PRESENTATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7374, 28 January 1902, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

Shortly after tea at the camp on Monday night tbe " assembly " was sounded by the bugler, and the full company quickly gathered in the large marquee, where an array of lemonade and other bottles on the table denoted the festivity of the occasion.

When all glasses (or, rather, cups, glasses, of course, not being used in camp) had been charged, Captain • Major rose and proposed the health of Sergeant Scott, which was heartily drunk, with musical honors. Captain Major, in speaking to the toast, said they had met for a pleasant function, but it was also an occasion for regret, as they were there to bid good-bye to one of their comrades, Sergeant Scott, who was leaving the district, and therefore had to sever his connection with the company. For the benefit of those who were newcomers among them, be would state that their guest had been mainly instrumental in forming the corps, he previously being a member of the Hawera Mounted Rifles. He had been elected secretary of the corps, which position he had only just resigned. All the stress of the work had fallen on Sergeant Scott, and he had done it most worthily, and the officers had thought it only right and proper to make a presentation, which had taken the shape of a silver tea and coff.'e service, and which he had great pleasure in asking Sergeant Scott's acceptance of. Ilaving known Sergeant iScott, not only as a member of the corps, but as a townsman, he felt sure that he would accept it at its true valuo as a I memento of their appreciation of his services. He assured Sergeant Scott that he carried with him the heartiest good wishes of all the company to his future borne. (Applause.)

Sergeant Scott, in reply, said he was not often at a loss for worcL, but be had been thoroughly taken back on this occasion, as he knew nothing whatever of their intention till he had been brought into the tent. However, he thanked them all for their handsome present, wbioh he would always treasure in memory of the happy times he had spent amongst them. He supposed that at first some of them bad thought him " a bit red-hot " as regards discipline. Well, he had been an army man pretty well all his life, and he believed in attending strictly to drill while on parade, and having the larks and fun afterwards. He thought they would agree with him that what he bad done bad been for the benefit of the corps as a whole, and he was sorry now at having to leave them. He again thanked then?, and wished the company every success. (Applause.)

Cheers were then given for Sergeant Scott, and also for Captain Major, the proceedings terminating with " Auld Lang Syne," accompanied by the camp orchestra, consisting of piino, violin, cornet;, and flute. The " fall-in" was then sounded, and the routine of the camp resumed.