DEPARTURE OF THE CONTINGENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3220, 26 March 1900, Page 3

DEPARTURE OF THE CONTINGENTS.

DUNEDIN, March 24. After the heavy rain of yesterday, this morning broke gloriously fine, and from an early hour the streets were lined with sightseers. During the night special trains poured In volunteers and excursionists from Christchurch to the Bluff, and it is safe to hazard the opinion that there will be more people in town to-day than on the occasion of the celebration of the Otago Jubilee, when it was estimated that there were 45,000 in the streets. The town is alive with buntmg, and there is hardly a business place or or private house along the line of the route not displaying some flag or device. Proceedings began with the church services at St. Joseph's, St. Matthew?, and First Church, all of which places were filled. It is universally acknowledged that today's show was the greatest the colony has yet seen. The procession was nearly two miles long, and when the head of it turned into Rattray Street from Cumberland Street its rear was passing the post office. Everywhere the troops were received with the greatest enthusiasm. The Governor, Lady Ranfurly, and the Premier met with an ovation all along the route. The send-off of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents proved One of the best things of the kind ever seen in Dunedin from a military aspect, and surpassed the Jubilee demonstration. The rain which fell on Friday cleared off, and the day was fine but overcast, 'just cool enough to make walking pleasant. There were two drawbacks, but these were not realised until the day was over. The first was that the Gymeric did not get away, the work on board not being ad vanced enough to permit of the horses being shipped. The Auckland and Wellington companies of the Fifth thus did not get away. The second was the length of time over which the proceedings extended for those who saw it to the end. The Te Anau, which accompauied the Monowai outside the heads, did not reach Dunedin until 10 p.m , while the Moura did not return till 11 p.m. The night being dark both vessels had to wait till the tide was at the full to grope their way up channel. Fourteen hours engaged in sending away Contingents is rather overdoing it. The city was wakened by the arrival of bands at 5 a.m. These played through some of the streets and soon the city was astir, and bunting began to appear until the city assumed a festive appearance. The services arranged by the Council of the. Churches were held in the First (Presbyterian) and St. Matthew's Church, Solemn Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's (Catholic) Cathedral, and there was an early celebration of the Communion at St. Paul's (Anglican) Cathedral. Work at the camps began early, and by 9 o'clock nearly everything was ready. The Fighting Fifth having marched to b'orbury, the Premier drove out, made an informal inspection and bid good-bye to the Westland men. Colonel Penton then gave the order to fall in and everything being ready he addressed the men, reminding them that they would soon be soldiers not volunteers. It was a thing to be proud of, that they were going to aesist in keeping the flag flying. He hoped that they would have some fighting, and thought they would. He impreasedon the officers that they must not be too harsh with the men. He concluded with " God bless you boys." At 9.30 the procession wao arranged, and the march commenced in the following order :— Garrison Band, Dunedin Navals, North Otago Rifles, southern band from Clutha, South Canterbury and Southland Mounted Rifles, B Battery, (3 ore Band, Dunedin Engineers, Milton Band, Cycle Corps, City Guards, Mosgiel Band, North Dunedin and East Taieri Rifles, Dunedin Pipe Band, Highland Rifles, Wyndham Band,'Kaitangata Rifles, Kaikorni Band, City Rifles. Dunedin Rifles (Burts), Bearer Corps, Invercargill Garrison Band, Oamaru Ganison and Queenstown Bands, Invercargill City Guards, Oreti Rifles, Queen's (Oamaru) Riflea, Bluff Band, Gore and Palmerston Rifles, Invercargill Guards Band, Timaru Port Guards, Port Chalmers Navals, Ashburton, Geraldine, Temuka and Waimate Riflea, Industrial School Band, High Fchool, Associated Schools, and Industrial School Cadets, Southland Pipe Baud, North East Valley Band, Colonel Penton and staff, Fourth Contingent, Citizen's Band ; and Fifth Contingent, The procession was lengthy. Music was plentiful, and the crowds which lined the streets almost from the camp to the oval were treated to good playing. Arrived at the oval the Volunteers opened out and formed a guard of honour to theOontingents. The scene on the oval was animated and picturesque. There must have been in the streets and the oval fully 40,000 people. The hills overlooking the oval with the cemetery were lined with people, while outside the oval there was a large crowd. Princes street was lined from the oval to the Octagon by those waiting to form the procession. Lieut. -Colonel Webb with his staff rode into the ground followed by the Invercargill pipe band, and as the volunteers marched in and lined up round the place reserved for them, His Excellency the Governor, with Lady Ranfurly and suite, the Premier, the Hon. Messrs Ward and McKenzie, drove up and took their places on the stand reserved for them. The Fourth and Fifth Contingent men were drawn up on the platform erected for them in front of the Governor's stand. The Rev. W. Bannerman, Moderator