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TEE FIFTH CONTINGENT.
WEST AUSTRALIA'S C^CTA.
2-X- MES AND 2il HOIUIES.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR EN2JQLLTXG.
Definite arrangements for the despatch
of the West Australian quota of the Fifth
Australian Contingent which is to be
sent to South Africa, were made by tbe
acting Premier (Mr. George Tbrcssell) and ,
the acting Commandant (Major Campbell)
yesterday afternoon. It was decided that
200 men, with about 211 horses, should be
conf. frnm tVtic C£o4-.^
Enrolling will commence almost immedi
ately, and preliminary arrangements have
already been entered upon for the estab
lishment of a camp at Karrakatta. The
expenses of the- contingent are being borne
by the home Government, and the saddles
and other equipments will be furnished to
the men on their arrival at Cape Town by
the Imperial authorities. No definite in
structions have yet been issued regarding
the clothing and tbe officers of the contin
gent, but the acting Commandant has
telegraphed to the Commandant, who is in
tbe east, for information on these matters.
Fifty men from Perth, Fremantle, and
surronnding districts will be enrolled r.t
headquarters, and of the balance 10 men
will be selected from, each of the 15 districts
throughout the colony.
The time and places of enrolment will
be definitely advertised in the two metro
politan morning papers, and the acting
Commandant desires it to be understood
that until then no applications for inclu
sion will be taken into consideration. The
men will be enrolled and the horses pur
chased on the same system that was adopt
ed in the case of tfete Fourth Contingent,
but the rate of pay will be on the basis of
5s. per day to privates.
In regard to the country districts, com
mittees will be formed under the local re
sident magistrates to select the men and
test them in shocting and riding, and can
didates are informed that no one who is not|
qualified in these respects need apply. The
men will be examined and measured by tbe
resident medical officers, and those who are
passed wQl be furnished with free railway
passes to proceed to Karrakatta at once.
Applicants must be between 'die ages of
20 and 35 years, 5ft. 6in. in height, and of
34in. natural chest measurement. It is
also insisted that they shall be single men,
and anyone maltring a false declaration in
regard to this condition will be severely
punished, and no allowance or recognition
will be accorded to bis irif e. In the selec
tion preference will be given firstly to re
turned members of contingents, and sec
ondly to members of the local forces who
conform to the conditions.
The system to be pursued in the pur
chase of borses win be the same as that
adopted in connection with the Fourth
Contingent. The animals which will be
n:f=t- acceptable will be good hacks between
four and nine years of age, and 15 bands to
15.8 high. Mr. A. Clerk, Major-Gunner
Mauley, and the Commandant have been
appointed as the committee to purchase
the horses in Perth and test the men ia
riding and shooting at Karrakatta.
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