HAVELOCK NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 291, 16 December 1902, Page 3

HAVELOCK NEWS.

(From our own Correspondent.) Sergeant George Coleman, of the Seventh Contingent, incapacitated by lightning stroke whilst on patrol duty In the Transvaal, was tendered a comlUmentary social and presented with a gold, commemorative medal at the Theatre Royal, Cullensville, on Friday evening last. Sergeant Colemar, who is stitn incapacitated, and a patient of the Pieton Hospital, was present daring a portion of the evening, and the eSetot the accident is still painfully evident* the use of the right side being only partial. There is, however, possibility of the leg recovering its powers, but the arm, it is feared, is ruined and and beyond the reach of medicine or Mr John Diujoan, in presenting the medal, referred to the effect the patrlotio action of the colonies would have by the assistance given to the Old Country in the late war, a war which had brought forward such heroic qualities on the part of British sons, and which had flung back the taunt that the race was decadent. He was glad to see so many there that evening, and, on their behalf he wished Sergt. Coleman a speedly and permanent recovery, and a long life to wear the iofcen thfct itwas then his pleasant dut? to present. ■•._■■, . '• . Mr A. T. Cavell expressed the pleairore it afforded him to be present that evening. From the results of the late war *c were able to realise that we have men willing and able to defend our colony against the attack of foreign nations; and any expense incurred in training such citizen soldiers was stmply a premium of insurance against such attack. We had now the satisfaction of knowing that we had men able to defend the colony—men who were riotonly " chips of the old block," but in many eases better. For the relatives Of those who had gone to the war, never to return; the deepest sympathy was felt fer them in their anguish, caused by the stress of warfare, but it was in the highest degree gratifying to .fail that our troopers, one and all, had reflected nothing but honor and glory troon the country they represented; Sergeant Cofeman, having thanktd them for their kindness said that although the doctors had told him he had no chance of a permanent recovery he still hoped to regain his strength, and to Be again able to serve his country should necessity call for volunteers. *; Ata later stage of the evening Sergeant Coleman was presented by the Committee with a " chamois,"containing five sovereigns, the net proceeds of the social. • ■■. ' The social was attended by a large number of visitors from the surrounddistrict, and was conducted with the utmost hospitality, dancing, interspersed with song and recitation, being spiritedly continued until daylight, breakfast being provided for those who had attended from a distance.