RETURN OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6439, 2 December 1881, Page 7

RETURN OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

The whole of the Wellington contingent of Volunteers who had proceeded to the Waimate Plains, in order to assist in quelling the vagaries of the Parihaka Natives, returned by the Government steamer Hinemoa at 8 p.m. on the 15th ult. The steamer left Opunake at 8.30 a.in., and it was therefore expected that she would arrive in port about 9.30 p.m., and, although a gun was fired as she came up the harbor, only a comparatively small section of those who had made up their minds to witness the return of the citizen soldiers were at the Kailway Wharf. Those Volunteers who had been unable to leave with their comrades fell in at the Drillshed just in time to be present. They marched down to the wharf headed by a strong band playing “Home. Sweet Home, and other appropriate airs, being responded to by the Guards’ Band on board the steamer with the National Anthem. Cheers and counter cheers were given, the last from the men on board the Hinemoa being “three cheers for Captain Fairchild.” A considerable crowd of spectators also gathered on the wharf, and it was a matter of some difficulty to find a passage. The returned Volunteers, having got ashore, fell in, and accompanied by their comrades, marched down the wharf and up to the Constabulary barracks. Their total number was 293, and they comprised the whole of the city and country corps. On arriving at the Armed Constabulary barracks, Inect.-Colonel Pearce addressed the men, congr»‘lnlating them on the efficiency of the service they had rendered the country, and the high appreciation the Government had expressed of such service. He intimated that the Wairara.pa contingent would be provided with quarters for the night in the barracks, and would receive their pay the following day, and further suggested that the officers of the other companies should see Captain Coleman and arrange for payment of their men, which would probably ha made on Thursday. He then dismissed the companies, and the men gave vent to their

satisfaction in loud cheers, being themselves heartily cheered by the assembled crowd. Among the Volunteers who assembled to meek their returning comrades were the Hutt Navals under Lieut. Fitzherbert, and accompanied by LieuU'. Hislop and Wallace. We may mention that Voluntee- Dixon, who accidentally shot himself in the leg a few days ago, was brought down by the Hiuemoa, and that-h« is progressing very favorably.