THE DINNER.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8214, 22 June 1895, Page 3

THE DINNER.

The a n n ml dinner of the troop was held in thu Royal Hotel, beginning at G o'clock. Host Procter had prepared a capital repast, which was dotiu ample justice to. Captain R. A. Chifffy pveuded, and Lieut, J, Cowie Nichols occupied the vice chur. Colonel Webb, Libut.-ColonelSinnpter, Major Headland, Surgeon-Major de Lautour, Lieut,-Com-manding Mahan, Captain Rice, Lieutenants Brown and Forrester, and othor officers of the North Oago battalion, besides a large company of the friends of the officers and men of the North Otago Mounted Rifles wore present. After the dinner the usual toist list was presented, and Captain Chaftey proposed "The Queen and Royal Family," which, being duly honored, Mr \V. H. Rose eaug " Tho Admiral's Broom." Lieut. -Colonel Sumpter proposed "Tho Governor," saying he was a link that connected the colony with the Old Country, which he hoped would not be broken. He spoka eulogiaticslly of the present Governor. The toast was received with enthusiasm. Mr W. H. A. Craddock sang " Wrap Mo Up in My Old Stable Jacket." Dr (Jarland propped "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." That toast appealed to tho hearts of the British people the world over. It was not necessary for him to refer to the deeds of the forces. He referred to the advance on Ohitral, and said that march over tho pass and the victory recalled the memories of the past sjreat deeds of the army. Mr Rose's song had reminded them of the deeds of Admiral Drake ; and there wero signs that it would not be long again before the services of the volunteers would be called into requisition. He complimented the N.O.M.R. on the position they had earned in the volunteer forces of the colony, and couplf-d the toast with the names of Colonel Webb and LieutenantColonel Sumpter. Captain Ohafiey sang " The Little Tin

