The Fourth Contingent

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 3150, 20 March 1900, Page 3

The Fourth Contingent

SEND-OFF TO OUR BOYS. On Saturday evening the local representatives in the Fourth Oontingenl were entertained at r a send-off in St. George's Hall. The unavoidable absence of the secretary, Mr W, Poreyth, who has worked so energetically all along, and who, to say the least, is responsible to a large extent for the great Bacoess which^has characterised the several patriotic undertakings in Milton, left a big gap in the management for the evening. The attendance was not what would naturally be looked for on such an oooasion, when the whole country - side is Beemingly filled with patriotism. However, the hurried manner in which the affair was got up was the chief cause for the attendance nob being so large as might have been expected, Communication was only established on Friday with the men, who were to be back at the camp on Saturday evening. Indeed it was thought that the send-off would have to take place in the afternoon, bat after a great deal of telegraphic communication had been resorted to, the local committee succeeded in getting leave of absence extended to Monday morning. The>, proceedings opened by the audience rising and singing the National Anthem. Hia Worship the Mayor, Mr W. Moore, said tbey were all aware what they had met for that evening — to give the local contingent a send-off. The caniumtee made every effort to try and have the send-off on Friday evening, but they were unfortunately defeated, the only concession they managed to obtain, in the way of giving them a little more time, was to have the men's leave of absence extended to Monday morning. Then again Saturday was not a suitable evening, and the majority of the people did not know tbat the send-off was going to take place. He was sure they were all proud to have such representative* aa Messrs Drinnan, Howatson, and Thomson, as sat before them on the platform. — (Loud applause.) The other two volunteers from the district, Messrs Bowie and Clark, were getting a send-off at Lovells Flat. Mr Moore said he was rather at a loss to koowj what to say on such an occasion. He was there as chairman of the meeting with the object of wishing the contingent G-od-speed and a safe return. This was the only opportunity some of them would have of wishing the men good-bye, as many would be unable to attend the final send-off in Dunedin Probably, he said, when the Fourth Contingent arrives at the front their services will not be required, but if the opposite should prove the case they would not find them wanting in courage or bravery, but quite equal to either the first, second, or third contingents.— (Applause.) They had met that evening en a memorable occasion — St. Patrick' Day — and he thought it would be only fitting if the band would favor them with some Irish airs — (Loud Applause.) The Band then played "Ireland " in a very pleasing manner. The Mayor called upon the Very Rev. Father O'Neill, who he said ought to have something to say, seeing that it was St. Patrick's night. The rev. gentleman, who was received with applauseL said that if it had been any other nigfyt but St. Patrick's, he was afraid he would not have anything to say — (laughter and applause) — but being a son of the sod he ought to have something to say on this occasion. Their program me was short of their usual criep standard, but the discrepancies would have would have to be overlooked. He said their gracious Queen had recently given a first-class object lesson to the world. She is now about to visit that part of her dominions where loyalty and devotion are as strong as in any other part of the kingdom over which she reigns — (applause) — and the imprimatur of her approval has testified to the bravery of her Irish soldiers who are fighting for the Empite. That venerable lady with the weight of four score years upon her shoulders, is abouj to cross the channel to visit the Emerald Isle, where she would be received with open arms and extended a real Irish Oead mile faiWke. Indeed, be eaid, be believed that if some of them got near enough they would kiss her— (idfed laughter). Irishmen had now reason to be pleased that they had one of their most tangible grievances removed. Scotchmen, he said, would nol have so much to boast of regarding Hei Majesty's annual visit to her highlanc home at JJalworal, as Ireland wai

now getting a show. — (Loud Applause) Father O'Neill, after making a (stirring speech, concluded by calling for cheers for the Queen, which was vociferously re- • sponded to; Mr Taylor called for three oheers for St. Patrick, which were also 1 liberally given. i Mr 0. King then gave a very pleas- > ing rendering of " The Dear Little • Shamrock," for which he was deservedly 5 applauded. Mr Parlane followed with ' a humorous recitation entitled " The ' Purchase of a Bible, and had to respond 1 to an encore. i Mr J, A. Duthie was then called , upon to give a speech or a recitation* < Mt Duthie ohoae the latter, and recited the "Charge of the Light Bridage. • The item was quite a treat, the audience manifesting their approval by continued applause. After the recitation Mr Duthie intimated that he bad only recited once in his life before, and the audience could not expect him to repeat the performance which he had just gone through. A comic song by Mr Colvei t was greatly appreciated, and he had to submit to an encore. The Mayor then said that he had a most pleasing duty to perform. The suggestions as to what the presentation should be were varied and many and the committee, after a great deal of coasaltation/^uitimately decided on presenting Messrs Drinnan, Howatson, and Thomson, each with a serviceable silver hunting watch. He advised them to leave their gold watches at home with ihe ladies, and replace them by silver hunting levers. The watches, he said, were not of the class that were sometimes purchased for sixpence, and assured them that those he was about to present them with, cost a little more than sixpence, Mr Moore then made the presentations, hoping that they would live long to wear them, and often think of the occasion on which they were presented. Arrangements, he said, had been made to have the watches suitably inscribed before the contingent left Dunedin. — (Loud applause.) Father O'Neill, in response to a request from the audience, then sang 11 The Wearing of the Green." Needless to say, loud applause greeted the item. "Sons of the Sea," by Mr ' King, concluded the musical part of f the entertain ment. 1 Mr Moore thanked the audience ) for their attendance, and was very ) pleased to see the manner in which ' the ladies attended, and no doubt their contingent would be pleased at that too. They all wished our boys every success, and hoped at some future date to be able to again shake hands with them and welcome them home.— (Applause.) He also desired thank Messrs Coombe Bros, for kindly giving the hall and lights free of charge for the evening. He had to apologise for the absence of their secretary who had worked so hard and energetically, that he mußt have felt the Btrain too great and could not attend. Mr A. E. Stewart, stated from the hall that the Queen had now decided to form an Iri'h Guard as well as a Scottish one. " Let us hope," he said, " that with the bravery of the colonial troops in South Africa her Majeßty will see fit to form a Colonial Guard," and called for three cheers for oor boys now going to the Transvaal, which was vociferously responded to. All then joined hands and sang " Auld Lang Syne." Before leaving the hall a large number of people took the opportunity of saying good-bye to our representatives. We must not forget to mention the very valuable assistance which the Brass Band rendered during the evening, especially in the early part [ of the proceedings.