ARRIVAL OF VOLUNTEERS.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5057, 22 November 1881, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF VOLUNTEERS.

Last night the Government steamer JEGni moa. Captain Fairchild, arrived from Piotc after a Very tempestuous passage of twent. seven hours, bringing the whole of the Volm teers who left Canterbury for Parihaka. Bi fore the steamer reached the wharf the Lyl telton Naval Brigade had formed a guard c honor under Lieut. MoLellan, and the Lyl telton brass band had stirred up the town wit suoh martial murie as quickly brought fort every man, woman, and etffi- to the soene a welcome- Colonel Pacfcev Major Lean, and th other officers commanding in this distric were on the pier awaiting the arrival of th men. Immediately the jlinemoa touched th wharf the Mayor of the tows, Mr H. All wright, and the members of the Borougl Council boarded; her,/ and met CaptaL Hamersley, the officer commanding. Not i moment was lost in forming the men, eight, in number, on the wharf alongside the steamer and directly the roll was called Captaii Hamersley publicly thanked them for theii service., paying a high meed of praise to theii conduct during the time they had been undei his command in active service. Captai. Hamersley also stated that the Premier, the Hon. John Hall, had been down awaiting theii arrival for the purpose of conveying to them the hearty thanks of the colony, but that he had been called away reluctantly, after staying several hours in port after the hour iat which the steamer was due. In Mr Hall's name he, amid ringing cheers, expressed the feeling of the Government and the colony for the sacrifice they had made on behalf of the land ..of their adoption. Colonel Paoke complimented the men upon their military bearing, and reminded them in a rather humoroui way that they looked more sunburnt and generally military than they did three monthi ago. The Colonel expressed the pleasure il gave him to see them once again safe and sound. Three cheers were given for Mi Bryce, the Native Minister, three for Captain Hamersley, and three for the Lyttelton Naval Brigade and the Volunteer force of New Zealand. The wharf wss completely blocked by people when the steamer arrived, anc the " Soldier's return" was copious.* illustrated directly the men were relievec of duty at the station yard, mothers, sisters and brothers participating in the general] welcome with as much reality and thoroughness as the arrival of unexpected relatives and friends should bring forth. A special trait was in readiness for the arrival of the Canter bury contingent, and as soon as the forms! work of numbering off, addressing, Ac, hat been gone through, the men left fo Christohuroh. At the railway statioi the Christchuroh City Guards were drawi up on the platform, under the cam mand of Lieut. Francis, to receive them The Temuka dram and fife Volunteei band was also in attendance, and alio hi Worship the Mayor of Christohuroh and th City Councillors. As the train drew uj alongside the platform, the band struck up an inspiriting air; the men stepped on the platform, and the precision with whioh they fell into rank, &.., spoke well for the drill they had undergone. His Worship the Mayoi stepped forward and said: —■ " Captaii Hamersley—lt gives mc great pleasure or hehalf of the citisens of Christchureh tc tender you and the volunteers under yo. command a hearty welcome on your retur home, and also our thanks for the pluok manner in whioh you volunteered for th front when it was thought that the colony wa in danger and required your services. It w« gratifying to find such a body of men as I no see before mc responding at a minute's notic to defend, the lives and property of the! fellow colonists, and I am sure you will joi mc in thanking God that suoh prom, action has led to no loss of life. 1 [Cheers.] Three cheers were then most vociferously given for the volunteers] and also for Captain Hamersley. Captain Hamersley thanked his Worship and those present for. their hearty reception. Their reward was that the colony had recognised their services, which might have been needed ; for a long time, and he felt that if there had' been war the men he bad under him would* I have rendered a good account of themselves,! and if they were wanted,were ready to go; North again. [Cheers.] Lieut.-Oolonel Packe then called for three cheers for his Woship the Mayor and the city of Christchurch, whioh was enthusiastically responded to. A voice demanded the like honor for! Captain Young, and the men gave it with; hearty will. Attached to the company the] names of Lieutenants Waddell and White, as] also that of Adjutant Durham, of the 0.Y.C.jl and Dr. Mclntyre, are deserving of mentioni The men ultimately marched to thevariouf hotels where they; were billetted, and wile proceed South by this morning's express.]