CAPTAIN TUCKERS WELCOME.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11277, 19 May 1902, Page 6

CAPTAIN TUCKERS WELCOME.

After an aWnce of two years on active service in Smith Africa.. Ciiptain Fred Tucker returned to A*hburton on Saturday evening, on n short leave. Both Infantry companies of Volunteer!", together with the County Bnntl, musterwli in strong force, and there was a gathering of several thousands of the general public at the Tail-way-«tn.t!cn to accord Captain Tucker, together with Corporal K. Willi" (who 'has also returned) a hearty reception. They were received- on the platform by the Mayor (Mr W. H. Collins), the County Chairman fMr 0. J. Harper), and members of the Ikception Committee, and as the train drew up alongside the platform there wa* loud und prolonged cheering. Captain Twrker w«w ««cort«d through the throng to an open carr&ge at the station entrance, where hie parents (Mr Jcxhua Tucker and Mrs Tucker) were awaiting 'his arrival. Corporal Willis afterwards joined tlnm, and tlws party, preceded by the Band and the Volunteers, were driven down the crowded main street and into Bullock's Ar<tide, and then the returned soldiers were formally and heartily welcomed by the M.xvor. upeeolice of cordial welcome were a\fo made by Mr Harper, Mr C. W. Pur»tll, and Mr D. Thojnas. Several selections were pkyed b> , the Band, and an adi journment wax afterwards made to the Oornmercial Hotel, where a large party entertained Captain Tucker and Corporal Willie at rapper. Tine Mayor presided, and a number of , ttieutte were <bly honoured, that of tlic guests of the evening being very heartily received. It will be remembered that Captain Tucker, who was second lieutenant in the Ashburton Guards, went ac a, lxentebant -H-ith the Third , CootUtgeab, and epwdiiv niade a name for himself a> a most popular and capable officer. Be -wftj . frequently heard of oe diatingaiehiiig. himeelf in action, and was one of thofeo vho. was badly ' wounded in the..■ Bbenoeter Kop engagement, after wihkb belay for eighteen hours tafoiti Jie vrm rtmmea, and hie wounds attended to. On becoming convalescent he rtftrted for borne, but was then offered' and acc«pl*d a oaptaincy in tho Sixth; Contingent, returwd again to tbo front/and has tfot» 'wkjHß hi* fnil abare 6f a lot of furtiier ' hawi flghtlngw mi tbe> rotigfheet aide of the ■~ pfotr*ote«t,campaign. On of his '.. prewnt le*ve be retntras to Sooth* Africa -.. to join >ihe Tenth' Cooti»eent. , A large ewd of-persons gathered at the railway etation oh Saturday even•T ing, to welcome tiw return of the Raojciowa , member* <yf the Sixth Contingent, Troopers , . ,W. Payn* aod O.Mehrtens. The Kan- ' .gleiw iuflee paraded, and the Brass Band trw ptesent, and played , M.veral patriotic "tut*.. Thft rctwrned troopere -v«re itnatohed to tih* Drill Sh«d» whkh .ww-uoon fifled, aikl the Mayor fair J. Carawhael), on behalf- of tie toniwpeople, welcomed them back. , Councillor Good! also briefly wel- , corned the men bock to !Rangionv. KKWS FROM IJOLONEL DAVIES. (pwws AMoouTKwlinStojiAjr.} ~ . WELLpftittHN l ; May 17. 'Mre hw front her •'husband, Colonel Davies, dated from Vryborjr; "AX well. Have juef flnkb- , cd -.* Bucoecwfol .Qtivt, and have been ap- ; pointed to theconimand of » colanra." (9FXCIAL TO "THB V^KSS. ,, )' M n . DUNEDIN, May 17. The B*v. W»rf, of Chicago, will lecture on/Ineeday on the uses of war, in Aid of th* patriotic fn»d, which is likely to be heavily drawn upon by later contingents. A tablet is to be erected in the Pott Chalmers School, to perpetuate the memory of the old puptis wlio died in ective service.