WHERE IS IT?

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 80, 6 April 1910, Page 4

WHERE IS IT?

SOUTH AFRICAN TROPHY MISSING. JOINT GIFT TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. [FBOM OtV« OWN CORRESPONDENT. J LONDON, 25th February. Tho thousands of New Zealanders who served in the South African War will be rathor interested to hear that a valuable trophy, of the existence 6i which most of them were probably ignorant, is apparently missing. Amongst tho many campaign friendships formed "on tho veldt, none was stronger than that which grew up between the New Zealanders and the Gordon_ Highlanders. Throughout tho long period of tho war the men from the Dominion frequently camo into touch with the famous Highland Regiment, and they shared together many of the rigours and the pleasures of the campaign. Tho same is true, also, of the Australian troops, who frequently found themselves brigaded with the Gordons. Highlanders are proverbially good fellows in tho field. There are several instances in campaigns all over the world of their making presentations to troops of_ other countries and even other nationalities, with whom they have been operating. Tho Gordons' friendship with the little Ghurkas in India is a matter of history. When tho South African War came to a tardy ond it was the most natural tlung in the world for the Highlanders to mark their long associations with the Colonials, and they did so by presenting to tho Australians and New Zealanders jointly a valuable trophy symbolising their good feeling. So far as "New Zealand is concerned, I believe I am right in saying that nobody knows anything about this trophy. Theic must, of course, bo many New Zealand troopers who have heard of the trophy, which I understand was sent out to Australia by tho Gordons some time after tho war, and not actually presented in South Africa. This may possibly account for its being- overlooked. Tho question now is: Where is tho trophy, and can it not be taken to New Zealand for a time for exhibition? As it was a joint gift, neither Australia nor Now Zealand can claim to hold it permanently, and tho right thing seems to be, therefore, that it should bo passed to and fro ut intervals to allow both countries the uss> and enjoyment of it. It has beon stated, with what truth I do not know, that tho trophy, which is valued at, possibly, more ,than one hundred guineas, is annually competed for by different^ covps or regiments in Australia,, and is therefore constantly changing hands in the Commons oaltn. However, its whereabouts should not be a matter of secrecy, and the facts of the case have probably only to be stated to ensure that tho trophy will bo placed in the proper hands, and will spend some of its time in the Dominion. Tho oxistence of the trophy transpired the other night at Aldershot. The Hon. It. M'Nab, formerly Minister of Defence in New Zealand, was in the camp as tho guest of the Gordon Highlanders, with whom Colonel Davies, C.8., InspectorGeneral of tho Forces in New Zealand, also dined, and it was in the course of conversation in the mess after dinner that the matter was mentioned. I understand that the Gordons feel that they were treated rather slightingly in the manner in which tho trophy was received. Possibly the disbandment of tho Colonial South African contingents and tho doubt as to who should receive and acknowledge the gift are at the root of tho wholo trouble.