THE ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 76, 28 September 1881, Page 3

THE ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.

At seven o'clock last evening, a special meeting of the D Battery of the New Zealand Regiment of Artillery Volunteers waa held at the Empire Hotel, the business for transaction being eefc forth in the advertisement as of the ' ' greatest importance." 'J he representative of this journal was exoluded from the meeting on the the ground that the business waß of a nature that only affeoted the Battery. At eight o'clock the tonrteenth annual dinner waa held at the hotel. Nearly 70 guests were present, the majority consisting of members of the Battery. Lieutenant M'Credie (the officer commanding) occupied the chair. He wan supported on the right by Lieutenant-Colonel Pearce (officer commanding the district), the Yen. Archdeacon Stock (hon. chaplain), Mr. W. H. Levin, M.H.K., and Captain A. de B. Brandon, jnn. (Kaiwarra Rifles) ; and on the left by Captain Charles J. Johnston (Naval Brigade), Dr. Collins (hon. Burgeon), Mr. W. Hutchison, M.H.R., Captain Crowe and Dr. Cole (hon. surgeon of the City Rifles). Lieutenant Lyon and Sergeant-Major Book were vice-chairmen. After the banquet, which was provided by Mr. J. Lichtsohemdl, upon whom it reflected the greatest credit, a long list ofjtoasts waa entered upon. The customary loyal and patriotic toasts were first disposed of, including that of " The Parliament of New Zealand," whioh was briefly and appropriately responded to by Messrs, Levin and Hutchison. Lieutenant Lyon then proposed the health of LieutenantColonel Pearce, the toast being drunk amid enthusiasm, with musical honorß. LieutenantColonel Pearce having suitably acknowledged the compliment, this toast was followed by that of " The Officers of the D Battery," the duty of responding to whioh was entrusted to Dr. Collinß. In connection with this toast, Captain Johnston took the opportunity of remarking that the excellence of the officers of the Battery was recogni-ed by other corps, and he believed it was the universal opinion among the local volunteers that in Lieut. M'Credie the Artillery possessed one of tho best officers in this part of the colony. (Loud cheers.) In proposing the toast of the "' D Battery," Lieut.Colonel Pearce alluded to the recent display of drill by tho Artillery Volunteers, and remarked that no one who witnessed that display could have failed to recognise that both the officers and men were thoroughly efficient in their work. (Cheers.) That display was not merely a trial of the knowledge possessed by the Battery in regard to field movements and gun exercise, but was a test of the stamina of each member of the corps, and the Battery stood the teat very well (Cheera.) The Chairman responded. After a few preliminary remarks, he referred to the business of the meeting held immediately prior to the banquet. That business was, he said, to consider what Bteps the Battery was inclined to take respecting a proposition to offer its services in case of hostilities at Parihaka. (Loud cheers.) He was proud to state that the Battery had unanimously decided to plaoe its services at the disposal of the Government in such an event. (Renewed cheers.) If oalled upon— although he hoped there would be no necessity for this — he felt sure the Battery would do its duty. The offer was by no means made in a spirit of vain boasting. The Artillery were prepared — he did not say for a lengthened period, because that would materially interfere with their varions business avocations — to do their best to assist in nipping in the bud anything like the breaking out of war. (Loud cheera.) Other toasts were afterward honoured, and the proceedings, which were appreciably enlivened by songs contributed by Bombadier Lyon, Gunners Griffin and Power, and others, then terminated, a most agreeable evening having been spent by all.