GENERAL SIR IAN HAMILTON IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14956, 1 May 1914, Page 7

GENERAL SIR IAN HAMILTON IN CHRISTCHURCH.

THE CADETS IN THE SOUTH

SPLENDID PARADES

The people of South Canterbury have reason to be proud of the very fine parade of Caduts that took place in Caroline Bay yesterday in honour of the visit of General Sir lan Hamilton, G.C.8.. D.5.0., the distinguished Imperial officer who i.s at present in Canterbury. Sir lan Hamilton, accompanied by Brigadier-General Ellison, Major Ashmore, and Lieutenant Richmond (members of his staff), tho Hon. James Allen. 'Minister of Defence. General God ley, Colonel Robin, Lieutenant Rhodes and others came up by a special train from Oamaru, arriving at Timaru at a little after half-past two. Shortly before this the South Canterbury Cadets, a thousand strong, tinder Captain Andrews, N.Z.S.C, had mustered in tho town, and. preceded by tho band of the 2nd Regiment, marched down Stafford street to Caroline Bay, j where the'force was drawn up in two ranks on the firm sandy beach. The scene in tho Bay was a gay ono: thero was bunting everywhere, and even the ships in tho harbour were dressed for the great occasion. All along the terraces largo crowds of people gathered to watch the proceedings, and all tho rather intricate arrangements for tho control of tho public wore admirably carried out by the local police. A lofty flagstaff, whereon floated the Union Jack, had bean erected in tho sand just opposite the band rotunda, as a saluting base, and hero a small platform for tho General had been laid down. ARRIVAL AT THE STATION. On the arrival of tho special train at Timaru a small party, including the Mayor (Mr W. Angland), tho Mayorelect (Mr E. R. Guinness), Mr J. Craigio, AI.P.. and representatives of tho City Council and other local bodies cordially welcomed Sir lan to Timaru ! and to this welcome tho "General briefly and pleasantly responded. Motor-cars j driven by members of the South Canterbury Motor Reserve, took tho General's party to the Bay, and, immediately on I arrival Sir lan commenced his inspection. THE PARADE. There wero on parade, to be precise, 1010 of tho Cadets, the following companies bekifr, representee!:—Ashburton H'ttth School. Ralcaia, Methven, Mt. Somcrs. Ashburton (two companies), Tinwald, Temuka (two companies), Geraldino, Timaru High School, Senior and Junior Companies. Fairlie, Pleasant Point, The Priory. Timaru (two companies), St. Andrews, and Waimate (two companies), or twenty companies altogether. In addition there was a very good muster of the National Reserves, Veterans, ox-Con tin tenters, j Honorary Territorials, and Rificvclub- ! men. thoso latter units boing formed up opposite the Cadets and behind tho suluting base. Sir lan Hamilton made a thorough inspection of the Cadets and then walked over to the veterans and ex- ■ contingenters and shook hands with nearly all of them and enquired ma kindly and interested way as to tho service each of them had seen. Some Crimean men and survivors of tho Indian mutiny. as well as a man who had fought with Garibaldi, wero talked to at rather greater length, and then the General stationed himself at the saluting baso and watched the march past, which was carried out in good 'Tho march past concluded, Ge J) e r»l Hamilton walked over to a table whereon were an array of silver cups to be presented to tho best shots in the different companies. Before dome so ho shook hands with a small Cadet, Murdoch Bruce, of Ashburton who, though lamo, had gamely tried to do His best as a Cadet m spito of his affliction.

A RARE MEDAL. Just before the presentation of tho cups to the different companies;, Mr P Thomson, ono of tho Honorary lor ritoriais, asked permission to submit a certain old war medal to General Hamilton for His opinion. The medal had been won by a soldier named Patrick Harnett, of the 39th Regiment, and it was in the form of a bronze star with a silver centre. On it was inscribed the word "Maharajpoor," and the date December 29th, 1843. Mr Thomson said the owner of the medal was a farmer at St. Andrews, and it had been won by his father. He hoped tnat General Hamilton could x*ll him what the medal was worth. Sir lan looked at tho relic with interest, and said that ho would hardly like to give a definite opinion. Tho intrinsic value was probably about £10 or £15, but as an heirloom he should imagino its value was great. Ho recommended Air Thomson to apply to a man in Alelbourno who. had recently given an exhibition of rare medals and decorations at Government House, and this man could probably tell him exactly what tho value of tho medal was.

CONCLUDING CEREMONIES. Genera] Hamilton then presented the cups to tho winners or representatives of tho companies, tho whole force being drawn up in close range, and then, addressing those paraded, he said:—"Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Cadets,—lt has been a great pleasure and a great honour to mo to review you hero to-day. Aou aro doing a good thing not only for yourselves, but for your country. One of the greatest of Englishmen, and one of tho most pious, declared that in his opinion a complete and liberal education was that sort of education that rendered a man fit for all the offices of peaco and war. He did not consider the man thoroughly complete unless he understood how to defend his Fatherland. That man was Alilton, the groat English poet. I do n<Jc- think you. are going far wrong in following his advice, and making yourselves fit to go luto the regular forces and take your places in the ranks to defend your country. I wish you all good afternoon ; it was a very fine parade, and a creat pleasure to see you."

The Cadets shortly afterwards march-' ed off the ground, and Sir lan Hamilton stiyed a Uttlo time near the band rotunda, talking to thoso citizenß who were introduced to him. At 4.15 the party motored to the railway station, and caught the second express for Christchurch. ■ At Ashburton tho Mayor (Mr H. Davis) was introduced to Sir Tan H.*>milt:'-~. who chatted with him for a few moments before th» train left.