RETURNED CONTINGENTS.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 919, 16 July 1901, Page 2

RETURNED CONTINGENTS.

WELCOME TO THE MATAURA VALLEY TROOP. CONCERT AND PRESENTATION OF MEDALS. When the alteration of the date of the contingents* arrival at the Bluff to Friday was definitely fixed, it was decided in Goie t!mt the welcome concert and dance to the representatives of the Mataura Valley division of the fourth contingent should take place on the Monday evening. At the last moment it was discovered that Mr McNab, M.H.R., would be unable to be present on the Monday. As he had been largely instrumental in sending the fifteen men away to the front (having equipped ten at his own expense) it was decided at the eleventh hour to hold the concert on Satuiday night, ta allow Mr McNab to make the presentation of gold medals to the Mataura Valley troop. Notwithstanding the shortness of the notice the Town Hall, in which the concert was held, was simply packed to the doors, a large number being unable to gain admission. Tne Gore Brass Band played a number of musictl pieces outside the hall, and also opened the concert proceedings with a selection. The Mayor (Mr A. A. Mac Gibbon) pres ded. He said that that occasion was without doubt one of the most remarkable in the history of the town. They had sent fifteen men to the front, and all had returned to the colony. And after fifteen months of fighting every one had come out without a scratch. That fact said a good deal for the stamina of young colonials, and for the care exercised in the selection made. One of the officers had said that the men of the fourth contingent were the best he had seen in battle, and that the fifteen men from Gore were the best of the whole lot. Lieut.-Col. Davies had remarked at Invercargill that he would not say his men were the best soldiers in the world, but he wou'd say that there were none better. He (the speaker) \vaLsorry the hall was not large enough to accommodate everybody who desired to be present that night. Had it been double the size it would have been fi led. He trusted it would be a long time before the neces-ity arose to send troops away from the district again, but no doubt if such were required Gore would not be found wanting. His Excellency the Governor had said at the luncheon that day that there was not another town in the colony that had sent so many men to the front in proportion to its size as Gore. He was sure no other town had sent fifteen men and got them all back safe and sound. Lieut.-Col. Davies could have paid his m?n no greater compliment when he said they wanted no leading; the only trouble was to hold them back. The colonials had been of great service to the Empire, and without their aid Britain would have been severely handicapped. The medals the mon would be presented with that night bad been well earned, and he trusted thoy would live long to wear them. The troopers who had returned had come through the hardships fit and well and seemed to regard the campaign as rather go-id fun. Not many had been struck with bullets, but numbers had died from disease. It was hard that these should not have been permitted to see their native land again; but they had died a soldier's death—which of itself was a great honor. Dr J. Copland said he was exceedingly pleased to see such a grand gathering as was there assembled, and which had been got up at such suort notice 'i'ney wjre there to testify to the good and noble conduct on the field of battle of the troopers the district had sent away abuut fifteen months ago. Toey went forward as representatives of the loyalty of the district, and had nobly performed the work entrusted to them. Of old the Spartan mothers sent their sons to battle bidding them to return with their shields or upon them. Their sentiment w.is: " Be brave facing the foe, so that you preserve your sble'd of honor, not llecing like ccnvaids leaving your shields behind you. Or if you fall, be borne home upon your shields." Tne Providence of God had watched over the fifteen men sent from this dist:ict through all the hardships and dangers, permitting them to return unscathed, but rich in experience and honor, and sustained and increased in loyalty to the Empire which led them forth. It was ground for happy cjngratulation that so many had off-red themselves to engage in tho wo k fifteen months ago. Those who w»rc chosen were only a number out of a mnch larger number who were willing to go to uphold the district's credit and manifest its loyalty. The giving of medals that night was an indication of the satisfaction of the district with -the noble deeds of the recipients. The committee trusted the gifts would be memorials for the men to the end of their lives—pledges ot their loyalty and devotion in following the lines of duty, honor and integrity, thus upholding the character of the Empire before the world. While the men were away fighting they were not forgotten by, those who had sent them forth. And more especially the ladies kept them in constant remembrance, sending