SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION AT OTOROHANGA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 174, 19 July 1909, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION AT OTOROHANGA.

■ Notwithstanding the extremely wet weather on Friday night there was a arge gathering at the social tendered io Lieut. Henderson, commanding the iocal troop of the 2rA Regiment. A..M.R., and winner of the challenge :up presented by Mr Deed:: Xorden, af Hamilton., for cct.'wricicn amongst the officers of th* ReHment. Amongst the visitors r.rc-scr.r ' ere Colonel Bell, commanding Re vim-.-'ct. and StaffInstructor Sergt.-Maßr Co'.eman. The Hail was beautifully decorated for the occa ;ion with ea;= and evergreens, interspersed with bayonets and rifles, which tended to give the hall a military appearance in keeping with the occasoin. Mr John Orrr.'by was in the chair, supported by many prominent local residents. The programme took the form of ?. concert and dsn.ee. and was undoubtedly one of the most pleasant and enjoyable functions that has yet taken place in the townshi:What struck the visitor most was the large number of ladies who. regardless of the almost impassable rends, came in from long distances. The nance music was supplied by the n.-w'.y termed Otorohanga Brass Bar :. • :c: the conductors!] ip of Mr A. Williams, who, it is interesting to note was th first bandmaster of the H ami'.ten Land. The Otorohanga band was started by Mr Williams eleven weeks ego with entirely raw material, and the manner in which they have been trained reflected great credit on the gentleman who has been responsible for their tuition. Mrs Holden acted as accompanist for the concert programme ana also assisted in providing music for the dances in her usual efficient manner. Mr R. Terry Shutt and Mr A. Wescbury made most efficient M's.the termer gentleman also acting a secretary and to him the success of the function is largely due. The following gentlemen contributj ed to the programme:—Song. '"'The I Deathless Army. " Mr lennison; song, ! "Shall we have Conscription."' Mr i Shutt; song MrKitson; song. Mr C. I J. Johnson. ; During the interval Mr Jn'r.n Ormsj by addressed a few weeds to the gathi ering on our present military system, ; and urged the necessity for the people ! of this country risir.r ct the occasion. I taking an interests in it- defence, and i assisting those wh" were working to | bring in a system ' L training : —Applause. He was p.cased to see ; the success that had accented the Oto- ' rohanga Trccr sine-: it formed ' and was still mere : lca = e: : t: see that , its officers. Lieut. Renters::: had at- ! tained the distinct:::: cf winning the i handsome challenge cum He then | cailed upon Colonel Bell to address the | gathering and make the presentation. I Applauuse. | Colonel Bell then addressed the gaj thering and outlined the scheme of Universal training and put himself forward as an advocate of the system. ! After urging the Corps to do all in | their power to advocate volunteering jhe presented Lieutenant Henderson | with the Mounted Scouts Cup. In I doing so he again referred to the good work that had been done by the recipient, and said he was extremely gratified to see the manner in which the Otorohanga troop had turned out at the late "trek." The troop was now a credit to the Regiment, and he was j proud to have been associated with it. He hoped that Lieutenant Henderson would long continue to be connected with it, and that next year he would again prove the winner of the officers' competition, in wh-'ch case the cup would become his own.—Loud and continued applause. The festivities v.-ore brought to a conclusion at 2 a.m. and it was a tired, but happy crowd that ' a . .at 01 the Hall into a hcv.\:r-vet :c: :r::ireg to find their way home tarouon mud and slush. Such is life in the Ring Country.