VALEDICTORY.

Lake County Press, Issue 1067, 4 June 1903, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

On Monday evening last the members of the Wakatipu Mounted Rifles entertained Captain Algie at a smoke concert. The function was held in the New Orleans Hotel, where Mrs Dyson had a capital spread prepared. Considering the short notice there was a good attendance, betwoen 20 And 30 of the members of the corps boing present. Surgeon - Captain Thomson occupied the chair. Apologies were received from ChaplainCaptain Brooke and Lieut. Baud, who both regretted their irability to be present. After the toast of "The King" had bean honored, songa were given by Lieut. de la Perrelle (" Lucky Jim ") and Bugler Porter (" Bon Backstay "). Toast, "Army and Navy," prop :/;.-=d by Lieut. Perrelle, responded to by jieut. M 'Bride. Song, '• There's a tavern in tho town," Bugler Edwards. The toast " Agricultural, Pastoral, and Commercial'interests" was proposed by the Chairman, and briefly responded to by Sorgt. Jenkins, Corp. M'Eutyre, Sorgt. M'Bride, Troopers Cooper, Grant, J. Roid, and E. Healy, Corp. W. Roid, Corp. S. Stevenson, and Lieut. M'Bride. Song, " Good old Jeff," Corp.-Bugler Illingwoith. In proposing the toast, "Our Guest," Hie Chairman referred to the loss the corps would sustain in losing Capt. Algio. Tho latter had done an immense amount of hard work in starting the corps and bringing it to its present satisfactory position. He (tho Chairman) hoped they would all stick togother to ensure tho success of tho corps in tho future. Tho toast was drunk with musical honors. Song, " Lot mo like a soldier fall," Trooper W. Stevenson. Captain Algio feelingly replied. During his 27 years in tho service ho never regretted loaving i» place hj« ho regretted leaving Arrowtown. This was partly duo to his connection with thoW.M.R. It was owing to his boing in command of tho corps that ho had boon selected to go to South Africa with tho Ninth Contingent-an experience, although rough at times, ho would not have missed for anything. His relations with the members of the W.M.R. had always boon of tho most pleasant description, and he was very sorry to have to part. Tho corps was now in a firstclass position. They were out of debt, and had a substantial balance, and in tho future they would bo iu a position to encourage rillo shooting. lie hoped tho members would stick together, and ho would always bo pleased to hoar of thorn progressing. Some persona wore inclined to sneer at volunteering, but tho time might come when there would be a modified form of conscription, and those persons who did not belong to a volunteer corps would have to turn out with tho militia for a month's drill once a year. Song, " Duke of Plaza Toro," SurgoonC.ipt. Thomson. Recitation, Q,M.-Sergt. M'lvano. Toast, " Mining," proposed by Lieut. Perrelle, and responded to by Bugler Porter and Corp.-Bugler Illingworth. Song, " Givo my lovo to Nancy," Corp. S. Stevenson. Toast, " Tho Ladies," proposed by Sergt. M'Bride, rosponded to by Bugler Edwards, Corp. M'Entyre, and Corp. W. Reid. Recitation, Capt. AlgTe. Song, "Home boys, home," Corp. M'Entyre. Toast, ''The Press," proposed by Capt. Algie, responded to by Trooper Tobin, Q.M.-Sergt. M'Kane, Marker Morrison, and Lieut. Perrelle. Song, "Poor old Joe," Trooper E. Healy. The toast, "The Chairman," proposed by Capt. Algie, was drunk with musical

houors. The Chairman proposed "The Hostess," Corp.-Bugler Illiugworth responding. A very pleasant gathering was brought Lo n close with the .singing of " God save the King."