AUCKLAND RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 2004, 21 June 1870, Page 4

AUCKLAND RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

A din.nku was given lust evening at the Star Hotel, Albert-street, by the members of tho various Auckland corps, to the successful competitors in the recent contest between the representatives of Auckland and the Thames I force. About forty Volunteer?, in uniform, sat down to dinner. The fare was excellent in quality, exceedingly well served, and the ' evening whs occupied with nn interchange of good-fellowship such (is tho Volunteers know how to dispense, and their guests to appreCaptain Pcrrom occupied the chair, and i Lieutenant Matthews the vice-chair. J Letters were read from Major Tisdall, ' excusing himself from attending on account ot illness in his family, aud from dipt. Bulger, who was detained by business enl<a ;emonts. dipt. Hat ger wus present, however, at a later period of the evening. The cloth being romov. d, the usual loyal toasts were given from the Chair—" Her Majesty the Queen." —Drunk with three times three, the band playing the National Anthem. "Her Majesty's 'Representative, His Excellcncv the Governor Sir Gforgu Ferguson Bowen", and Lady Bowen."—Drunk with three times three. ' " Hide Britannia," " The Army and Navv ;" band : " Kcd, White, and Blue." Lt. GriLPINO (Xaval Volunteers) was called upon to respond to the toast. Ho thanked the compaey for the cordial manner in which they had responded to ihe toast. It was not for him to speak in terms of praise of cither service, for their achievements spoke for (hem. He might however say that the Volunteers of Auckland were greatly indebted and often both to the Army and Navy. It was through the cordial co-operation of Her Majesty's illustrious service, that the Auckland force was so efficient us it was. Indeed it owed nost of the 'efficiency it had attained, to the example and cooperation of her Majesty's Army and Xavy. (lle:ir, hear.) Tile ViCK-Cit*ißM.\s gave the next toast : " His Honor the Superintendent and the Provincial Council of Auckland." S.i far ns the Superintendent was concerned, he believed they hal tho right man in the right place. His Honor seeme.l to have the Volunteer movement at heart, and was anxious to do all he could t > assist it. Ho had to thank his Honor for the money lie placed on the Estimates, and the Provincial Council for having voted the amount. He believed that money had been distributed fairly and equally. He hoped that his Honor and the Council would sco their way to double if not treble the amount next session. If they did so they would only be following the example of other provinces of New Zealand. It would enable the Volunteers to come out with credit to the place as well as to themselves. Even as it was, he believed they could come in creditably. He was jure that if encouragement wcrej;irtn to the body the Volunteers would show themselves worthy of the eoniidence reposed in them by his" Honor nnd the Council.— The toast was drunk with the usual honors. Band : " Gang along with me," and " He's a. Jolly Good Fellow." Captain Dkbiou gave the next lo:ist: " The Successful Competitors." Those Volunteers wlii) had been long in the province knew the great difficulties that had to be contended with whenever there was any firing to be done. (Hear.) But now a state of things hail come round, when there was fair promise that they wou'd obtain a larger amount of support, both from tho>e in authority us we 1 ! as from the public at lar,;e. But whatever aid they might receive from the local authorities, lie hoped their assistance would he especially directed to improving facilities for the practi.e of firing. There was i\ promise of n new range, so that those who liked might be able to go dailv ami practise at the target. Hβ had been informed that the meeting of that evening was considered by soiae us a reflection on their antagonists at the Thames; that the Auckland Volunteers wanted to "crow over" their brethren at. the Thames. He could assure them that nothing was further from the thoughts of the Auckland Volunteers. It was hard if the Auckland Volunteers could not hare a little jubilation of their own. Hetmiy wished lie could see a few of the I hiune's Volunteers present. They would be wclcijne, and he would undertake" to say they should receive the greatest courtesy and tlio sincerest friendship. There was no desire whatever to ""crow over" their defeated friends. The Auckland team aad their comrades might be excused for being gla i they were not beaten in this contest. (Hear.) "Surely, the Auckland Volunteers might be proud of their team. He mu»t eay that it would be of great use, and a decided encouragement if the Superintendent aud Council would give them a eoocl range. It was the principal thing needed, if the Volunteer movement in Auckland was to come to anything. I believe the Auckland* Volunteer companies were in a position tj accept a challenge from any corps' iu the North Island. Ho was prepared to say that they were in a position to uJcept a challenge even from the " Kinpire City." Ho hoped that nothing would be done or s:ii«l to lead others to think that there was anything in their meeting on such an ocavion that showed an indication to " crow over" any body. He would therefore give them, ' Our guests, the Successful Competitors. (Cheers.) Band : " Sec the Conquering Hero comes." Lieutenant Morrow responded to the toast. Mr. Chairman, ViccC'hiiirinan, anil gentlemen: On behalf uf myself anil my companions, I cannot sufficiently thank you for Ihe enthusiastic manner in which you hare drank our health. 1 expected to have our worthy Captain occupy the position I occupy thievening. I assure you your good foc.'in'g mid appreciation is very gratifying to u«. 'J he Vice-chairman gave the next toast: "llm Thames Volunteers." He had to acknowledge the great kindness the Auckland team cxporicnccd at the hands of their comrades —the Thames Volunteers. (Cheers.) He thought it showed not only grcac spirit, but great pluck on the part of a young corps, to have challenged a much older corps than themsolves. The Thames Volunteers deserved all honor for the manner in which they behaved. They behaved in a very gontlenianly way, and in u very kind spirit, throughout. (Cheers.) It was eaid that the Auckland Volunteers would be beaten, but the .Auckland Volunteers might bu excused if they were agreeably disappointed. But the Auckland men were quite as. agreeably entertained after the contest was over. He had therefore great pleasure in giving the toast next iu honor, " The Thames Volunteers.."—The toast was drunk with all the honors. Band : " For they are. Jolly Go.i>l Fellows." Sergeant Fenton said: As a resident at the Thames he might be permitted to respond for the Thames Volunteers. He believed they had done their duty, aud would do it again. At the same lime,"he had heard of a famous battle where a gre»t banquet was. prepared against the fight should be over, but the enemy came in and " gobbled it all up." (Cheers and laughter.) But at the same time there was sufficient pluck and enterprise in the men at the Thames to keep the Auckland men awake upon their honor.*. (Hear and cheers.) The Chairman gave the next toast, " The Officer commanding the Volunteers —Lieut.Colonel Lyon." iCheers.) He was a thoroughly cllicicnt oflicer, and a good aud bravo soldier. Mr. Skinner responded on behalf of Colonel Lyon. That officer hud been many year* ( connected with the force, and ho ]>ad always done his duty. The Vice-chairman' next gave "The Honorary Members," coupling with tho toast the names of Messrs. Waddell, Asher, Leahy, and Mason. He thought the fact that the increase in the number of honorary membeis was a sign thai the people of <Vuekland were beginning to lake an active interest in the Volunteer movement. In every other place except New Zealand the number of honorary members »»« \erv large. Their support whi a great encouragement, and their donations ailbrded the greatest assistance by gifts of