of the Presbyterian Synod, opened with prayer, and a strong choir of children with red, white and blue flags, sang " God Save the Queen." His Excellency the Governor, who was received with prolonged cheering, expressed his pleasure as Her Majesty's representative at witnessing the enthusiastic loyalty in this part of the olony. Since they had said farewell to the last Contingent great events had come to pass, events which would live in history to the lasting honour of the British race. The whole aspect of the war had been altered. Peihaps we did not realise the magnitude of the crisis, but those who follow us will look back back to 1900 as the dawn of a new and glorious era, a birth-throe of the British Empire, for had not the splendid unanimity of the Anglo-Saxon been the wonder and consternation of the world ? He was persuaded that the men of the Contingents would not fall Bhort of expectations, but would prove themselve as resolute, as steady, and as cheerful and enduring as those who had preceded them. He wished them good luck and a safe return. The Premier said that that day was the greatest in the history of Otago. flow much would they have liked if Mr James Macandrew had lived to see the sight before them, or Dr Burns or their loved Dr Stuart bad said the prayer that day. After giving an outline of the events leading to the formation of the' Contingents, he said how nobly all had responded to the call was shown by the fact that they had before them a body of men unsurpassed in any part of the world. We had here the blending of the Saxon and the Celt. Otago was naturally proud that an Otago boy commanded the First Contingent. Given the opportunity they would have had Major Robin present. All over the colony we were making history and laying the foundation of the greatest and most lasting Empire ever known in the history of the world. The Empire was founded on a higher civilisation — the good of humanity, freedom and justice. Men were going aB the colony'a representatives, and he felt sure that they would be a credit to us and help to promote that freedom which was liberty, justice, and equality. It only wanted a flash through the wire that Mafeking had been relieved to complete their joy. Kindred at home were cheeredby what they were doing. With a sprinkling of colonials as officers and with colonial regiments in the British army, and that was coming, we would prove to the world that we must be reckoned with. In conclusion, he wished them bon voyage, every good luck, God-speed and a safe return. The Mayor (Mr Ohisholm) spoke briefly, concluding by hoping the God of Battles would bless and keep them safe until the grand old flag waa flying in triumph from the highest building in Pretoria. The Hon. J. G. Ward said that looking at the history of events it was evident that the Boers had been waiting to pick a quarrel with Britain, and that President Kruger reasoned that some

power would intervene. Mr Ward said he had every confidence in the men now going to the front. The present war would be the means of chauging the whole attitude of the opposing countries to Britain. This would involve new duties and responsibilities to British and colonial statesmen. The people of the colonies would not be satisfied until they were heard through their representatives in the Imperial Parliament. The bond of sympathy with South Africa was drawn closer by the fact of some of our sons lying peacefully under her soil. Bradford, Oonnell, Gourley, Booth and Neave had not fought and died in vain, for by their deaths the country was drawn more closely to the Motherland than was ever contemplated by the most sanguine man, who dreamed of a union of hearts and homes across the sea. He wished the Contingent God-speed, good luck, and that they would return fit and well. Mr T. W. Kempthorne, chairman of the organising committee, also spoke briefly on behalf of the committee, and bade the men of the Contingents goodbye. The children sang " The Red, White and Blue." Cheers were given for the Governor, Major Francis and the Contingents, the organising committee, Major Robin and his boys at the front, and the girls they left behind them. Bishop Nevill then pronounced the Benediction, which had been specially composed. The children sang "God of Nations,'' and the procession was reformed and made a start for the wharf. Ihe line of route was along Princes street to the Otagon, then down Stuart street into Cumberland street, along the west side of the triangle into Vogel street, across the railway by overbridge to the wharf. There was a liberal display of bunting, especially with small flags now so common. The streets along the route were lined with people. In front of the btock Exchange and the Octagon, the crowd was dense, but a clear roadway was kept. Every window was occupied, and on many buildings there were crowds of sightseers who must have tested the quality of the roof. The enthusiasm was great. The blue jackets from H.M.S. Pylades were splendidly received, as were also the visiting Volunteer corps when they were recognised, but it was not until the Rough Riders of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents came along that it became occasionally frantic. The cheering continued right along the line of march. On arriving at the wharf the Contingents and passengers were soon embarked and a start made for Port Chalmers. Here some delay occurred through some ~ot the vessels taking a long time to