THE OLD BRIGADE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14052, 25 May 1911, Page 6

THE OLD BRIGADE.

"BLUEJUMPERS" REUNION. The "Blue-jumpers," the pioneers of Canterbury volunteering, held their annual reunion last night and passed, a highly enjoyable evening in song, speech, story, and reminiscence. Tho bridge of years was for the nonce spanned, and the two score veterans present wero once again the lighthearted lads of nearly fifty years ago. True their numbers every year gei smaller and smaller as member after members answers the Last Post, but of the original number of some- 350 who went into camp at Hillsborough on May 24th, forty-six years ago, many are still on tho roll, which contains 10a names, and at last night's social there were nearly 40 present, many coming from other parts of the Dominion. Major Sir William J. Steward presided, and on his right was Colonel Slater, and on his left Mr C. Allison. The chairman expressed his great pleasure at being at ono more gathering of the Blue-jumpers. He regretted the fact that Empire Day was becoming a thing of the past as far as public observance was concerned. Sergeant J. Piper proposed: "the occasion wo celebrate, the old brigade the first volunteer encampment, (April 15tb, 1865.)" He said in those days there was no question of caste or social position but the business man along with the labourer donned the blue-jumper. In all ranks the finest spirit prevailed. Unfortunately the high spirit of old was now lamentably lacking,( hoar, hoar), and they were compelled to embrace compulsory service. Ho hoped there would never bo occasion to test the.present day spirit. Sergeant C. S. Howell responded to tho toast.

Major Wolfe proposed the toast of "Our Comrades who have departed." Since their last gathering, he said, four had answered to the Last Post. They were Messrs A. B. Cambridge, J. Ebert, G. R. Hart, and E. Strange. These men wero their comrades in the years gone by, and they were all men good and true.