THE RETURNED TROOPERS

Evening Star, Issue 11606, 20 July 1901, Page 4

THE RETURNED TROOPERS

THE INVALIDS. Lieutenant-colonel De Lautour last night received the following message from the Premier: —" Shall be glad to have progress report on your patients to-morrow," to which Dr De Lautour replied as'follows:—"ln Dunedin Hospital; M'Kechnie and 1,402 Sergeant-majcir Lang, dangerous; Heenan, serious, improving; Lieutenant Ferguson, better; Cheeseman, 2,571 Andrews, and 1,019 Brown, convalescent; 1,022 Ross (Kartigi), abscess and deafness, admitted yesterday, improving; 1,602 Aitken, much better. At Miss Tombs's private hospital: Corporal Bell, much better; 2,630 Saddler W. Murphy, discharged home (Christchurch) convalescent.' Miss Church's hospital: 2,601 Hardy (Christchurch), discharged convalescent; 2,266 F. C. Lang and 1,430 Henry Draper, improving. Miss Stronach's hospital: 1,108 Sergeant-major Murphy, relapse, malaria, better this morn,ing; 1,121 Campbell, convalescent. Many troopers under out-patient treatment." SOCIAL AT NORTH-EAST VALLEY. A highly-successful social was held in the North-east Valley Hall last evening in honor of the Valley troopers who recently returned from South Africa. The Mayor (Mr W. B. Anderson) presided; and seated on the platform were Troopers H. M'Donald, E. Lear, G. F. Smith, C. W. Watt and W. N. Brown (Fourth Continfent), T. Butters (Fifth Contingent), and !. J. West and W. Farquharson (Second Contingent). Trooper Beath also occupied a seat on the platform. The North-east Valley Band opened the proceedings -by playing 'The Red, White, and Blue,' after Which The Chairman said that on behalf of the residents of North-east Valley he extended a hearty welcome home to' the returned troopers. Since they had left the Valley their career had been watched with interest, and every morning the papers had been eagerly scanned for news of their welfare. He was sure that the commendation they had received from their officers for their bravery and devotion had been well merited. Despite the hardships they had undergone and the privations they had suffered, he must compliment them on their appearance. He was sorry that they were not able to welcome all who had left the Valley for South Africa for as they all knew young Sorenson had been shot in action, and his bones were left on the veldt. They sympathised, too, with Troopers Brown and White, at present in the hospital, but who were making good progress towards, recovery. Trooper Crawford, too, had been taken ill that afternoon, and he also had their sympathy. He (the chairman) had much pleasure in presenting each of the troopers, on behalf of the Valley residents, with a small memento as a token of their appreciation of the splendid manner in which the troopers had behaved. The Mayor then handed to Troopers H. M'Donald, E. Lear, W. N. Brown, T. Butters, C. J. West. W. Farquharson. Q. F. Smith, and C. W. Watt a handsome gold watch pendant in the shape of a Maltese cross, bearing the following inscription: "Presented to Trooper (the name inscribed) from the residents of the North-east Valley on their return from the Tran«vaal War." The band then played the National Anthem, and dancing was indulged in. At intervals during the evening songs and speeches were given. Mrs Dovle had charge of the supper room, and Messrs Doyle, Fraser, and Brew acted as M.C.s. Corporal Low, of the Fourth Contingent, was entertained at a social by the members of the boating and football clubs of Ravensbourne. The building was crowded. Corporal Low led the grand march, and over a hundred couples took part. Members of the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Contingents were also present. Before the supper adjournment the president of the Boating Club, in the course of a patriotic' address, eulogised the sterling qualities of their guest, and on behalf of his athletic admirers presented him with a handsome gold medal having crossed Mauser rifles in relief on the front, and on the back an appropriate, inscription. The guest, on rising to return thanks, was greeted with pro" longed applause, the audience singing with great power 'He's a jolly good fellow.' Songs were contributed during the evening by Messrs T. Low, F. G. Cray, and Corporal Low. Messrs Collins and Graham acted as M.C.s, and the music was supplied by Messrs Himmel and Beath. The head office staff of the Union Steam Ship Company met last evening at the Provincial Hotel to give a welcome home to Corporal S. L. Jones, of the Fourth Contingent, who was a member of the company's staff when he went to tne Transvaal. Mr J. F. Kirby (chairman), in proposing the health of the guest of the evening, referred to his many good qualities, both as an officer of the company, comrade, and a soldier of New who had worthily assisted to uphold the honor of the country he represented. He also mentioned that Corporal Jones was the only member of the U.S.S. Company of this colony who has served in the Transvaal War. The following toasts were proposed and duly honored :—" Army and Navy," proposed by Mr Carvosso and responded to by Sergeant Chalmer; "The Veterans," by Mr Park Smith, response by Messrs J. Abbott and D. Matheson ; " The Union Company," by Mr G. D. Ross, response by Mr G. Hendry; "The Ladies," by Mr Stewart, response bv Mr Low; "Kindred Associations," by Mr Eva, and response by various members of the staff. Songs were contributed by the following:— Messrs Carvosso, Chalmer, Eva, Drake, Low, Matheson, De Clifford, and Jones, and Mr J. Thornton Stewart gave two recitations. Mr J. Jackson presented packets of cigarettes, containing a photo of Corporal Jones, to each one present. A pleasant evening was spent, and the proceedings closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the host and hostess.

Our Hanmer Springs correspondent wires that Sergeant Watt, of the Fifth Contingent, who has just returned from South Africa, was entertained by his numerous friends on Fsnmer Plains to a fish supper at Jollie's Pass Hotel on Friday. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, Dr Little proposed the'health of our guest, amid cheers. In doing so, he said:. "We are drinking the health of one who deserves well of his country, and as a Hanmer Plains representative had proved himself a worthy sold : er, and returning, after about fifteen months' service, promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Watt, in returning thanks, said that the opportunities one had of gaining promotion were not so numerous as was commonly thought. He had tried to do h ; s duty faithfully and to the best of his ability, and that was the secr?t of success. A pleasant evening was spent in song and toast. The residents of South Dunedin and St. Kilda have formed a committee to make arrangements for welcoming back the members of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents who came from those boroughs. WOODVILLE, July 20. A hearty welcome was accorded to the returning troopers at the social held last evening. It was resolved that the balance of the More Men Fund in hand be devoted to the erection. ~of a brass tablet in some prominent part of the toivh, in honor of the men who enlisted from this district.