THE SECOND N.Z. CONTINGENT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue IV, 27 January 1900, Page 174

THE SECOND N.Z. CONTINGENT.

THE DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON. A GREAT DEMONSTRATION. (By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) WELLINGTON, January 22. The second New Zealand contingent sailed for South Africa on Saturday afternoon. To Wellington was entrusted the duty of bidding farewell to "Our Hoys,” and it must be admitted that the Empire City rose nobly to the occasion. The farewell demonstration was a memorable scene, even excelling in impressiveness and enthusiasm the send off given to the. first contingent last October. Not one of the many thousands wiio witnessed the spectacle will readily forget it; least of all the little band of volunteers whom the Waiwera is now carrying to Table Bay. The day chosen for the departure was ushered in with overcast skies, but though the weather looked threatening the rain held off all day. it was soon evident that a great assemblage would be present in the afternoon. Thousands of people had poured into Wellington the day before, until every hotel and lodging house in the city was crowded to excess. Thousands more arrived by boat and train as the morning hours went by. By one o'clock Jevois Quay, the scene of the farewell ceremony, was black with people. They crowded the street on either side, leaving the centre clear for the procession. Every adjacent house-top and window had its quota or sightseers, and many thousands swarmed on board the steamers which lined the Quay. It is estimated that over 30.000 people were grouped round Jervois Quay that day. Thousands more lined the route from the camp at Newtown Park, and surged along in a dense mass behind the column as it marched towards the water front.

Perfect order marked the proceedings. There was no delay, no accident to mar the demonstration, and the authorities may take great credit for the maimer in whieh all arrangements were carried out. Profiting by the knowledge gained last year, the committee had this time made excellent arrangements. Stands were erected for invited guests, and gave ample accommodation. Space was roped off for the contingent, and they were able to listen to the addresses at ease, instead of being jammed up and lost in the crowd. They marched to the wharf along the open street, instead of having to force their way through an eager mob. This time the march down t üba-street was a triumphal procession. Though there was little display of feeling at the Rotunda there was no lack of it in the streets, and the scene at the wharf was unparalleled for its fervour, spontaniety and picturesqueness. Some fifteen steamers and a crowd of small fry took part in the marine demonstration. According to the Customs returns 10.900 people were on board, but the real numbers will not be known till the tickets are counted. The demonstration on Saturday, though conducted on the same lines as tlie previous celebration, was iu some respects different. The most striking feature was the turn out of volunteers. In addition to the full strength of the Wellington Battalion, with naval and artillery corps and a body of bluejackets, there were 1200 to 1500 visiting volunteers in town. Owing to the fact that the contingent appeared on the scene before it was expected, they did not all reach the rendezvous in time, and numbers of disconsolate men in uniform were afterwards to be seen mixed up in the crowd, who through no fault of their own had been unable to join the procession. Still a brave array was shown: it was in fact much the largest turnout of the kind seen in the city. It was principally to these visiting volunteers that the stirring scene afterwards witnessed at the embarkation was due. THE SPEECHES. His Excellency arrived at 2.30, ae-

eoinpanied by Captain Alexander and the Hon. Charles Hill-Trevor, with an escort from the Heretaunga Mqupted Rifles. As the Guvernor tcok his seat upon the rotunda the children sang the National Anthem. Lord Ranfurly's address to the Contingent opened the proceedings. His Excellency said: —Major Cradock, non-commissioned officers and men of the New Zealand Contingent— But a short time has elapsed since we were iret together to bid farewell to the First New Zealand Contingent—soldiers on their way to the seat of war. Since then much has happened; reverses which we did not expect have come to us; many of our fellowcountrymen have died the death of gallant soldiers, fighting in the good old cause for freedom and for right. Though we deplore these misfortunes, it is characteristic of our nation that reverses only serve to kindle warmer enthusiasm in every British heart, and to make us more than ever eletermined to bring this war to a succesful issue—or to die in the attempt. (Applause.) Our victory will not be an easy one, our enemy is brave and resolute, and he has the advantage of us in many ways; but this need not discourage us, for the war can have but one end, and difficulty—to the Anglo-Saxon—remains only to be overcome. (Applause.) All people in New Zealand have heard with pride and pleasure of the success of your comrades—it was what we expected, and I feel assured that should occasion arise, as arise it surely will, the men I see before me will not be behind those others in fulfilling the traditions of their race, and adding lustre to the arms of England. (Applause.) Upon some things, however, we may congratulate ourselves, the undaunted gallantry of our soldiers in the field, the loyalty of our citizens throughout the world, and last, but not least, the sympathy of our brethren in the United States of America, and though we may have much to regret in the course of the present war, out of evil comes good, if the bond between the Mother Country and her colonies be further cemented by mutual sympathy, and,

alas, by mutual less, the life-blood of the Empire will not be shed in vain. 1 grieve to think that some of those who last stood here before me should have gone from us for ever, but such is the fortune of war, and we must all be ready to give our best and dearest ungrudingly and cheerfully for our country's honour and onr country’s good. (Applause.) Soldiers, in saying farewell to you, I would add one word of caution. Be cool; let no( your desire for fame overcome discretion, and in regretting the misfortune that has befallen our gallant Australian comrades to-day (as well as many others), let us profit .by the lesson and use every care to avoid a like fate. Farewell! Remember yen are soldiers of the greatest Empire the world has even seen, and your mission is a noble one. May God bless you now and always.” (Applause.) The children then sang "Soldiers of the Queen,” the crowd joining in the chorus. After the singing Mr Seddon addressed the assemblage. The Premier said that day they were adding another glorious page to the history of our colony. To-day’s demonstration was unequalled in the history of Australasia. It showed that the people of the colony were with the nation in her struggle, and anxious to uphold the Empire’s honour. Tais was a time when there should be no cavilling at mistakes made in connection with the war. All should stand shoulder to shoulder in the cause of the nation. This was not a time to attack those in power if mistakes had beeen made. To do such a thing incited other nations. They should do their best to secure victory, and after they had done that they could settle the’r differences. New Zealand was sending some of her best sons to the front, and if they did not strike terror into the Boers nothing would. (Applause.) It was to be regretted that the Queen had not been allowed to end her days in peace, but as the honour of the country had been assailed it was impossible to avoid going to war. After defending the action of Great Britain in entering upon the war, and referring to the bravery of the British soldier. Mr Sedition went on to say that that day’s demonstration would encourage the

New Zealand troopers already at the Cape. He felt that the men now before him would do credit to themselves and to the colony. They were going to fight the battles of our country, and our Queen, and he prayed that lie who knew all things would have them in His keeping. Some of them would be killed, but they would die in the service of their Queen and country. In conclusion the Premier wished the Contingent God-speed. (Cheers). The Premier, whose powerful voice carried considerably further than the other speakers, was frequently applauded during his speech. The third and last speaker was the Mayor of Welllington (Mr J. G. IV.. Aitken) He said he had received a telegram or a letter from nearly every Mayc-i in the colony, and all wished the Contingent every success After a Benediction, pronounced by Bishop Wallis, Chaplain of the Wellington Hide Battalion, the bands struck up “Auld Lang Syne,” and the. grand old chorus was taken up by the multitude with stirring effect. The Governor and party drove away itana diately afterwards, followed by the Premier and family, and the other Ministers Both His Excellency and the Premier were heartily cheered as tie. carriages passed along Jervois Quay. The ceremony over, the troops formed up in marching order again, and keeping the same order as before marched down to Queen's Wharf, where the Contingent embarked on the Maiwera. Only the members of the Contingent and personal friends were allowed on the wharf, both sides of which were lined with volunteers.