prizes, and those field days which kept t' e movement not only ulivc, bill, active. When he should see a larger number of Auckland citizens giving sueli substantial support, he woukl have 110 fear of the Volunteer movement. At present, they could only count some twenty or thirty, at the outside. He hoped before long to see on the roll at least out* hundred and fifty, or two hundred (llear, hear.) Mr. Widdih said : Although a young honorary member, he was an old Volunteer, lie thought the increase of the number of honorary members would do much to rcsuseiI tate the movement. If persons with means I and active sympathy would .join, Ili -v would show they had an interest not only in the 1 movement itself, but in tlie place. (Hear, and cheers.) lie would like to see honorary members present who took a lead in society and in business. If they had such patronage, the difficulties they had' hitherto experienced would soon pass away, lie did not regard so much dress and ornament, as that the Volunteers should (ire at a mark and be sure cd hitting it. That was the real thing wanted. Sir. Leaht also responded. Ho said l»e had been a Volunteer, and in thftt rapacity believed he had done his duty. He had promotion offered to him, but telt obligod to relinquish. He felt bound to go out when the dinger of the country required it. lie would do so again if the occasion arose. (Hear, and cheers.) Sir. Asiinn also thanked the company for the honor they ha 1 dono him. lie acknowledged that the old Volunteers had done their duty, and they would do so again. Mr. Masox also responded for the honor done him in coupling his name with their old comrades. Capt. Uatoer gavo "Prosperity to the Province of Auckland." He was sure all present would do justice to the toast. (Cheers.) From one point of view it was the toast "our noble selves," but from another point of view it meant something less selfish. The prosperity of one province was bound up with the prosperity of the whole country. Cut they should recollaet that whatever the resources of any country or district, Its prosperity did not so much depend upon the advantages which it derived from situation, climate, orsiil, as upon the people in it. He gave, " Prosperity to the Province of Auckland." (Cheers.) Band : " There's a Good Time Coming." Captain GriLm.vo responded. He thought that if there were unanimity among the Volunteers themselves the movement would give more satisfaction. He behoved that if the Volunteers a-sisted each other more than they did they would be stronger anrt more appreciated. Sergeant Gati.and gave, " The Ladies." He honoured tho ladies. He was sure they were verv- busy—llo doubt 011 that banner which the Volunteers would have some day. Mr. lI.OU'TON' responded 011 behalf of the ladies. '• The Press " was next given and responded to. The healths of Colonel Harrington, Major Tisdall, and other officers were proposed, and drauk with honors. The Chairman gave " The Host and llostesi," which was cordially responded tj. [ Sergeant Gatlaxd, in proposing "The Band," hoped that the band would not be sufl'ered l«ng to depend 011 tlie Battalion fund. They had greatly improved under the direction of their .Bandmaster, .Mr. MeCormish. He | thought a good baud for Auckland was much needed. On Thursday night there would be an attempt made to place this mtter on a proper footing. He hoped tli * Auckland people would do their duty in this matter us I well as others. This concluded th» formal business of tho . evening. The company separated about [ twelve o'clock, having spent a most agreeable . / evening.