swing round to get to the wharf. If Dunedin was en fete Port Chalmers was very much more so. Three triumphal arches were erected at different points along the main street, while every shop and business place was decorated on a more elaborate scale, and the effect waa very pretty. Crowds flocked from Dunedin to port by train as well as those who went by steamer. The men having been landed were marched, after an opportunity had been given to get a cup of tea and a snack, to the foot ball ground at Mussel Bay. The Mayor, Mr DeMaus, welcomed the Governor, the volunteers, and the Contingents on behalf of the citizens of Port Chalmers, and called on Lord Ranfurly* to address the Contingents. Hia Excellency, in bidding the Contingents a final farewell, said that he had only to give them one word of advice. They should remember that the first duty of a soldier was unquestioning obedience. Without that there could be no success to inexperienced and untrained men. They must obey their officers implicity, trusting them entirely, for a British officer had never yet failed his men in the hour of danger. (Cheers.) He hoped that they would distinguish themselves personally and as a body, and that before long another Victoria Cross would be won by a New Zealander. He said we would welcome them back in safety, having been a credit to this [ colony and having added to the glory of the great Empire to which they belonged. "May the Almighty, without whom there can be no success, watch over you and give you victory." The Premier said the Governor wished to be introduced to the officers. His Excellency and Lady Ranfurly were then intro'duced to the officers, and heartily Bhook each one by the hand. The Premier then presented Major Francis and the other officers with their commissions. The Premier, who was received with cheers, said that he had little to add to what he had expressed at Dunedin a short time before. He knew that they did not want speech-making at that time. It was the desire of all to make their last moments as pleasant as possible. From what he had witnessed from Auckland to the Bluff at the various send-offs, from volunteers who had come to bid their comrades good bye, and wish them God-speed, he would say he was a craven coward who said that there was any danger to the colony which had such fighting material. (Cheers ) They had sent about 1500 men away, and there was evidence before them that if they wanted 5000 well trained men they would go as cheerfully to the Cape aa the men now before them. (Cheers.) He would always have a special Interest in the Fourth Contingent. They all knew the reason. He had never asked any man to do or dare where he would not go himself. (Cheers,) He thought the men before him would prove worthy soub of this fair land, and would give an account of themselves that would redound to their credit and Enhance that of our colony. (Cheers.) ■ Once more he wished them a pleasant voyage, the greatest of all blessings good health ; and further wi3hed they would have an opportunity of crushing those who for years had conspired against the Empire, againßt good government, againat justice, and against freedom. (Cheers.) On the call of the Mayor, three cheers were heartily given for the Premier. Three cheers were also given for the Contingents, and in response to the call of the Premier three cheers were given for the Volunteers who had come from all parts of the colony to see the Contingents off. The procession then reformed and proceeded to the Garrisou Hall where the men had some tea. They afterwards proceeded to George street pier where the men were embarked on the Monowai and some on the Gymeric. An immense crowd gathered on the wharf, and there was much difficulty in preventing the friends of the troopers from rushing the gangway to take a last farewell. Some very pathetic scenes followed as fathers, mothers;* sisters and sweethearts said farewell to their relatives in the Contingent. A number of patriotic songs were given by the crowd. The Contingent on the Monowai lined alongside of the vessel and sang " Auld Lang Syne." At 6 o'clock the Monowai steamed away amid tremendous cheering and waving of handkerchiefs, She was accompanied to the heads by the Moura, Wanaka, Te Anau, Koputai and other steamers. March 25. Captain Jackson, Lieutenants Marshall and McLennan Ross, with 100 men and 120 horses, being the Otago section of the Fifth Contingent, sre in camp at Tahuna Park to-day awaiting orders, and have no idea when they go. The Wellington and Auckland sections of the Fourth Contingent with moat of their horses went on board the Gymeric last night. The Gymeric sailed at 3 o'clock this afternoon with them. How matters were got ready there is no information available. The northern volunteers go away by special trains to night. The streets were crowded last night and to-day but there was no trouble of any kind. Trams had to stop running for fear of accident in the centre of the town, as people took possession of the whole roadway for sauntering about* His Excellency has received the following cable from Sir Alfred Milner, dated 22nd" March : -" I regret to report that No. 53, Private J. Jenks, of the New Zealand Contingent, died of enteric fever at' Rondesboch on the 21st." No seriouß accident occurred to mar yesterday's send-off. The Premier, who went on board the Monowai, had some difficulty in getting back, and eventually had to be transferred from her in a boat outßide the heads.