SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11922, 21 December 1900, Page 6

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Summary Neva—Continued from page 3.

KETUJJNING SOLDIERS FROM

SOUTH AFRICA.

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

A number of officers and troopers of the New Zealand contingent.';, who left Capetown for thoir homes in the Hnric.cn Castle, arrived at Wellington from Sydney by tho s.s. Monna, the others remaining in Sydney by instructions. Tliefe latter were to have come on by the Harlech Castle, and it had been arranged to givo a demonstration and welcome on a laigo scale on her arrival at Duncdin. the first port of call. Owing to the uncertainty a? to the transport's movements, and the fact that a number were returning I) 3' the Moann, the demonstration was abandoned, and those who desire it will remain in Sydney to take part in the Commonwealth demonstrations. Those who reached the colony by tho Moana were: —

Sergeant Edgar Haziott, JUunedin, .So. Company, first contingent.

Trooper William Muir, Auckland, No. 1 Company, first contingent.

Trooper H. Haselar, Auckland, No. 2 Company, first ■.contingent.

Trooper M. Cossav, North Canterbury, No. 2 Company, first contingent.

Sergeant C. M. Lewin, Christchurch, No. 1 Company, first contingent. Trooper G. L. Hceaaii, Southland, No. 2 Company, first contingent.

Trooper William Dick. Marlborough, No. 2 Company, first contingent.

Trooper John Montgomery, Auckland, No, Company, first contingent.

Trooper William Black, Waikouaiti, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Trooper William Renton, Inchclutha, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Trooper F. O'Shea, Nelson, No. 2 Company, first contingent.

Tvooucr S. Northe, No. 2 Company, first contingent.

( Trooper Joseph Catherall, Hastings (Hawke's Bay). No. 2 Company, first contingent. Trooper D. Johnston, Oamaru, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Sergeant Harrowell, Auckland, No. 1 Company, first contingent. Trooper P. L. Murray, Gore, No. 1 Company, third contingent. Trooper ,T. J. Heasley, Ashburton, No. 1 Company, third contingent. - Trooper W. Bunten, Clutha, No. 2 Company, first contingent.

Jrooper H. 31. Smith, Clutha, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Trooper H. C. Smith, Wellington, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Trooper John M'Cube, Doyleston, No. 2 Com•pany, first contingent. Trooper 11. B. Kirkbride, Auckland, No. • Company, first contingent. Sergeant John Mnir, Waikousiti, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Trooper W. Tubman, Christchurch, No. 2 Company, first contingent. Trooper Marshall. '

Trooper Amos M'Kegg, Henley, No. 2 Company, first contingent.

On arrival at Wellington on the 12th the men were met by a large crowd, who gave Uiom a most, enthusiastic reception. They were afterwards entertained by tlie members of the Ministry in Wellington. At Lyttelton, on the Hth, the Canterbury and Otago men received another hearty welcome. But Duneilin and Port Chalmers, though disappointed at not having the privilege of giving a welcome to the whole of the returning men in a hotly, gave to the Otago boys a welcome a." hearty and enthusiastic as if they numbered WOO instead of 10. The Moa.na readied Port Chalmers about daybreak. Soon afterwards bunting commenced to show everywhere, and large number* assembled on the wharf. The Mayor of Port Chalmers welcomed the men, uml the. hand cheered them with music. Members of I he Dunedin Reception Committee reached Port by the first train, and some time later the Harbour Board's steamer Plucky arrived witli the relatives and friends of the rotnrninj? men and the remaining members of the Reception Committee. The soldiers of the Queen were transferred to the Plucky, and, accompanied by the Dunedin Pipe Band, a start was made for Dunedin. Despite the fact that it was Saturday, an enormous1 crowd gathered about the wharves to welcome the troopers. After a few hearty words of welcome from the Mayor and hearty handshaking, the men, under the charge of Sergeant Baz.lett, were placed in drags and driven through the principal streets of the city, which were gay with hunting;. The crowds in the streets cheered heartily all along the route_ to the Agricultural Hall, which, large as if. is, was packed with enthusiastic men and women, prepared to cheer themselves hoarse and wave flags and handkerchiefs for an indefinite period. The hall was nicely decorated, and the scene presented was one . which should long linger in the memories of those who had just returned from fighting for (ho flag. A choir of 300 school children sang "When Tommy comes marching home again," and the Rev. W. Saundcrs, president of the Council of Churches, offered up an earnest and affecting prayer of thanks for those who had returned, petitioning for protection for those still surrounded by danger, concluding with a feeling reference to those who had laid down their lives in battle. Patriotic songs and patriotic music followed. Then the Mnyor (Mr R. Chisholm), on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin and residents of Olago, welcomed the men back, extolling their services, and commending their excellent behaviour. He directed especial attention to Trooper Johnston, who had rescued Corp. M'Kegg from a perilous position, and Johnston was cheered to the echo. The Mayor concluded by calling for three cheers for the boys in South Africa, and these were given with the heartiest goodwill. Sergeant Hazlett returned thanks in a modest little speech, and then Colonel Wei.*, commanding the forces of I he district, briefly referred to the excellent services the men had rendered to the Empire. Mr T. W. Eempthorno recited a poem, composed for the occasion by Mr John M'Glashan. Three cheers for Lieut.-colonel Robin, commanding the New Zea-lamlors in South Africa, was followed by the National Anthem. Then came cheers for the Queen and the mayor, and the proceedings terminated, the men being driven to the Provincial Hotel for dinner.

At Waikouaiti the same evening Sergeant Muir and Trooper Black, who hail from that district, had another enthusiastic welcome, equally hearty, though on a smaller scale. Balclutha was en fete on Monday, when Troopers Hugh Smith. Bunion, Renton, Johnston, and Harold Smith were welcomed home.

Corporal Coutts, of Taranaki, Avho was awarded the Queen's scarf for his jreillant conduiit in rescuing Corporal Edgar, of the Buririah Jlounted Infantry at Banna's Post, pa.vsed through Dimedin on the 12th, and was welcomed by tho Patriotic Committee; as also was Trooper Cana-van, of Auckland.