“HEROES OF THE VELDT,”

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 160, 18 July 1901, Page 2

“HEROES OF THE VELDT,”

THE GISBORNE RECEPTION.

A xcmbeb f .he Gisborno representatives of the F, ffi and . Fifth Contingents return ho by the Te Anau this morning, and a- ■ j be accorded a reception on arrive’. A public meeting was held at the Council Chambers yesterday for the purpose of discussing the question as to the best means of providing a suitable welcome to the troopers. It was decided to have a public demonstration at the wharf this morning at nine o'clock, and also to hold a welcome social on Monday evening next in the Theatre Royal. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to make all necessary arrangements : His Worship the Mayor, Major McCrclio, Capt. Winter, Capt. Ferris, Messrs W. Miller, T. Morrison, A. W. Rees, A. F. Matthews, lb N. Jones, Lewis, Gaudin, Kennedy, and Tuta Nihoniho.

The committee arranged the following programme : The bauds to attend at the wharf at 9.80 u.m. On the arrival of the men. the Mayor to say a few words of congratulation : the men to form in procession, and headed by tho bands to march as far as the belfry in Gladstone road.

Messrs Ferris and Rees wore appointed a committee to wait upon Mr Bull, the headmaster of the public school, and ask his co-operation with regard to having the children lined up near the belfry so that the troops might march through them. It was decided to send a wire to the captain of the steamer asking him not to allow any of tho men to land before the 9 a.m. launch.

A volunteer notice calls a foot parade of volunteers for this morning for the purpose of assisting in welcoming tho returned South African troopers, and also a church parade on Sunday. Cadets will meet at the Drillshed at 8.80 this morning. We have been requested by the Committee to ask parents to assist tho school teachers in insuring the attendance of the children at the fircbell, where they will be able to obtain a better view of the contingent than they could get at the wharf. WELCOME SOCIAL.

Messrs T. Morrison, C. F. Lewis, and W. Gaudin were appointed a sub-com-mittee to arrange the details in connection witli the entertainment on Monday night. It was arranged that tho price of admission should bo 2s. It was also decided to invite any previously returned troopers to the gathering. It is intended that tho entertainment shall take the form of a social, part of the evening being devoted to musical items, short addresses, etc., and the remaining portion to dancing. The sub-committec have the arrangements for tho gathering in a forward state, and it is expected that there will be a large and representative attendance. Tho volunteers attending the social on Monday evening will not woar uniform. This has been decided on so that tho returning men will bo rendered the more conspicuous. Tl\e troopers will no doubt wear tho medals presented to them for their services in connection with the South African war.