BLUE JUMPERS' SOCIAL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13742, 25 May 1910, Page 8

BLUE JUMPERS' SOCIAL.

Tho most interesting annual gathering at which the volunteers of the sixties foregather to talk over their oldtime- reminiscences ot the Battle of Hillsborough and elsewhere, and to express their loyalty to that great and ge.od Queen it was their delight to serve so well, took place last night. Death has been busy with the old-time warriors, and sickness kept a good many away, but still there were a goodly number of stout hearts to once more rally to the summons of the fiery cross to meet their old comrades.

The chair was occupied by Sir W. J. Steward, who had with him the representatives of tho old and the new volunteers in the persons of Colonel iSjater, Ca.ptain H. P. Murray-Aynsley, ami Captain George Harper,"who commanded tho College Rifles for some years. The vice-chairs were filled by Major Wolfo and Sergeant J. Piper, tin) latter of whom j-early makes the pilgrimage from Petone to bo present at the gathering. The Chairman said, in opening the proceedings, he regretted that he had' to break tho record of his attendance of last year ow.ing to his being in South Africa. He was in Bloemfontein on the Queen's Birthday, and there mot Goneral Botha, who was now the finest friend of the Crown in South Africa. Tboy regretted the many gaps -which had taken place in their-Tanks," but they could not forget that they, as, volunteers in the sixties, laid the foundation of the Territorial system now in force. It was their putting on tno nniform which had been the first seed otf tho movement.

After the loyal toast of "The Kinp," tho chairman read a number of anolopios, including one from LJent.-Colonel Newnll. • " •

The toast of "His Excellency the Governor" was then aiven. and this -was followed by "The Memory of tho late Oueen "Victoria and the late King Edward VII."

In proposing this latter tho chairman referred to the hfiVctionate regard preserved l>y the 'Blnejum-pers for the memory of the late Queen Victoria. It was in her reign that the Bluejumners came into being, and frrst put their uniforms on.

Sergeant' C. ! S. '■ Howoll ,-proposed the tc-ast of "The Bluejumpers," expressing regret at their decreasing numbers, which year by year was denoted. He hoped that they would continue to celebrate the anniversary even though only half a dozen' were left to carry it out .

Sergeant Piper, -who., responded, said that the Bluejumpers as an association was Jiniqiie in the Dominion. It possessed a history; of great interest , , and he recalled his connection in the sixties with the Bluejumpers. As the chairman had said, it was the Bluejiim.rrers who hod, whilst remembering the motto, "Defence, .not "defiance." founded the present system. He hoped the Blue-jumpers; with their wealth of hannv memories and-associations, would lone continue; The toast oT the aealoufi and hardworking secretary, -Mr F. C East/, and the ■committee, was proposed and α-e----ceived with great enthusiasm ~ . Major Wolfe said that the committee had 1 a most efficient assista.nt in the secretary, to whom the work was a laboiir of love. "The Memory of "Departed Comrades" was Proposed iby the chairman in «• symrmthette speech. . "The Officers of the Old Volunteers," responded to by Colonel Slater and Murrav-.A vnsley. nw enthusiastically received. •as were also those of ''The Chairman" and "Vice-Chair-men.". , , During the- evening some very interesting reminiscences were given by those present.