Soldier,' and ho was encored. Colonel Webb, in reply, said that throe days ago w.«n tho anniversary of the ba'tle of Waterloo, and since then there h'id boon no good battles ; but yet in ilio^o tho army had digged in they had boon eminently successful. Colonel Webb referred in glowing term* t<> tho mured to Cintral under G-menl Lowo. It wiu tho cry of pessimists that tht'ir forces wore deteriorating. He did not think so, nrul 'ho d'ish, pluck, and endurance of the British m>ldior was always in ovidenco when they were called upon, and whun occasion required. He referred to the opening of rhe B>ltio ennt', and the presenco of tho navy there; and complimentad the volunteers on their intelligence and courago, which wore provoibi*l. Tho volunteers woro probably more intelligent than the regulars, and he paid a high compliment to the honor- ; tble plaoo the Mounted Riflos had taken in the mounted corps of tho colony. Lieut. -Colonel Sumpter supplemented the remarks of Colonel Webb in a neat speeoh, referring to the ac'ion of the volunteers in the Soudan, and adding that it must be n sourco of satisfaction to the British people that they lud such » trustworthy body hs tho volunteera behind the regulars ; and speaking <i the North Otauo Mounted Rifl-s, ho said he would rather in action havo thorn fnonds than enemies.— ( Applause). Trooper Moodio aang a popular coster song, nod was warmly cnoored. Mr E. Piper propiso'1 tho " S icc>'«s of the North Otago Mouotot Itifl «." (Applause). He narra'ed the history of tho corps from its iniiia ion, and marked its rise, progress, and success. He referred to the healthy financial position of the troop, and the large credit b dunce of over L200, and the whole of the uniforms their own. He complimented the troop on the excellence of the non- commissioned officers ot the (i-oop» and ic augurod well for the tuiccem of the troop when the non-commissioned officers of tho troop were enthusmstio and efficients He spoke of the adherence of the troop to di-cip ine, tint augured well for the success of the troop in tho future. H« also complimai'ted the troop on the I'fHcor.i they hud. for upon the gallantry and honor of the officers much of the success of the troop depended. He was sure that there wai no liner specimen of a true Britisher thin their honored and worthy friend Captain Chaffey. (Appl-iuse). He whs tlio right man in the right place. Reverting to the discipline of the troop, he believed tint every man would stand to his position should occision demand it, and he hoped if ever would, as did tho Highlmd Brigade, under Sir Colin Cimpboll, on the plsteiu of Inkornnn. (Applause). Ho coupled the toast with the naino of Cap'ain Chaffey and tho officers. (Applause). Colonel Webb aant» "Trusty as Steol," and being encored sang a song eulogistic of beer. Captain Chaffejr, in reply, said tho compliments that Mr Piper, their lato re* spected sergeant-major, had paid tho troop were not altogether undeserved. He had made it hia business as captain of the troop to make the men efficient, not in show work in a small brick yard, but in real good practical work in tho open, which had earned them some kudos in sham fights, and other practical work. Mr Piper had touched tho roal cord of unity in tho troop— discipline ; and he was pleased to be at tho head of a corps that would do as they were bid, and go where they were directed and wherever ho might lead, however difficult or arduous the essay. When speaking of himself he included his ofHcera. lie thanked them for the honor they had done tho corps. Lieutenants Nichols and Gillies also responded, complimenting the men on the good work they had done in tho recent roviow at Waitati. Lieutenant Gillies proposed "The Staff of the North Ocago Garrison," and Major Headland and Surgeon-Major de L mtour duly responded. Surgeon-Major do Lautour, in his reply, give incidents of the sympathy and good feeling thit existed between the officers and men, not only of the North Otago Mounted Rifle, but throughout the volunteer forces. (Amon Gould, chaplin to the battalion, after referring to the ill-health of the troop chaplin, the Rev. U. 0. Frore, spoke eulogisticully of the true military instincts of the volunteer forces throughout the Empire. They were all proud of the North Otatro Mounted Riflos, which w<is rapidly becoming one of tho finest corps in tho service. Mr Alex Murdoch was also oocored tor his singiug of " The Mulingar Brigade." Mr Wnii Waddell, M*»yor of Oamaru, proposed tho health and success of tho 1 Battory and the Naval Artillery, and in speaking of the volunteer forces generally he snid it was a credit to the disttict that their volunteora were in so efficient a state. They belonged to a noble brunch of the service, and they would, he felt sure, honorably maintain the prcstigo of the servic. (Applause). He coupled tho toast with the name of Ctptain Rico. Trooper AUkon sang "The Mighty Deep." Captain Rice said tho lcctl corps wore now brothers in arras, if he might siy so, and that whs the spirit that should pervade membors of the various volunteer corps. (Applause). Ho thanked them for the honor they had dono him in coupling his name with the toast. Captain Chaftey said he had a duty to perform towards Sergt. -Major Piper. Mr Piper had done a great deal for the corps. It was duo to Mr Piper's suggestion that the troop was in so good a financial position, and as regards the difoiplino of the corps ib was in a great measure due to tho late sergeant-major, and Colonel Fox and another high officer had stated that tho troop had the best sergb.*mrjor in the colony. (Applause.) lie regretted that Mr Piper was leaving them, but it was an official leave-taking, for the SergeantMajor had been created a life honorary member of the corps, on whose behalf he had to present him with that handsome silver Bet comprising kettle, tea-pot, sugar basin and seWer. It was from the whole corps. (Applause,) Mr Piper, who was received with cheers, in replying, said he could not adequately thank them for the gift they had made him. He had done his work for a love of duty, but there was no duty that he had folt more severely than to write his resignation as their SergeantMajor. His reasons were only personal, for the greatost harmony had existed betweon himsolf and every membor of the troop. He congratulated the troop on securing so nblo an officer to succeed him as SorgeantMajor Stringer. Ho thanked ' them i for the great honor I hoy had dono ■ him in making him a lifo honorary member, and for the handsome and valuable , gift, and for all the kindness they had » done him during the past four years. ; (Applause.) ; The salver bore tho following inscrip- ■ tion; "Presented by the North Otago . Mounted Riflo Volunteers to Sergeant5 Major Piper on his terminating his long [ and efficient services in tho troop. Juno j gist, 1805." Tho goods were obtained at I Mr Moss'. i Mr Murdooh again favored tho com- > pany with a couple of comic songs, and ■ Mr Roso sang '• Homo, Boya Homo," and was encored. i "The Guests," proposed by Lieutenant

Nichols, win responded to by Mr Rose. "Tho Ladios " was proposed by Mr Craddock, and rosponded to by Corpotal Roll in it fucotious speech. Af'ora plonainn reforonco to u Tlio Presa " by tho cluiirinnn, tho proccodin^H terminated with tho Binging of "(Jod Savo tho <Juoon."