THE BANQUET.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3056, 13 May 1867, Page 5

THE BANQUET.

To crown the proceedings of the day, General Chute issued invitations to all the officers of the local forces, as well as to the officers of the army and navy at present in Auckland, to meet Major Heaphy, V.C., at dinner in the Brunswick Hall. The following gentlemen were invited by MajorGeneral Chute: — Lieutenant- Colonels Matson, Kenny, Balneavis, Nation, Peacooke, DeQuincey, A.M.J Majors Campbell, Walmesley, Tighe, Beckham, Gordon, Yon Tempsky, A.M.; Captains Symonds, Mitchell, C. J. Taylor, Pierce, Lusk, Harrison, Kells, Lewis, Irvine, T. Macfarlane, Dinnin, Brophy, Naughton, O'Rorke, Morrow, Hobbs, Stewart, Wild, J. Wilson. C. Wilson, C. Mellsop, Pye, Hattaway, Howard, Woolfield, Tonks, A.M. ; Captains Hardington, E. Maclean, A. V.C, ; Captains Bassett, Derrom, Howell, Tole, A.V. ; Captains Daldy and Guilding, N.V. ; Drs. Philson, Weekes, Goldsbro', and Wood, A.M. ; Quartermaster Doonin, A.M. j Colonel Gamble, C.B, Quartermaster.General ; Major Baker, A.A.G. ; Captain Brett, Dr. Gibb, Staff -Surgeon Watsen, Staff- Assistant-Surgeons Watson and Henry; Mr. Ibbetson, D.C.G.; Messrs. Troupe and Marshall, D.A.CG.; Mr. Gallagher, Com, Staff; Mr. Matravers, Purveyor to Forces; Mr. Edridge ; Messrs. Hamley and St*ck, M.S.D. ; Colonel OBrien, M.T. ; Major Witchell, Messrs. Webb and Creagb, Captain Reeve, Dr. Tomlinson ; Colonel Hamilton and Major Miller, 12th Regiment ; Captains Margon, Crawhall, Messrs. Morris, Triphook, Brittain, Onslow, Dawson, Featherstonhaugh, Layer, Dr. Manley, V.C , 12th Regiment ; Mr. Dawson, 18th Regiment ; Mr. D, Nathan, Mr. McLean, his Honor the Superintendent, Dr. Pollen, Mr. Justice Moore, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Churton, Captain Hunter, Mr. Creighton, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Murdoch ; Captain Hope and officers (4), H.M. s. 'Brisk;' Captain Spain, Mr. Amphlett, R.N. ; Mr. Selwyn, Mr. R. Wynyard ; Major Gray, A.D.C.; Mr. Thatcher, Private Secretary; Captain Hamilton; Mr. Andrews, A.M.; Mr. Tabuteau, A.M.; Mr. F. Hamley, Mr. D.Nathan, jun.; Major Beaphy,V.C.; Colonel Pitt, C.B.j Mr. Richardson, A.D.C. The hall was very tastefully decorated for the occasion, under the experienced eye of Mr. Hamley, Superintendent of Stores. The band of the 12th Regiment occupied the rear of the stage, which for once was made to carry real engines and insignia of of war. In the centre of the stage stood a 6-pounder Armstrong gun, with a pyramid pile of shell in front; and on either side of it stood a mortar, with a pile of shell for each. Two pillar devices, formed of rifles with bayonets fixed, and two stars of bayonets at the front, completed the'deooration with arms ; whilst two royal standards, festooned over the whole, gave a lively appearance to the stage. The gallery was occupied by ladies, who added greatly to the gaiety of the scene. At the banquet, uniforms of nearly every hue prevailed, and were scarcely relieved by the presence of some half-dozen gentlemen in plain dress. Major-General Chute, the host, presided. On his right sat Major Heaphy, V.C, the guest of the evening; his Honor the Superintendent ; Captain Hope, R.N. ; Colonel Hamilton, 12th Regiment ; Colonel Gamble, C.8. ; Dr. Gibb, C.8. ; Hon. D. Pollen, and Colonel Nation, A.M. On the General's left satJMr. Justice Moore ; Colonel Beatson, R.Ei; Captain Spain, R.K; Colo-" nel OBrien, M.T.; Colonel Kenney, A.M.; Colonel Balneavis, A.M. ; Colonel Peacocke, A.M. ; and Colonel De Quincey, A. M. The dinner was provided by Mr. Vialou, of the Auckland Hotel, and served in a manner most creditable to his establishment. The company began to assemble at seven o'clock, and shortly before eight sat down to table, the band playing " The Roast Beef of Old England." The following is the bill of fare :—: — , . ... Soups : Mock tuttle, oyster, and jullien. Fish: Fillet 3 of mackerel a la tartare, boiled mackerel with fennel sauce, mullet with fine herbs, boiled salmon. Removes: Haunch mutton, porb wine Bauce, roast beef, roast veal with mushroom, roast lamb, boiled leg mutton with caper sauce, boiled fowl, plain sauce, stewed ducks, roast goose, boiled turkey, roast turkey. Entries : Curried rabbits, oyster patties, mazarine of salmon, croquets maccaroni, pork cutlet and tomato, veal and ham pies, haricot mutton cutlets, lobßter cutlets, mutton cutlets. Sweets : Roast pheasant, pheasant a la flamade, victoria pudding, gooseberry tart, trifles, greengage tart, orange jelly, currant and raspberry tart, macedoine jelly, blancmange, cheese cakes, custards, lemon sponges, plum pudding. Dressed Vegetables : Asparagus, French beans, green peas, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, salads, &c. The wines were of the choicest vintage. After the table had been cleared, General Chute, having called for bumpers, said : I rise, gentlemen, to propose the health of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, who is beloved not only by the army and navy, but by all classes of her