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Otago Daily Times, Issue 11918, 17 December 1900, Page 2

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OTAGO & SOUTHLAND

TROOPERS.

ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED,

A GIGANTIC MEETING OF WELCOME.

The committee appointed by the citizens to arrange for the welcome home of Otago find Southland troopers from the war in South Africa, the first of whom arrived on Saturday morning by the Union Steam Ship Company's fino steamer Monna, aro to be complimented on the completeness of the excellent little programme they had prepared for the happy and eventful occasion. Tho ohief merit, no doubt, belongs lo JFr ,T. A. Park,' who, at very short nolioe, sketched a programme that was subsequently'adopted almost in its entirety. At any rate, a? finally settled it was undoubtedly creditable to nil concerned, and must have been acceptable to the men >n whose honour it war. arranged. The demonstration was not overdone. The committee might easily have overstepped (he mark and. with a long list of entertainment, tired out the troopers and disturbed the trade of tne city. That, however, was tho vory thmg they tried to avoid, nnd they succeeded. From first lo last everything went well. Tho reception at Port Chalmers was warm and orderly, and the willingness of everybody who took part in it was obvious. The meeting of the troopers and their friend? was nicely arranged for. The farewell at Port Ohnimers and the run to Duncdin in tho Plucky were enlivened by the playing of the band, and passing St. Leonards and '«nven«bourne hundreds of loyal inhabitants were seen frantically waving handkerchiefs nnd flaw. It was a scene of enthusiasm from end to end. At Punedin crowds wore waiting, notwithstanding the fact that there was no holiday, nnd, after an enjoyable drive through the city, the men were taken to tho Agricultural Hall, where an immense concourse of Britishers gave, them an uproarious greeting. The programme, indeed, could not well have been improved upon. There wns little ostentation connected with it, which pleased the men. and them was ju=t a modicum of .iustifinble assumption connected with it which delighted tho public.

THE MOANA'S ARRIVAL AT POET CHALMERS.

The iloana, with a favourable wind, made a splendid passage from Lytfelton, and arrived at Port Chalmers at half-past 5 on Saturday morning. Even at that hour there were some people on the George street pier. Half an hour late. Mr John Mill put in an appearance, followed shortly afterwards by the Port Chalmers Garrison Band, and very soon many of the townspeople came down to have tho pleasure of welcoming hack "the hoys," or perhaps only to have a lool: at

them. The town also bsgan to wear a festive appearance. On Fli-gstaff Hill there was a good display of bunting, and from Ihe mnniei-

pal buildings and other places flags were flying gaily in the breeze. On board the boat

the trooners were early astir. Ravins been absent from Ofago for many months, they were nalurnllr eager to pet a glimpse of it again, and cold, foggy, and windy (hough the morning was, they were all pleased to see the

well-remembered Port and Peninsula Hills

once more. Corporal M'Kegfr was the only ,m.-i!i who did not rise early. Ho had a fail on (he HarleHi Castle shortly after leaving Capetown, hurting' his baefc so'rionsly, and he hns not by any means recovered from the effects yet. At half-past 7 the train brought a number of Dunodin people to the scene

nong the number being- Oa.pta in Cameron

ftho marine mnrsl.nl for the tiny), Messrs C. R. Smith. C. P. M. Butterworlh. .and G. G. Israel. Mr Smith and Mr Butterworth, on. H"half of the Reception Committee, welcomed Snrsrcant Hnzlett. Sergeant Muir. Corporal M'Kegg, and the troopers, and when ATr E R. Alien. >r.H.n. nn d Mr D. A. de Mans (mayor of Port Chalmers), and other prominent people of the town came down about a quarter to 8, they also extended a hearty greeting to ths men. The official list o f (ho little party that has returned to our shores is as follows: —

Sergeant Edgar Hazlett, No. 2 Company, first contingent, Dunedin. ■Sergeant John Muir, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Waikouniti.

Corpora) Amos M'Kegg, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Hen ley. Trooper William .Black, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Waikouaiti. Trooper William Renton, No. 2 Company, first contingent, Stirling. Trooper Hugh Smith, No. 2 Company, first contingent, Balcliilha. Trooper Harold Smith, No. 2 Company, first contingent, Invercargill. Trooper William Bunton, No. 2 Company, first contingent, Balclutha.

Trooper George Louis Heenan, No. 2 Company, first contingent, Riversclale.

Trooper Walter Johnston, No. 2 Company, first contingent, Knihiku.

