LAST NIGHT’S RECEPTION

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 108, 16 May 1901, Page 3

LAST NIGHT’S RECEPTION

GREAT ENTHUSIASM.

Thoso well-meaning people who suggested that a public demonstration should be made in Tucker's paddock yesterday afternoon could not but admit when the drizzling rain set in that their suggestion was entirely dependent on the weather, and that the committee had acted wisely in tho mattor. The committee’s wisdom was further shown when a view was taken of tho crowd that assembled last night. It was a most miserable night, cold and wet, but the Theatre was filled with an enthusiastic crowd of people. What would have happened had thero been a lino night and no charge for admission, can easily be imagined, l’eoplo would almost have had to light to make sure of obtaining a seat. As it was tho lmll was tilled, and throughout tho proceedings were characterised by tho greatest enthusiasm. At the back of tho stage thero was a noolo British ensign. The City Band i (under Bandmaster Morrison) played ! 11 God Savo tho King," and the troopers, headed by Captain Wintor, and escorted by local Volunteers, marched to take their stand on the platform. Tho troopers wore greeted with prolonged cheering. 1 Among those on the platform were His | Worship the _ Mayor (Mr Towuley), who presided, Major MeCredic, lie vs. Canon Webb, .T. G. i’aterson, B. F. Itothwoll, ■ Captain Hill (Salvation Army), Messrs j\' j<\ Kennedy, W. JL. lvocs, J. \V. Bright, i J. A. Harding, and the musicians, j The City Band, which had also played I outside, gave the overture. Tho Mayor made a very chocring speech, saying how glad they were to welcome the men safely back again. They could not, he said, give too much praise to the soldiers, especially to the Colonials, who had gone out as volunteers, not under order as regulars. At the Mayor s call rousing cheers were given time after tin e for the returned trropers. The after part of the programmc_ commenced by Master Percy Adair singing •> When the Boys Beturn,” with chorus , bv the sciiool children. He had to rc- ! S p o nd to a most-enthusiastic encore, both song and chorus being given in splendid ' stvle. >; 'Pile Bov. Canon Webb expressed : thankfulness to God, that the men had j: safely come back again, and he hoped I that all the others would bo able to come 1 back safe and sound. One man, on leav- | ing, had in thanking him expressed it as a : : remote contingency that he would come back, but fortunately they had done so. Concluding, the Canon said that he t reckoned up that the men had already ■ had to listen to 18 speeches since coming back, and they had heard enough of the cannon's roar on the battlefield without hearing more of it now. This witty sally was taken up so readily by the audience }, that the Canon had difficulty for a time j in completing the sentence. < t Mr Heaney having sung “ Victory ” in i a pleasing style, tho Bey. H. Williams 1, briefly addressed tho audience, referring to the past twelve months’ experience as ; a reec.d of history-making. He referred I to the old picture of the farmer, and his- ; "I pay for all,” and said that while the * soldiers had done their part in fighting, those who had stayed at homo had helped ’ jn the paying, and he hoped that they f bad done it most cheerfully. They wore ■ ■ pleased that the Gisboruites had been so J fortunate. Tho signs on tho old almanac | were as applied to this case, not antagonisj tfc, as all had done their part for the British j Empire, which had helped all. i ’ Mr F. J. Teat sang With splendid effect

!! The Deathless Army,” with chorus. , f .; An address by the Kev. J. G. Paterson .|i' followed. He repeated a joke he had ' read that the members of the contingents I were more in danger from British blarney than from Boer bullets. He expressed s with emphasis his pleasure at being able i to shake hands again with the soldiers tvho had returned, Sis belief was that

they had come through scathless owing to God’s shield being held over them. He referred to the splendid work done in rousing patriotism, and paid a tribute to Mr Seddon for the part that he had taken in the despatch of the contingents. He spoke of the admiration for the New Zealanders by Earl Roberts and others, and added that he believed, as shown by a letter that Lieutenant Arthur had written, that the New Zealanders were always to

the fore in the fighting. He concluded by

reciting, in true Scottish accent, a verse oi Bums’ “ A Man’s a # Maa For a’ That.” Mr Woodward recited “ The Revenge ’

