COLONEL ROBIN'S SWORD.

Evening Star, Issue 11681, 13 February 1902, Page 3

COLONEL ROBIN'S SWORD.

THE PUBLIC PRESENTATION. The Garrison Hall presented an animated appearance last evening, when a sword of honor was given to Brevet-colonel Robin for his services while commanding the New Zealand Mounted Rifles in South Africa. A considerable number of ladies were amongst the onlookers, and the body of the hill was occupied by the volunteers, who rare drawn up in parade order. His Worship the Mayor presided, and was supported by all the city councillors areept Cr Gore (who is ill) and Cr Maitbad ("who w absent in the North Island), and amongst others on the platform were the" following: —The Lady Mayoress (Mrs G. L. Denniston), Sir Frederick Sargood, Lady Sargood, and other members of the family; Messrs R. Cuisholm, P. R. Sargood, N. y. A. Wales, A. Sligo, M. Cohen. C. R. Chapman, S. G. Smith, H. North, Lieuten-knt-colonel Smith, Brigade-surgeon Lieuten-knt-colonel De Lantour, Major Myers, Major jr. M, Jamieson, Dr Gordon Macdonald, Adufcant HisJop, Captains H. D. Jackson, ,1. Nicholson, R. A. Johnston, Stoneham, Prawford, Loasbv, and other volunteer offiv- • hers.

His Worship the Mayor, in making !be presentation, said: It was my privilege some months ago, as representative of iny fellow-citizens, to present to you a purse tf sovereigns which had been subscribed in lecognition of your distinguished services in South Africa, and of the mark of appreciation which the British Government had conreyed to von by conferring on you the {tader of Companion of the Bath. I told ton then that, a portion of the sum subiribed had been reserved to buy a sword, fhicfa by-and-bye it would be my pleasure o- present. This sword I now hold in my land. On the former occasion I gave ittmnce to a hope and a conviction—the lope that you would never be obliged to Iraw your sword in defence of your country Kjam, and the conviction that were you .■ompeDed to do so you would use it with skill aid valor, and bring to bear all the jxperimce you have gained in the South Africai War. I now repeat that hope and :-onvkrion. 1 would further hope that as fkimmmdant of the Forces here you will foster that martial ardor which has been so •onspjuous in our midst of late, and which —if «e may judge from passing events—jt- wi be necessary that all British comnnroies should foster for some time to come because there is trouble in the air. 1 w'oid also like to take this opportunity of ccgratulating you on the step yon have just ade in your command, in your promot* to the rank of brevet-coloneL If vou ill now permit me I shall ask the rnayess to fasten this handsome sword to ytr side, and I hope you will live lonsj !•■> w it. It will go down to your childrennd to your children's children, to be pria by them as a memento of this occasion.

Tl mayor's remarks were liberally applaxtd, *nd when the lady mayoress affixed to Colonel Robin's side a hearty rom of applause was given. Bvet-colone.l Robin, in reply, waid: Son little, time ago, iu the Town Hall of tbis'Sry, as His Worship ha.s chosen to tell vota ceremony took place, and the conclnag function of that ceremony has taken pla nere to-uigh.t. I had hoped that, all thepeech -making that wa.s necessary had be<got over on that occasion. To receive hj. K*rd of honor at the hands of His Wor-shi-4 beg your pardon, at the hands of thmayoress—from the citizens of the town Hi. one has been brought up in soems ho iroto be one of the highest honors that ecd be conferred on anyone.—(Applause,) H' csn I thank yon? 1 cannot in words: b? as His Worship said something about trcommand of this diKtricfc, let me try, as li years go by, as 1 have thrown in my l<with the defences of the colony, to niam- \% the efficiency of the. volunteers. And if tre come a time of misfortune, and if the <orry be assailed, by the result that, our sdiers will then achieve let me try to pres in that the thanks f cannot speak yon to-nigbt. —(Applause.) .Indies and ntlemen, once, more T thank you. There a great deal still going on, and there are her swords, 1 hope, to be won. A man tar win all the honors of his country by is regiment. I had the honor to command he first three coatengents from New Zealand. fientlemM, all these three contingents are a part 4t this sword.—(Applause ) Tt is the loyally of all ranks towards their head, and who in turn returns it; the interchange of confidenfe that makes the regiment BnccessfoL lam proud on this occasion to be able, to return and receive the marks of confidence and appreciation that I have received at your hands.—(Applause.) The proceedings then closed, but before the gathering dispersed cheers were called far Colonel Rabin, the mayor, and mayoress, which www liberally responded to.

Th« late Commaodant of the district lColn«# Wfbb) was specially represented by trii brother-in-law, Captain Davidson, of the 47th Sikhs, who is now here on furlon go from India.