subjects ;— a monarch, whose greatness and nobility are equalled only by her domestic excellence. Gentlemen, "The Queen." (Loud cheers.) Air : " The Queen." The General : Gentlemen, may I ask you to recharge your glasses. I rise to propose the health of the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. England looks with hope on him who is a son worthy of his illustrious mother. " The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. (Cheers.) , m , „ Air : " God bless the Prince of Wales." The General: Gentlemen, the toast r am about to propose is one I feel confident will give you all great satisfaction. It would be unbecoming on my part to utter sentiments of praise or approbation towards my superiors, but this much I may pay, her Majesty's Representative, Sir George Grey, has devoted many years of a valuable life to the service of New Zealand, and no one could have worked with more energy and ability for the welfare of the colony than his .Excellency has done. (Cheers.) His liberality in supporting the public institutions of the colony, aud his private charities, are so well known to you all that it is unnecessary I should dwell further on them. I had hoped to hive had the honour of his Excellency's company this evening. He was, however, unfortunately unable to be present, but he has assured me of the great pleasure he would have had in seeing Major Heai hy decorated with the Victoiia Cross. Gentlemen, I give yon the health of lm Excellency the Governor. (Cheers.) Air: "The Queen." His Honor the Superintendent said : I rise, sir, to propose a toast which, I am sure, will be weli received, and drunk with enthusiasm. I have boen

called upon to propose the health of the Army, Navy, kud Local Forced. There is a convenience and fam inconvenience connected with the blending together* of these arms of the service in one toast — a convenience, in giving an opportunity for drinking the health of the Imperial and colonial forces, who fought tide by side, under our own observation, in this country ; and, perhaps, an inconvenience in this respect, that the greater part of the audience must keep their seats while their own healths were being drunk. (Hear.) History tells us of the great deeds done by those two •noble arms of the British service, the army and navy ; but it does not require a reference to history to bear testimony to the gallant and noble deeds performed by the sister services in this country, for they have been done under our own obseivation. We have seen with our eyes how these gallant men have sacrificed their lives, and encountered hardships and sufferings in the performance of their duty in this country, greater than any which the army and navy have ever been called upon to endure, at least in any colonial station. (Hear.) We have had an opportunity of noticing the heroism with which they went forth, at the call of our necessities, to defend us in the time of our need — (cheers)— and we have also seen the men of one arm of the Imperial service, the army, when engaged in the field, placed under the command of officers of the colonial service by the gallant General commanding, and serving side by side with the local forces, under a colonial officer, without a murmur. (Applause.) My worihy friend, Major Heaphy, so worthily decorated, by her Majesty's commands, with the Victoria Cross to-day, if I remember rightly was, not so long since, entrusted with the command of a portion of the Imperial troops, when on active service I in the field ; and I also think the gallant officer who ' entrusted him with that command had no reason to regret having done so. (Cheers.) These three branches of the service — for by the pleasing ceremony of to-day we must conclude that the local forces of New Zealand are regarded as » worthy arm of the nation— (cheers)— these three branches of the service, the army, and navy, and colonial forces, are blended proudly indeed with the New Zealand colonists ; and I have been proud to-day to see the highest honours of the English service bestowed upon one of New Zealand's earliest settlers. (Applause.) The nob !e deeds of the navy of Old England are not to be spoken here ; and it is said of Irishmen that they cannot speak in praise of men in their presence, and theiefore I must hold my peace in reference to the gentlemen of that noble service who surround me. At the same time I feel, as one of the colonists, a reluctance to speak of the local forces as they deserve ; but perhaps the gentlemen serving in the army and navy, whom I set present to-night, will speak in their own countries and in other lands of the way in which New Zealand's sons performed the parb of the work which they were called upon to do. (Cheers.) When the two arms of the service here — one of whom, I am sorry to say, is about to be entirely removed from us — have passed away from these shores, there is one thing we shall not forget, — the solemn recollection many of their families cherish towards this country, for the gallant men who repose in our graveyards, whilst the monuments erected to their valour are left