OUR SOLDIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 105, 13 May 1901, Page 2

OUR SOLDIERS.

DEPRESSING DAY IN WELLINGTON. [by TELEGR.U>H— PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] W.-'.iiugton, May 11. The troops landed .d 2.15 in a drenching rain, and parad 1 in the wharf shed Tho band played - Hero the Conquering Hero Comes,” and the Hons. Mills, Carroll, Hall-J0..05, Sir Arthur Douglas. Colonels Newall, and Sommorville, Major Owen, and the officers of the garrison were present. Despite the rain some three or four thousand people, including a large number of ladies, were assembled on the wharf, and cheered the men heartily. The Premier and Mayor delivered short but impressive addresses, after which there were cheers and counter cheers. The Premier announced that he had extended to tho men tho privilege of telegraphing free to their friends. Wellington, last night. The men who returned from South Africa were entertained at a dinner at the drill-shed by the Government. Tho Premier presided, supported on his left by the Mayor and on his right by Major Crawshaw. There were also present'the Hons. Hall-Jones and Mills, and members of tho Federation Commission, including Capt. Russell.

The Mayor proposed the toast of the Ministry, in a speech eugolistic of their action in regard to the despatch of contingents for service at the front. The Premier’s reply was on similar lines to the speoches delivered in Christchurch and Dunedin. He also spoke on the subject of despatching another contingent to assist in bringing the struggle to a conclusion.

All the toasts customary to such gatherings were honored, and the proceedings were very enthusiastic. Capt. Russell said that so far as tho Opposition wero concerned all party squabbles had vanished the instant Parliament was brought face to face with the question of giving assistance to tho Mother Country in the hour of need. Capt. Russell then proposed the health of tho local forces, coupled with the name of Colonel Newall, whom ho congratulated on the distinction of having C.B. conferred on him. The toast was heartily received. The Nelson and West Coast portion of the contingent leave - for their homes by tho Tutanekai this afternoon. The Auckland, New Plymouth, and Wanganui detachments leave by train in the morning. The Napier and Gisborne men are sailing to-morrow in tho steamer To Anau.

RECEPTION AT RANGIORA. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night. The North Canterbury returned troopers had an enthusiastic reception at Rangiora on Saturday afternoon. In the evening the men were entertained at dinner, and subsequently at a social gathering, at which each trooper was presented with a framed illuminated address. GISBORNE RECEPTION TO OUR RETURNING SOLDIERS. The Committee appointed to arrange a fitting reception for our brave soldiers who are returning from South Africa on Wednesday morning, have matters well in hand. The official landing will take place at 9.30 a.m., when, after a few speeches of welcome and a hearty reception by the public, together with the local military and bands, the moil will be dismissed to enable them to rejoin their friends for an hour or two.

At 2 p.m. the troopers will be entertained at a luncheon at the Masonic Hotel, by the Contingent Committee, the local Clergy and officers of Volunteer Corps. The principal public function will take place in the evening, a reception having been arranged at the the Theatre Royal, when short addresses, limited to five minutes each, will be given by His Worship the Mayor, Messrs C. A. DeLautour, W. L. Rees, Revs. Canon Webb, Rothwell, J. G. Paterson, H. Williams, Father O’Connor, and the captain of the Salvation Army. jEach address will be followed by a patriotic song or recitation by our best local talent, including Messrs F. Teat, Dalrymple, Barlow, Kennedy, Woodward, and others. It has also been arranged that the school scliildren will take part in the entertainment, and will contribute ‘an appropriate item which scored such a huge success at the recent school concert, viz., “ When the boys come home again,” with “ Ake ake kiakaha ” chorus, the solo being taken by Master Percy Adair. The Committee are arranging to reserve a front seat for tho children taking part in this chorus. Tho services of the Band and the Orchestral Society have been promised, and we have no hesitation in pr*dicting a huge success aud a most enthusiastic demonstation by the attending public. We understand the idea is to open proceedings—after an appropriate overture by the Orchestral Society—by marching the men up tho body of the hall on to the stage, to the martial strains of “ God Save the .King,’* by the Band, the public, of course, taking part in the singing. We have a keen recollection of a similar proceeding on tho occasion of the last send-off, and feel certain that all present on that occasion will retain a vivid memory of the strong thrill of emotion which was felt by everyone amongst that large assemblage. Many eyes were dimmed when these fine fellows were drawn up in review on tho stage, to take a last farewell of their friends, as it appeared certain that in so hazardous an undertaking as our bravo boys were embarking upon the odds were largely in favor of a certain proportion being cut off by wounds or disease. Our district has been most fortunate in this respect, and it is a matter for the heartiest congratulation that amongst those sent from here we have not lost a single man. In addition to the soldiers returning on Wednesday morning, those who arrived previously will be included in the reception, so that the whole body will make up quite a large section. No better men went from the colony than those furnished by this district, and their conduct in the field has fully justified the care exercised in their selection. We have every reason to be proud of our brave lads, and feel sure that tho public will enter into the reception most heartily and accord the boys a greeting worthy of the good services peformed by them.