The Trouble in the Transvaal.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XVI, 14 October 1899, Page 666

The Trouble in the Transvaal.

THE DEPARTURE OF THE AUCKLAND VOLUNTEERS.

The contingent of Aucklanders who volunteered for service in the Transvaal left for Wellington on Monday, en route for the scene of the impending war. It was only natural that such CHOOSING THE FIFTY. The contingent was finally selected on Saturday evening, after each of the men who had volunteered had undergone a thorough medical examination. The men paraded at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, and were taken to the Domain and put through mounted drill by Lieut.-Colonel Hanks. In the evening they paraded at the Drillhall for medical inspection, which was carried out by Brigade-Surgeon Lieu-tenant-Colonel Dawson, assisted by Surgeon - Captains King, Barkes, Knight. Lindsay, and Aubin. The inspection occupied over three hours, each man being thoroughly tested. The Paeroa detachment and the remainder of the Waikato men arrived while the work was proceeding, and were duly inspected with the others. All the volunteers passed the medical examination except a local n an. who was rejected on the ground of his eyesight not being good enough. The following list gives the names, ages, and qualifications of the men who were finally selected, with the names of the volunteer companies to which they belonged: — No. 1 WAIKATO MOUNTED RIFLES. Sergeant W. E. Mahood, aged 38. firstclass shot. Sergeant J. Raynes, 24, first-class shot. Private W. Wallis. 25, second-class shot. Private T. R. .1. Gaudin. 21 anil 11 months, first-class shot. Private F. Pope, 23 and four months, second'-elat-s ishotl No. 2 WAIKATO MOUNTED RIFLES. Corporal R. Dawson, 28 and 11 months, first-class shot. No. 3 WAIKATO MOUNTED RIFLES. Sergeant W. 11. McDonald, 27, firstclass shot. Corjsoral T. Maunder, 23, first-class shot. Private S. Mac Kinder, 29, secondclass shot. Private K. Gorrie, 23 and six months, first-class shot. Corporal ,1. Matson. 23 and five months, first-class shot. Private E. J. R. Smith. 26, first-class shot. Sergeant Gane., 26. first-class shot. AUCKLAND MOUNTED RIFLES. Sergeant ,1. 11. P. Bond, 23, first-class shot.

Sergeant R. 11. Harrowell, 32, firstclass shot. Corporal D. W. Bodie, 24, first-class shot. Private J. Jenks, 26, first-class shot. Private T. Casey, 28, first-class shot. Private F. Grattan, 24, first-class shot. Private C. L. Jewell, 27, second-class shot. Private N. Curtain, 26, first-class shot. “A” BATTERY ARTILLERY. Corporal F. Wood, 26. marksman. Gunner F. Brown. 31, marksman. Gunner J. Mewburn, 27 and 10 months, marksman. Gunner E. Lee, 24 and 11 months, marksman. COLLEGE RIFLES. Corporal J. 11. Whyte, 23, marksman. Private J. Connell. 23, first-class shot. TE AHOIIA RIFLES. Corporal J. F. Strange, 25. marksman. Private J. Waltham, 32 and 11 months, first-class shot. No. 1 OHINEMURI RIFLES. Colour-Sergeant G. R. Bradford, 30 and six months, marksman. Corporal B. R. Avery, 26 and eight months, marksman. Private F. J. Shaw, 28, marksman. Private P- R- Hubbard, 23, first-class shot. Private J. W. Pettey, 23 and five months, first-class shot. Private W. W. McPherson. 28 and five months, first-class shot. HAURAKI RIFLES. Private H. Murray, 24 and three months, first-class shot. Private A. Newdick, 24, first-class shot. COROMANDEL RIFLES. Sergeant L. M. Tarrant, 28 and eight months, first-class shot. Corporal C. Blackborne, 29 and six months, first-class shot. Private J. W. Calloway, 25 and 10 months, first-class shot. Private C. G. McLean. 24 and four months, first-class shot. ONEHUNGA RIFLES. Private M. B. Kirkbride, 23, first-class shot. Private 11. R. Montgomerie, 25, firstelass shot. No. 3 NATIVE RIFLES. Private Draper, 24, first-class shot. Private Challis, 24, first-class shot. Private Wilson, 26, first-class shot. The total strength of the contingent leaving Auckland to-day is 46. Lieutenant Banks, who was to have gone to Wellington in charge of the contingent. will be unable to go as he is under the required age (23), and the

