Number issued: 3
Gold Maltese crosses, suitably inscribed, to:
DANEVIRKE.
March 29, 1900.
THE FIFTH CONTINGENT.
Troopship Waimate, April 28.
Though the Maori reached Albany some nine hours before us, she only got away two hours ahead — viz., at six o'clock on Thursday morning (April 12th). At a general parade, Colonel Newall announced that we were to proceed direct to Beira. It is understood that no special instructions were received as to what is to become of the sixty-nine Reserve men. Speculation is now rife as to whether they will be landed at Beira. As they have not horses and only part of their kit it seems doubtful, unless the Imperial authorities have made arrangements for them.
Since leaving Albany, we have lost two more horses.
THE CASUALTY LIST.
Veterinary Lieutenant Lillico met with an accident at Albany, when he put his knee out slightly. He was on the sick list for a day or two but is now able to hobble around. Other small accidents have happened through slipping on the decks. Lieutenant Rose sprained his wrist, but has now recovered. Trooper Davis (Reserve) met with a similar accident. Lance-Corporal Rose (formerly from Wanganui) sprained his ankle, and is still laid up.
APPOINTMENTS.
The orders for to-day contain the following — Further acting appointments in the Reserve, recommended by lieutenant Tuckey, are made aa follows: — Trooper Parsons and Trooper Hay Mackenzie to be sergeants, Trooper BAKER to be corporal. Sergeant Parsons formerly belonged to the Wellington Navals, and is a member of the well-known musical family. Sergeant Hay Mackenzie comes from Dunedin (formerly Napier). His parents reside at Westport. Corporal BAKER held a similar position in the Dannevirke Rifles. His parents reside at Ashburton. The appointments of lance-corporals are made by officers commanding companies, and are not approved in orders. Lieutenant-Commanding Tuckey has appointed Troopers Charlton and Steward to be lance-corporals in the Reserve. The former comes from Hawke's Bay, and the latter is a son of Hon. Major Steward, M.H.R. for Waitaki.
COMPLAINTS OF THIEVING.
Lieutenant-Colonel Newall paid all hands to-day. There has been considerable rejoicing accordingly. Frequent complaints are made that petty thieving is rife in the men's quarters. Small sums of money, razors, and the like, are most favoured by the thief or thieves.
THE CONTINGENT DOG.
The Transvaal President has a namesake on board, in the form of a fox terrier dog. We got him a silver-mounted collar at Albany, and had it inscribed "Kruger, Fifth New Zealand Contingent". Kruger howls dismally whenever a dead horse is thrown overboard. He went into camp at Newton Park with the Fourth Contingent, and when they went away he joined the Fighting Fifth, and decided to accompany them to South Africa. "Kruger" used to live in the guard tent, and he regularly went round when the sentries were being relieved. He will have nothing to say to our officers.
GIFTS TO THE CONTINGENTS.
Our midday meal has been greatly improved the last two days in an unexpected manner, two hogsheads of beer from Mr J. Morrison's brewery at Petone having been brought to light. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Morrison, and it was unanimously decided that his beer deserves the highest testimonial. A further welcome parcel of magazines has been discovered, Mr A.B. Clater being the donor.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
A number of changes have been made in our non-commissioned officers. Corporal H.F. Henry has been made sergeant, and Trooper A.S. Wier made corporal, on the recommendation of Captain Abbott, who has also appointed Troopers A. Anderson, Sullivan. H.H. Fletcher, and H. Thompson, lance-corporals. On Captain Tanner's recommendation Lance-Corporals G.D. Carter (Napier) and Jones (Wanganui) have been made corporals, and Troopers Simpson, Brown, Flynn, F. Bruce, and ASHBY, lance-corporals.
SUNDAY ON BOARD.
A boat drill was held on the Sunday morning, when we had been a week out, and we were paraded wearing our life-belts. Divine service was held as usual by Lieut.-Colonel Newall. Dr Thomas addressed us on a few simple principles regarding health, and urged us to abstain from excessive eating and drinking. Lieut. Dewar's service in the men's quarters was largely attended at night.
FIRING PRACTICE.
On Monday morning firing practice was indulged in, squads from each company keeping up a steady fusillade all day. The horses were entirely unconcerned by the rifle reports. Tho officers practised with their revolvers, Captain Abbott making top score.
That much-hackneyed song "Soldiers of the Queen" has been completely cut out on board by Mr Alf. Hill's tuneful song, "Boys of the Bush Brigade", the capital chorus of which is to be heard every evening.
Compulsory baths are ordered on board. The captain and lieutenant for the day come along at 5.30 a.m., and sees that every man goes under the hose regularly. Hospital parades are also held once daily, when Surgeon-Major Thomas gives each man a refresher of quinine.
ARRIVAL AT BEIRA.
We arrived off Beira about 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 28th. Shortly afterwards the pilot came on board, but as he was a Portuguese and spoke very little English we were able to gather only meagre war news. However, he told us that the Maori had arrived, and he showed us a Lisbon paper with a picture of the New Zealanders relieving the Yorks at Slingersfontein.
April 29.
The Returning Troopers.
According to the official list of troopers who returned by the Tagus it would appear that only four Ashburton members of the Fifth Contingent have returned in that vessel, namely Trooper ANDREWS, KNOX, J. SMITH, and WILLIAMS. There appears to have been an unusual number of Invalids amongst them, twenty-eight being in the hospital, eleven of the cases being serious.
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