A Bnsuto boy, "Davy," also eamo on the Moana, but as lie failed in Wellington to comply with tlio education tout of the Immigration Restriction Act lie cannot land at any port in the colony, and will therefore have to go back to Australia in the steamer. He came over on the Hnrleeh Castle in charge of horses. THE MEETING OF THE TROOPERS AND THKT.R FRIENDS. At five minutes past 8 o'clock the tug Plucky arrived from Dunedin with a party of the friends of the troopers, members of'the Reception Committee, and others. The most anxious party on board the boat—those who wero looking forward to the meeting with sons, brothers, or sweethearts—consisted of Mr J. Hazlett, Mrs W. Hazlett, and Mr L. C. Hazlelt, Mr and Mrs Ren ton (of Clutha) with Mrs Boyd, Mrs and Miss Johnston (of Knihiku) with Miss Loal, Mrs and Miss Smith (of Clutha) with Mrs D. M. Findlay. Mr and Miss Muir and Mrs Drake, Mr W. M'Kegg (Henley) and the Misses M'Kegg. Mr M'Kegg, son., was on the Moana, having Rons nortli to meet his son. The Patriotic. Committee were, represented on the Plucky by Mr ,T. F. Arnold, M.H.R.. Mr ,T F. M Fraser, Mr fi. L. Denniston, Mr X T. MnoWerras, and Mr F. H. Campbell; and the Ladies' Committee by Mrs R. Gordon Macdonald (chairwoman). Mrs P. 0. Corliss, Miss Burl, and Miss Patrick. Captain and Adjutant F. Stronach represented the Headr/unrters Staff, accompanied by Captain Morris and Lieutenant Pram (Otago Hussars), Major Smith (Otngo Infantry Battalion). Captain Stoneham' (Highland ' Rifles), and Captain W. HnzleU (Southland Mounted Rifles). There were also on board Mr .T. Robin. Mfcs Robin. Mr C. Seelye, the Hon. W. M. Bolt, and Mr E. B. Cargill. The Dunerlin Pipe Rand, under Sergeant Hume, played stirring tunes on the rundown. The weather was not very pleasant, and as the boat hod both wind and tide to contend against the journey took longer than was anticipated. On arriving within hail of the Moana the pipers struck up "-A man's a man for a' that," and on tl;e Plucky being berthed on the opposite side, of the pier from the Moana, Mr Robin called for three cheers for the troopers, who could be seen impatiently awaiting the arrival of their friends on the quarter deck of the big steamer. Tlie cheers were lustily given by those on the Plucky and the crowd on the wharf. The Plucky's party then made their waj' to the Moana, and the scene changed lo one of overflowing joy and happiness as the Jong-parted ones met again and held pleasant conversaWELCOME BY THE MAYOR OF PORT CHALMERS. At n. quarter past 9 Sergeant Hnzlett drew his men up on tbe Moana's promenade quarterdeck, where, in the presence of about 100 Indies and gentlemen, Mr I?e Mans addressed them as follows:—" Boys, allow me to fay how pleased T am to welcome you backon behalf of Port Chalmers, Ot.-«ro. a m\ New Zealand generally. We are glad to say that you represent us, and nersonallv T am proud to belnnpr to n country that lias produced men of your stamp—men who have done their duty late and early, have been fearless in the faco of dimmer, and have made the name of New Znalnncler* honoured in the first army of the world. You have now come back again, and I hope and know you will be able to show tlie volunteers here how to den! with their work, and put them on the fair way lo be good soldiers. I have no more to say to you. as you ar? all anxious to get away. T only again hearlilv welcome you back, and will take the pleasure of shaking hands with each one of you individu-

Amid cheers, Mr De Mans cordially welcomed tho party, after which cheers were given for the troopers, and a move was made for the Plucky, which was lying ready to return to Dunedin. FROM PORT CHALMERS TO DUNEDIN.

As the Moana did not come up to town, it was decided that the troopers and their friends should be conveyed to Dunediu by the Plucky. At 35 minutes past 9 the tug left Port Cjialmors,' the party on board getting nn exceptionally kind send-off from the large crowd remaining on the wharf. The journey to town was made very pleasant by the playing of the. Port Band and tlio pipers, and the lively conversation! between the troopers and their friends was almost as pleasant a scene to witness as it must have been to experience. All tho way up the harbour the people on shore ware recognising the vnhaut troopers, and wardd greetings to them, which were heartily returned. Approaching tlio wharves, the men on dredge 222 and the barquentine Senoriln raised ringing cheers for the troopers, and a largo guthering at the junction of the Victoria and RtUtray street wharves also sent along ' a hearty welcome. A few minutes later tlio HI tic boat arrived alongside the tongue wharf, whore the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr R Chisholm) and other members of the Reception Committee were waiting, and us soon as_ tho boys in khaki became visible his Worship started a cheer for them, which was readily taken up, and responded to by the crowd.

