SOCIALS TO RETURNED TROOPERS.

Evening Star, Issue 11628, 12 July 1902, Page 8

SOCIALS TO RETURNED TROOPERS.

» —: NORTH-EAST VALLEY. The social and rresenl'ition of gold medal?, subscribed for by the residents of North-east Valley, to the returned troopers of that district, at ihe Town Hall last evening, proved a great success. The hall was draped with banners and flags, and refreshments were provided in the upstair rooms. His Worship the Mayor (Mr Duncan) occupied the chair, and in introducing the object of the gathering said that he felt ho should say a few words, in regard to His Maiestv the King. The illness that had overtaken His Gracious Majesty had, for a little while, precluded his entering upon his hicrh office as the crowned heal of the greatest nation the world had eve- seen, but he was now making rapid progress toward recovery, so much so ihat he (the mayor) fell sure the intercessory prayers of a righteojjs nation had been heard by the King of Kings and that our noble Sovereign would be spared to his loyal people for many years to come to wield the sceptre and wear the crown which was the t<yrebol of I'berty, mercy, and justice.—(Applause.) He would ask the audience to sing two verses of the National Authem. The audience then rose and responded feelingly. A short prolamine of vocal items followed, these contributing being Miss Orange, and Messrs Murray, JJrake, Flynn, and Brittenaen.

The Mayor then made the presentation of gold medals to the troopers, as follow Trooper K. S. Beid (Fifth Contingent) Troopers J. G. Leckie, R. M'Kenzie, and G Bntlenden (Sixth Contingent), Sergeant Leclae and Troopers T. P. Short, J. Dry, and M'Kay (Seventh Contingent), and Trooper C. it. Umbers (Scottish Horse). In referring to the vs-jious cont ; ngents representing New Zealand at the front, the Mayor said that they had all acquitted themselves with honor and added glory and lustr. to the name of New Zealand.—<Ap,ilause.) The men had fought nobly, and had maintained the honor ot the Flag. No higher praise could be accorded than this.—< Applause.) Mr Murray responded on behalf of the troopers. He .-aid that h* was proud to stand in the position oi sponsor for the men, three ot whom had been trained in his school —(Applause.) Ho referred to the departure of the men front New Zealand and their gallant dee Is on the field. Thev had taken S"^ 11 the wars of tbe Empire at the call cf the Mother Land, towards which everv heart was turned in tin hour of struggle. ' Those who had gone to the front had not. cmly lought for the honor and dignity of the nsliou, but for hearths and homes, for upon the prestige of Britain depended the freedom and justice and rights and laws of our own bright btth colony itself.—(Applause.) He had been called the father of the cadet movement in the Valley; if so, he was proud of the name.—(Applause.) While the bovs had icturncd to warm welcomes, there were some perhaps who had returned to homes made desolate by the loss of loved ones, and thev might long for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that was still To those all hearts went out in svmpathv In conclusion, he referred to the King*, and called for three cheers for His Majesty! which were given. Mr Murray thanked the people for their handsome presents to .he troopers, whom he knew would treasure the mementoes while life lasted, and hand them down to generations to come.—(Apnlause.) At Mr Murray s call the troopers cheered for the residents of North-east Valley. Messrs J. Evans and Calder having spoken an adjournment was made for refreshment after which dancing was kept up -ill an e arlv hour this morning.

