THE RETURNED TROOPERS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 July 1901, Page 3

THE RETURNED TROOPERS.

Arrival of the Wainui.

Very little was done in the way ef preparation to welcome the returned members of the Contingents from South Africa, A few flogs here and there was all the display made—-very few if any places of business being closed. By the train from Beefton the band from Blackball arrived, otherwise there were not many visitors from the Grey Valley. As soon as the Wainui was sighted the residents began to assemble in the vicinity of the wharf, and as the steamer noared the wharf her arrival was greeted with repeated cheers especially when the members of the contingents were seen and recognised. The Fire Brigade mustered strongly with carriage &e., under the command of Captain Vinsen, and the Blackball Band enlivened the whole proceedings.

When tho vessel was fastened to tho wharf and order had been somewhat restored, his Worship the Mayor welcomed the returned troopers as follows : On behalf of the citizens of Greymouth allow me to extend to you all a most hearty welcome. You have nobly responded to the call of your country, and have defended that glorious flag on which the sun never sets. You have bravely, under many privations and other difficulties, showed the world that you were second to no other corps which fought in South Africa. By your willingness, along with Australia and Canada, to givo your services and lives, if needs be, to defend the flag in South Africa. It showed other nations the united strength of this great Empire, and although this Colony is the most remote of all British colonies, she is still a tower of strength to the Mother country when the call of 'arms" is sounded. I deplore the loss of some of our brave sons, but they met with a gl rious death aud their names will go down to posterity- Grcymouth is indeed proud of them. In conclusion I may say that New Zealand is proud, and we all wish you long life and prosperity. His Worship was heartily cheered during the deliveiy and after'the close of the address. The following is a list of the returned troopers : —Lieutenant Haselden in command, Sergeants Fitch and Webster, Corporal Moonlight, Troopers H. Brown, Maekley, Dunford, M'Millan, Johnson, Sunden, Northcroft, Alger, Morgan, Adamson, Devery and Head. The troopers looked the picture of health and in response to inquiries stated that they were well treated on board the Tagus.

Tbis evening the returned soldiers will be banquetted at the Opera House when the following list of toasts will be proposed : —Tho King, Tho Queen and Boyal Family, His Excellency the Governor, Army, Navy and Volunteers, Our Guests, The Parliament of New Zealand, The Premier and Cabinet, The Miuing Interest, The Local Bodies, The Commercial Interests, The Press, and The Ladies.

A special Thanksgiving Service for the Returned Troopets will be held in Trinity Church on Sunday morning when the Vicar will preach. In the evening the Rev H. W. Howell, for the past two years in charge of the Havelock district, and formerly one of our citizens will be the preacher.

Apparently, says the "Post," recen cases of poisoning have drawn the attention of the authorities to tho comparative ease with which arsenic and strychnine were obtainable. The latest "Gazette" contains amended regulations requiring every purchaser of strychnine or arsenic to give the vendor a written statement, setting forth his or her full name, occupation, and address; the exact quantity and name of the poison required ; and the express purpose for which such poison is alone intended to be used, and the places or localities where the same is to be used or deposited respectively. This statement the vendor is to forward immediately to the registrar of the district. Revised regulations for the entry of engineer students in the British Navy, and for students in naval construction are published in this week's "Gazette,"' also regulations under the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors and Board of Examiners Act 1900.

On enquiry from the Treasurer of the Westport Harbor Board (says the "Westpore Times), we find that of the last £50,000 loan there is at the present time £20,000 intact available for works. Mr Suisted, the Chairman, when referring at the last meeting to £4OOO of loan money only being available, referred to allocation for work of raising the Eastern Breakwater.

At the South Brisbane police court Arthur Bigge.was charged with deserting from the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment during the visit of the Imperial troops. The bench ordered defendant to be committed to military custody in order to be conveyed to England. Mr Justice Simpson, after disposing of eight divorce cases on one day in Sydney, recently said: —" One day I proposed to grant a young woman her decree nisi, and make it returnable in three months. She said to me, 'Cannot your Honour make it shorter than that?' I said,

'Why? Have vou any particular reason? Do you want to get married again ?' She said, ' Well, your Honour, I'm engaged.' So you see she was actually engaged again before she got her divorce. She said*to me, 'l've got this chance, your Honour, and if I miss it I might not get another one.'" (Great laughter).