THE RETURNED TROOPERS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VX, Issue 7103, 28 January 1901, Page 2

THE RETURNED TROOPERS

PROCEEDINGS AT MANAIA TO-DAY.

(BY TELEGRAPH. — SPECIAL TO BTAB.) Manaia, January 28. This morning business places closed at 10 o'clock, and in the Drill Hall a large crowd assembled, the band being in attendance, and as Lieut. Mitchell advanced up the hall to the stage " See the Conquering Hero " was played. Mr Hunt, Chairman of the Town Board, presented him with an illuminated address. I The text of the address, which was I designed by Mr Benporath, was as follows,— Manaia, 28th January, 1901. To Trooper James Mitchell : Dear Sir,— We, the undersigned residents of the Waimate Plains, wish to record our appreciation of your efforts to sustain the dignity of the Empire as a member of the First New Zealand Contingent on active against the Transvaal and Orange Free State in their rebellion, war, and invasion. Providence has caused our arms to prevail, and with such a glorious consummation we rejoice fo see you safely back, and hope that the health, prosperity, and happiness will be yours that gallant deeds in a noble cause entitle you to. — We sub. scribe ourselves, your faithful countrymen. [Signed by about "sixty residents.] The address is adorned with illustrations of the New Zealand Standard, Royal Esoutoheoo, a Long Tom in action worked by three blue jackets, Red Cross corps at work, artillery in action, mounted troops both in and out of action, ironclads, troopships (with Table Mount in the background), Queen Victoria, " Bobs," and Generate BadenPowell, Kelly-Kenny, Kitchener, Buller, Wauchope, Symons, White. French, and Hunter. The address, which is striking, willprobablybesenttollawera,ondbeon view in one of the business places. Mr McGuire, M.H.R., then on behalf of subscribers, presented him with a massive gold albert chain, and Mr Hunt also handed him a purse of sovereigns. The chain is a handsome curb link, 16 carat with medal attached, the lot weighing B£ozs. Lieut. Mitchell, who was received with great -cheering when he rose to reply, expressed his gratitude for all the kindness that had* been Bhown to him. He regretted his stay was bo short for he could see none of the people hd would i like to see, nor expressing his feelings as he would like to do had fuller opportunity occurred. The band played a march ; • For He is a Jolly Good Fellow " was sung, and the proceedings passed off very heartily, though owing to the death of the Queen there was less acclamation than otherwise there would have been. Lieut. Mitchell leaves for Hawerft this afternoon to take train, en route for Auckland. On Saturday night, when Lieutenant Mitchell reaohed Manaia, there waß a crowd waiting for him, and he was collared and lifted shoulder high, the | crowd singing •« Soldiers of the Queen." The committee who went in and cooperated with the Hawera Borough Council were Messrs J. Hunt (Chairman Town Board), A. Ch Bennett (representing the Waimate Horticultural , Society as president), J. C. Datson (Waimate Road Board), and Meßsrs Cave and Messana of the looal reoeption committee.

Lieut. W. C. Morrison brings with Mm several valuable and interesting mementoes of his service in South Africa. He has one of the Queen's chocolate boxes, a certificate of his service as one of Lord Roberts' bodyguard, and an auto, graph photograph of Lord Roberts, presented to him on his leaving. The certificate sets forth ■ that Lance-Corporal W. C. Morrison was seleoted by the officer commanding the New Zealand Mounted Infantry to represent his regiment on the Com* mander-in-Chief's bodyguard on 81st July, 1900, and that he served from 31st July, 1900, to 27th Ootober, 1900. His character is voted "very good." He- was selected from a bodyguard of several hundred to ba one of four armed attendants on Lord Koberts, and it was in consideration of this par* ticular service that he received Lord Roberts' autograph photograph, signed as at Pretoria, of which, naturally, he is extremely proud. Another photograph shows Morrison taking his turn of duty before Lord Roberts' house at Pretoria in company with two members of the Guards and the special Indian attendant of the Commander-in-Chief.