CANTERBURY MOUNTED RIFLES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9834, 17 September 1897, Page 5

CANTERBURY MOUNTED RIFLES.

WELCOME TO MEMBERS OF THE CONTINGENT. A smoke concert to welcome home Quarter - Master Sergeant Crosby and Trumpeter Chegwin, of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, who had gone Home with the New Zealand contingent, was held at the Drill-shed last evening. Captain Snow presided, and there was a good attendance. After the toast of •' The Queen" had been honoured, the Chatrman in proposing the health of " The Guests," said he hoped they would all extend to Quarter-Master Sergeant Crosby and Trumpeter Chegwin a very hearty welcome. He paid a tribute to the able management of the contingent by Captain Robin, and said that the contingent could not have been hinder a better commander in New Zealand. Wherever they had gone the Contingent had been complimented by the authorities on their soldierly bearing. He was sure both men had picked up several wrinkles which would be of great service to the Mounted Rifles. Quartermaster-Sergeant Crosby, in responding, spoke of the splendid hospitality tney had received at Home on all sides, which had, however, been so great as to cause a surfeit, though he was glad to meet his comrades again there to-night. He had Eicked up some hints during his stay in Ingland which he thought would be of use to his company. He had paid a visit to Aldershot, and had gained some valuable hints with regard to the treatment of horses. A most noticeable thing, especially among the Guards, was the perfect discipline, and non-commissioned officers would be seen giving orders to men twice their age, who treated them with almost as much deference as they would a commissioned officer. As far as physique went there was not much to choose between the colonial and the Home troops. They had seen a review at Aidershot, which was a magnificent sight. A great deal of unnecessary fuss had been made about the food in barracks, but though certainly plainer than they had been accustomed to he did not think anyone who wished to be a soldier should complain of it. He had not suffered by it at all events, having gained 101b sinpe he left. Trumpeter Chegwin spoke of the idea English people had that New Zealan ders were savages. One man having learnt that he came from New Zealand, said that he had a brother in South Australia and asked if he (Trumpeter Chegwin) knew him. The speaker also referred to the hospitality accorded them and the general good time they had received. The other toasts proposed were—-" The Staff," Lientenant Neave, responded to by Major Slater; "The Battalion," proposed by Major Slater and responded to by Lieutenant-Colonel Francis and Sergeant Major Foster; "Ordnance," Sergeant McCartney, responded to by Captains Donald and McDougall, Chaplain Bean, and Lieutenant McNicoll ; "Ex-Members," Ser-geant-Major Borland, responded to by exCaptains Recce and Davie, and ex-Lieu-tenant Bailey; "Visitors," Sergeant McDonald, responded to by Captain Cresswell; " Ladies," Trumpeter Chegwin, and " The Press."

Several song 3 were given during the teechea.