COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO SERGEANT BROUGHTON, R.A.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3394, 2 June 1868, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO SERGEANT BROUGHTON, R.A.

The Naval Artillery Volunteers gave a compiimtntary dinuer to their drill instructor, Sergeant BroughtoD, R.A., at James's Q.C.E. Hotel, Victoria* street on Saturday evening. During the short time Sergeant Broughton hat been engaged in instructing this corps he has won for himself, by his obliging nature and untiring patience, the respect and esteem of all its members ; and the creditable manner in which they passed through their inspection on Friday last was almost entirely owing to the constant atten* tion and determined perseverance which he has displayed in their instruction. It cannot but prove gratifying to Sergeant Broughton to see that his services are thoroughly appreciated, and the hearty manner in which all the members united in rendering him a suitable testimony of their esteem is worthy of all praise. The dinner was served up in host James's well-known style, and was done ample justice to. The chair was ably filled by Captain Gruilding, A.N.V.j and Lieutenant E. H. Featon, A.V.a,, officiated as croupier. After the usual loyal and patriotic toaits had been disposed of, The Chairman rose to propose the toast of the evening, "Our guest." He said it was unnecessary for him to enlarge on the merits of their .worthy instructor, Sergeant Broughton, as he was well known to them all. He would merely state it as his own opinion that the present efficient state of the corps was entirely owing to the exertions of Sergeant Broughton, and it would, no doubt, afford them pleasure to learn that his set vices had been most favourably recommended to the consideration of the Governm-nt by Colonel Kenny. In coming there that evening, he was quite unprepared for the excel* lent entertainment which had been provided, and he could only regret that the Naval Volunteers had not joined in with them, as he thought they were even more indebted to Sergeant Broughton than the Artillery. The toast was drunk in bumpers, the company singing "For he's a jolly good fellow." Sergeant Brodohton, in rising to respond, was greeted with loud and continued applause. He could not adequately express the pleasure which he felt at the honour conferred upon him. At the same time he thought they gave him too much credit for the small services he bad rendered! He did not consider that his patienoe had ever been fairly tried. The men had always been willing to learn, and attentive to drill, and he had found it a pleasure to impart to them any knowledge of artillery which he possessed. He had been connected with volunteers fur several years in Auckland and the Southern provinces, and had spent many a pleasant evening with them. The volunteers of New Zealand had worked side by side with the regulars, and had proved a valuable assistant in many a dangerous campaign. Now that the troops were nearly all withdrawn, they would be looked to still more for protection, and he had no doubt they would prove equal to the occasion. The following toasts were then given and suitably responded to:— "The Army and Navy," " His Honor the Superintendent," " The Hon. the Defence Minister," "Colonel Kenny, Inspector of Volunteers," " Our Honorary Members," " Brother Volunteers," "Absent Comrades," "Our Officers, coupled with the name of Major Tighe," "The Ladies, coupled with the name of Mra. Stafford, for her encouraging speech to the Volunteers at Wellington," " Our Visitors," "The Press," and " The Host." The remainder of the evening was spent in asocial manner, and the meeting broke up at 11 o'clock,