command consequently devolves upon Sergeant Harrowell. of Manurewa, a non-ccinnussioned officer belonging to the Auckland Mounted Rifles. Several other names have been handed to Lieut.-Colonel Banks, and it is possible that a few more men will be select! d and sent to Wellii gton on Thursday. The classification of volunteers into marksmen and first and second-class shots depends, it n ay be explained, upon the percentage of points scored by each man at the annual class-firing competitions. THE CHURCH PARADE. On Sunday mornig the contingent paratied at the orderly room ot the Auckland Mounted Riffes in Symonds Street, when each man was given his "kit,” or marching outfit. Waterbottles, haversacks, cartridge-pouches, etc., were served out, and those who had not a full equipment of accoutrements were attended to. The men were also instructed to provide themselves with underclothing, and knife and fork, spoon, and hold-all. The equipment completed, t'he men were marched to the Drill Shed, xiere they were joined by the garrison forces, who had paraded to attend Divine service at St. Sepulchre’s with the contingent. Lieut.-Colonel Banks, officer commanding the district, was in charge of the parade, associated with him being Lieut.-Col. Murray, BrigadeSurgeon Lieut.-Colonel Dawson. Major White, and Captain Grant, the District Adjutant. The companies on parade were the Auckland Navals, “A ' Battery Artillery. Auckland Engineers. Victoria Rifles No. 1, College Rifles. Native Rifles No. 1 and No. 2, Auckland Rifles, Native Rifles No. 3. A ictoria Rifles No. 2, and Newton Rifles, these following the contingent in the order named in the march up to Khyber Pass. The total strength of the parade was about 200 men, a g’ood muster considering the wretc'hed weather which attended the function. The Garrison Band headed the line of march, and supplied approprate music. Hundreds of interested spectators lined the route.

The service at the church was conducted by the Rev. J. Campbell. M.A.. who preached a special sermon from the text: “Then answered one of the servants, and said, ‘Behold. I have seen a son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty, valiant man. and a man of war. and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.’ ” At the conclusion of the service the whole congregation joined in singing the National Anthem, Mr White accompanying the voices on the organ. The volunteers formed up once more outside the church and marched back to the Drill Hall, where they were dismissed. FAREWELL TO THE CONTINGENT. The Auckland contingent for the Transvaal bade farewell to Auckland tio-day, and there was no lack of warmth in the send-off given to the men who are offering their lives, if need be, in the service of the Empire. Spectators were early astir, and by nine o'clock the yard in front of the Drill Hall, where the contingent paraded for the last time, was crowded with people. Those of the contingent who possess horses—about ten in all—left town at half-past eight this morning, and rode out to Onehunga; the remainder went out by train, joining the mounted detachment at Onehunga. The men paraded in full inarching order, with water-bottles and haversacks. Lt.-Col. Banks was in command of the parade, and with him were Major Pirie, Capt. Grant, Capt. Holgate, and Lieut. Banks. Among the spectators in the Hall were the Acting-Mayor (Air A. Kidd), Canon Mac Murray, Dr. Bakewell, Dr. King, Major White, Lt.-Commander Patterson, Messrs R. Hobbs, Squirrel!, J. 11. Upton, J. McK. Geddes, J. Shackelford and others. THE COLONEL’S FAREWELL. After the roll had been called the contingent were drawn up in two lines, facing each other. Colonel Banks then addressed a few words to the men, wishing them good-bye and good hick in the campaign they were about to enter upon. He reminded them that the eyes of the w- rid would be upon them in South Africa, and they must do their best to uphold the credit of the colony they represented. They were now soldiers in the fullest sense and must act as soldiers of the British Empire, showing unswerving obedience to those in authority. He

felt sure they would be a credit to their country. In conclusion the Colonel wished them all good luck once more.

