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Southland Hussars - The Rough Riders
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Rough Riders were generally not volunteers from the various military corps. They were excellent horsemen and marksmen who made up the Third and Fourth contingents. The first contingent consisted on 200 mounted riflemen, approved on 28 September 1899, by the New Zealand Government, to serve in South Africa. Commanded by Major Alfred Robin, the first contingent arrived in South Africa November 23rd. The Third contingent was organised by prominent citizens and businessmen in Christchurch, sailing on February 17, 1900. A month later the Otago and Southland Fourth Contingent sailed.
Otago and Southland sent 150 men and horses as a contribution towards the Fourth Rough Riders contingent. Great Britain called for more men, acting as scouts etc and the huge task of raising, equiping and training men and horses began at once, with a promise from the Brits to cover the cost of transport. With five weeks to get ready, the Dunedin organising committee set to work. Volunteers were called for immediately; wool cloth for uniforms was placed and dyed with 24 hours by the Roslyn Woollen Mills, Dunedin. Tenders were called throughout the country for saddlery; a local successful, overseeing "every strap" made. The boot manufacture, also a local tender. Cloth was obtained at 8s 6d per yard and made the finest woollen undergarments.
Hundreds of applications from men willing to supply their own horse and equipment were received from every province. They were rabbiters, musterers, stockmen, farmers' sons accustomed to the tough life. The New Zealand Times editorial called them "the Maoriland Rough Riders" and stated they would be "men from 20 to 40 years of age, who can ride and shoot, and who are otherwise fitted to do scouting and outpost work on the field of battle." If the applicant came from the Volunteer corps, two years experience was required, although the men did not need to be 'at present' a volunteer. 250 entered camp to be trained and tested until 150 were selected by the Hussar officers. Many training without saddles; using a rope halter instead of bridle. The horses had to be 15 to 15,3 hands; five to nine years of age moreover no roans or greys.
Money and support came in floods. The people of Southland and Otago raised about �30,000. Some donating �10 or �20; farmers sold out their farms; men gave up well paid �300 per annum positions. Patriotism for Britain and the Empire was strong; to fight for their Queen in Africa. The organising committee also sent seven trained surgical nursing sisters with hospital training to the Cape. �1,100 was raised by women from Otago and Southland within a fortnight. At the time the two provinces had a total population of 172,000; indicating about 4 shillings per head for every man, woman and child.
The 4,000 ton steamship Undaunted was chartered by the Department of Commerce to take produce, the Maoriland Rough Riders and their horses.
Otago and Southland provinces also donated �6,000 toward the Mansion-House War Fund. The fund allocated money to widows and orphans, the disabled, sick and wounded. A certain amount was also used for the wives and families of troops.
6,495 men from New Zealand served in South Africa. Sixty-nine died, in action or from wounds; twenty-seven were accidently killed and one hundred and thirty-six died from disease, mainly enteric (typhoid fever). One hundred and ninety were wounded in action.
In the Second New Zealand Contingent, Troopers Earl, Vickery, Kidd and Poole, were selected from Southland. Messrs Mathieson and Stuart, both employed on Mainholm and J. Patterson of Tapanui, volunteered for the Transvaal.
Robert A. Rodger, of the Tapanui committee reported in February 1900, that Tapanui would probably equip two men for the fourth contingent with Stewart, Morrison and Colquhoun offering their services.
The Otago Witness reported on February 22nd 1900 a Waikoikoi resident as having passed his medical. Robert Simmers was one of thirty-four volunteers to have passed the examination. John Ross also passed, listed as labourer; no formal service. Simmers qualifications were listed as: stockrider with no former volunteer service. Two days later James Stewart, James Barron, Charles Sinclair Duff and James Stevenson Robertson from West Otago passed their medical tests. The Waikoikoi District donated �25 for the equipment of Robert Simmers. Failing Simmers acceptance the horse and equipment were to go to either James Robertson or Fred Chittock. Simmers horse was to be called "Koi". James Robertson was a surfaceman; no former service, James Barron farmer of no former service,. Charles Wyse, a woolsorter from Kelso with no former service, also passed his medical. Charles Duff, farmer with no former service; J. Gouk from Chatton was included in the Mataura Valley Troop for the Fourth Contingent. He was one of ten equipped by McNab, the local M.H.R. and became a Corporal while still in Forbury camp. William Batton of Pomahaka, a ploughman aged 34 also passed his medical.
CONCERT AT TAPANUI, Otago Witness 22 February 1900, p. 28
A splendid meeting was held at Tapanui on Friday evening in aid of the fourth contingent fund. The hall was packed to the doors, and a pronounced spirit of patriotism was displayed. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and a lengthy programme was gone through, including musical items by the Rundle family; recitations by Dr de Lautour and mr Sheen; songs by Messers Brannigan, C. Whelan, F Whelan, and Wethey, and Misses Wethey, Simmonds, Milligan, and Franklyn: pianoforte selections by Miss Gourley. Mr Alexander Duncan suppied the pipe music, and Mr James Duncan danced the sword dance. The accompanists were Misses Quin, Wethey, and Whelan. The feature of the programme was Mr Thomas Mackenzie's address and he received a hearty welcome. He made an effective speech and was applauded frequently. In all about �25 was raised by sale of tickets, collections, etc., and together with canvassers' lists, brought the total to about �90. Mr W. Morrison, one of the local volunteers who has been accepted, received an ovation and a send-off will probably be accorded him this evening. Mr. J. R. Mackenzie has donated a horse, to be allotted to a local boy.
On February 13th, the Horse Selection Committee arrived in Tapanui and purchased nine horses. The Heriot Committee bought one for William Swan; Tapanui residents purchased a horse for W. Morrison. The camp was held at Forbury in Dunedin and when riding tests were given, several recruits were rejected because of their inability to meet necessary standards. The horses were branded on their near fore hoof by Farrier Orange, supervised by Captain Price and Sergeant-major Knee. "N.Z." was branded on the near fore hoof and the number on the off fore hoof. Numbers started at 1001 and were expected to reach about 1250.
William Quin wrote to the committee stating a horse was available for James Stewart called "Glenkenich" and �25 would be forwarded for his equipment on word he was accepted. The letter mentioned the Tapanui committee would also fully equip Walter G. Morrison and provide his mount. The residents of Kelso forwarded a cheque for �25 towards equipment for John Ross.
Tenders were accepted to supply the following:
75 saddles and associated equipment at �7 3s per set. Butler Bros.;
150 currycombs at 5s 3d per dozen, 150 leather bandoliers at 18s 6d and 175 pairs od spurs at 4s 10d per pair, Butler Bros.;
50 sets of saddles at �3 10s each, Brace, Windle, Blyth, and Co.,;
35 sets of saddlery equipment at �3 13s per set, Alexander McKenzie;
25 saddles at �3 10s each, P. Miller;
40 sets of saddlery equipment at �3 13s per set, B. Hatfield;
3,000 pairs of boots at 5s per pair, Bing, Harris and Co.,;
150 khaki helmets at 6s each and 150 bags for same at 9d each, Hallenstein Bros and Co.
A very early Tapanui resident, George Pinckney, went to South Africa and joined the Imperial Hospital Corp., serving for over fifteen months.
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