THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1037, 24 May 1902, Page 2

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

PRESENTATION TO TROOPER EWEN CAMERON. Some forty or fifty gentlemen met in the Mataura Hotel on Thursday evening for the purpose of welcoming Trooper Ewen Cameron back to Mataura. The trooper is now looking hale and hearty, after a sojourn of over a year with the sixth contingent in South Africa. Troopers Ernest Cameron and D. Henderson were also present. Mr Thoa. Mac Gibbon presided. After the good things provided with a lavish hand by the host and hostess had been discussed, the Chairman rose to propose the toast of " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." They had all borne their share in the arduous wiir now proceeding. The Navy had accomplished suflicient to warrant them in saying that it had not deteriorated. The speaker referred to the Navy in connection with the relief of Ladysmith, and said the present Navy was a worthy successor to the one that won the battle of the Nile. The contingents of colonial volunteers (in addition to the South African volunteers) had also been a great help in the war and had proved themselves men of the right stamp. British authority had to be reinstated in South Africa. o:ie event the speaker lamented very much was the death of Cecil Rhodes, the Empire builder. That man had contributed very largely to the prosperity of the country, and it was a pity he had not been spared long enough to have the plcasuro of a run on the railway which it had been his ambition to sec stretching throughout the length of Africa, from the Cape to Cairo.—The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Mr Jus. Mitchell responded on behalf of the Army. The British soldier he said still possessed the rare qualities which had made his name famous by flood and field, and now his fame was again being brilliantly upheld. The colonials, the speaker considered, were worthy of any foeman's steel, and the severest critics eouid not recall any record in the world's history of such unflinching bravery as displayed by the men in South Africa.—(Applause). Mr Pulleine, in responding to tho toast of the Navy, said it was thirty years at bust since the Navy has been engaged in actual warfare, aud it could wow be said with truth that the British Navy had not deterioiated since then, and it would be u sorry day fur Australia and New Zealand when Great Britain lost her Navy.- -(Applause). Mr Carver responded on behalf of the Volunteers. He considered that the volunteers sent from New Zealand to the seat of war had proved excellent soldiers, aud that excellent officer, Colonel Robin, although now an Imperial officer, was once a volunteer. The war had given things a start in the volunteering circles, and a large number of volunteer rifle corps had been formed during the last two or tlnee years. In Mataura they had u strong division of the Murihiku Mounted Rilles and a large cadet corps.—(Applause). The Chairman proposed the health ol

" The Contingents." The contingents had done their duty well, and three of their number present who had been with them had come back crowned with honor. They would drink sorrowfully to those who had laid their lives down for their country. When war was entered inio someone must pay The memory of those dead would not be lost, and they all sympathised with the relatives of those whose bones were bleaching in South Africa. Great Britain could have done tho work without tho contingents, and the colonial soldiers had been a great help. The men had shown outsiders that the British Empire was not merely a lot of units ; and the motto of the colonies was " Love me, love my dog." That was a noble feeling! and an object lesson to the countries who thought they would catch Britain asleep.— (Appiause). The ltev. Mr Davidson responded. He had a great admiration fo.' the coioniil contingents which had gone to the help of the Mother Country. He would repeat what he said on a former occasion, that the war would have had a different termination with<>u\ the hlp uf cjlonial;. Taatdid not mean that the British Army was by any means defective—ho hud a groat admiration for Tommy Atkins—but the action of tho colonials had kept down the croakers at Home.

