The Otago Hussars were organised in 1881, and were known as the Southland Hussars, and the Dunedin Cavalry successively, until 1886, when they received their present title. The late Major D. Stronach was the first captain, and at its formation, the corps numbered seventy-nine men. When the late Colonel Fox inspected the corps, then commanded by Captain (now Colonel) Robin, he stated that “the horses and equipments were excellent, the drill good, and the outpost work carried on with great intelligence.” He also said that he had never met with a volunteers corps in any country that displayed such all round excellence as the Otago Hussars. The present corps maintains this well-earned reputation. The officers are Captain Frederick Freeman, Lieutenant Orbell, Lieutenant Hastie, and Lieutenant Miller. The Otago Hussars sent twenty-seven men with the various Contingents to South Africa during the late war, and several members also enlisted in the different contingents, from the Fourth upwards

Captain Frederick Freeman , of the Otago Hussars, is the youngest son of Mr. James Freeman, of Abbotsford, who landed in Otago in 1858. He was born in 1873, at Abbotsford, and educated at the Green Island public school, and at the age of eighteen joined the Otago Hussars as a trooper. Captain Freeman was one of the four from the Otago Hussars chosen to represent New Zealand at the Diamond Jubilee, and before leaving Wellington was promoted to the rank of corporal. He was elected lieutenant in 1899; on the retirement of Captain Morris he became Lieutenant Commanding, and was appointed captain in 1903. In 1900 he went to Australia as senior lieutenant in the Commonwealth Contingent to Sydney, and on his arrival at Sydney was promoted to be captain by Colonel Pole Penton. Captain Freeman was a member of the selection committee for the Otago and Southland members of the Fourth and Ninth Contingents, and acted as eamp adjutant during the training of the Ninth Contingent at Forbury Park; afterwards he acted temporarily as District Adjutant. He volunteered for active serivce in the First Contingent, but on account of being a married man his application was refused. Captain Freeman takes a keen interest in football. In the sports events of the Cavalry Tournament held in 1894, he won the challenge shield and held it for one year; and in 1895, in competition for the same shield, was beaten by only one point.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Captain F. Freeman.

Lieutenant Allan Scott Orbell , of the Otago Hussars, is the eldest son of the late Mr. Henry Orbell, who came to New Zealand in the forties, and who was captain of the Waikouaiti Rifles for years. Mr. Orbell was born in Dunedin and joined the Otago Hussars as sergeant in 1894, when he formed a contingent of that corps at Waikouaiti. He was promoted sergeant-major in 1898, and elected lieutenant in 1900. Mr. Orbell is an extensive sheepfarmer at Waikouaiti, and is chairman of the Waikouaiti County Council, and Justice of the Peace of several years' standing. He was delegate for the Otago branch of the Farmers' Union at the Wellington Conference, and is a member of the committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Lieutenant Alexander James Hastie , of the Otago Hussars, was born and educated in Dunedin, and joined the Otago Hussars in March, 1896. He was a member of the First New Zealand Contingent, sent to South Africa, and holds a medal with four clasps for service in the engagements at Kimberley, Faardeburg, Driefontein, and Johannesburg. Lieutenant Hastie was wounded at Klep River, and returned with his contingent to Sydney, and took part in the Commonwealth celebrations there in 1901. On his return to Dunedin he rejoined the Otago Hussars, and was elected second lieutenant in 1903. He takes a keen interest in athletics, and was formerly well known as a footballer.

Lieutenant James Lindsay Miller , of the Otago Hussars, is the eldest son of Mr. James Miller, of Green Island, and was educated at the Green Island public school and at the Dunedin Boys' High School. He belonged to the High School Cadets for two years before joining the South District Rifles, of which he remained a member until the disbandment of the corps. In 1892 he joined the Otago Hussars as a trooper and was elected lieutenant in 1903.