GREEN ISLAND. The people turned out in numbers last mgntto welcome home Troopers Mathieson and Harraway, of the New Zealand Sixth au-'l Seventh Contingents respectivelv, showing uninistakeably that the Green Islanders fcLcw how to appreciate those who volunteered forth to fight tor King and country. Ine Duncdm Pipe Band were in attendance, and helped to enliven things considerably, and togetner with the appearance of the local vohmteers in uniform, gave to the whole gathering that life and color which looks so well at a soldiers' welcome. The Mayor (Mr Kaite), the Rev. T)r Walt, Messrs Harraway and Mathieson ifathers of the returned troopers), the returned troopers themselves, Sergeant-major Kent, and Trooper WaJdie were on the stage. The Mayor, in a brief speech, said that he was sure, by the look on their faces, that they were all glad to be present on such an occasion, and that they would give a hearty and sincere welcome to their returned troopers.—(Fear, hear.) Lieutenant-colonel Smith had written him asking that his hearty congratulations to the troopers on their safe return be accepted. Surgeon-captain Will had sent an apology, owing to professional duties, adding that if the "Tommies" had done well the New Zealanders had done hotter, and the Bothasberg boys had done best of all. Miss Nellie Harraway then sang Home, sweet home.' Mr Witbelmson faVlrwed with "The gladiator,' and was recalled to sing 'Marching to the front.' 'The river of years' was sung by Miss Jessie Louden, and a step dance (encored) was oiven hy Piper Mac Donald. The presentation" was thp.n made by the mayor. This large gathering, he said, showed nnmistakeably the high esteem in which the people of Green Island held their two troopers who had just returned from the scene of war, strife, and danger. They all remembered the interest taken in the war whon it commenced, and how it had increased when we had our representatives at the front. Trooper Mathieson had been a member of the New Zealand Sixth Contingent—a contingent which, if it did not take part in any real heavy fighting, haA done a lot of arduous work driving tho Boers from pillar to post, and shorwins &ein

that the New Zealanders could skip over the rough country as well as any of them. On. the other hand, the Seventh, of which Trooper Harraway was a member, got a fair share of the heavy work.—(Cheers.) He hoped, however, that it would be a long time ere our boys would be called upon, to take part in another war; but if they were, they would show then, as they had done already, that Our colonial boys were British still, With hearts of British steel, With British pluck and British will To make the foeman feel That slanderers of the Mother Land Were slanders, too, of us, And in the van they'd take their stand And lay them in the dust. —(Applause.) The Mayor concluded by presenting Troopers Mathieson and Harraway each with a gold medal, inscribed, and a purse of sovereigns. Trooper Mathieson, in replying, found it difficult to start., but. a cheery "Keep going, Lewis " set him off, and then he thanked the people for their kindly reception and present. Me was glad to know that while in South Africa their work was appreciated, and he would always feel proud when he looked back on that night. Hero followed a "Hurrah" from the audience. Trooper Harraway also found difficulty hi replying, but after once starting he" did fairly well. He thanked the subscribers sincerely for their present, and tho people of Fairfield for the reminder sent to him when at the front, which he had omitted to acknowledge when writing home. The Rev. Dr Watt then gave an interesting address, shortly reviewing the causes of the war, and stating briefly the reasons for the enthusiasm for that and other meetings of a similar kind, and the direful results that would have happened to the Empire if tho British had not been successful. He spoke in praise of the New Zealand Contingents, and wished the returned troopers long life and prosperity. Mr H. Harraway 'Trooper Harraway's father) also said a few words, quoting the opinion of Corporal Abbot, of the Ist Australian Horse, to the effect that, of all the colonial troops, none did so well as iho New Zealanders. He drew attention to the poor state of the volunteer corp3 of New Zealand in the way of guns, rifles, etc., and asked the people at election time to make that a prominent question with the n.?w candidates. He also expressed his satisfaction, on behalf of himself, wife, and family, for the manner in which his sou had been treated since coming home from the front. Ho assured those present that the families of both troopers appreciated very highly the compliment that had been paid to them. Tho musical part of the programme was then resumed. Mr D. Hutton %m\% ' Dearer than life': the Pipe Band gave another selection : Messrs Clark ' and Popham gave a double Highland fling: Mr Birkett two recitations; and Miss B. Samson sang "The carnival.' The Mayor mentioned that ir. was intended to remember the other troopers who are coming homs. He thanked all who had so willingly given their services to make the function a success. A verse of the National Anthem was then sung. The hall was cleared for dancing, and the pipers made things merry. The whole evening proved a most enjoyable one.