in a way that evoked prolonged applause. Then Mr A. F. Kennedy sang “ The Motherland,” which with the band taking up the chorus part, moved the audience to an intense pitch of enthusiasm, and of course there was a very hearty recall. The Rev. Mr Rothwell expressed pride that his first appearance in addressing a public audience in Gisborne was to take part in the welcome to the men who had acquitted themselves so well in fighting for their country. The war, he said, was a righteous war, and had proved the unity of the British Finpire. Our young men, instead of going to play, had gone to take their stand with the worthy Black Watch and other Imperial troops, and they had done so well that the call had ever been for more. The speaker made an eloquent reference to the history of the British, and concluded by saying that he believed the Boers would yet bo thankful for having been brought under British rule. Mr Buckingham, a visitor, with an exceptionally lino voice, sang “ True till Death,” and scored a great triumph. As he concluded, there were thunders of

applause, and, finding there was no escape from a re-appearance, the singer gave a humorous Irish song. There was no declining a third rc-call, the audience being so insistent. “ The Maid of Malabar” was the third item chosen, and was sung with great success. “The King’s Own” was sung by Master Ralph 'Warren, in a clear, impressive voice, with a lino chorus by the Schoolchildren.

Captain Hill, of the Salvation Army, said his Army believed it was better to bind up wounds than to kill, and they dearly hoped that the time would come when wars would cease, although it seemed that that could not be at present, lie referred to the fact that one Salvationist (Brother Yardlcy) iiad done his part bravely in fighting for his country.— (Cheers.) A recitation, “ How Corporal Muggins

saved Ladysmith,” Was given by Master I’orcy Adair in grand style. Master Cummings took part in the dialogue. Sergeant Langford then came forward to return thanks on behalf of himself and comrades, and sifrely there was never before such enthusiasm in a Gisborne hall. The cheering continued for some minutes, men waving their hats and

hands in the air, the itev. J. G. Paterson taking the lead on the platform, waving his handkerchief, and otherwise giving tokens ot joy. When the Mayor got a chance to speak ho called for three more cheers for Sergeant Langford and his comrades, the cheers being given with great zest, and a few more being added.

“ Ladies and gentlemen,” began the Sergeant in a voice halting with emotion, “ I am very sorry I am such a poor hand at making a speech. lam afraid that I will disappoint you, and hope you will forgive me. I thank you very, very much, on behalf of the boys and myself, for the kind reception you have given to us all.” This pithy little speech was the most successful of the evening, and was warmly cheered.

Mr W. L, Rocs gave an oloquent speech. Ho said that although the lads looked so well and happy that evening, “ think of what they have endured lying out on the veldt at night without blankets or covering. Think of the sudden attacks, of

those men riding with their lives in their hands, guarding against ambuscades, and danger everywhere, sometimes twonty-four hours without sleep, andnearly that without food. Think of that, going on month after month. They saw their comrades in tho hospitals and buried them on tho field. All these they have endured without grumbling or complaint. While we sit in our quiet homos, although we have watched their progress, wo have not boon ablo, nor are we able now to seo miseries thoy have gone through, the sufferings they have endured. . . In the face of perii and great sufferings those men have done their duty." (Choers).

The gathering then broke up after tho singing of “ God Savo the King,” and much cheering. Messrs C. East, A. J. Massey, _E. Ckrisp, and T. Dalvymplo assisted with the accompaniments during tho evening.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Waipawa, last night,

Lieutenant Collett and the returning troopers received an enthusiastic wolcomo last night. Thoy. were escorted by the Town Band and Volunteers. Speeches were delivered. Thoy were entertained at a dinner to-night. Oauiaru, last night.

Major Crawshaw anil his companions woro entertained at a smoke concert last evening by the volunteers of. the North Otago district. The officer commanding the district took the chair of a most enthusiastic gathering. Auckland, last night.

The returning Auckland troopers were welcomed at Onckunga by the Mayor and Colonel White. At Auckland a largo crowd assembled. The men were driven through the town and cheered on route. They were entertainod at lunch at the Star Hotel by the Mayor.