Per Press Association.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3217, 22 March 1900, Page 3

Per Press Association.

AUCKLAND, March 21. Captain MBjor has been farewelled by his corps, and goes as an officer m the Fifth Contingent. A second detachment of officers and 25 men of the Auckland Volunteers, to join the Fifth Contingent, left Onehunga this afternoon for New Plymouth- m the Gairloch en route to Wellington. The detachment consists of Lieutenant Bosworth, late A Battery of Artillery, m charge, and Lieutenant Currie, of Waiuku, The Contingent received a cordial send-off from the people at Onehunga. The wharf was packed with spectators, and cheers were given for the departing soldiers. WELLINGTON, March 21. The Premier left for the south to-night to see the Fifth Contingent away. Lieutenant F. Hume was formerly m the New Zealand Insurance Company's Office here, and recently transferred to the Perth branch. One hundred horses selected by Mr Stevens, M.H.R. have arrived for the Fifth Contingent. Further appointments are announced — Dunedin company of the Fifth Contingent, Lieutenants McLennan and Marshall ; No. 1 Wellington, Lieutenant Poison. A report from Major Robin shows that so far the First Contingent has lost by death or sickness 17 of their number, besides four killed m action. Troopers Patterson and Burroughs died of enteric fever, and the following are Invalided and either have already returned to New Zealand or will do so : —Sergeant tf. Watkin,Troopers Jenks, Gundin, and A. K. Taylor, all are suffering from chronic complaints. Trooper Hunt suffered an injury to his back on board ship ; R. Young from injury to his back by a fall from his horse ; J. Hurford, heart disease; R. Wallace, hernia; D. J. Ryan, physically unfit. Besides the above, saddler J. Aitkin is missing, and Sergeant Bond has been disabled by a kick from a horse, and will probably be m hospital for a month. Dr Thomas arrived from the Bouth today, and the medical testing of members of the Fifth. Contingent is proceeding. There are 153 horses now m camp, but the riding test, is delayocl owing to the absence of saddles. Captaia Lomax, of Wan£au«i, has

applied for the post of Adjutant to Lieut.-Colonel Newall m the Fifth Contingent. The Fifth Contingent has composed a war cry, which is: "Ekima patu tangata erima kia tangata ko kiri kai mati hi ha." Freely translated it means : — Fifth, the man killers; Fifth, the man eaters ! Charge to the death. j Captain Davip, now serving with the First New Zealand Contingent, aad who takes command of one section of the Fourth Contingent, has been promoted to the rank of Major. The Defence authorities deny the statement from Dunedin that the horses of the Fourth Contingent were sent away without heel ropes. At the send-off of the Rough-rldera on Saturday, the following resolution, moved by the Premier, was enthusiastically carried :— " We here assembled endorse 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 th 6 Governor, and to-day the following reply was received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies :— " Referring to your telegram of the 18th March, Her Majesty's Government welcomed the assurance expressed therein by the Government and people of New Zealand, fully endorsing the position taken up by Her Majesty's Government as regards the future of South Africa, and that they will support them m maintaining it. The zealous co-operation of New Zealand m South Africa has been most gratifying to Her Majesty's Government, and also to the people of the Motherland." (Signed) Chamberlain. HOKITIKA, March 21. The Weßtland representatives for the Fit h Contingent left last evening for Wellington, and were accorded a hearty send off. The Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, who had just arrived, took part m the demonstration, delivering a short address. DUNEDIN, March 21. Little work was done m camp to-day beyond routine duty. The Contingent will be inspected by the Governor tomorrow, and will parade through the town on their way to Mr R. Glendining's garden party. A social was held to-night to give a send-off to the goldfield members of the Contingent, who number 45. Among the speakers were the Governor, Messrs J. G. Ward, John McKenzie and T. Fergus. His Excellency said that if England were m extremity New Zealand could send away 30,000 fighting men and still have 60,000 men for local defence, and that Australia could contribute 80,000 men.

The military writer to the Christchurch Press, who says he kDOwa the men, denies that General Schalkburger and Commandant Meyer have deserted the Boer army. He says that they are not the sort of men who desert their comrades at a critical moment. Mr Gavin Kidd, of Albury, goes wfth the Fifth Contingent on Saturday, from Port Chalmerp, via Wellington, on March 31st. This is the second son that Mr fcT. Kidd has seDt to the front, a good contribution for one man to make to uphold his country's honour. The Wellington Post has received more than one letter complaining that a man who was rejected as a trooper m the Fourth Contingent because he was unable to ride has been appointed to be an officer of it, apparently considered fit to lead where he was unfit to follow. This gentleman is an officer of a lccal corps, but he was only elected to that position, within the last few days m order that the present " job" might be perpetrated at the last moment, has never appeared on parade with the corps, and knows absolutely nothing of the drill. True, he is a relative of an officer of rank. Trooper W. Kidd, of Albury, has sent a very interesting letter to his parents on the trip to Albany m the Knight Templar. Three days out from Wellington very heavy seas were met and some of the Rough-riders were very unwell, but with the exception of one or two all were quite well on reaching Albany. As for the horses all but the one that had to be destroyed were doing well. The Canterbury troop had been divieioned into three sections under Lieutenants Bourn, Tucker, and Bradburn, the officers making themselves very sociable snd being present at the concerts which were held nightly. Trooper Kidii speaks highly of the way the Canterbury people provided the Contingent with books papers, etc. They also had cases of presents on board for the First and Second Contingents. The church Bervice on board is conducted by Captain Ohaytor, and the men's choft is very good. After getting clear of Wellington a stowaway was found m one of the boats, where he had been from Friday to Sunday evening, and was very weak when found. Trooper Kidd closes an interesting letter by stating that things were going on smoothly on board, and expressing the hope that when h© next writes, he will be able to give some South African news. All the Rough Riders were very anxious to get there.