RETIREMENT OF COLONEL SHEPHERD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8581, 1 June 1891, Page 5

RETIREMENT OF COLONEL SHEPHERD.

f PRESENTATION OP AN ADDRESS, j As our readers are aware in pursuance of, the policy of retrenchment adopted by the Government, Colonel Shepherd, lately in j command of the Auckland volunteer force, was. retired from the :31st March, after having held the command for tho last seven years. The officers of the various : companies and staff officers determined that on the occasion of the severance of his connection with tho volunteers they would present him with some token .of the esteem in which he was held by those whom he commanded for so many years. : A committee was appointed to consider the form which the testimonial should take, and thoy decided on an illuminated address, the task of preparing which was allotted to Major Morrow. It is beautifully illuminated, in fact a work of art. The bordering is in exquisite taste, nob too heavy, but in every sense appropriate, and the colouring is so perfect that it looks like enamel, while tho lettering is all that could be desired. Indeed it is creditable alike to tho artistic taste of Major Morrow and to the officers who presented it. The address is of largo size and handsomely-mounted, and enclosed in a massive gilt frame. The text of the address is as follows :—

, k LieutOnant-Colonel T. V. Shepherd, Commanding Auckland District. Dear Sir,On the eve of your retirement from the command of this consequent on the retrenchment measures adopted by.the Government, —which you held with so much credit and ability for upwards■>of seven years, 1 we, the officers of the various branches of the volunteer establishment, desire to express to you the deep sense of regret with which we view the. circumstance of your unavoidable severance from a command > which your profession as a soldier so eminently fitted you for. : We take this opportunity of expressing to you our appreciation of your ever ready willingness to assist ,iu promoting; the best interests of the volunteer movement by your advice, encouragement, and generous assistance, and not least, amongst other matters, the material assistance rendered by you in the inauguration of the military? sports which have been so signally marked- by > success, under your able direction, as to beenme an annual institution, and have proved such a. valuable incentive to increase the efficiency of the service by encouraging a friendly spirit of emulation in the various military exercises comprising the events, besides affording facili-" ties of mutual intercourse by the corps in the more remote parts of the district with the head-quarter companies. Be assured that, although separated from us as a commanding officer, your name will ever be held m kindest remembrance, and', that your conduct and services are fully appreciated by us," as we are conscious of and grateful for the valuable aid which hus • been rendered by you. It would be a source of sincere gratification to us to learn, and wc trust at no distant date, that you have'been appointed to a command to which youi> military capacity entitles you. In saying farewell we need hardly assure you that wherever the call the duty renders your presence necessary you carry our best wishes for your welfare, and : that of Mrs. Shepherd and your family, and we ask your acceptance of this • small token to mark Our confidence and approbation of you. The address is signed by the staff-officers and by every volunteer officer in the whole of • the Auckland district. By invitation, Colonel: Shepherd 'met the officers on Saturday afternoon at the Drillshed to receive the presentation, which was made on behalf of the officers by LieutehaiitrColonel Dignan. ; Thero were present : Lieutenant-Colonel A Payne, Major Anderson', Major Morrow, and Major Skinner; Captains Reid, Tobin, Robertson, Selfe, and Kolin ; Lieu tenants Somers and'l'almon Apologies were received from a number of officers who were unable to be present, and Lieutenant-Colonel Dignan conveyed ' a special apology from the Very Rev. Monsignor McDonald. Lieutenant-Colonel Dignan, addressing Colonel Shepherd, said that the officers of the volunteer district desired to pay him a mark of their respect on the occasion of his severance frOm them, and they thought the most appropriate form which that should take would be an address, which lie would read without further comment, as it conveyed the feelings of all the officers as -to what they considered due to him for the interest which he had always manifested in' the volunteers. He then read the address, and in conclusion said that it would bo a satisfaction to Colonel Shepherd to know that the address was prepared and illuminated by one of themselves, Major Morrow, a volunteer officer, and it was a work of art which no doubt lie would appreciate more on this account than if it came from outside. The address, he assured Colonel Shepherd, expressed the feelings of all the volunteers. (Cheers.) Colonel Siiepilakd, who appeared to bo much affected, "said he would not say that this was the proudest moment of his life, but it was so, for ho did nob expect such a token of friendship. They knew how he had tried to separate the commanding officer from the individual, and he believed ho had done so' successfully, for lie had the best of friends in nil ranks. His severance from them was unexpected, but lie was nob going to cry over it, but' wheroever ho went ho would prize this handsome testimonial of their spontaneous expression of friendship towards him. He should always have tho interests of volunteering at heart, and if at any time he could assist them ho would bo most happy to do so. Ho knew the men and officers well, and that when there was ft good system there could bo no better men. There was one reference' in the address in which they gave him credit for promoting the military sports, which ho did nob deserve. It was Lord Onslow who originated them, although he gave all the assistance in his power, and was pleased to think that they were so successful as to become an annual event. He thanked them again, on behalf of his wife and children, and said when he was gone, his son, who might thon be serving the Queen in some other part of the world, would treasure their gift as an heirloom and memento of his father's connection with tho volunteers of Auckland. (Cheers.) ' Major Anderson proposed a vote of thanks to Major Morrow for the execution of the testimonial, which was certainly to him a labour of love. Captain Kbits' seconded the proposition, which was carried unanimously. Major Morrow . briefly replied, and Colonel Shepherd said the address would always bo more attractive 'and valuable to him from the fact that it had been executed by one of their own officers. 4 .* At the close of tho proceedings a largesized photograph. of the address, executed in Mr. Josiah Martin's very best style, was presented to each of the officers present, and a similar photo is to. Be "forwarded to each of tho officers signing the address who were not present. They will prove lasting mementoes of tho good feeling which always .existed between Colonel Shepherd and tho volunteers of tho district. ' : ; .