behind as a sad memorial of the noble deeds done here by the army and navy. (Applause.) Then again, we shall find a living recollection of their presence and services in many worthy colonists they leave behind, to engage with us in the establishment of one of the most flourishing plantations which Great Britain can boast of. (Hear.) Of the local forces I need say but little, after what was said by you, sir, in decorating Major Heaphy. When the Queen comes forward, to do honour to the local forces, we may well stand back and say no more about it. I will not anticipate what General Ghnte will say ; but I must remark that nothing gave me greater pleasure than witnessing the Cross of Valour bestowed upon my friend Major Heaphy, by the Queen of this great empire. I have great pleasure in proposing the health of " The Army and Navy and Local Forces." (Cheers.) Airs : " British Grenadiers" and "Rule Britannia." General Chute returned thanks. He said he regretted there was not some one present better qualified than himself to thank them for the honour they had done the army, by drinking their health jn such an enthusiastic manver. It was gratifying to him, and he knew it was also to them all, to know that the men of each service had done their work well. (Cheers.) He begged to return' his thanks for his brethren of the army, and would just remark that, wherever they were, they would at all times be ready to do their duty. (Applause.) Captain Hope, It. N., returned thanks on behalf of the navy. He said that from the earliest times in the history of New Zealand the navy had been associated with the colony. It had been the pride of the navy to stand side by side with the army on many a hard-fought field in this country. (Applause.) It had also been the good fortune of the •Brisk' to be associated exclusively with the colonial forces in one important expedition, which was entirely successful ; and he had great pleasure in bearing testimony to the readiness with which the local forces went wherever they were wanted. No troops could have behaved better. On that occasion they endured hardships of no ordinary kind ; and be willingly bore testimony to the oourage with which they faced the enemy. (Chews.) Therefore it gave him great pleasure and gratification that one ship of the squadron (and that ship the ' Brisk ') was in harbour on this occasion, and that they weie able to Bbow by their presence that day the interest the navy took in seeing the most highly-prized honour the Queen could bestow conferred upon an officer of the local forces by command of her Majesty. (Cheers.) Colonel Kennt, as senior officer of the local forces present, responded on their behalf. He said he regretted his inability to discharge the duty as effectively as he could wish. He could only say that the honour done them by General Chute, their gallant host, inviting Major Heapby and the large number of officers of the local forces to this splendid banquet, would be appreciated. (Cheers.) He thought it might he confidently btated that the occasion which had given rise to this banquet would be viewed with the utmost satisfaction not only in Auckland but throughout New Zeajand. The ceremonial of that day was an acknowledgment, on the part of the Home authorities, of the services rendered to the State by the local forces of New Zealand ; and he said this without any feeling of jealousy, because it had been hisfateto share in the arduous enterprise and honours of the regular service — (hear) ; — but he must regard it as an acknowledgment on the part of the Home authorities that the colonial forces had done their duty in the course of the late unhappy war, and also as worthy to participate in those honours of war which it was her Majesty's prerogative to bestow, f Cheers.) For, although Major Heaphy was the special hero of the occasion, he thought it would be admitted that the conduct of the colonial forces generally had been such as to attract the attention of the Home Government; and bo it had come to pass that at length, whatever worthy occasion presented itself — as in the case of Major Heaphy — any one who distinguished himself by his gallantry in the field would meet with his reward. (Renewed applause.) He thought he would not be doing his duty if he did not draw attention to the care taken by their gallant host to give the greatest possible e"olat to the transactions of the day. They all knew that her Majesty had been pleased to direct General Chute to present publicly Major Heaphy with the Victoria Cross. This duty he performed to-day in a manner to careful and so scrupulous that, he believed, nothing he could do or sanction was omitted which could tend to add to the dignity of the service. (Cheers.) Of course, after the presentation, General Chute's official duty ended. But did he stop there ? No. The gallant General proceeded to add honour to honour. (Cheers.) He determined that Major Heaphy should be his guest, and wear his honours in the presence of distinguished officers and gentlemen—in the presence of the officers of the colonial forces and of