DEATH OF COLONEL FRANCIS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11647, 2 April 1901, Page 2

DEATH OF COLONEL FRANCIS.

RETURN OF SECOND AND THIED CONTINGENTS. |VKR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CimsTcirußcn, April 1. — Colonel Frincis, who wont to South Africa with the Fourth Contingent, and was subsequently invalided to England and then returned to New Zealand, died last night. Ho arrived in Canterbnry in 1857, and had bsen connected with volunteering for many years. Colonel Franci. was Range Officer at the recent Rifle Association meeting at Wanganui. Wellington, April 1. — The Premier ! and Liout.-Colonel Newaii will bo present at the funeral of the late Colonel Francis. The Government will grant free passages to all members of the i Fourth Contingent now in Wellington who wish to pay a last tribute of respect , to their late commander. The Premier has received a cable messig9 from the officer commanding the New Zealand regiment at Coatrielspruit, stating that Captain Jackson, and 25 men of his squadron, Captains Abbott and Tuckey, JLieuts Simpson, Batger, and tei? men, all of the Fifth Contingent, are desir io us of continuing on service with the ! New Zetland forces in Africa. Lieutenant French has asked for leave to go to England on the return of his regiment. Lord Kitchener, in a cablegram to the Governor, dated Pretoria, 31st March, stated that the Second and Third New Zealand Contingents would leave South Africa by the s.s. Tongariro to-day.