3

H.—6

Additional supplies and other comforts for the Contingent were received from the citizens of Wellington and other parts of the colony. Indeed, I may say that one and all throughout the colony seemed animated by the sole desire to facilitate in every possible way the prompt embarkation of the Contingent. In conclusion, I beg most strongly to bring before you for favourable recognition the services of the officers of the Defence Department, of both stores and clerical branches, who have made it possible for me to carry out your orders. Arthur P. Douglas, The Eight Hon. the Premier. Under-Secretary for Defence.

Officers' Equipment. —Khaki tunics, 22 ; khaki trousers, 22; cord breeches, 44; slouch-hats, 11; field-service caps, 11; Sam Brown belts (sets), 11; waterproof sheets, 11; spurs, 11; cloaks, 11; boots (pairs), 22; shoes (pairs), 22; haversacks, 11; water-bottles, 11; also complete underwear. Men's Personal Equipment. —Khaki tunics, 400; slouch-hats, 200; forage-caps, 200; gaiters, 200; riding-breeches, 400 ; boots (pairs), 400 ; shoes (pairs), 400 ; socks (pairs), 600; undershirts, 600 ; flannel shirts, 600 ; drawers, 600; cholera-belts, 600; braces, 200; spurs, 200; greatcoats, 200; holdalls complete, with brush and comb, knife, fork, spoon, and housewife, 200; clasp-knives and lanyards, 200; blankets, 400; waterproof sheets, 200; towels, 600; blue jerseys, 200; serge trousers, 200; kit-bags, 200; button-brushes, 200; button-sticks, 200; shoebrushes (sets), 200; blacking-tins, 200; woollen caps, 200; dubbing (tins), 200; horses, 250, with stable equipment complete. Horse Equipment. —Saddles complete with wallets, leather numnahs, shoe-pockets, breastplates, girths, surcingles, stirrup-leathers, stirrup-irons, bridles complete, 211 of each ; surcingles, with pads, 250; headstalls (for ship use), 250; head-ropes, 250; heel-ropes, 250; picketing-ropes, 250; picketing-pegs, 250 ; mallets, 62 ; forage-nets, 250; nose-bags, 250; forage-cords, 211; horseblankets, 250; hoof-pickers, 211; currycombs, 211; horse-brushes, 211; stable-sponges, 211; horse-rubbers, 400. Camp Equipment. —Tents, 30; camp-kettles, 24 ; axes, 4 ; pickaxes, 8 ; crowbars, 2; spades, 8; field-forge, complete, 1; farriers' tools (sets), 4; horseshoes (cases), 3; horseshoe-nails (case), 1; saddlers' tools, complete (case), 1; saddlers' leather (roll), 1. Arms, Accoutrements, <&c. —Carbines, Martini-Enfield, 200; sword-bayonets, 200; waistbelts fitted for service, 200; oil-bottles, 200; haversacks, 200; water-bottles, 200; rifle-buckets, 200; mess-tins, 200; whistles for officers and /ion-commissioned officers, 17; revolvers, 17.

COPY OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE NEW ZEALAND MOUNTED INFANTRY. Agreement, made this 21st day of October, 1899, between Her Majesty Queen Victoria (herein referred to as "the Queen "), of the one part, and the several persons whose names are set forth in the Second Schedule hereto (each of whom is herein referred to as a " Volunteer "), witnesseth as follows: — 1. Each Volunteer signing these presents agrees on his own part with the Queen to form part of a corps, to be called " The New Zealand Mounted Infantry," for active service in South Africa as hereinafter provided. 2. Each Volunteer shall embark with the corps at Wellington on such date as he may be directed and proceed on active service to South Africa to such port or place as he may be required by any military authority on behalf of the Queen, and shall thereafter continue to serve with such corps, either alone or as part of the Queen's regular forces, in any part of South Africa to the southward of the equator until lawfully discharged from such service. 3. While so employed in such service each Volunteer shall be subject in all respects to the terms and provisions of the Act of the Imperial Parliament known as " The Army Act, 1881," or any Act continuing or amending the same, and the Articles of War for the time being in force made under the authority thereof respectively. 4. During such service as aforesaid each Volunteer shall receive pay in accordance with the scale set forth in the First Schedule hereto. 5. Without prejudice to any of the provisions hereinbefore set forth, in case any Volunteer shall, before arrival in South Africa, be guilty of any breach of discipline or military law which renders it undesirable such Volunteer should continue to serve under this agreement, the officer for the time being commanding the corps may discharge such Volunteer from his service. And in any case after arrival in South Africa, and on the termination of active service hereunder, the said officer commanding may, on the request of any Volunteer, also discharge such Volunteer from service hereunder. In witness whereof the parties hereto have set their hands the day and year first above written.

First Schedule. Bates of Pay, New Zealand Mounted Infantry. —Major, £1 Is.; captains, 15s. ; lieutenants, lis. ; surgeon, £1 Is.; veterinary surgeon, £1 3s. Bd. ; staff-sergeants, Bs.; sergeants, 65.; farriersergeants and farriers, 7s. ; corporals, 55.; buglers, 45.; privates, 4s.