them regularly tokens of regard. Owing to the exigencies of the campaign many of the parcels of comforts never reached those for whom they were intended, but nevertheless the good work of the ladies was an outstanding feature of the past fifteen months. That feeling of regard would abide and should the occasion again arise the ladies would not be found wanting. Mr McNab, M.H.R. (who was received with prolonged cheering) explained that circumstances rendered it impossible for him to be present in Gore 011 Monday evening, and expressed his thanks to the committee foi arranging to hold the concert on that evening so as to allow him to take part in the proceedings. It was unnecessary for hini to say how pleased ha was at seeing the .troopers landed safely home again. 110 had hoird it said that the fourth contingent had done all the work and that subsequent co.itingc iif had little to do. There never was a g.cater mistake. It was perfectly true that thifourth contingent would not receive such historical bars with their medals as ihose bearing the inscription of Kimberley. Mafeking, and Pretoria. But no p:e ceding contingent had more arduous work to do than they. Never in British history was there a precedent to the condition which the Empire found itself in as on the eve of sending away the fourth contingent. There had been desperate engagements in Cape Colony, and the British forces 011 four occasions found Themselves defeated. The nation never found itself in more difficult circumsiancos. And when the nation appealed for aid these iuin came forward. Everybody recognised that the Empire was in danger, and the disii ict had not only raised the men, but equipped thera, and the Gjvernment offered to land them in any any part of Capo Colony. When the mea left, he (the speaker) bad counselled them to uphold the traditions of their race, and although, he said, the people would not be disappointed if they did not come up to expectations, they would be disappointed if they proved unworthy at tho supreme moment. Their ollicers said the) could never have desired to serve at the head of better men in any part of the world. Lieut.-Colonel Davies remarked that he would not say they were the best men to make soldiers of in the world, i.ufc he would say there were none better. And hr had held a command in the fir.-.t c intingen and went through the whole war. It was a matter for great congratulation to tincolony and the people of Gore that the command of such a magnificent body uf men as the fourth contingent had been handed to a man of such large experience and commonsense as Lieut.-Colonel Davies. He had stood the campaign so well and made so light of it that he said it was the only holiday he had bad for 20 y>-ars. He (the speaker) was told by the officers that every single man had done his duty. He was pleased to say also that recommendations regarding some of the men had gone forward, which, if the War Ollice took advantage of, would result in some men sitting before them being decorated with the D.S.O. He was also told that it was possible to single out men among the fourth contingent who had a reputation for bravery which saw all the dangers to he faced and displayed itself in conspicuous courage, five men would be distinguished, the first one on the list,' and another, belonging to the Mataura Valley fifteen. The selection made by the district had been amply justified by the history of the war. Of the fifteen sent from this district fourteen bad come back to Gore and one was in hospital in Dunedin. Of the ten whom he (the speaker) had selected all were present that night. Out of a total of 40 sent from the district (vith the fourth and fifth two had returned invalided, two had gone to England, and three or four were in hospital. The rest were with their families at that present moment. Although in this part of the colony they had been fortunate in welcoming every one of ttieir boys home, it bad not been so in every case. A large num-

ber of oar fellow colonists would never return. While the/ rejoiced over tba homecoming of those sent from this district many a> father and mother in other parts would look in vain for their son, and the maiden for her lover. Thank God such had not happened in this district. The soldiers returned had won fame over the graves of their comrades. Those graves were the glorious flowers that strewed the viotors' path. At Mr McNab's call three deafening cheers were given for the Mataura Valley troop, and he proceeded to present the medals to the troopers present. The recipients in attendance were Troopers Sheehan, McLaren, Kelly, Dickson, Ford, Keown, Cameron, Milne, Lacey, Day, Ward, and Banks. Troopers Gouk and Harris were unavoidably absent, and Trooper Moloney was in the hospital in Dunedin. As eaeh man received his medal at the hands of Mr McNab, he was loudly cheered, the ceremony closing with the singing of " For they are Jolly Good Fellows." Trooper Albert Ward replied on behalf of his comrades and himself, thanking the people of Gore for