RETURNED TROOPERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 163, 22 July 1901, Page 3

RETURNED TROOPERS.

ARRIVAL OF A BATCH OF GISBORXITES.

By the Zealandia on Saturday morning a number of Gisborne members of the Fourth and Fifth New Zeaiand Contingents returned to their homes, after an absence of something over fifteen months. The men had a capital trip up the coast, and are highly pleased with their treatment in the South. They were met on board the Zealandia bv His Worship the Mayor and given a hearty welcome to Gisborne. It was explained to themthat there would be no formal reception at the wharf, but that they would be accorded a welcome social at the Theatre .Royal this Monday evening. The following is the list of those who returned :—- Corporal Rogers, Fourth Contingent Trooper J. Thompson, Fourth „ 11. Ferris, ~ „ A. Webb, Fifth „ E. Fraser, Fourth „ P. Brady, Fifth „ W. Taylor, Fifth ~ F. Bruce, Fourth ~ F. Beatson, Fifth ~ W. Brown, „ ~ J. Stevenson, Fifth

Trooper Allan Aislabie (Brabant’s Horse), a son of Mr J. 11. Aislabie, of Matawhcro, also arrived by the Zealandia o.u Saturday. Troopers F. Parker, F. Peakinan, MoKechnie, Whitehead, and S. Breingan, of Gisborne, also returned by the Tagus, but remained at different places in the South. CHURCH PARADE.

There was fine weather for the church parade yesterday, at which all the returned troopers were present. The East Coast and Gisborne Rifles attended at the Drill-shed at half-past ten, and headed by the two local bands, inarched to Iloly Trinity Church. A great many of the volunteers and returned troopers attended the service at the Anglican Church, whilst others went to tho Presbyterian and Catholic Churches. The servico at Holy Trinity Church was conducted by the Itev. Canon Webb, and was of a most impressive character. Special hymns were sung, including “ For Our Valiant Soldiers,” “ Onward Christian Soldiers,” “ Stand up, stand up, for Jesus,” and ” Now thank we all our God." During the offertory Mr J. East gave a very pleasing rendering of the sacred solo, “ I will extol Thee,” Tho sermon was preached by Canon Webb, and was from tho text, 1 Kings xx., 2nd verse, “ Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast not himself as he that putteth it off.” Referring to the return of the troopers, tho rev. gentleman said : i Gil this occasion, when we are holding a 1 church parade, and tho local volunteer ( forces unite with this congregation in ] welcoming members of the Fourth 1 and Fifth Contingents back from t tho war, desiring also to express our 1 thanksgiving to the Almighty for their 1 safe return, wo cannot avoid some re- i fereuces to tho war in South Africa; r and, indeed, this war seems all round to j: furnish very serious and sad examples of t the folly and evil of self-conlidcnce. f First, we see it displayed in tho conduct of tho Boers, who, unduly elated years a ago by what should have been but a a temporary success over a portion of the d British army, and deceive! by the well- u meant but mistaken policy of the great v English statesman then in power, after fi long secret preparation rushed into war, o and had the temerity to invade the terri- \\ tories of the greatest world power now existing, and declare war against England, a They have since learned by bitter experi- o once tho true wisdom of this saying: si 4 Let not him that girdeth on his harness si boast as lie that putteth it off.” Then \\ England showed the same failing, and p those who were so confident in tho tradi- p tions of the British army, tile routino of tl tho war office, and the methods of British fc generals, had to learn their lesson, and l-i soon they found out that tho best way of 1c learning was to unlearn, and to correct n their theoretical formulas by the practical lessons, and very often by si the bitter experiences, which they met n with when exposed to totally different a] conditions of warfare to those which h. had hitherto boon recognised in military n schools. They sent forth their battalions ff expecting in a short, decisive, and success- u fill campaign to subdue an undisciplined p foo in u short time. After some ilisastrous engagements had taken place, and with three divisions of the British army o shut up in besieged towns, they found tl themselves engaged in a long and serious w war : ami even now, when so many great tl successes havo crowned our efforts, there a is still a determined resistance most ditli- e, cult to overcome, and no one can tell how r( long tire foo may still hold out or how tc much British blood must yet be shed ere E( lasting peace shall be proclaimed. It is tl now n period of about 16 months since ], sonic of you were girding on your harness, „■ not, indeed, arraying yourselves in the ( | heavy armour with which, in tho days of old, warriors encumbered themselves o: tyhen they went forth to the battle, even c , in sub-tropical or tropical climates, but as ;t we assembled that Sunday in the theatvo g to wish you God-speed you had p donned tho khnrki uniform in token p that you were setting forth to g fight for your Sovereign and for the u Empire. 1 do not by any means think (g that it wits in a boastful spirit that you p, then set forth. I am sure that a noble Y enthusiasm inspired you, and doubtless high hopes filled you, hearts, but though you may have counted the cost and knew theoretically that you were carrying your lives in your hand, and were risking your all for the good of our glorious Empire, yet probably you did not realise all that you have since had to go through. You g were ready to take your chance and faco r( the possibility of a glorious death on the j s battlefield, when army was set against w army ; but perhaps yon hardly thought p then of all that war involves —the smaller n miseries, the weariness of the long forced „ marches under a burning sun, or in tho 0 darkness of the night, when you could j scarcely keep yourselves awake, the com- a fortless halt when you wore glad to throw c yourself unsheltered on the cold wet ground p to snatch what little sleep you could till a you were again on the move. Hunger p and thirst and discomfort over and over a again. Then perils from sickness, dangers p from hidden foes, the treachery of the white [, flag. The constant ordinary expeditions at £ duty's call which promised little glory, j but were full of utmost danger. All theso j difficulties you encountered, and doubtless i many more that I know nothing of, but j probably you scarcely realised when you £ set forth how hard your lot would often ( be. But now it is all over ; your warfare , is accomplished and you have come back ( pnee more to a peaceful life. And we are ( thankful: thankful to have so many of , you back ; thankful that God has watched , over you and brought you safely through ( so many dangers, for wc feel that God , has been gracious to you, and I trust that , you will feel it too and that you will be 1 ioval to your God all the days of your life, j aiid serve him with grateful heart. Had , • any of you been called to lay down your lives in that warfare we should havo honored your memory for ever, but we rejoice greatly to have instead the joy of welcoming you back and of ---- again face to face. And we rejoice that vour going forth has not been in vain. \\’o are proud to know that you have done your duty well; that the value of your services has been recognised by the Imperial authorities, and that you as members of the 4th and sth contingents have taken your full share of the burdens, and have been a credit to your colony and to the district that sent you forth. ’ The singing of the choir, under the conduetorsliip ot : Mr E, D. Smith, was excellent, and was much appreciated by the crowded congregation. Mr Taylor presided at the organ. THE SOCIAL.

The social tendered by the citizens of

Gisborne to the returned troopers, to be held this evening in the Theatre Royal, promises to be a great sucess. A meeting of the committee was held on Saturday, when everything was reported to be in a forward state. The catering has been placed in the hands of Mr J. Craig, so nothing should be wanting on that score. It is intended to open the proceedings with a short address by His Worship the Mayor, after which there will be a number of musical items stud short' addresses, interspersed with dances. Both bands have frees ig attend. The returned

troopers will be in uniform, but the volunf teers will not be. A large number o country visitors have signified their intention of being present at the social, and altogether it is expected that a most enthusiastic and fitting welcome will be extended to the troopers. We have '.been requested by the committee to special invitation to returned troopers of the various contingents, and it is hoped that all members who can possibly attend will do so, so that the gathering may be of a thoroughly representative character.