his brother coloni&ts assembled here this evening ; and what made it the most graceful act of all— care was taken that it was done in the presence of the gentle sex, who looked down upon them from the gallery, and amongst whom, he believed, there were those under whose ejes the, guest of the evening would most rejoice to be done honour to. (Loud applause.) As an old officer of her Majesty's service, and being also connected with the colonial service, he might doubly express his opinion on this occasion ; and he did earnestly hope that the gracious act which her Majesty had been pleased to perform, through the gallant General, would have the effect of inspiring the colonial forces, whenever their services may be called upon to meet either an internal or external foe. (Applause.) And as the road of honour was now open to them, as well as to the royal troops, he hoped it would lead them to emulate, though in a distant degree, the gbrious deeds which they had seen emblazoned on the banners of those battalions, the last of which, he regretted, was about to leave them. (Cheers.)- Above all, he hoped that the event of that day would have the effect of strengthening the loyalty and devotion of the colonists of New Zealand to the Crown. (Renewed cheers.) He could only say that the colonial forces would feel highly gratified at the manner in which they had been spoken of, and their healths drunk.

The Gbnbbal : Gentlemen, I am now gout to (Cheers.) . , „ Air • "See the conquering hero comes. Major Hbapht returned thanks. He mid! General Chute •nd gentlemen, -Apart from the estimation in which I hold the honour this evening done to me, I am happy in having this opportunity of publicly returning my thanks to those officers by whose exertions the distinction of the Victoria Orogs has been extended to the colonial troops. Firstly, to hiB Excellency Sir George Grey the gratitude of myself and the oolonial troops is especially due, for the steady persistence with which he urged on the home authorities the propriety of the extension 01 the order. Many officers of even his high position ■would hare hesitated in asking for the re-considera-tion of a stfbject which was attended with such difficulties. (Applause.) To General Sir Duncan Cameron my warmest thanks are due, for the very kind and thoughtful manner in which he volunteered his recommendation, lest that of the Governor might be found technically insufficient. (Renewed applause.) Major-General Galloway, who always had the good of the «olonial troops at hearc— (cheers)— never lost sight of their interests in this matter. The officers of the Staff, inoluding Colonel Gamble, Colonel Carey, Colonel Havelook, and Dr. Mouatt, wereever ready to aid me in obtaining precedents and evidence, while Colonel Havelock watched my interests throughout from the time of the first recommendations to his recent departure for Canada. I confess, sir, to feeling no ordinary gratification at the honour done to me today ; but I am not aware that at the Mangapiko I did anything more than my duty— certainly nothing more than any soldier here would have dona as a matter of course and instinctively ; and there are certainly those here who deI serve the distinction more than I do. Major Baker at Orakau, and Major Yon Tempsky at Mangapiko, did more than t did ; and where Captain Fisher, of the 40fcb, led, I only followed. While alludin* to the incidents of the Waikato campaign, I « cannot "forget one who hag passed from amongst us ; I allude to Colonel Nixon, from whom, when in the Flybg Column, I received much kindneso. And when, sir, I remember, the interest he took in the discipline and efficiency of the Defence Force, I think what satisfaction he would have felt, could he have been here to-night, in knowing that one of his force— Sergeant, now Knsign Kendriek— bad, for an act of callantry and devotion, been recommended for the Victoria Cross. (Cheers.) The delay which which occurred before the Cross was accorded was, air, in some measure irksome, feutthetimethatis taken in consideration, and the jealomy which fences about the order, can never be the subject of regret. (Hear.) If anything could enhance my gratification at the receipt of the Victoria Cross, it would be the very kind and handsome manner in which you, sir, have to-day marked its extension to the colonial troops, and for this I beg to express our deepest gratitude. Colonel Pitt, C.8., rose and said: Gentlemen, at the request of the General, I have to propose the health, of " His Honor the Superintendent." It is at all times gratifying to give utterance to our feelings in approbation of individual merit. The proceedings of this day, whether at the parade or at this dinner, owe. their interest chiefly to this sentiment. In witnessing the decoration of our gallant comrade, we admired his valour anl sympathised in his happiness. The enthusiastic manner in which we responded, when the General proposed his health, shows how heartily we congratulate him on his distinction; and now let me ask for an expression of your approval for "one who, in