the cordial and kind welcome they bad extended. More especially they desir<d to thank tho ladies of Gore who had attended to their wants during the whole campaign. At this stage, Mr McNab presented the Mayor, on behalf of the town, with a handsomely framed enlarged photo of the Mataura Valley troop, which he asked should be preserved in the archives of the town, and given a prominent place upon the walls of the Town Hall. In receiving the gift, the Mayor thanked Mr McNab for his generosity. It would serve to keep the town in mind of the gallant men sent to the front, and Mr Mac Nab could not have presented anything that would have been valued more highly. Mr Thos. Green said they littlo thought when they gave tho fifteen men a send-off that they would come back in such good trim and with such a record for bravery. When they went away it was thought the war would be over before they got to the front. As events turned out, the war had scarcely begun. They had been fighting nearly all the time, and to see them return so fresh and good-looking, spoke volumes for their stamina. He had seen men returning from an Eastor encampment looking more worn out. They were in better trim now than when they went away. They were born soldiers, and their example would have a good effect on those left behind. When they went away there was scarcely a mounted soldier in the dis trict. Now there were 100 in Gore alone, prepared to go to any part of tho world to fight. Not only that, but he saw in the procession that day some 20 or 3D boys who were anxious to become soldiers. That being so, there was no fear for New Zealand. From Lord Roberts they had it that the Now Zealanders were the best soldiers in the world, and this would be proved if an onemy ventured to attack us. During the evening a couple of excellent selections wore given by the Gore Orchestral Society (under Mr Morrison), songs by Messrs Nichol, Christie, Fendall, and Captain Bowler, a duet by Messrs Matheson and Wright, and a couple of humorous recitations by Mr Jamie. A feature of the evening was the rendition by Mr W. Wright of a song '• Back from the War," the words and music of which were composed by Mr J. Walker Johnston of Gore. So greatly did the audience esteem this excellent production, that they insisted upon an encore, the composer being called to the iront of tho stage to receive u most flattering ovation. Trooper Sheclian recited an uncommonly clever poem of his own composition depicting the troubles of General Babington in his chaso after De 111 Key, and Trooper Milne was also prevailed upon to give a couple of humorous dissertations. Mrs Godby and Mr Johnston supplied the accompaniments to the musical items. The proceedings, which were most enthusiastic throughout, closed with the singing of the " National Anthem." COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL. Last night a complimentary soci il was tendered to the returned troopers, for the excellence of which the ladies' committee was responsible. The Town Hall, in which the function was held, was crowded to excess, and bad been beautifully decorated by the ladies. Despite the fact of the attendance being so large, dancing was thoroughly enjoyed d>y all present, amongst wnom w-is a large number of returned troopers and members of Mataura Mounted and Gore Hill s. Splendid music was supplied by an orchestra comprising Mrs Godby (piano), Herr Hubener (violin), andMrSleans (cornet). As M.C., Mr Pope was encrusted with a large and responsible task, and discharged his duties to the satisfaction of all. The supper provided by the ladies was laid in a lean-to running the full length of the side of the hall, and the lavish nature of the spread was the theme of warm commendation. During the evening Mr D. L. Poppelwell apol'gised for tho unavoidable absence of the Mayor, and announced that the medals for Troopers Gouk, Moloney, and Harris would be presented to them at a suitable opportunity. The whole function was a huge success, and terminated shortly after i a.m. RECEPTION AT DUNEDIN. Very large crowds assembled in the vicini y of the Dunedin railway station to welcome the fourth and fifth contingents on Saturday afternoon. The weather was beautifully fine though, with the recent frost and snow, somewhat damp under foot. Tho train was over half an hour late, by which time the crowd had lessened somewhat, those on the outskirts having realised there was little chance of seeing much. A volley of cheers greeted the train a3 it steamed into the station. The men got out smartly and were drawn up in the Triangle, where they were formally welcomed by tho Mayor and Colonel E. R. Smith. There was much che>ring, remarkable for its heartiness. It had been arranged that the men should be taken to their quarters by volunteers, and Colonel Penton was just congratulating the police on keeping the place clear for the purpose of arranging the men when friends and relatives of the men drifted rather than rushed through the line of volunteers and police, and in a few seconds tho