THE OLD TRADITION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9944, 20 January 1900, Page 2

THE OLD TRADITION.

Under tho abovo heading, the Capo Times has tho following:— lt is no disparagement to the regular forces of the Queen to say that that tho average excellenco of tho constituents of the Colonial army ia very high indeed. This must necessarily be the case when regard is had to the stringent character of the tests applied to those who sought admission, and when it is borne in mind that practically the manhood of Greater Britain volunteered its services. We described a few days ago the almost excessive stringency of the tests adopted in Canada; but the fact that the number of offers exceeded the billets to be filled by something like one hundred to one, made rigorous examination absolutely necessary. The result is as might have been expected — a contingent of sharpshooters, certain to be of the gieatest v.iluo in the war to whatever point of attack they may be sent. The Now Zealand Con-

tingent, now hastening to join one of the forces operating in the colony, is, perhaps, typical of tho whole. It is composed of over 200 men, tho pick of several thousands who offered ; tho ttvorige age iq 25, tho average height sft 9in, and tho average weight list 61b— points which have their value amongst military experts. It was made a sine qua non in selection that each accepted recruit should have secured a high average for two years in succession in the Government riflo competitions, and every one .i» a perfect horseman. Tho bulk of the troopers aro old College wen, most are men of means, more than* score having brought their own steeplechasers with them as chargers, and all, to a man, are consumed with anxiety to learn the result of the New Zealand Cup, which was to be decided shortly after the vessel' which Thought them left Wellington. It 1 is a grand Company, superbly mounted, with sparo horses to provide for accidents by tho way, and each and all, jßred with an ambition to fight side by side with tho regular forces of tho Empire. It is a compact, well-found, serviceable forco, as good as any that any nation may desire to put in the field. Muoh the same may be said of the various unite sent by other Australian colonies: they have sent of their very best.