PRESENTATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10239, 22 December 1894, Page 3

PRESENTATION

The members of the North Dunedin Rifles held a smoke concert at the Shamrock Hotel on Tuesday evening, when between 40 and 50 were present. Seigeant-major .SJowley was in the chair. After the usual loyal toasts the Chairman, said they had met to do honour to their captain, and present him with an address as a token of. thc-.lr appreciation. Captain Myers was the most popular captain in the battalion, and tried to ki-ep bis men up to the mark. He was ever ready with his advice or, if nt.iM«<l, a helping hand. The speaker then handed u> Captain Myers a handsomely-framed illuminated address, at the same time saying : " In handing you this address, sir, on behalf of the noi>-c.iiiiniissioned officers and mei< of your company, we hope that you maybe long spared lo look upon it, and when you get into the sere and yellow leaf, and when the hand grows feeble and the sword is sheathed, you will be proud to say, ' This is from my old company— the .North Dunedin Rifles.' "—(Applause, and " For he's a jolly good fellow.") Captain Myers who was greeted with cheers, said he was completely taken by surprise at the unexpected honour conferred on him. He had always felt proud of his company in the past, and entertained i-he kindliest feelings towards them; but on receipt of such a handsome present his feelings tovvarda them became intensified, because he felt that whatever litile he had done in forwarding the company had been appreciated by the members, and he could assure them that in the futura he would do all in his power to assist them. Discipline had to bs maintained, and though those in command no doubt made mistakes, it was for the men to obey, and in that respect he must say the North Dunedin Rifles excelled, and, as he had already said, he felt proud of them. Should he Da (.pared to reach that stage of the "sere and | yellow leaf" referred to by their respected sergeant-major, he would look upon the address I with none but the sweetest memories of the daya when he was connected with the North Dunedin Ritks. He paid a high compliment to the indefatigable exertions and patience of Sergeantmajor Slowley, and also referred in eulogistic terms to the other non-commissioned officers. Mr Myers concluded by thanking the company for the kind and enthusiastic manner in which they bad druuk his health and that of Mrs Myers, andha could assure them that she would share with him in the pride of being the possessor of such a handsome tribute of the esteem and goodwill of the North Dunedin Rifles.—(Loud and prolonged applause.) A number of toasts were duly honoured, interspersed with Bongs, recitations, and smokes, and altogether a most enjoyable evening wa» spent. '