OUR SOLDIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 334, 6 February 1902, Page 3

OUR SOLDIERS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Oiimaru, last night.

After four o’clock yesterday Colonel Hcudland received an urgent telegram asking if ten men could bo sent from here to Christchurch on Thursday to go to South Africa to fill vacancies in the Seventh Contingent. Colonel Headland replied in the affirmative. An announcement was made in the evening paper, and this morning the Defence Office received a large number of applications. The men were selected before noon, and leave by to-morrow's express.

Hokitika, last night.

Ten men for the Ninth Contingent were selected last evening from forty applicants. The number included four returned troopers. The men are leaving this morning for Dunedin, via Wellington, accompanied by Major Miller. Nelson, last night. The Nelson section of the Niuth Contingent, numbering 86 in all, received a good send-off to-night on leaving for Dunedin. They wore escorted to the port by volunteers and bluejackets from the warships in port, also by a large number of people. As they marched on board they wero given rousing cheers by the bluejackets, and were briefly addressed by the Mayor,

Napier, last night.

Tho Selection Committee have chosen 27 men for tho Ninth Contingent, two being taken as emergencies in the event of any of the others selected being unable to go. Included in the final selections are eight returned troopers, six members of mounted corps, six infantry volunteers, and seven civilians. They are a fine body of men, and their physique will compare favorably with those of any of the previous contingents.