returning troopers were surrounded. It was at once seen that the men of the fouth and fifth outside of Otago had made many warm friends while in camp at the Forbury before their departure, and these friends now took possession of them. It was perhaps a heartier and more appreciated welcome than a morn formal one, as each trooper was surrounded by a small knot of men, women, and children and taken away to some home. The men were entertained at a social in the evening, and were present in larite numbers. The northerners appeared in excellent spirits, and had only one complaint—that they were being rushed away too soon from their friends in the south. The troopers who returned by fie T.il-iis and were removed to hospitils are g-;(th g along favorably so fa', though, of cmrse, there is not much change for tin better. A very large proportion of the men are suffering from colds, which tramping about, wet underfoot, did not improve. | MILITARY FUNERAL. The military funeral of Gunner W. F. Forbes, who died on the Tagus, took place at Dunedin on Sunday, and was very largely attended. Dense crowds lined tho streets, I and all the city and suburban volunteers j were strongly represented. The Governor ' was represented by the Hon. Hill Trevor, the ! Ministry by the Hon. C. H. Mills, and the defence forces by Colonel Penton and Major N. Smith. Wreaths were sent by the Government and Colonel Penton, and the coffin, on a B Battery's gun carriage, was covered with | flowers. About 120 of those who returned with the deceased attended. Genuine regret was felt for the pathetic death of Forbes. He lost his father before coming to the colony with his mother, and when she died friends in Dunedin sent him home to his relatives, but he returned five years ago and resided in Auckland, where he joined the fifth ooniingent. WAIKAIA ARRANGEMENTS. Our correspondent writes:—Two meetings were held in the Athenmum last week for deciding as to the most appropriate manner of welcoming our returned troopers. After a good deal of discussion it was finally arranged that they were to be invited to a banquet, to be held on Wednesday evening next in Chow Yoke's old store. All sorts of good things are to be provided, and there will be any amount of patriotic songs and speech - fying. At the conclusion of the banquet, an adjournment will be made to Bell's Hall, where there will be a social. Excellent arrangements have been made in connection

with this portion of the programme, and no doubt a very enjoyable evening will be spent. All returned tro.pers from the North Cape to the Bluff are cordially invited to be present, when they will he accorded a right royal' goldfields welcome. Tho reception to Trooper Bunks at Riveradale is to take place in the Drill Hall on y'riduy evening. (THE FOUUTH IN ACTION. RIGADIEH OKAY'n FAMOUS SPEECH, It will hn remembered that on 24th March last, the, Fourth New Zealand Contingent and Second Imperial Bushmen, forming the Second Brigade, under Brigadier Ualeigb Gray.C.M.G., scored a decisive victory over the Boers near Ventersdorp, capturing ll>o prisoners, !) guns, waggons, cuttle, etc. On the next day Brigadier Gray made the following speech (a copy of which has been supplied ut by Trooper Albert Ward): —'Olliocra and men of the Second Brigade : 1 (eel 1 cannot allow this march to conclude without personally thanking you for your splendid achievement of yesterday. You, by y.iu gallantry and dash, achieved one of the finest victories, if not of the whole war, at least of tho latter part of it. It has always been my ambition nince we have been oil this campaign (and I am sure every officer and man has shared that wish) to " got a gun " We not only got guns, but a big convoy and prisoners as well, and we got them in the best possible manner. We did not dig ihe guns up or find them in the river, but you won tli m m utic and open fight from a bol l and enterprising enemy. You got the chance, ani you took it, and I am sure no mounted brigade in South Africa could have done better. If you had given them half a chance they would have stood, and the convoy and guns would have got away; but you went at them from the jump, and once you got them going you kept them on the move, and never gave them a chance to Btand. Ollhers and inen of New Zealand and Australia, I agiin thank you from the bottom of my heart. lam proud of you. Your own country will be proud of you, and the English nation will be proud of you. The time is not very far distant when you will be leaving this country for your homes, and it will be a great piiy. For my own s ike I shall be very sorry ; for your Bake I shall be very glad. While you have been here, both on this and on every occasion, you have made a never-fading name for yoursilf. Wnat you have done yesterday, and tho way in which you did it, will, 1 am sure, have an effect on the enemy, an 1 will g > a long way towards bringing the war to a satisfactory ending. In conclusion, I cirti only say how gratified I feel, and I trust yiu will get all the credit you deserve."