THE RECEPTION AT THE WHAKF AND

THE PROCESSION.

Long before 10 o'clock people began to stream in tlio direction of the wharves, and at firit took up n position at the junction of the cross wharf and the "Rattray street wharf. Soon, however, the news spread around that the- tug Plucky would land (lie returning soldier? at the tongue wharf, and a move in that direction was immediately made. The gentlemen to whom was entrusted the task of making the arrangements for the transfer of the men from the tug to the drags very wisely kept a guard over tlie gates of-tho tongue wharf, and only the members of tho Reception Committee, the members of tho press, and the personal friends of the returning troopers wore allowed access to it. The four drags that were requisitioned for the conveyance of the troopers through (lie city, together with the Patriotic Committee and the friends an,'l relations of the men. were brought on to the wharf and held in waiting. A very stiff wind was blowing off the bay. and a slight drizzle felt: but if rain were falling in torrents it war quite evident it would not have damped the ardour and enthusiasm of those gathered to welcome home " tho boye." When the Plucky was seen ©merging from the mist about half a mile down the bay the excitement grew, and when the little group of men in khaVi standing on (he bridge was discernible, cheoriny amidst the crowd rommenccd. The liltle vessel was speedilj brought alongside Iho Ice of the wharf, and in the process of berthing hearty greetings were exchanged betweon tho men and those on the wharf. When the gangway was rim out, his Worship the Mayor stepped on board, and on behalf of the citizens, warmly welcomed the men back to their native heath. The men, headed by Sergeant Hazlett, filed slowly ashore, the progress boing greatly retarded by the vigorous handshaking that wan indulged in. As soon as a little order prevailed, his Worship mounted the nearest drag, and spoke as follows:-— ■" Ladies and gentlemen,—Will you let me here and now on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin accord our brave boys, who have just returned (o our city and their homos, a right royal, hearty welcome, and say that I will not detain you one moment here, as we will all proceed now by the Octagon to tho Agricultural Hall, where we will give you a welcome which, I think, will be worthy of Dunedin and worthy of you. Now. boys, take your seat? in the drag, and we wilJ proceed to have our grand demonstration over vondcr."

The returned soldiers then took their seats in the drag, and the committee and friend 3 of the men also got into their respective places on the other vehicles. The band, under the direction of Mr A. F. Robcrtshaw, struck up an inspiriting air. and the procession moved off the wharf. Everything went without a hitch, and in this roupeet the very greatest credit is due to Mr J. A. Park. 'When the procession moved off the wharf the " boys in khaki " wore received with cheer nfter cheer. The crowds gathered around the drags, waving their lints, and shouting themselves hoarse. Those on the box- seat of the drag immediately succeeding thjt in which the troopers were I seated were kept in a perpetual piate of excitement throughout nearly the whole of the procession by the absolutely reckless way in which people ran in front of the horses to caloh a glimpse of the men. At loast a. hundred hair-breadth escapes occurred in as many yards at the start, and almost all the way scores of boys rushed along about the horses' feet in fruitless endeavours to keep up with the drags. People would suddenly rush out of buildings and, standing in the middle of the street to gnzo at tho retreating drag conveying the troopers, would appo;ir lost in a maze of wonder, from which tho tramp of horses and the excited shout? of the driver and those alongside him could not arouse them. However, by skilful management, no accident of any kind occurred. When tho procession reached Kattraj street, it turned round into Cumberland street, and went along as far as Frederick street. En ~ route the little cortege was greeted with effusive demons! rations. People ran out of their houses, artisans threw down their tools and ran out into the streets, windows were thrown up, and at them people made their appearance, demonstratively waving handkerchiefs. On passing the hospital tho patients uho wero sufficiently convalescent: to do ro also made their appearance and joined in the welcome. When George street was reached the crowds wero attain met. At every street crossing they filled out into tho roadway, and, lost in the excitement of the moment, would imperil their lives and limbs in a wholly regardless fashion. Although there was no organised decoration of the streets, flags flew from the public buildings, and a great many business places, and there wns a festive air about t')o whole town. The New Zealand,

the English. Irish, and Scottish colours^ fluttered bravely in the breeze, mid an the Mayor stated on the wharf, the townspeople gave the boye who helped to keep the Empire's flag flying in South Africa a right royal welcome. In pacing Carg-iH's monument, the Grand Hotel, and Jacobs' earner, (lie side walks and tho streets were densely crowded, and tho en-

thusiasm which was displayed on all hands equalled what Inf. been seen in Dunedin en previous notable occasions during the progress of tho war. The procession passed round Water street, and drew up at the Agricultural Hall.