VETERANS OF WAR.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10757, 10 September 1900, Page 5

VETERANS OF WAR.

A NOTABLE GATHERING IN WELLINGTON.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION - TELEGBAiI.)

WELLLINGTON, Spetember 8.

One of the most interesting , gatherings ever held in Wellington took place at Government House t&as afternoon, when, at the invitation of Lord, and Lady Ranfurly, about 150 naval amd military veterans assembled. They'did so ostensibly to celebrate Sevastopol Day, but in reality the Governors idtea was to bi-ing together, as lie did at Auckland some three months ago, the naval and military veterans of the Empire. Guests came from New Plymouth on the West Coast, and Napier on the East Coast, and comprised men who had .served in all ranks of lut Majesty's Imperial naval and military forces—men who had come through the sufferings of the Crimean War, tha horrors of the Indian Mutiny, China, Kaffir, and Egyptian wars, and the conflicts 'with natives of New Zealand.

Tables were laid in the ball-room, which had been specially decorated for the occasion under the direction of the Countess of Ranfurly. The guests assembled at two o'clock, and were received by Ms Excellency and •Lady Ranfurly, who were accompanied by Lady Constance Knox, and attended by the Hon. Charles Hi'ti-Trevor and Hpn". Mr Butler. Amongst those present were Messrs Seddon, Ward, and Carroll, representing the Ministry.

The toast of "The Queen" was proposed by the Governor. During an interval '. the party adjourned to the lawn, where they were photographed in sections, comprising representatives of tha Crimean, Indian .Mutiny, Kaffir, Chinese, and native wars. The toast "Lord Roberts and her M&jestv's Forces in South Africa"' was proposed by the Governor, -who said that speeches at Government House gatherings were not usual, but on tbat occasion as would break the rule lie observed. That occasion was a fitting one, and he considered that he was fortunate in being- able to gather together so many veterans who had helped to = buiM up the Empire in the past. Government House was not large enough to accommodate all the veterans in the district, but no one had been intentionally left out. The veterans present would from time to time, no doubt, have criticised tha conduct of affairs in Soufch Africa, and differed from the methods with which that war had been carried cut, but he felt that there was no difference of opinion as to the tactics adopted by Lord) Roberts. He expressed his pleasure at seeing so many veterans present, and hoped the spirit of comradeship would be revived by the associations of that day, esid that it would; remind them of those who feught- for Queen and country. The rest of the afternoon was spent m social intercourse, and the proceedings were terminated -by the singing of the National Antfrem and "Auld Lang Syne." •imonest the vstcrans present were General Sir G Whitmore. Sir. A. Dcitijlast, Colonel Gorton, Inspector Fender, Lieut.-Colonel Messenger, %ieut. -Colonel Porter, Colonel Peatoa.

CABLE NEWS.