The Liberals at Home thought tlmt the British Empire consisted of tlii! British Isles. They e.juid nmv say tlmt the Uriti.sh. Empire co 'sistcil of Great Britain and her colonies. -(Applause.) If the Empire were in the hand, of the .British Liberals it would be a lioni one indeed. Beyond n doubt the war had united the British Empire, and in the actual war the colorials had fought as nobly as the Imperials. At the great battle wh-re Oronjc was c.ught the men who had got him thoroughly into a corner were the Canadians. When the enemy saw them within 80 yards the burghers said they had had enough, and the spctkei was of opinion that the Boers feared iho colonials most of all. The method of warfare adopted by the Boers was just as natural as it- could be, and the colonials had adapted themselves to suit. A country had to maintain soldiers--the state of the world compelled it and without war a nation could not be great. If a nation lost its soldiers it would soon cease to have influence in this world. The youth of New Zealand retained the warlike spirit of their forefathers. As long as they had such young men in the colony he had no fear of the Empire breaking down.—(Applause.) If New Zealand were invaded they would stick to their guns and keep the enemy outside. He was very pleased to welcome Trooper Cameron back to his fatherland looking so well. Every yo mg man win went out went at the price of his life.--(Applause.) Mr Walton said he had wondered, when the first contingent wont away, whether it was a new game or not on the part of Mr Kichard Seddon, who since has proved himself to be on the right track. At that time it was generally thought that they would never get past Cii.rHi.wii. or hear a shot iired. No sooner had ih': lirst contingent gone than a second was mooted, and by that time open warfare had been proclaimed. The colonials brought things to a head, and were helping England in a time of need. They were brought up and drilled in rough country similar to that of the Boers, whom they could meet in their own tactics. He had no doubt that the British soldier had learned a wrinkle or two from his colonial brother. It was nothing short of marvellous that a smull country like Xew Zealand should send away ten contingents. He admired very much the smart manner in which the contingents had been sent away, and although not a follower of Mr Seddon, no one could have sent the men away with greater despatch. Trooper D. Henderson considered that their Australian cousins should not be forgotten in speaking on the toast. They had all tried to do their duty. They had shown the Continental powers that if they reckoned with Great Britain they must not forget the colonies. During his wanderings in South Africa he had found that there was no place like home.—(Applause.) The Chairman proposed the health of their guest, and in doing so expressed the pleasure he felt in welcoming him home. These present would sympathise with Mr and Mrs Cameron in the pleasure they felt in seeing their son home. Trooper Cameron hud Highland blood in him, and the memory of the kilt would be so strong that he could not neglect his duty as a soldier. Their guest came of a good stock, and the Carnerons of old were celebrated by their warlike propensities—a Cameron was never known to have been wounded in the back, and always died with his face to the foe. He rejoiced also that so many New Zealanders had come back safely from the fray. The fighting was of n most peculiar character, and a man never knew when he was safe. That was sufficient to intimidate the bravest of men. The men could not see their enemy; they were marched through the country (seemingly uninhabited) and were often assailed by an invisible foe. Their men were possessed of no ordinary so)t of pluck, and had proved themselves generally successful. He wished their guest success and happiness.—(Applause).

The Chairnnu* said that on the last occasion he had presided over a gathering of tbat sort it was to bid Trooper Cameron Godspeed and a safe return, on the event of which some few friends had thought it advisable to give him something to keep him in memory of the present occasion. He trusted that Trooper Cameron would live long to tell his children and grandchildren of his exploits in South Africa. He had much pleasure in presenting him with a gold albert and Maltese cross as a memento of their delight and pleabure in seeing him home again.—(Applause). Trooper Cameron returned suitable thanks. ■ The Chairman proposed " The Host and Hostess." They had sent two sons to tight for their King and country—a noble came. Both of tbem bad come back safely, upon which their parents were to be congiatulated.

—(Applause.) Mr Cameron said be was extremely ploised to see so many gathered together to welcome borne his son, .and particularly desired to thank Mr MaoQibbon lor his kind utterances. —(Loud applause.) Other toasts were " The King and Queen," " Parliament" (responded to by Messrs Lowden and Cameron), "Commercial Interests" (Messrs Walton, Lowden and Penny), and " Absent Troopers " (Mr McKelvie). During the evening Mr West sang " Sons of New Zealand " in a creditable manner, and Trooper Ewen Cameron " The Skipper," which was loudly applauded. "The Old Brigade" was rendered by Mr Walton, and Messrs Carver and West were very successful in the duet "Larboard Watch." Miss Cameron sang "Dolly Gray," the company joining lustily in the chorus. Messrs A. Cameron aud Murley also contributed songs. Miss Cameron supplied the accompaniments. A sufficiency of bagpipe rausio was supplied by Mr Duncan Cameron.

The gathering broke up about midnight with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne."

SOCIAL AT OTAMA.