years past, proved himself worthy of the confidence you reposed in him, and has, so recently, been called upon to place himself at your hand as Superintendent of Auckland. His election itself, without opposition, was a fitting compliment to his manly and straightforward character, and he may be proud of being again selected, by so large a population, to administer the affairs of this important province. Let us wish him success and health to conducb the arduous duties of nis office. (Cheers ) Air : " He's a jolly good fellow." His Honor the fcuPßßiirriNDEirr responded. He said : Sir, I cannot but feel deeply indebted to you for doing me the high honour of inviting me to , this splendid banquet on this occasion ; and to you, Colonel Pitt, I feel greatly indebted for the honour you have done me perionally by the kind way you proposed my health to the company. It is not che first time that I have besn indebted to officers of the army, in my official capacity, for help and valuable assistance. I had the honour to be the successor to a gallant gentleman — cot the immediate successor— who worthily held the office I have now the honour to hold as Superintendent of this province. I refer to one who is now no more, but whose memory is held in profound respect in the colony — the late lamented Colonel Wynyard. (Hear.) I had been but a few days in office when lie called upon me, and n a way I shall always remember with gratitude, offered me what aid he could give in the discharge of the arduous official duties of the office of Superintendent. And at that time the task of the Superintendent of the province was arduous indeed. When the funds were hardly sufficient to pay the expenses, no public works could be proceeded with. Colonel Wynyard offered and gave me the aid of his men to carry on the public works that were then so greatly needed. (Applause.) And from that day to the present, I know that the Superintendents have been deeply indebted to the military. Apart from the gratification X feel personally, I cannot but thank the company for the honour done to the office I hold. It has been an anxious one to those who have filled it, and especially so in Auckland, but the duty was lightened by the aid and assistance rendered by the* military officers in command. It will be my wish, while I hold the office, to do all that my duty calls upon me to do. I must say that, having received the support of my fellow colonists, I was emboldened to undertake the duties of the office, and what I have undertaken I will endeavour to fulfil. (Applause.) Mr. Justice Moore next rose to propose the health of the gallant host, General Chute, and called for a bumper. In rising to propose this toast, he said that hit case was not a bad instance of what might happen to a man in New Zealand. When his worthy host sent him a kind invitation to this banquet, he accepted it at once— not only without hesitation, but with great alacrity and pleasure, thinking, good easy man, that he would have to do nothing more than assist in doing honour to a gallant soldier. He soon found that in so thinking he was reckoning without his host, for he was soon honoured with a visit from another gallant soldier — he thought he had seen him in the pit this evening (laughter) — who gave him to understand what sitting in the banquet meant, for he asked him to propose the health of another gallant soldier, -which, with a good deal more valour than discretion, and of good nature than both, he had undertaken to do, and the gallant officer went away well satisfied. This morning he (Judge Moore) began to think what lengthened entertainment was expected of him, that he, a man of peace — par excellence a man of peace, for all men of law were men of peace (laughter) — should be asked to propose the health of a gallant soldier ; and then he began to think that, after all, it might be the right thing to ask him, a man of law and a man of peace, to propose the health of a gallant soldier, for they all remembered the old saying, that the law began where arms left off. But (it did appear to him that somehow the jgallant officer who waited on him wanted to enjoy a joke, and that he (the Judge) was to be induced unwittingly to add to the amusement of the company. (Laughter.) After a little consideration, however, it came into his head that a high compliment had been paid him by asking him to propose the health of the gallant soldier j— that, at all events, he might have asked him to have done something worse. He might, for instance, have asked him to propose a toast connected with the ceremonial of the day; and then he began to think about the ceremonial, and what he should have said about it. He had seen it ; and then he felt that he had been well let off in not being asked to propose a toast connected with the ceremony, for what could he have said of it ? What was it ? It was a ceremony from which was excluded all ceremony ;— a genuine English ceremony, remarkable for simplicity — (cheers) — a ceremony, which would not have been one anywhere else ; — a ceremony, very much like ceremonies of the kind he had seen in Old England, that when he saw it that day, be stood and* asked himself, "Is this New 'Zetland, or is if»Kngland ?" (Applause.) There wa* the sain* crowd of p oplo came to «cc but nut the seeing part u£ the ceremony ;— who

