne weather iS diill.aiid calna tnis morning, but ill ever'}' way favourable for the contingent's demonstration. Over 1000 passengers came by. the Mannwatu train, ,last night, and crowds are flocking in from all directions. Among the visitors are several members of the Legislature, mayors, and representatives of local bodies. The attendance will b 3 thoroughly representative of all parts of the colony, a.nd will, be equ.il to, if not exceed, the crowd on the previous occasion. i • ' " i •" < Six hundred Volunteers from -Wanganui and Napier districts, and 250 from Marlborough and Nelson arrived this moi'ning. < The Southern Volunteers are already here. Twenty steamei'3 will escorb the' Waiwei'a to the Jleads, artd ten bands will be placed on board them. Trumpeter Grimstone, of Wellington, goes with the Contingent in place of Chagurn. Dr. McKenzie goes as, far as the Capo as assistant-veterinary surgeon. Several other appointments as assistants to the various branches have been made. These will leave at the Cape. It Was discovered this morning that thieves had been through the camp, the chief attention being devoted to the officers' quarters. Nothing in ths shapo of uniform was taken, but portions of Government kits were removed, also suits of clothes. Captains Smith and Fen wick and Lieutenant Findland were the chief sufferers. The oamp is quiet this morning, the attendance of visitors there not being so large asjmight have been expected. The town is profusely decorated with buntingi At half -past 12 the men left in camp, td the number" o^ about 216, foi'nled into a htilldw squire, and tlio Premier pre= serited Trbdrter Liindon, df Tauranga. with the Kdyal Hiimane Society's bronze medal arid eer'tifibate for Saving the life of G. Nori'is in the Tauranga Harbour. The march to town began at 1 o'clock, Mr T. M. Wilford, the Marshall, leading, followed by Jupp's Band and cDntingent. Outside the camp the Heretaungas mdt them and acted as art escort to the Basiii Reserve, where a large force of volunteers w\is* drawn up. Headed ; by the veter; n? and marching" in fours, the procession spread over half a mile arid was of an extremely imposirig character. Bunting and banners were profuse, especially in Cuba-street where every window and balcony was occupied. *£The speechss began at 2.30 Great crowds gathered in Jervois Quay, and the steamers lining the wharves in readiness to accompany the Waiwera to the Heads are floating masses of humanity. The weather is close and warm. Ciikistchurcii, January 20. — One hundred and fifty-two applications have been received for enrolment in the Canterbury troop in threo days. It is considered there are sufficient funds already available to eiuip 60 men.