EARLY VOLUNTEERING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVII, Issue 12819, 26 May 1902, Page 11

EARLY VOLUNTEERING.

! THE ENCAMPMENT AT HILLSBOROUGH. A, “social” in commemoration of early ,Volunteering in Canterbury, inaugurated by '■members of companies which took part in first -encampment at Hillsborough, in' April, 1865, was held in, tho Garrison ' IBudroom bn Saturday evening. There !?■ an attendance of about seventy old 'Volunteers. The Hon Major Steward, formerly captain of No. 6 Company, presided. On his right were Major Hargreaves, Mr J. M. Hey wood and Dr Nedwill, and on his left Messrs H. P. MurrayAnysley, J. Grantham and Inspector Pender. Apologies for absence -were received from Rev H. E. East (late No. 2 Company), Messrs J. H. Hankins (late No. 2 Company), G. Kirton (Sergeant No. 1 Company),- R. J. S. Harman (late captain No. 3 Company), F, Strouts (late Captain Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry), James (Farland. (Dunedin), Charles O’Malley (Raima), W- G. Rutland (Tcmuka), G. E. Briggs (Wellington), W. Hassall (Timaru), S. C. Far rand and W. Pratt. After supper had been partaken of, a 'loatt-list was gone through. The Chairman proposed, “To the Revered Memory of Our Date Gracious r Majesty, Queen Victoria,” which was honoured in silence. “ Tire King ” was also honoured. ■The Chairman then proposed the toast nf the evening, “The Occasion be Celebrate, the Old Brigade, and the First Veilliuteer Encampment in Canterbury.” He \ expressed his delight at seeing present mi ■ many who had served under him and witn him thirty-seven years ago. He gave

tiany reminiscences of Volunteering in Canterbury in the early days, and also gave a * graphic description of the taking of a gun at the “Battle of Hillsborough.” He said that though there were people who sneered at the Volunteers in those early

day*, it "was then that the groundwork of ■,; Volunteering as seen ira Canterbury to-day, was laid. If the service's of the old Volunteers were needed again in defence of their country or their Empire, they would be as ready as ever to go forth and meet |he enemy. Still, they had the satisfaction |f knowing that if they themselves were fe>b at the front, their sons 1 were there, ■kie o£ his own sons had fought at Bothaslerg, and had hsen among those sho were complimented by Lord Jfitchener. In that morning’s newspaper he had read ai critique upon a. book recently published, ;in which it was stated 'that on no occasion had the New Zea- ;■ landers, when called upon, failed in the leaat iota. There was not one British general, from "Lord; Kitchener downwards, who Avould not be proud to command such ■am as were sent from New Zealand. (Applause.) He again spoke of the “ Battle of Hillsborough ,” and hoped that those present would have other reunions of the same happy nature. (Loud -applause.) Major Wolfe was the first to reply. He ■aid that he saw in. the room the.-fathers of the Volunteer" movement in Canterbury.

He gave at some length a detailed history of-'volunteering in the early days, and added that the spirit which then animated i ; Volunteers animated them now, and, that Uncounted 1 for their success. Mr G. R. Hart, for No. 1 company, gave further reminiscences, especially in wmneotion with this company, and 1 referred to the excellent spirit that prevailed in Volunteering throughout its existence in Canterbury. Mr C. S. Howell, on behalf of No, 3 Oompany, said that his company also had taken a prominent part in Volunteering in tin?'province. The camp at Hillsborough Vi* a serious one, as the men went there |o gain- experience, and they gained it. Mr H. P. Murray- formerly cap-

tain of No. 5 company, gave some reminis- ' cmcea of the Hillsborough encampment, Md of early volunteering generally. The Volunteers in those days were very earnest, und if the. Government had assisted them they would have been a splendid permanent force, available for lie. troubles ini the North Island. He hoped that such reunions a.s was taking place that evening .Would be continued. ' ’ The ■Chairman stated that he could' not tmll on; the representative of No. 4 com-a-s it was defunct before the encampment was held, Mr A. T. Clark responded for No. 5 Company, which, he mentioned, still existed in Kaiapoi, Sergeant Rule for No. 6, knd Mr W. Bourke for No. 8. No. 7 was not represented. Major’ Hargreaves responded for the Artillery. The latter said that the gathering would be a memorable one, and would . probably give a greater impetus to Volunteering, if it was needed. Mr G. Turner, of No. 2 Company, proposed Our Comrades who have Departed.” “Our Comrades Still Serving the King” wa« proposed by Mr C, Allison, N0..l Company, and responded to by Major Wolfe and* Mr S. B. Nelson (Ashburton Rifles, formerly No. 2-Company). , In proposing “The Young Brigade on Active Service in South Africa,” the Chairman again spoke in very high terms of praise of wh'at had been done by New Zealanders* in the wax*. “ The Chairman ” was proposed by Mr G. - Jt- Hart, who said, that no one had contributed more to the success of the evening than Major Steward!. Tim Chairman, in responding, said that ihe had played mkny parts, but there was none so near to his heart ns that of a soldier. Ha was prepared to say that -whenever his services were required, they would be at the command of his country. The Chairman proposed “ Inspector Pen-' . der ” —(applause)—and highly eulogised that gentleman’s services to the country. The toast was drunk amid cheers for Mr Pender, who, in replying, also gave sopic reminiscences of the “Battle of Hillsborough.” “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr W, fecurke, and responded l to by Mr M. Mosley

(No. 1 Company). The last toast-, "Blue-jumper,” was pro- ■ posed! by Mr A. Gee (No. 2 Company). Major Wolfe and Messrs F. C. East (No. 2 Ccmpany) and B. Aherne (honorary secretary) responded. The gathering was brought to a conclusion by the singing of “ Aulcl Lang Syne.” During the evening songs were sung by Miwsvs A. ilillar, C. Read and H. Croaks, Lieutenant A. J- Merton playing the accompaniments.