THE VOLUNTEERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 140, 25 June 1906, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

FAREAVELL SOCIAL TO SERGT.MAJOR HEALY. Sergt.-Major Healy, who has been transierred to Timaru, was entertained at a farewell social by 1 ollicers and non-eoniß. Of the district at tlto Wakatu Hotel on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance, and nearly all corps were represented. Lieut. -Colonel Harkness presided, and was supported on the rig-lit by the guest of the evening, and on the left by Colonel Wolfe. The vice-chairs were occupied Iby Sergts. -Major Redmond and Wanstall. Apologies for absence were received from Brigade Surgeon Lieut.-Colonel Pearless, Majors Coleman and Broad, Capt. Arnold, Quartermaster Stringer, Lieut. Grace, Sorgt. -Major Robertsoil, and Captain Wilson (Nelson Defence Rifle Club) . After the toast of the King, the Chairman proposed the health of Sergt.-Major Healy. He eulogised the services of the Sergt.-Major, and said that he was as smart a > drill instructor as any that had been in Nelson, which wasi saying ! a good deal when they remembered ' the names of previous instructors. I Sergt.-Major Healy was a good man in the field, and was always ready to lielp any Volunteer in acquiring knowledge. At their camps especially the Sergt.-Major woukl be much missed. Personally, tht ; Chairman looked upon Sergt.-Ma- ! jOr Healy as a closo friend. Col Harkness then presented Sergt.-Ma- ; jor Healy with a purse of sover . elgrns, and concluded his speech bj . wishing him every success, fm< long life and happiness for him self, wife and family.

Captains Stiles (Nolson Rjfles), i Madigan (H Battery), Hammond. (Stoke Rifles), Trask (Wakatus), ' Glover (Cadets), Drum.-Major " Simpson (Garrison Band,), Scrgt. Sowinan (Returned Troopers), Captain Simpson, and Deputy-Cap-tain Jones (N.D.R. Club) also spoke in favour of Sergt .-Major Healy's good qualities, and all regretted his departure. The toast was then drunk with musical honours, and three cheers. Sergt. -Major Wanstall (Battalion Start) then presented Sergt.-Major Healy with a handsome silvermounted walking stick, on behali of the non-commissioned officers. Sergt.-Major Hoaly, in replying fcoling-ly thankod those present foi their gvils ami good esteem. Hi then ga/ve an interesting account <> i his 1-3 wars' service in Nelson. Hi acknowfedged tho kindness which h had been treated 'by al ranks, and their unfailing courtes; to him. Sergt.-Major Healy the spoke a few words in favour of hi successor, Sergt.-Major Jones, whc he saiid, was an Imperial officei and a first-class instructor, bein also good at gymnastics, fencinj and self-defence.

The following toasts were then duly honoured :— "'Returned Troopers'" proposed by Captain Bryant, and responded to by Sergt. Sow- '. mail ; '"Army, Navy, and Volun- , teers." proposed by Oapt. Simpson I and replied to by Deputy-Captain . Jones ; "N.C.O.'s of the District, , proposed bv Sergt.-Major Redmond and responded to by Col. -Sergt. ' Oakley. . A most pleasant gathering was II brought to a close by the singing * of "Aul'd Lang Syne" and the Na- * tional Anthem, and cheers for * Sergt.-Maior Healy and his fatns ily. '" During the evening songs were h given by Oapts. Glover, Harris, e Scrgts. Sowman, Richards, and is Farricr-Sorgt. Wimsett. The ac--11 coir.paniments were played by Mr '■ Shone. . i- Sergt.-Major Healy leaves for !• Timaru to-morrow morning. He I. will be entertained by the Nelson i- Rifles after parade to-night. and at the same time the members of the Nelson Defence Rifle Club will r- also bid Sergt.-Major Healy farer, well. d The Stoke and Waimea Rifles, in 1 Ifidding farewell to fSergfr. -Major d Healv. took advantage of the occa- [,- sior to make presort at ions to Mrs Healv. — . i 'i —