THE NINTH CONTINGENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, 13 March 1902, Page 2

THE NINTH CONTINGENT.

DUNEDIN. March 12. The weather is fine, 'though''dull. The city is en fete, and ;i close holiday is observed everywhere. ' (.lamp was struck shortly before nine, iunl the men entrained at "Forbniy without a hitch. The street* were crowded to the Agrieitlrural Hall, where the troop* were entertained at lunch by the citizens. There was a large" representative gathering, presided over by the Mayor, who in bidding the. contingent- good-bye, an I nnunred that two pianos fur the use of the troops had been put aboard the Kent that

morning. One bad been sent b ythe City [ Council for the officers' use. and the. other was furnished by the citizens for flic men. 1 fflie Premier, in his speech, stud that New Zealand hud now.sent something like 5100 officers and men, and if necessity arose more would follow. Relatively to population, Canada required to have sent 35,000. Australia 24,000, and the United .Kingdom 271,000. Our total losses by death and disease up to the present >too:l at 161. The cost to the colony of the contingents, including the Government vote, patriotic funds, and voluntary subscriptions, amounted to £307.000. besides £3000 per year by way of pensions. Another £100,000 was required to meet the expenses of despatching; the contingents. He referred with pain to the manner in which a section of the House of C(ommons had received the news of Lord Metbuen's disaster. The proper reception by the Britishers Would be to redouble their energies. New Zealand was determined to do her part in wiping out the reverse. It was announced that Captain Jackson had been appointed Major. This was the signal for deafening cheering by the troopers. Captain O'Brien, in command of the North Island section, wired that the officers and men of the North Island Battalion send their best wishes for the voyage to their southern comrades of the N.inth. ■The Mayors of Kaiapoi an dAshburton also sent farewell greetings. The Premier says that the statement is incorrect that the departure of the North Island Battalion is postponed till the 22nd. Tie command of the Ninth Contingent has been offered to Colonel Porter, with Majors Abbott and Beauchop next in command. In the event of Colonel Porter's nonacceptance, Major ATbbott will the first in command, with Beauchop second, and Jackson third. The Kent and Devon will probably call at Durban for ordens. Later. Bishop Neville having offered a prayer, the men were entrained, and left for the port amidst vociferous cheering. Port Chalmers was gaily decorated, and looked at its best. The crowded trains discharged masses of humanity, and the streets were soon crowded and every point of vantage occupied. The Volunteer.* lined the route of march. Everything passed off most successfully, but there was far too little space about the wharves for the mass of humanity. The contingent having been drawn up in close order in Custom House Square, Mr. John Mill, Mayor of Port Chalmers, on behalf of residents, wished the men Godspeed and a safe return. The Premier, who was received with applause, again gave a somewhat lengthy address. Having read farewell telegrams * from various places, he referred to the Methuen disaster, and the exchange that had been suggested. Let them keep, Methuen. and we would keep their general. The publication of Parisian papers and ths cheering in Berlin showed latent enmity and distrust of Britain. They knew the Emperor of Germany was friendly, and they must .trust the great bulk of the people were also, and that there was only a few who were so unneighbourly as to gloat and cheer over this slight mishap. War was war, and he thought it was time Lord Kitchener was given a. free hand. New Zealand was sending away its Ninth Cpntingent, but the enthusiasm was as great as with the first. Five thousand offered where only one thousand was wanted. That Showed this colony, only equal in population to Glasgow, recognised the gra-vity of the situation, and that the- people were prepared to make .sacrifices. He concluded by urging the men to be a credit to their parents, and come back loaded with honour. Tlhe men went from us with our hearts full .and we wished them Godspeed and safe return.

The Band played "Rule Britannia," and Sir Joseph Ward gave a. brief address, and 'wished the men God-speed, and felt >ture their doings would add to the lustre of every other contingent. He wa.s followed by Mr. E. G. Allen. M.H.R.. iind.General Babington. The latter said that on the grave of Sir Henry Lawrence was the epitaph, "He tried to do his duty." It was in the power of everyman of the Njnth Contingent to deserve such an epitaph, since it was the reward of merit and nothing else. He wished flic men the be>4 of success. and trusted it would be their good fortune to meet those Boer leaders who had caused a little they had heard about. He wished them good luck and a speedy return.

On the .Premier's ' call), three hearty cheers weie given for Major Jackson ami his men. ;md (hen three for the Premier. who, in responding, said people must not be surprised if a Tenth Contingent, were <ent to bring back the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth. This was received with checs.

.The speeches were iiiteispersed with patriotic music by various bands.

The men weie dismissed for half an hour to bid farewell to relatives and friend*. This over, the men embarked on the Kent, iind promptly at 3.30 she cast off. and took her departure amidst enthusiastic cheering, being escorted to the Heads by quits a flotilla of small craft.

The total number enroled wns 510 men for the Ninth, and 16 men as reinforements for the Seventh. The horses taken number 560.