LOYAL TINWALD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5059, 9 March 1900, Page 2

LOYAL TINWALD.

Great Patriotic llenioiisiration.

C'.unmit.tiv>—Me sr« (',, Liberty (ohairnwo), J Cow (3 ccol^iy), Gudsell, Gates, BlikUtor, Wil ianv, Biggs, Heeeltine, Ss.uu.krr, Mfsdsmea MoOloud, .Anderson, VVillitm*, Ttpp-itt, Heseltine, Liberty, Big^s, Gucbeii, Gales, tiobinyon, Q iti'ey; •' uiley, Mksca shearer, McKie, LewJ8 s Robinsou, and Sta^k' r. Yesterday was & ml letter day in the history of Tiuwalf. The ivsideiiia of that ui'tiotic town ar.d d^3 rich ha>i determiaed to show-to a'l uu'l simdry \\w tlmir lnynlt.y to Q'leeti and counlry was unsurpahsed by nontj an<] (quilled only by tha snos 1- fervid. They therefore set about woiking up a great puttiotic democfttration, which took place yesteiday in the Tinwa d Domain. The weather took a hand in the rtjoicingg. Ih the morning it rained h*rd and laid tha dust handsomely, but in the afternoon ifc became rather bo sterous in its demonstration. A dry blow, however, it did no harm. Special trains ran from Sprinsburn to Ashburton and from Aahburton to the grounds; Intereßt in the proceedings waa btiried by a email company of lads, some 28 strong, dressed as cadet?, marching throngh the town. These wsre scholars of the Tmwald school, who I had beea trained by Mr T. Williams, himself an old volunteer. They had uniforms, khaki and otherwise, with plenty of scarlet, toy gUBS and bayonets, and marched like little soldiers. Their officers were Sergeants O. Hansen and J. Shearer, with F- Biggs as corporal. Piper McKay headed the juvenile contingent with the pipea, and marched them down the town and back again. At 1.30 p m. Messrs Watkins Bros.' traction engine, with some half dtzsn trucks attached drew up in front of the post office, and school children from Tinwald and Ashburton were quickly on board. The youngsters, who were a mass of laughing, chattering,

Humanity, were no sooner mounted tnan they each unrolled and waved a Btnall Union Jack, with very pretty effect. Quite a large contingent o! the Longbeach employees came up, Mr Grigg having generously given his men a holiday for the occasion, Jhe Ashburton Brass Band, under acting bandmaster Mr George Hoskens, headed the procession and during the afternoon played selections of airß, patriotic and otherwise. They were rewarded with afternoon tea provided for them by the committee of ladies* The Rifles, under Captain Dolman and ! with Lieutenant Hayes snd Clark, mustered forty-six strong. The Guards, Captain Sparrow, Lieutenant Cuthbertson, 32. A team of eight members of the Fire Brigade, Captain A. A. Fooka, rode on the manual engine, drawn by four horses, driven by Mr G. Scott. Miss B. Button drove over from Peel Forest with aa. exceedingly pretty team of five ponies, one of the most admired units in the procession. Shortly before 130 pm the orowd began to gather at the rendtzvous, the Post Office. Punctually at the time advertised the procession had formed up at the Post Office and was ready to start, bub no voiunteers were forthcoming. Nearly an hour passed by and still the Companies did nnc appear. It was subsequently found they ht.d marched down to the bridge and were awaiting the procession there. A meseeogtr on a bicyclo went after and brought them back. The march across to Tiowald was accomplished in good limp, with flags flying and music playing. A long line of vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians served to add considerably to the display. Arrived on the ground the children mustered on the grandstand, where they sang the JNational Anthem, accompanied by tbfi Band. Mr G. Doherty then formally opened the demonstration, amid cheers for Ker M j sty the Queen. All the officials are to be congratulated on the success that attended their efforts. Ib was a labo-ir of love and they worked with an enthusiasm that defied failure. Mr C. Doherty, Chairman of the Tinwald Town Board, was chairman of the Demonstration Committee and throughout the day was most energetic in seeing that things ran smoothly. Mr J. Stephens acted as starter in the athletic events acd got his fialds aw&y ep'endidly. MrG*d c! 1, as secretary of the sports committee, was a host in himself, and to him the thanks of our reporter are due. Mr J. Cow, the 'ooretary, was also moat energetic Nearly £20 w,m taken at the g*tea. ihe refreshment tent, presided over b>y a committee of ladies, was a eigo&l succese. A substantial tea could be got for the email chargfi i.t sixpence aud the handsome sum of over £11 was taken. .Sergeant Barlow with his tallest constable was on the ground, but thty were only teqiired to Igok pleasant throughout; tha day. During the afternoon squ.ds from both vo'uiitQtr Companies g*ve exhibitions of sword-bayonet and fk'ng exticises, the latter with blank cartridge. Sergemb H. Baker pub the Rifles through these exercises, and Color-Sergeaut Schwartz the Guards. Ab 4.30 p.m. the two volunteer Companies fell in to take part in a sham 6ghfc—a night attack. The enemy—a eq'iad under Lieutenant Cuthbartson, was in hiding in the willowß by the pond. They opened (ire on the balance of the Companite, who under Captains Dolman and Sparrow were supposed to be under canvas on the other bide of the Domain. On the alarm being given by the sentries the man quickly turned out, and in skirmishing order advanced to drive out the attackers. Several volleys were succeeded by independent firing, and at about 100 yds from the enemy's position bayonets were fixed, and with a ringing cheer the place was captured. The Fire Brigade team present acted as an ambulance corps. For a small engagement the casualties were extremely heavy, and the work of the corps &s they bandaged and strapped was watched with much interest;. During the afternoon the following sports were got off • — 100 Yards Handicap—First prizi 10a, second 2* 6d—S Culver house 1, G Bell 2. Bioyclk Race, 1 mile—First priza 10a, second 2i 6d—Symons 1, Dodda 2. 220 Yards -First prize 10«, second 2s 6d —A Hewaon 1, R Johnstons 2 Half Milk—First prizj 10s, second 2s 6d —A Fi'z^erald 1, D McKenzie 2, Sack'Bage- First prize 7s 6d, second 29— MoOonnell 1. W Houston 2. Pick-a back Race — Huston and Major 1, Johnston and Smith 2. Married Men's Rack—Firub prissa 50lb8 flour, seoond 25;ba fliur—H C Percy 1, R Lechner 2Three Legged Race—First priza 10s 6d, second 2s 6d—Huston and M&j >r 1. A large number of children's races were aleo got off. The little ones will no doubt remember the day with pleasure, as they were most liberally treated in the matter of lollies, cakes, toys, &c.