About half-past nine the children from the city schools were marched into the Drill Hall, and were lined up along one side of the building. The little ones had been allowed a halfholiday in honour of the occasion by the Chairman of the Schools Committee (Mr Squirrell), at the request of the Acting-Mayor. Mr Squirrell also arranged for the children of the Grafton Road School to get the half-day and take part in the farewell proceedings. MR KIDD’S ADDRESS. By this time the building was crowded with spectators, and ropes had to be stretched down the middle of the hall to keep the people from crowding in upon the contingent. When at length some degree of order prevailed the Acting-Mayor (Mr Alfred Kidd) addressing the volunteers for the Transvaal bade them good-bye on behalf of the people of Auckland. Mr Kidd said:—“Officers and men of the Auckland section of the N-Z. Contingent: On your departure en route for the Transvaal, by permission of the Officer Commanding, Col. Banks, and owing to the absence of His Worship the Mayor. I on behalf of the citizens of Auckland wish you a pleasant passage to your destination, and sincerely hope you will avoid the perils of war. and safely return to your homes. This is a red-letter day in the history of our colony and the volunteer movement, because although it is not the first time we have offered our services, it is. nevertheless the first occasion on which the services of our volunteers have been accepted. And this acceptance draws New Zealand in line with, and places us on a par with the greater colonies of the British Empire. But a few years ago, and this part of the Empire was practically unknown or only thought of as one of the most remote: now it is one of the factors in that great Empire’s defence, able and willing to assist our Mother Country in the protection of its honour. To the people of New Zealand an occasion like this illustrates bow necessary the volunteer force is. and how deserving of better support for its practical use when occasion arises. Without our volunteers we could not add our quota to this movement. To the younger generation who will be oiir soldiers and statesmen in the future, it is a splendid object lesson, showing them the way to uphold the Mother Country in any necessity that may arise. As an old volunteer, I feel proud of being the medium of conveying the o-ood wishes and thanks of the'city to” the contingent, and feel sure you will do all you can to uphold your country’s honour, and ever give us cause to be proud of you. Believe' me every steo you take will be watched with'interest. And I am sure, “Well done New Zealanders will be the verdict on all your actions. And now I wish you all good-bye, and earnestly hope that the ■ reat Giver of all will protect you and homes.” 70 " tO retUrn Safe ’ y *° your At the conclusion of the ActingMayor s speech all present joined in singing ‘God Save the Queen,” the volunteers presenting arms. Rousing cheers were given as the contingent moved off in fours out of the building and down into Wellesley-street. Here the volunteers were joined by the Garrison Band, who escorted them down Queen-street to the railway station to the inspiriting tune of “Soldiers of rhe Queen.” A dense crowd of people surged through the streets all round the little column, and sightseers occupied every window and every point of vantage on the line of march. AT THE STATION. The crush at the entrance to the station was very great. The railway authorities, with a view to keeping the crowd out of the station, had closed the gates, but this did not stop the eager throng of sightseers. Small boys promptly got over the fences, and other spectators swarmed on top of the station buildings until the whole front was a sea of heads. Hundreds walked round to the Britomart crossing where there are no gates, and in an incredibly short space of lime the station was crammed with people. Every precaution was taken to avoid accident, ami whenever an engine moved along the lines a porter was on either side of the cow-eatcher Io keep the line clear of children. The contingent marched into the sta-

lion at 10 15 a.m., and at once boarded the train for Onehunga. Friends thronged round the carriages, and many farewells were said, the band meanwhile playing “Auld Lang Syne,” “The Red, White and Blue.” and other suitable airs. At a. quarter to eleven the train moved off from the station. The last good byes were said, the last messages shouted, and cheer after cheer was raised as the carriages containing the contingent went slowly past the platform. The band struck up “Auld Lang Syne” onee more, and then “God Save the Queen,” while the people cheered and cheered until the last van had turned the curve.

DEPARTURE FROM ONEHUNGA ADDRESS BY THE MAYOR.

The members of the Auckland Contingent received a very cordial send-off from Onehunga at mid-day. On their way out in the train (which was a very large and crowded one), the young soldiers were cheered on various points, and innumerable handkerchiefs were waved from windows en route. At Newmarket the employees in the Government Railway Workshops turned out as the train passed and loudly cheered the volunteers. Amongst those who proceeded to Onehunga to see the detachment off were Lieut.-Col. Banks (Officer Commanding the District), Major Pirie, Capt. ,T.

Grant (District Adjutant). Capt. Holgate (Auckland Mounted Rifles), Capt. W. li. White, Capt. Robert-on, Ser-geant-Major Carpenter, Mr Shaw (Permanent Staff), Dr. Walker, and many volunteers in plain clothes. On arrival at Onehunga the contingent were very cordially .received The members of the Onehunga Rifle Corps, under command of Capt. Mclntosh, were drawn up in open order on the platform to receive the volunteers as a guard of honour; and amongst those also present were Capt. Richardson (formerly of the Imperial Army), and now Town Clerk of Onehunga). Monsignor Walter McDonald, and the Rev. Mr Haselden. The Mavi r of One-

hunga, Dr. W. R. Erson, accompanied by the members of the Borough Council, was present, and the local brass band was also in attendance and played “God Save the Queen" as the volunteers left the train. Dr. Erson then delivered an appropriate speech to the volunteers, his remarks being greeted with loud applause. The send-off was a most enthusiastic and exciting one, and will be long remembered in Onehunga. SURGEON FOR THE CONTINGENT. The Government are sending one of the recently-appointed veterinary surgeons with the contingent.