Last evening, despite the inclement weather, a large number of people turned out to welcome Troopers McMeekin, Key, and Woods at Otama. A social was held in the Public Hall, and friends from far and near assembled to do honor to the returned troopers, who have all escaped from the w,ir seathless. and a most enjoyable evening was epent in dancing. Shortly after supper, Mr T. It. Carroll in a neat speech said that he was glad to be present on such an occasion, which accorded him an opportunity of welcoming home the local boys safo and Pound. In a brief retume of the war, Mr Carroll referred to the time of trouble which hud come upon England with the commencement of the war, and stated that ultimately she would tise superior to her troubles and gain the inspect of mankind. She knew how to meet defeat as well us to make victories; she was cool and calm while many of her homes were turned into houses of mourning, and while her enemies on the Continent were snarling at her heels, jealous of the progress and prosperity by which she had outdistanced them. She would emerge from the tiro strengthened by the process, although she had made many losses which were hard to bear. When President Kruger suddenly began the war, a small eontingent in Natal had hastened to the front, confronted the Boers, and maintained their ground with honor and glory to themselves. The prestige nf the British soldiers never diminished one iota. The end of the struggle had never been in doubt. British civilisation was never suspected by them to come to an end on the plains of South Africa. This struggle might do more for the world's futuie peace than any other factor. Hostile nations would 11 av have to admit that they had the men ami ihe money ton, and belter than all tiny had the libit- winch exalted a nation,imd knew no such word us fail, and it was satisfactory to think that the col.iny was playing Mich an important part in bringing this about. The Loudon ' Times' had said that sending the tenth contingent was a truly wonderful instance of patriotism, and the 'Telegraph' bud described the- spirit displayed by New Zealand ih magnificent. He thought the sending of the contingents to South Africa was the most profitable investment the colony bad yet entered upon. The bravery of the boys was most highly appreciated. They hud left comfortable homes to 'ace the hardships of a rough and unknown country. It had not boon the lot of tho sixth contingent to be connected with many of the dramatic incidents of the war in which other colonial regiments had figured. They had been employed nn the more monotonous and more pro.-uic but none the less highly important and absolutely necessary work of clearing up selected portions of the country. Thiß had entailed heavy marching, and had severely tested the endurance of the men. The engagements they had been in had been chit-fly of the order of skirmishes, in which the losses, he was glad to nay, had been comparatively slight. What the sixth contingent did, however, was arduous and exhausting work, which was wearying, as it was practically devoid of excitement. According to General I'iumer, it did exceptionally well, and this .-talem-nt was backed up by Imperial olliccrs. The ofliecrs and men of the sixth contingent had added to the laurels which our soldiers had won fur New Zealand in the wu.\ Th refine the people of the district, as well as ihe public of tho eol jny, had every reason to be proud of tho boys. Those prcsjut would back him up in his high opinion and esteem of tho three y>ung fellows who were present, and accord them three hearty cheers.—(Applause and cheers.

Mr McXub, M.U.U., also spoke, anil on behalf of the people of the district presented each trooper with a handsome gold chain. He could scarcely imagine any life more sensational and full of variation than the life of a soldier in South Africa. It would, he believed, be a much-spoken of theme in times to come even nioio epoken of thun nt the present day. The war hud raised tho Empire from being a host of units. Tho war had brought the colonies into prominence in different parts of the world, and they had largely been brought into that position by tho colonial contingents. It was a great honor to be a soldier in the greatest army that ever bad been pla*d on a tield of battle. Tho presentations were to keep their guests and other facts green in their memories ; they •would accept the presents as a token of tho esteem of the people of Otama, and later on they would receive the Imperial medal, which he hoped they would be long spared to wear. -(Loud applause.) Triopers Woods, MeMeekin, and Key brielly returned thanks, and rendered toe sixth contingent war cry. Mr T. If. Carroll sang " Under tho British Flag," and in response to an encore " What do you think of the Irish now." Miss Archibald sang nicely " A Soldier and a Man " and '• K'U'J O'.Sliiino " (encore), an 1 .Mr A. Stewart sang -The Hundred I'ipers," for which ho was loudly encored. Later on the same gentlemen sang "The Wcarin'o'tho 'ireen " (encored). Mr 1). McKachcrn sang '• The Lads in Navy lilue" with great spirit. An abundance of Highland music prevailed, .Messrs Dickson and Smith playing at the bagpipes, and Messrs Win. and A. Dickson danced a Highland lling very gracefully. The Huiit-r Family supplied excellent music, and the catering, in the hands of Mr J. Favel, was teyond reproach. The gathering broke up at an early this morning.