New Zealand was the first of the colonial governments to offer troops for service in the war that seemed imminent between the British Empire and the Boer South African Republic. Prime Minister Richard Seddon’s motion to the House of Representatives received overwhelming support. Following the motion’s adoption the members rose to sing “God Save the Queen” and gave three cheers for Queen Victoria. Seddon referred to New Zealanders’ duty “as Englishmen to support the imperial cause.” New Zealand sent almost 6500 men and 8000 horses to South Africa. The First Contingent arrived on 23^rd November 1899 and was quickly followed by four more contingents early in 1900. When it appeared that the war was likely to be prolonged beyond the optimistic forecasts of the middle of 1900, further fresh troops were sent, the Sixth Contingent arriving in East London on 13^th March and the Seventh in Durban on 10^th May 1901.