THE CITY GUARDS.

Evening Star, Issue 14688, 4 October 1911, Page 2

THE CITY GUARDS.

MAJOR DOUGLAS ENTERTAINED

Major Douglas, who was captain of the Dunedin City Guards for several years, was entertained by a number of old members at Sweetings* last evening. Ex-Major ‘Crawford presided. The Chairman said when' it became known to the old members of the City Guards that Captain Douglas had been promoted to the position of major, with held rank, it was thought fit that they should express their recognition of tire services he had rendered to the company and tbair pleasure over the fact that ho had received promotion. They all recognised that during the last few years of the company’s existence under the old volun-' leering system it was kept well to the front by 'Major Douglas, and everything possible done to attain a high position in competitions with other companies, and generally to maintain past traditions. Speaking of the formation of the City Guards, he said a meeting was first called in 1859 for the purpose of forming a volunteer company in Dunedin. The company was formed immediately afterwards, and was known as the No. 1 Company Otago Rifles. Lieutenant Junor took up the command of the men who were enrolled, and was assisted by Mr John Wilson, who had had experience in the Imperial Army (in the 7Sth Regiment). In 1861 the Government made a request that the company should appoint permanent officers, snd in that year Mr Pied, Moss was appointed captain. In 1865 the company Amalgamated with the Dunedin City Hoards, which had been formed in the previous year, and under that name it pad continued up to the time of the introduction of the present system of training, subsequent to Captain Moss, there were m rbarge of tho company Captain Patterson, Captain (afterwards Colonel) Wales, Captain Wilson, Lieutenant M'George, Caplain Chapman, Captain (now Colonel) Smith, the speaker (Major Crawford), and then Major Douglas (who had tilled the position for tho past sis years). A presentation of a gold* chain and medal was then made to Major Douglas by ex-Color-sergeant Provo. Major Douglas had risen from the ranks to his present position by sheer hard work, ability, and enthusiasm. The presentation, which he had pleasure in making to him, oil behalf of the veterans of the City Guards, was a token of the high esteem in which he was held by .all who had served with him and under him in the earlier periods of tho company's existence. The medal was inscribed ; To Major J. hi Douglas, from' the veteran members of tho Dunedin City Guards, on his appointment ta held rank. October 3, 1911.” Tho toast of the guest of tho evening was proposed by ex-Coior-sergeant Jenkins. Major Douglas, in responding, said the kind words spoken and the presentation made to him would long he cherished. It would be 20 years this month since he joined the City Guards. Any success he had attained in military and civil life ho attributed to hiss conned ion with such a sterling Company as ike City Guards, and the splendid officers and non-commissioned officers it had been fortunate in having. He had -taken a deep and keen intereet m volunteering, and lie valued highly the training received during his association with it. He expressed his particular pleasure in seeing among them ex-Private C. E. George, whose connection with the company dated lyick to tho ’6o’b. Then there were Color-sergeants Jenkins. Kennai-d, Provo, and others. He fait grateful to the veterans for their gift and the sentiments expressed by the various speakers. Tho toast of “ Ex-members of the City Guards” was responded to by ex-Color-eergeanta Provo, Jenkins, Kennard, and Husband, and ex-Privates George and Konntag. ’