BLENHEIM RIFLES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 176, 27 July 1907, Page 5

BLENHEIM RIFLES.

SMOKE CONCERT AND PRESENTATIONS.

Last evening a smoke concert was held by the Blenheim Rifles in Jellyman's 'Hall, when Captain Ed. Parker, who has had a long and distinguished connection with the Volunteers, was entertained and presented with a beautiful diamond-set gold pendant, suitably .inscribed. The chair was filled by Major Rogers, who was supported upoiv either side by officers and ex-officers of the Volunteers, and the' Building was filled with those of the rank and file, who entered heartily into the programme. It may be said; to the credit of Mr Rothwell. that the tables lacked nothing, and had been arranged with care and thoughtfulneas, and every want o| those present was well catered for. The tone of the proceedings was such as to demand the most favourable comment, and was alike creditable to the chair and the Volunteers assembled. A quiet orderliness prevailed throughout, while at the same time real enjoyment and benefit was derived from songs, recitations and speeches! The toast to the King having been honoured, the Chairman called upon Mr Kraig, who proposed "The Volunteers," and spoke in ..a. somewhat amusing strain, of his futile attempts to get into the Army and Navy some years ago. Members of his family had had the military spirit, which rested upon him for a time, but failing to pass the medical test, he had been forced to turn to another profession. What he particularly, liked about the Volunteer - movement was that spirit which he presumed their motto was derived; from, and which he understood to be " defence, not defiance." The trend of opinion was in the direction that we must depend,in the future more upon Volunteers than upon a paid Army, and to his mind it augured well that such should.be the case. He thought it creditable to the Government of New Zealand that they were doing so much now towards encouraging Volunteers, and an endeavour to improve their status had, been successfully-made; But^New fell behind the;' Old' Country'■ yet inmany respects^ and haHs better; equipped might be provided and other provisions made for their benefit, such as the establishment of libraries, etc. From his own knowledge of the Volunteers in Marlborougli, they were men who could give a good account of themselves, and a body, of citizens bound together for the purpose of defence were bound to prove a formidable bDdy in the hour of danger. Should that hour arrive the. Volunteers in New Zealand would band together and fight for the common good. He coupled the names of Captains Watson and Robinson;

Captain Watson, in responding, thanked Mr Kraig fof what had been so kindly; said about the Volunteers. He regretted deeply that there were so many young men who held aloof from the Volunteer 'movement, and suggested that much might be gained if every Volunteer would try to persuade at "least one man to join, and thus increase their numbers* It was true, as Mi' Kraig had. stated j that in the Old' Country the Volunteers had better halls, and were treated with a consideration which /placed them in some respects on a better footing than those in this Colony.; but in England they were upon a very different footing, • and bvr-andrbye N.Z. might attain to their standard. He concluded by referringvjto the, very cordial relations existing between officers and men in Bienhefm, and spoke de> precatingly of any ag^empt that might be ■•■■ made to dis£e?entiate; between them.' ■ :.'•.) • •;!•.■ '■ ■ ■. Capt. Robinson said it seemed to him that'they had reached',an important epoch in Volunteering. It wa3 gravely questioned Whether the Volunteers were placed on a proper footing, and a strong feeling existed that they would have to make the present system more attractive or adopt some form of compulsory service. v

Major Rogers proposed the toagt of the evening, V" Captain Parker," who, he said, had been associated with'the Blenheim Rifles for. the last ten years, and for the last three years he had 'b'eeh:Ciptain;-/'Thie'ofß:ce;.iiel|i--by Captain Parker vwas olfle' of and privilege. He did wish to say too much, but the Bleriheirn corps had held a very high position for the last 25 years, and this was due in some measure to Captain Parker. He could assure them that to fill his position was not all beer and skittles, for there was much work, worry and anxiety connected with it.' Even in the best regulated companies there was sometimes a little friction requiring tact from the captain, and sometimes the performance of an unpleasant duty. They all regretted that the Captain had to resign from the Company, but sometimes a man was so occupied with his business and had his time so taxed that he had .few leisure moments. Captain Parker found that something nlust ;go overboard, and ,#3 he could hot" give the Volunteeiss&as attention which he'■.wished-, heJiadMe-; aided to resign; from office^ i^CajAaitt Parker had taken a great ple^sii^fn his work, and had alv£a^§|been thorough in the,, performajnira^iof his duties. They regretted his loss, but felt sure he would always ;itatke a deep interest in the welfare :ctf;""'tne. Company. Major Rogers then presented Cap't. Parker with a diamond-set gold pendant as a memento of his connection with the corps, and the good, feeling of the officers and men towards him. ,

Captain Canavan said he had much pleasure jn, adding his meed of praise anci testifying to the good qualities of Captain Parker,. . No Volunteer officer had sacrificed himself more than he. Like their guest, he himself had, owing to private business which clashed Vith his duties as an officer, been forced to tender a reluctant resignation.

Captain Watson said a few words on behalf of the members Qf the Mounted Rifles, who were sorry to lose such officers as Captains Canavan and Parker. They had both done sterling work. As a comrade he personally regretted the loss of Captain Parker. Capt. Parker, who ; upon, rising, was greeted with enthusiastic cheers, said that it was not often he was placed in such a position. He felt deeply grateful for their expressions of goodwill. But he had not worked for praise or reward. In taking an active interest in the Volunteers he had been . influenced by love for his work, and not by any hope of reward. He had been well through the mill, and had passed through many experiences since he first joined the Volunteers. When he first became a member he had, joined with pressure, and it did not seem likely then that he would be so thoroughly interested later on that he would eventually be chosen Captain. Now that he was resigning he felt somehow that he was getting old. ,He then told some amusing incidents connected with his career as a Volunteer, and spoke of the many life-long

friends he had made. He also sketched his career as a Volunteer and officer, arid' mentioned the importantevents which had taken place, particularly ihe South African Wav, in which he greatly desired to take part, but was prevented by business ties. As an officer he fead sometimes had unpleasant duties to perform, but whenever friction occurred matters had been settled in an amicable way satisfactory to all. He had almost come to ! the conclusion that he had made a mistake in taking the Captaincy. (Cries of "No, no.") He did n"ot seem to be able to exercise that authority which an officer in command should have. He thanked them for their kindness, and he would keep the pendant and treasure it as long as he lived. (Cheers and applause.) Major Rogers proposed the health of Captain Canavan, who had been a commissioned officer for many years, and held a unique position. He was the first officer who was compelled to resign from the Mounted Rifles on account of ill-health, resulting from active service in South Africa, where he suffered from the climate, and had not been in good health since. Captain Canavan, replying, said that Volunteering had been a great hobby with, him, and from it he had derived much pleasure. One of the hardest battles he had to fight was in obtaining his medal for 20 years' service The authorities seemed to question his right to this medal, which had, however, at length been given. Other toasts were the "Press," the "Ladies," "Garrison Band," "Blenheim Rifles," and "Chairman1;" During the evening Mr Cheers presided at the piano and songs were sung by Sergeant Harvey, Captain Robinson, Volunteer Fama, Messrs Bryant and Somerville; and recitations were given by Captain Canavan, Volunteer Fama and Mr Kraig. The presentation of a gold star and marksman's badge was made to Sergeant Harvey, who had been for nine years connected with the Wellington Volunteers. Volunteer Jackson, for nine years efficiency, received a gold star, as also did Volunteer Moreland. Corporals Cooke and Heffer received stars for three years service.