came to hear, but not the hearing part of it. ' (Laughter.) There was the same zealous troop of officers, keeping some imaginary line, which nobody but themselves could see (renewed merriment) ; and there were the same gallant horsemen bewitching the spectators, and making them wonder how much nearer their toes they conld o ome without touching them. (Roars of laughter.) Having seen all tint, he had asked himself what he could have said of the ceremony. (Applause.) He was thankful the gallant soldier did not ask him to propose any toast connected with any ceremony like this. Then he might have asked him to propose some political toast, with some qualification ; and here again he was glad the gallant soldier did not ask him to do so. And this led him to think that after all he had been asked to propose thab which he was most capable for. Discarding all politics, politicians of all shades of opiuion should join in drinkingthis toast — and that was another word for all here. Separationists should join in drinking the health of a General who disperses his own troops and scatters his enemies. Unionists might honour a General who closes his own ranks. Frovincialists ought to honour a General who can save a province when a province may be saved ; and Centralists might delight to honour a General who, in saving the outworks, saved the city. (Applause.) He need not say another word to ensure the toast a warm reception ; and it gave him very great pleasure indeed to invite them to join in drinking the health of their host, General Chute. The toast was drunk with all the honours, the company singing, " He's a jolly good fellow." Air: "Garry Owen,'' General Chute responded, He said the longest day he lived he should not forget the kind and enthusiastic manner in which they received the toast of his health, which was proposed by his learned friend the Judge. He felt that this enthusiasm was more than he deserved. A good deal had been said about the way in which he had endeavoured to do his duty ; but he took no credit to himself in that respect. He had only done his duty, to the best of his ability, without favour or affection to anyone. (Applause.) Before he sat down he would mentiou the name of a gentleman of high rank in the colony, whom he would have been delighted to have seen present that evening if it had been possible ; he meant, the Superintendent of Wellington. (Cheers.) That gentleman had accompanied him on the West Coast campaign last year, and had displayed the greatest energy, devotion, and heroism. ( Remewed cheers. ) He encountered hardships and fatigues of every kind with the utmost self-denial $ and it would hare pleased them, he was sure, to have seen that gentleman, hat in hand, cheering on the men of the colonial forces under a heavy fire. (Cheers.) Dr. J?eafcher3ton was a widower, and had a large family, and yet he never hesitated to expose himself to imminent danger — he w*s in the presence of death throughout the whole campaign. He (General Chute) took this opportunity of acknowledging his obligations to the Superintendent of Wellington, and his admiration of his conduct. He thanked them most sincerely for drinking his health. (Applause. ) Colonel Gamble said : The toast lam about to propose is one of a more regretful character than many that preceded it ; — one that contrasts sadly, bet iv thought ia connected inseparably, with the proceedings of this day, for while, sir, all rejoice to gee your distinguished guest spared through great danger, and receiving the highest reward of valour, we cannot but recall the memory of many, some of whom fought and fell, and some of whom fought and lived. (Hear.) On such a toast little need be said. It speaks solemnly to all. It make 3 every man feel his own preservation ; and we cannot but feel that though both Britain's soldiers and sailors quit these shores, there shall still remain an indissoluble union between her Majesty's service and New Zealand so long as there rest in its soil the remains of Austin, Hamilton, Hay, Mnir, Mercer, two Glovers, Ring, Johnston, and others. (Cheers ) Your distinguished guest shared the service with another man whose death we all deplore — Nixon, who combined all the first qualities of the soldier, gentleman, and colonist. (Loud cheers.) Then there are names of other men, soldiers of the colonial forces, as Herford, Norman, Perceval, who nobly Ml for their adopted country. (Renewed applause.) I will not detain you longer, but ask you to drink, in solemn eilgnce, "To the memory of our fallen brethren." The toast was drank in silence. Colonel Hamilton, in felicitous term3,proposed the health of "The Ladies," which was drunk in bumpers. Air : "Here's a health to all good lasses. 1 ' Major Bakeb, A A.G., responded. The National Anthem was then played, and the proceedings of the day terminated.